Savannah is a city made for wandering. Founded in 1733 as the first city of the Georgia colony, it was laid out on a grid of wards, each built around a green public square. Twenty-two of those squares survive today, shaded by live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and they turn a walk across downtown into a series of small, leafy rooms.
A weekend is enough to fall for Savannah. This relaxed two-day itinerary focuses on the historic district, with time for museums, a legendary cemetery and an afternoon at the beach — and plenty of time to sit on a bench and do nothing.
Before you go
- When to visit: spring (March to May) brings azaleas and comfortable temperatures; fall is warm and less crowded. Summer is hot and humid. St. Patrick's Day weekend is one of the city's biggest celebrations — wonderful if you want a party, challenging if you want quiet.
- Getting around: the historic district is compact and flat. Park once, then walk. A free downtown shuttle has operated in recent years; check current routes before you go.
- Where to stay: anywhere within the historic district puts you close to the squares. The area around Forsyth Park is quieter; the streets near River Street are livelier.
The official visitor site, Visit Savannah, has current event listings and maps.
Day one: squares, history and River Street
Morning: walk the squares
Start with coffee and breakfast, then walk north to south through the squares along Bull Street, the city's central spine. Highlights include:
- Johnson Square, the oldest and largest, near the financial district.
- Wright Square, one of the original four.
- Chippewa Square, familiar to movie fans as the setting for the bench scenes in Forrest Gump. (The bench was a film prop and is now displayed in a museum.)
- Madison Square, surrounded by handsome buildings and close to several historic homes.
- Monterey Square, often called one of the most beautiful.
Take your time. Each square has monuments, benches and its own character.
Late morning: a historic house
Savannah's house museums tell rich and sometimes difficult stories. The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, operated by Telfair Museums, is notable for interpreting the lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked there alongside the family who owned the house. The Telfair's other sites, the Telfair Academy and the contemporary Jepson Center, are also worth a visit.
Afternoon: Forsyth Park
Walk south to Forsyth Park, Savannah's great public green. Its white cast-iron fountain, installed in 1858, is one of the most photographed spots in Georgia. On Saturday mornings a farmers market usually sets up in the park. Bring a snack and a book and claim a bench under the oaks.
Evening: River Street and dinner
Head down to the riverfront. River Street's old cotton warehouses now hold shops, restaurants and bars, and the cobblestone ramps connecting it to Factors Walk above are part of the city's working-port history. Watch the huge container ships glide up the Savannah River, then have dinner in the historic district.
Day two: oaks, cemeteries and the coast
Morning: Wormsloe or Bonaventure
Choose one of two atmospheric outings:
- Wormsloe State Historic Site, about 20 minutes southeast, is famous for its mile-long avenue lined with hundreds of live oaks. It also preserves the tabby ruins of an 18th-century colonial estate. See Georgia State Parks for hours.
- Bonaventure Cemetery, east of downtown, is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the South, with moss-draped oaks, azaleas and elaborate Victorian monuments overlooking the Wilmington River.
Midday: lunch downtown
Savannah's food scene ranges from classic Southern boarding-house-style lunches to modern restaurants. Look for local seafood, shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and pralines from one of the candy shops near River Street.
Afternoon: Tybee Island
Drive about 20 miles east to Tybee Island, Savannah's beach town. Climb the Tybee Island Light Station for views over the coast, walk the pier, or simply sit on the sand. Check tide times and swim only near lifeguards.
Evening: a slow final dinner
Return downtown for a last dinner and an after-dark stroll through the squares, when the gas lamps and warm windows make the city feel especially timeless.
Tips for a smooth weekend
- Wear comfortable shoes. Sidewalks are uneven and brick-paved in places.
- Carry water in warm months; the humidity catches visitors off guard.
- Book popular restaurants ahead on weekends.
- Respect residents. Many historic homes are private. Admire from the sidewalk.
What to wear
Light, breathable fabrics are your friend in Savannah's climate. Linen and cotton — including seersucker, the puckered striped cotton made for Southern summers — keep you cool. Our guide to seersucker explains why it works and how to wear it.
Extend the trip
Savannah pairs perfectly with Charleston, about two hours north; our guide to things to do in Charleston, SC covers the best of the Holy City. For a complete change of scenery, head to the mountains — our guide to things to do in Asheville covers the Blue Ridge side of the South.
Frequently asked questions
Is one weekend enough for Savannah?
Two full days lets you see the main historic district, one or two museums and either Tybee Island or Wormsloe. Three days allows a slower pace.
Can you drink alcohol on the street in Savannah?
Savannah allows open containers in a defined part of the historic district, with rules on cup size and material. Check current city rules before you go.
Is Savannah walkable?
Very. The historic district is flat and compact, and most visitors never need a car downtown.
Photo credits: Whitaker St-Forsyth Park, Savannah - panoramio by Mike Tilley, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Savannah GA USA Forsyth Park fountain by Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
