In Savannah, the locals are friendly, it’s where urban meets south, and modern meets history. Don’t miss out on these must-sees when you’re visiting Savannah, GA.
Want to know how much it will cost you to take a trip to Savannah or any dream destination? Try our free tripatlas.com/new Trip Builder and connect with our TripAtlas PROs who can help you with pricing, tips, and booking your trip.
What not-to-miss when you’re in Savannah, Georgia
Check into the Thunderbird Hotel. Part kitsch and all comfort, this is a rare independent gem-relatively inexpensive with small but much-appreciated amenities like wifi and cleanliness. Come for the quirky retro decor, stay for the incredibly comfortable beds.
Visit the Telfair Museum’s Jepson Center. The Telfair is the oldest public art museum in the South, and the Jepson is its most recent triumph. The 7,500 square foot museum features an impressive collection of contemporary art, as well as an auditorium and a community gallery.
Grab a coffee at Sentient Bean. This is the other side of Savannah; a shop that would be at home in the streets of San Francisco or Seattle. Offering comfortable seating, good coffee and regular live music, it has become a well-known spot for the artistic community here.
Eat at Johnny Harris. Billed as Savannah’s oldest restaurant, this meat-and-potatoes place features friendly waitresses, booths with a button to call for them, and gaudy carpets that have no doubt absorbed their share of spilled scotch.
Go on a square walk. Twenty-one of them remain, from the old (Johnson Square was the first square built by Oglethorpe in 1733) to the cinematic (Chippewa Square was the site of Forrest Gump’s long-winded wait for the bus). And don’t miss Forsyth Park.–the largest park in Savannah and a shimmering example of what an urban green space can be.
Have a drink at Isaac’s on Drayton. The story goes that when this place was a boxing club in the 19th century a British thug nicknamed “Brute” beat the local Irish hero. The crowd disapproved, and hanged him in the basement. He has been purportedly been haunting the place ever since. The exposed brick and historic wooden bar (one of the oldest in Savannah–once found in Grand Central Station) only enhance the charm, and the staff is as friendly as they come.
Listen to some music at Kevin Barry’s. Set on cobbled, historic River Street, this is a stone-and-wood den with character…and characters. There is live music every night of the week, and you may get lucky enough to see Frank Emerson, a storytelling troubadour who has been filling barrooms with his songs for over 35 years. Before sitting down to hear the music, go upstairs to check out the Hall of Heroes, a full tribute to law enforcement, first responders and service members.
Get haunted. Stroll through antebellum graveyards. Walk through creaky Civil War era homes. Crawl from haunted bar to haunted bar. Embrace the eerie. And if you happen to need some shampoo, you know where to go. Just make sure you get there before the sun goes down.
Looking to book a trip to Georgia? Check out the tripatlas.com/new Trip Builder where you can request a quote local travel agents who are waiting to offer you custom prices on your trip.