Travel Guide- Savannah
In mid-June, Georgia and I headed to Savannah with some other moms and daughters for the girls’ national dance competition. The trip came at a busy time and to be perfectly honest, I wasn’t ecstatic about it, but we ended up having THE BEST week. I absolutely fell in love with Savannah – all the beauty and history took my breath away.
Since y’all love a travel guide, I wanted to share my recommendations for eating and sightseeing in my new favorite city (will also share soon about our wonderful house rental). Keep in mind that this is a highlight reel, and there are plenty of amazing things we didn’t have time to see and do. I can’t wait to go back as a family – it’s a great destination for both adults and kids. Compiling this guide was a really fun trip down memory lane, and I hope y’all enjoy it!
Eat & Drink
The Sentient Bean – Our go-to coffee shop. They also do vegetarian all-day breakfast which is lovely.
Le Chai – Fantastic wine shop. It’s fun to just explore their selection and if you’re renting a house, it’s the ideal place to stock your bar.
The Grey – Featured on Chef’s Table, The Grey is totally worth the hype. It’s in a restored, art deco Greyhound station from 1938, so the ambience is very cool, as well.
The Grey Market – A casual offshoot of The Grey which is fantastic for lunch.
Collins Quarter – There are two locations; we frequented the one in Forsythe Park because it was close to our home rental. Ideal for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and cocktails, this is a perfect place for both kids and adults.
The Vault– We loved this Asian-fusion restaurant, located in an old bank building. There’s history everywhere in Savannah!
Squirrel’s Pizza– Delicious pizza in a chic, Scandinavian-inspired restaurant space. You can dine in or carry out; both options are great with kids.
Vittoria Pizzeria Napoletana – Another amazing pizza option, this is in Starland Yard (more on that below) which is so fun and family-friendly.
Husk – I think this is the best of the three Husk locations (also in Charleston and Nashville). A totally delightful meal.
Common Thread – Love this delicious option for a date night. Located in a beautiful historic home.
The Olde Pink House – One of Savannah’s “famous” restaurants, it’s lovely for a cocktail but don’t stress about getting in for dinner. The “Pink Drink” is too sweet though – choose something else ;-).
Brighter Day Natural Foods Market– We stocked up on snacks and essentials for the house here. It was nice to have healthy choices on hand for both moms and kids!
See & Do
Starland Yard – This is such a cool concept. There are rotating food trucks every week (Vittoria Pizzeria, which I mention above, has a permanent space), lawn games, a fun bar area, plus a weekly calendar of special events (music, art, etc.). Everyone is there with dogs and kids – a great vibe.
Forsythe Park – One of the must-see areas in Savannah, this park is rightfully famous for its beauty (think Spanish moss, a gorgeous fountain). There's also a big playground for kids and a large Collins Quarter location (so you can play and eat).
Mercer House(aka, the Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil house) – One of my favorite books! The tour of this gorgeous, 1800s home is fascinating.
Monterey Square – The neighborhoods of historic Savannah are clustered around charming squares, each more beautiful than the last. Allow yourself time to simply wander – the architecture and the gardens will transport you. Monterey Square is gorgeous – Mercer House (above) is on the square, so after your tour, you can start your leisurely exploration of the area.
Shopping – There are so many charming shops in Savannah, I feel like we barely scratched the surface. A great place is start is the area around Whitaker Street, which is full of boutiques and home stores (also wander along Broughton and Bull). Some favorites include:
Emily McCarthy Shoppe(this isn’t in the area I describe above but it’s FAB - total hostess heaven)
SCAD Museum of Art – Check out what’s on exhibit at this contemporary art museum, which is affiliated with Savannah’s famous art and design school. They have programming for kids, as well.
Telfair Museums – We didn’t have time for these, but it’s on my list for the next trip.
Battle of Savannah Battlefield– Best to visit in the fall or spring (there’s no shade so it’s HOT in the summer), this park commemorates one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War. It’s not huge so it’s easy to do with kids, and if they’re learning about American history in school, it’s an ideal place to bring that colonial period to life.
Railroad Museum – Right next to the battlefield, this is a charming, small museum that’s fun for wheels-obsessed kids.
Guided Tours
We researched lots of options but ultimately didn’t have time. Based on what we read, I’d recommend doing one of theTrolley Tours (optionshereandhere), especially if you’re there in the summer (when it’s way too hot to do the whole thing on foot).
In April, the Garden Club of Savannah does a Hidden Gardens tour that looks fab. Perfect for a girls’ trip.
