Savannah: Hostess City of the South

Surrounded by iconic live oaks draped with Spanish moss, Georgia’s coastal city of Savannah is often called Charleston’s more eclectic little sister.

Stately antebellum mansions flanking brick-paved streets, hauntingly-beautiful graveyards, and a grid of 22 majestic garden squares has long defined the spirit of this illustrious city.

Like its sister city, the rich history of Georgia’s oldest settlement dominates its vibe, but Savannah is also known for its many attractions ranging from unparalleled culinary delights and social venues to a celebrated arts scene, boutique shopping opportunities, and a thriving nightlife.

Heavy with coastal humidity and Southern charm, Savannah’s sultry climate invites you to slow down and savor the essence of a city where the old blends seamlessly with the new.

As one of the top ten walking cities in the nation, Savannah features a historic district that encompasses the original town laid out in 1733. This picturesque area is the heart of the city and is easily walkable, owing to its practical design of squares and streets.

Stroll down linear brick avenues to blocks of green spaces outlined with opulent mansions, spreading oak trees, sparkling fountains, stone monuments, and a variety of meaningful sites, boutique shops, and eateries. Savannah is one of the few surviving colonial city plans in the country, a testament to the ingenuity of Georgia’s founders.

EAT + DRINK SAVANNAH

From international cuisine to down-home country cooking, Savannah has it all. You will work up an appetite from all the walking as you tour the city, and will not be disappointed in the variety of high-end restaurants, diners, food trucks and coffeehouses to choose from.

Savannah’s food scene is part of the reason this city has become a top traveler’s destination. Although the city is legendary for its abundance of haunted locales, the dearly departed are not the only spirits that can be found in Savannah. There are plenty of places to find the beverage kind, often housed in the carefully-restored historical buildings the city is famous for.

Here are just a few of our favorite spots:

• Lady & Sons – Celebrity chef Paula Deen’s flagship Southern-style restaurant has become a landmark in Savannah. Hungry guests line up around the block of the three-story building long before the doors are opened, so reservations are highly recommended. Indulge in traditional Southern fare like fried chicken, sweet potato soufflé, fried green tomatoes, and buttermilk biscuits.

• Leopold’s – Established in 1919 by three immigrant brothers from Greece, this simple ice cream parlor is one of the most legendary spots in the city. Generations of Savannah’s residents and visitors have enjoyed their hand-churned flavors for over 100 years. During warm weather, the line for their decadent ice cream stretches down the block and patrons have stood for hours in the glow of the neon signs to enjoy a lineup of classic scoops as well as some rotating flavors, like lavender and rose petal. Not sure what to order? You can’t miss with the Southern Socialite – a mixture of rich chocolate with pecan and bourbon caramel. 

• The Grey – Operating in a refurbished Greyhound bus depot, this eatery serves refined Southern cooking with casual ambiance. The Grey combines the old-school vibe of a lunch counter combined with the sophistication of an Art Deco-style lounge. The full menu offers creative versions of Southern soul food, like turnip bisque, roasted yardbird with jalapeno chow-chow, and seafood boudin.

• The Olde Pink House – One of Savannah’s most acclaimed dining experiences, this upscale restaurant serves steak, seafood, and Southern favorites in a Colonial-era mansion. Dining rooms featuring portrait-lined walls, brick fireplaces, and sparkling chandeliers are the setting for a top-notch meal of comfort food leveled up, like barbecue-glazed duck and Lowcountry shrimp ‘n grits.

• Pirate’s House – For a serving of history and pirate lore with your meal, head over to the weathered board-and-brick structure on the outskirts of the Historic District. Legend has it this former 18^th-century inn is the inspiration for the site of Captain Flint’s demise in Treasure Island. Today, this historically-preserved restaurant serves legendary seafood dishes teeming with spices and flavor from 15 separate dining rooms.

• Ghost Coast Distillery – At Savannah’s first distillery since just before Prohibition, you can sample small-batch spirits and liquors that can’t be found anywhere else. Their Last Word cocktail contains a house-made Chartreuse, an herbal liqueur distilled from over 130 different plants, flowers, and herbs by French monks since 1737. The recipe is a highly-guarded secret, so Savannah’s version of the green, aromatic bitters is one of a kind.

• Gryphon Tea Room – Located in the 1926 building that once housed a family-run apothecary, this historical venue serves seasonal offerings in an elegant setting, including afternoon tea with house-made sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream and jam, and assorted pastries and petit fours.

• Moon River Brewing Company – This former city hotel is Savannah’s oldest brewery, serving house-made beverages and a full menu of American eats. Lounge in the venue’s pet-friendly beer garden and enjoy award-winning craft flavors with fun names such as Swamp Fox and Taterlicious! It is also known for being one of the most haunted locations in the city.

EXPLORE SAVANNAH

Shades of days gone by are everywhere in Savannah. The city’s significance to the story of America dates back to 1733, and wherever you go, there are remnants of the past all around you – statues, private homes, museums, and public areas. An opportunity to learn more about the culture and heritage of this Southern belle of a city is around every corner.

Here are a few of the fun outings we enjoyed (and some of them are free!):

• Cathedral of St. John the Baptist – Georgia’s oldest Catholic church, this Gothic-style cathedral features twin spires, making it an easily recognizable landmark on Savannah’s skyline. Completed in 1876, this historical building has been meticulously restored with majestic, arched ceilings, intricate woodwork, religious paintings and sculptures, and stunning stained glass. The regal beauty of this cathedral will make you feel like you are in a European city.

• Historic Savannah Theatre – Constructed in 1818, this historic Art-Deco venue is the nation’s oldest continuously-operating theatre. It began as a live theater showcasing the most talented acts of the day in its footlights, then evolved into a moving-picture venue in the golden days of Hollywood. It now offers live music and theatrical performances again, and tells the story of its legacy with informative displays in the lobby.

• Bonaventure Cemetery – The most notable cemetery in the South sits just a few miles of Savannah’s historic district. Over 100 acres of tree-lined paths lead to the resting places of notable residents like poet Conrad Aiken, silent film actress Edythe Chapman, singer Johnny Mercer, and over 500 confederate soldiers. Bundles of Spanish moss draped over sprawling branches frame the cemetery’s striking monuments and funerary art against the backdrop of the meandering Savannah River.

• American Prohibition Museum – Explore the history of the Prohibition Era at one of the city’s most unique attractions as you take a trip back in time to the early 1900s. This is the only museum in America dedicated to the impact of anti-alcohol campaigns on the nation, told through over 200 historic artifacts and captivating displays. As you pass through the years of America’s struggle with the “booze problem,” you are immersed in the story of the journey to the 13^th amendment and its legacy that still affects our economy today.

• Plant Riverside District – Revel on the river at Savannah’s newest multi-purpose complex on the west end of the city. Enjoy live music from local and regional artists at the Amphitheatre. Moon Deck Rooftop Bar and Myrtle and Rose Rooftop Gardens both provide a stunning view of the Savannah River, and the city’s seasonal fireworks displays.

• Mercer-Williams House: This striking Italianate mansion is one of Savannah’s most infamous house and the setting for the best-selling novel “Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil.” Meticulously restored by its former owner, this home was once known as the jewel of Savannah’s historic district and has been the site of several scandals, mysterious deaths, and inexplicable hauntings. You can take a guided tour of the home, carriage house and gardens.

*Note: There is another popular house tour in Savannah that I personally can’t recommend. We took this tour hoping for a glimpse into another time – a detailed look at period-accurate furnishings and décor, the state-of-the-art amenities only the wealthy could afford at that time, and architectural designs of the era, along with stories of the various people who lived there. We were disappointed to realize there was very little of any of those things emphasized. This tour was an unfortunate waste of time and money.

• Ghost Tours – No trip to Savannah would be complete without a tour of some of its haunted locales. They say everywhere you walk in the Historic District is above the remains of someone who was laid to rest centuries ago. War, fires, and yellow fever epidemics have all left their mark on the city, and resulted in Savannah being named the most haunted city in the South.

SHOP SAVANNAH

There is no shortage of options for finding the perfect Savannah souvenir, whether it’s the obligatory t-shirt or a distinctive home décor piece to remember your visit. From handmade crafts to high-end labels, Savannah’s growing retail scene provides something for everyone.

• Waterfront – Stroll next to the Savannah River on one of the best-preserved waterfronts in America and let the tantalizing scent of pulled taffy and fresh-baked pralines lure you into one of the colorful candy kitchens. You can also pick up local honey, handmade arts and crafts, and Savannah souvenirs from the array of vendors that line the ballast-stone street.

• Savannah City Market – Known as the “art and soul” of Savannah, this pedestrian-only downtown area where residents once shopped for groceries is now a haven of art galleries, myriad dining options, and music venues. Stretching a full block in each direction, the open-air marketplace features an eclectic line-up of shops making their home in restored warehouses. From shoes to cigars, hand-crafted jewelry, and one-of-a-kind gifts, this retail space is an ideal spot to take a break from sightseeing.

• Broughton Street – While only a few blocks long, this thoroughfare is bustling with antique shops, thrift shops, art galleries, and high-end boutiques. Several design studios and art supply stores speak to the influence that SCAD has brought to this thriving, pedestrian-friendly avenue.

This list is only a sampling of the abundance of Southern hospitality and charm waiting for you in the city that has been called the crown jewel of the Peach State.

Want to tour Savannah at your own pace? Check out this post to find out how!

What is your favorite thing about Savannah? Tell me all about it in the comments!

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