Things to do in Savannah
THERE’S MORE TO SEE THAN JUST TWO WELL-DRESSED GROOMS. ALLEGEDLY.
A FEAST FOR THE EYES
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PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICT: New in town? Start here. A new riverfront shopping/eating/nightlife area that was built out of an old powerplant. Very cool spots, live music, restaurants on the water. Waterfront bars and restaurants. Rooftop bars and restaurants. Go for it.
RIVER STREET: Walk the entire waterfront area of Savannah—it’s a straight shot from the Plant Riverside District to the Kehoe Iron Works. Grab a drink in a to-go cup, do some shopping, do some people watching, watch those giant cargo ships go by, and have a blast. Some stretches are super classy. Some are akin to Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
JW MARRIOTT LOBBY: In the Plant Riverside District, the powerplant itself is now the JW Marriott Hotel. And the lobby is filled with the private museum collection of the owner. Dinosaur bones, rocks and crystals, this place has it all. And there are some great bars and restaurants in the lobby to boot. This is a very cool place.
BROUGHTON STREET: The main drag off the water, this is the area to go to when you want to wander. Shopping, food, drink, horse-drawn carriage rides. This is the Old Southern Charm you’ve heard about.
FORSYTH PARK: Sure, the ceremony will be there, but it may be worth a stop all on your own to experience the live oak and Spanish moss canopies at a more leisurely pace. Beautiful gardens, a famous fountain, frequent live music. Iconic Savannah.
SAVANNAH BANANAS: We know you’re wondering. So it is with a heavy heart that we tell you that the Savannah Bananas will be playing an away game in Houston that weekend. They’ve gotten so popular that they tour for all of September now. But you can definitely buy Bananas merch at most shops you’ll pass downtown and in the Historic District. You’ll be able to tell everyone you were there, while dodging questions and specifics about the game itself. And if you have no idea what we’re talking about, open YouTube and search Savannah Bananas.
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BONAVENTURE CEMETERY: Famous for its gothic architecture and draped Spanish moss, Bonaventure Cemetery is a must-see if ghost tours and cemetery tours are your thing. Official tour is 2 hours and highly rated, or go self-guided. Book a daytime walking tour or evening ghost tour. You may know this cemetery from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
GHOST TOURS: Known as America’s Most Haunted City (debatable, my Williamsburg, VA truthers), Savannah has dozens of options when it comes to ghost tours. Walking tours, trolley tours, you name it. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t call out the Hearse Tours, where you ride around in the back of a convertible hearse.
SCAD MUSEUM OF ART: Some people find art students a little scary? You may notice that the Savannah College of Art and Design has a huge public art and architecture presence in Savannah. Take a visit to their art museum. Everyone we’ve heard from says it’s a cool place to cool off for a bit.
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JONES STREET: Once voted the Prettiest Street in America. We’re not going to get into whether that election was certified or not, so maybe you should take a stroll and see for yourself.
THE FORREST GUMP BENCH: If you’ve ever wanted to tell a stranger your life story at a bus stop and not have them try to attack you like they would in Midtown, we’ve got just the spot for you. The bench scenes in Forrest Gump were filmed in Chippewa Square, right around the corner from the Perry Lane Hotel. Life IS like a box of chocolates, but in this case you do know exactly what you’re gonna get— and that’s pictures of you on a very famous bench.
WORMSLOE HISTORIC SITE: That famous oak alley and arched gate. I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures. If you haven’t, you should Google this now. Now go take some pics of your own.
THE PARIS CAFE: It’s like 50% gift shop and 50% art installation. Worth dropping into.
Honestly, just wander around Savannah on foot. All of it is really beautiful.
A FEAST FOR THE …MOUTH
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And there’s nothing wrong with that.
BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH:
The Collins Quarter (Bull Street) – Lavender mochas and short rib hash.
Goose Feathers Café – Fast-moving and family-friendly. Great cinnamon rolls.
Huey’s on the River – Big beignets and bigger views. Get a window seat if you can.
LUNCH SPOTS:
Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room (LUNCH OR DINNER) – Get in line early. Family-style Southern feast, no reservations, cash only.
The Cotton Exchange: Casual, reliable, and right on River Street.
The Pirate’s House (LUNCH OR DINNER): A little hokey, a little haunted, but the biscuits hit.
Six Pence Pub – British pub with decent bangers and mash and excellent eavesdropping.
DINNER:
The Olde Pink House – Historic, candlelit, and everything you want Savannah to be.
Lady & Sons – If you’re still on board the Butter Express, this is the restaurant that made Paula Deen famous.
The Shrimp Factory – Classic River Street seafood joint. Not fancy. Very Savannah.
TREATS:
Leopold’s Ice Cream – Legendary since 1919. So iconic Savannah that they put one in the airport.
Byrd’s Famous Cookies (City Market) – Free samples of tiny cookies that are impossible to stop eating.
River Street Sweets – Pralines, fudge, and fresh-pulled taffy.
Savannah Rum Runners Bakery – Cupcakes, cakes, and cookies.
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Go where the locals go (and go back to):
BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH:
Clary’s Café – Classic diner vibes with Southern portions and zero pretension.
B. Matthews Eatery – Upscale but unpretentious brunch staple near Bay Street.
Café M – French-inspired café tucked away on East Bay. Excellent quiche and pastries.
Java Burrito Company – Breakfast tacos, avocado toast, and strong coffee. Order at the counter, take it slow.
Back in the Day Bakery – Retro comfort. Think biscuits, brownies, and brunch. (Outside Historic District)
Foxy Loxy Café – Coffee, breakfast tacos, and courtyard vibes in the artsy Starland District. (Outside Historic District)
LUNCH SPOTS:
Kayak Kafé (Broughton location) – Great for salads and fish tacos.
Flying Monk Noodle Bar – Cozy, casual, and full of locals slurping bowls of spicy broth.
J. Christopher’s – Casual café with reliable sandwiches and midday breakfast.
DINNER:
a.Lure – Modern Southern with creative flair. Not flashy, just really, really good.
Savannah Seafood Shack – Low-key and delicious. Grab a shrimp po’ boy or try the Lowcountry boil in a bag.
The Ordinary Pub – Underground, gastropub energy, and killer pork belly sliders.
Alligator Soul: Upscale, organic, tucked-away fine dining. Local favorite that feels like a hidden gem.
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QUIETER SPOTS:
Artillery Bar – Elegant, upscale cocktails in a moody, refined setting.
Alley Cat Lounge – Hidden speakeasy with a massive drink list and local feel.
Service Brewing Co. – Craft beer, chill taproom, no nonsense.
Ghost Coast Distillery – Craft spirits and a relaxed cocktail lounge.
Bar Julian – Rooftop bar with serious cocktails and refined vibes.
Rocks on the Roof – Scenic, popular, and a bit louder as the night goes on.
The Lost Square – Under-the-radar rooftop with a calmer vibe and well-crafted cocktails.
The Ordinary Pub – Underground bar with gastropub flair and a mixed crowd. More of a party spot later.
PARTY PLACES:
Electric Moon Skytop Lounge – Rooftop party energy on the waterfront, complete with neon lights, games, and a slide from one level of the rooftop to another.
Treylor Park – Mat’s favorite spot in Savannah. Casual bar with quirky cocktails (Dr. Pepper Cocktail?) and off-beat comfort food and bar bites. Definitely recommend a stop here at some point.
Jen’s & Friends – 300+ ridiculous martinis in a loud, kitschy bar.
Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos – Screaming, singing, clapping, chaos.
Tree House – DJ sets, rooftop dancing, and strong drinks.
A FEAST FOR THE CURIOUS
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Free Walking Tour Savannah – Tips-based tours with charm.
Genteel & Bard’s Savannah Walking Tours – History meets headphones.
Old Town Trolley Tours – Hop-on-hop-off and breeze around in comfort.
Architectural Tours of Savannah – For those who know the word “cornice.”
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Savannah Riverboat Cruises – Classic, cheesy, charming.
Dolphin Magic Tours – Real dolphins. Unreal squeals.
Cruise with Captain Derek – Dolphin tour with a pirate twist.
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Tybee Island – Savannah’s nearby beach town with personality.
South Beach (Tybee) – Most popular stretch of sand.
North Beach (Tybee) – Calmer, fewer kids, prettier dunes.
Cockspur Island Lighthouse – Wading required.
SMALL TOURISTS, BIG ENERGY
(Fun for the whole family)
While we can’t host your little ones at the wedding, we love that lots of you are bringing them for the weekend.
Looking for things to do? We’ve got you covered (or at least mildly entertained).
Savannah is surprisingly great with kids. Here are some spots that are stroller-friendly, nap-adjacent, or just plain fun for young travelers.
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Savannah Children’s Museum: An outdoor, hands-on play space built into an old rail yard.
Old Town Trolley Tours: Is it a bus? Is it a truck? Introduce your little one to the trolley! Hop-on, hop-off ride around town without sore feet or meltdowns.
River Street – Three words: GAINT. CARGO. BOATS. Walk the waterfront, grab some ice cream, check out the candy store, and watch the big boats go by. Overstimulation in the best way.
JW Marriott Plant Riverside District Lobby: Is your little one dino-obsessed? Go see the dinosaur bones. Trust us. It’s also air conditioned.
Jepson Center & Telfair Children’s Art Museum: An interactive museum with immersive exhibits that “encourages young artists to explore, create and connect with art in a whole new way.“
Join the Ghost Scouts: A family-friendly daytime ghost tour that encourages your kids to find the ghosts and solve the mysteries.
Forsyth Park: Yeah, you’ll be here for the ceremony. But it’s a big, beautiful park with, importantly, a shaded playground.
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The Pirate’s House: Pirate-themed and cornbread. What more do you need?
Treylor Park: Quirky but kid-tolerant, with tater tots and fun vibes.
Leopold’s Ice Cream: An absolute must. Classic parlor feel and kid-approved flavors.
Byrd’s Famous Cookies: Free samples, tiny cookies, and zero judgment.
Goose Feathers Café: Fast-moving, stroller-friendly, and full of carbs.
Spudnik: A build-your-own baked potato bar.
Little Duck Diner: A “vintage chic” diner that brings a rubber ducky with every kids’ meal.
Vinnie Van Go-Go’s: Grab a slice of pizza and then walk to Ellis Square and let the kiddos run on the splash pad!
Starland Yard: A short drive away, but a location with lots of food trucks, kids, lawn games, and room to run around.
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Reach out if you’d like to be put in touch with other parents!
We’ve also set up a WhatsApp group for folks bringing young kids to the weekend. It’s an easy way to coordinate park outings, early dinners, or or trips to breweries where the kids can run around and play (no pressure, just community).
Click here to join the “Kid-Friendly Side-Quests” WhatsApp group
