One Day in Savannah, Georgia
Updated: May 15, 2022
Savannah is best known for its beautiful coastal landscapes, its well-preserved architecture, and its rich, vibrant history. Let me tell you, it lives up to all three of those things! One day in Savannah, Georgia isn’t enough but will give you the chance to see some of the best things the city has to offer.
My boyfriend and I took my first trip ever to Georgia to a town I have been wanting to visit for a long time – Savannah, Georgia! Wow – it was gorgeous. In the past year, I’ve been able to visit New Orleans, Charleston, and now, Savannah. I love visiting these gorgeous southern cities.
We spent one day in Savannah and one day on Cumberland Island, which you also need to visit! Savannah is one of the best vacation destinations in Georgia. It was truly such a wonderful weekend and I am so excited to share some amazing things to do there with you.
Start your day off at the Wormsloe Historic Park
$10 per person, 9 am – 5 pm daily
Wormsloe is potentially most famous for its oak tree-lined street, which is gorgeous, but the historic significance is the real reason to check this site out. It’s Georgia’s oldest plantation and offers a history into the founding of Georgia, history of slavery, and beautiful nature trails. The area has several different walking trails and a historic village where you can see what it was like for settlers back in the day.
Wear sturdy shoes that you can walk around the sand in. The trails are along a marsh and offer great views of wildlife and a unique perspective on what it would have been like to be in Savannah in the 1700s. There are no full buildings left so instead, you will see the ruins of what used to exist in this place.
I recommend going first thing in the morning when it opens because it can get very hot and humid in Savannah, even if it’s not summer. You’ll avoid crowds and see this beautiful place without the heat. We spent about two hours here and it was a great start to our day.
Grab a Light Lunch or Tea at Gryphon
We wanted a spot that had some charm and unique experience. Gryphon definitely has that! It’s located in Savannah’s Madison Square and was built back in 1926 with beautiful architecture.
They’ve kept that unique feeling alive with their cute cafe lined with bookshelves and outdoor seating that reminds me of Paris! They’ve got a great cafe menu along with an afternoon tea option which would be so fun to try! Reservations are recommended.
Explore the Historic District
In the afternoon, enjoy the shade of the trees and check out all the different squares, pretty buildings, and architecture in Savannah. There are so many historical homes in downtown Savannah that are fun to explore.
We chose to create our own walking tour using this list as well as Google Maps. We started in Forsyth Park and walked to find some of the most beautiful homes (make sure you go into the cathedral as well!) until reaching City Market.
My favorite spots were the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Chatham Square, Mercer Williams House, and The Olde Pink House. Many of the old homes are also museums and offer tours. If you have time, this could be an excellent way to learn more about Savannah.
Not into walking? Consider a one-hour trolley tour instead.
Check out City Market
City Market has been in operation since the 1700s and is four-blocks long. It is still a hub for shopping and food today. Savannah allows you to drink an alcoholic beverage in the streets and it’s pretty fun to sip on a frozen daiquiri from Wet Willies while checking out local shops and art.
Savannah River Street for Dinner
River Street is a cobblestone street along the Savannah River. You’ll find more options for shopping and drinking on rooftops along the street, but we chose a small spot with great reviews.
One thing you don’t want to miss in Savannah is the seafood! On River Street, you’ll find great food options from dive spots to fine dining. We chose to eat at Bernie’s Oyster House where we were able to enjoy some awesome fresh oysters and fried fish.
After dinner, you can stay along the river and do a boat cruise if you want some unique fun in a steamboat. We chose to grab drinks at a rooftop because I am always in search of a beautiful view!
Rooftop Drinks at Peregrin
Peregrin is a rooftop bar found at the Perry Lane Hotel back toward Forsyth Park. It had an amazing view of Historic Downtown Savannah that we really enjoyed taking in. There are a bunch of different seating areas where you can get away from the crowd, out of the sun, or take in the view. The drinks here are more pricey than other spots – you pay for the amazing view.
Ghost Tour
Savannah is known as the most haunted city in Georgia. One way to explore the past of the city and have some fun is on a ghost tour. This ghost tour is with a psychic who offers an added layer of fun to the tour. I always love hearing some interesting and less known stories when on a tour and this one shares just that!
As you can see, the food and drink scene in Savannah is STRONG. There’s plenty to keep you busy for more than one day in Savannah, but this was a great way to end our day. I’m so glad we got to explore this city in a relaxed and fun way. It’s a city with so much history and fun to offer. I hope to visit again one day!