Savannah: The Southern Belle With Something for Every Generation

Savannah: The Southern Belle With Something for Every Generation - Take a Stroll Down History's Lane on River Street

No visit to Savannah is complete without a stroll down River Street, the historic heart of the city’s riverfront district. Cobblestone walkways wind past 19th-century cotton warehouses, now converted into shops, galleries, and restaurants. Wrought-iron balconies overhead burst with trailing Spanish moss, echoing Savannah's Southern Gothic vibe.

At dawn, watch cargo ships and pleasure cruisers glide by as the rising sun gilds the river's surface. Return at dusk to watch the glowing sunset over the Savannah River. After dark, River Street comes alive with street performers, evening cruises, and lively pubs filled with live music.

River Street’s prime location along the Savannah River fueled the city’s 19th-century cotton trade and made it one of the busiest ports in America. Massive brick warehouses stored bales of cotton before loading them onto ships bound for Europe and New England’s textile mills.

Today, you can glimpse River Street's bustling maritime history at the Cotton Exchange, which now houses shops and restaurants. Nearby, retailers like River Street Sweets tempt passersby with pralines and other Southern confections. Stop for a scoop of creamy Leopold's Ice Cream, a Savannah staple since 1919.

For some maritime magic, book a ride on the Georgia Queen, a stately riverboat offering daily cruises down the historic river. Kids love the Pirate’s House, a tavern dating back to 1753 with its tales of ghostly buccaneers and secret underground tunnels.

At the Savannah History Museum, exhibits and walking tours bring the old port city to life. Tracing the river’s path takes you past landmarks from Savannah’s early days, like the towering monument honoring Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene.

Savannah: The Southern Belle With Something for Every Generation - Indulge in Southern Hospitality and Cuisine

Savannah’s gracious Southern hospitality is best experienced through its cuisine. From down-home Southern cooking to upscale Lowcountry fare, Savannah’s restaurants embrace traditional recipes made from scratch with regional ingredients.

Start your foodie tour downtown at the historic Olde Pink House. Dating from 1771, Savannah’s oldest restaurant occupies a stately pre-Civil War mansion. Gilded Age opulence fills the Planter’s Tavern dining room, with its chandeliers, oriental carpets, and original 18th-century details. Upstairs, the elegant white-tablecloth dining room impresses with dishes combining French technique and Southern flair, like crispy duck with braised greens or crab-stuffed flounder with creole cream. Don't miss their signature pink lemonade, infused with fresh strawberries.

For quintessential Southern fare, head to Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room. Since 1943, patrons have feasted family-style on Southern comfort food classics like fried chicken, collard greens, black eyed peas, mac and cheese, and biscuits. Don't be shy, just dig right in and pass heaping platters around the communal tables. Be prepared to wait in line, as locals and tourists alike flock here for the genuine Southern dining experience.

Continue your food odyssey at The Olde Pink House's sister restaurant, The Pirate's House. Wander the creaking floors and shadowy rooms of Savannah's oldest tavern, rumored to be Captain Flint's old hangout. Savor their award-winning she-crab soup, a creamy Lowcountry bisque dotted with crab meat. Other specialties include fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and pineapple glazed pork chops.

For a taste of Gullah-Geechee cuisine, try Kayak Kafe. Dishes like shrimp bog, fried catfish, oxtail stew, and sweet potato cheesecake reflect West African influences on traditional Southern cooking. Other options include po' boys, chicken and waffles, and jambalaya. Live music and a relaxing patio overlooking the marshland immerse you in Savannah's coastal culture.

No foodie tour is complete without pralines, Savannah's signature sweet. Sample praline flavored everything, from ice cream to cookies, at places like River Street Sweets or Leopold's Ice Cream parlor. Or buy them by the bagful, warm and gooey, right from the copper kettles at candy kitchens like Savannah's Candy Kitchen on River Street.

Savannah: The Southern Belle With Something for Every Generation - From Ghost Tours to Riverboat Rides, Family-Friendly Activities Abound

Savannah overflows with family-friendly things to do, from ghost tours and pirate adventures, to open-air trolley rides and hands-on history lessons. Interactive experiences engage kids’ imagination and bring Savannah’s rich history to life.

The Savannah History Museum makes learning lively with costumed re-enactors and activities like candle-dipping or writing with quill pens. At the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, climb aboard restored 19th-century ships and fire antique cannons. Kids love aiming the cannons and making them blast puffs of smoke.

For some rollicking riverfront fun, take a trolley tour with Old Savannah Tours. Expert guides impart Savannah’s stories as open-air trolleys pass grand monuments and shady squares. Avoid parking hassles while enjoying breezy views of historic homes, giving kids a lively overview of the city.

At the Pirates’ House, kids imagine themselves as pirate recruits exploring the tavern’s shadowy rooms and secret underground tunnels. Tales of buried treasure, duels, and ghosts fascinate kids as guides recount the rollicking history of this rambunctious sailors’ haunt. Afterward, young buccaneers can let off steam on the outdoor Pirate Playground.

Savannah comes alive after dark with family-friendly ghost tours. Cobblestone Tours takes you to haunted squares and alleys by lantern light, regaling families with chilling tales of sightings, curses, and restless spirits. Kids cling to parents as guides dramatize ghostly encounters, then giggle nervously afterward.

For tamer thrills, see the city illuminated on a Savannah River Boat evening cruise. Glide past old cotton warehouses as guides detail River Street’s maritime history. Onboard magicians and musicians entertain families as the glowing cityscape drifts by.

Hands-on creativity awaits at creative workshops like the SCAD Sand Arts Studio. Kids mold elaborate castles, mermaids, and sea creatures from colorful sand. For more lasting creations, try a family glassblowing class at Glass Onion, crafting ornaments together by torching and blowing molten glass.

Active kids can race through towering climbing structures at the Tree Top Adventure course. Safely harnessed, they cross bridges, zoom down zip lines, and navigate obstacles dangling mid-air in the forest canopy outside Savannah. Nearby, Wilderness Southeast offers kayak eco-tours to observe coastal wildlife up close.

Savannah: The Southern Belle With Something for Every Generation - Savannah's Annual Festivals Offer Something for Everyone

Savannah loves a good party, with celebrations and festivals unfolding year-round. From food and wine events to music blowouts, cultural celebrations and holiday festivities, Savannah’s calendar overflows with spirited gatherings offering entertainment for all ages.

Founded in 1978, the Savannah Music Festival is one of the genre’s premiere events. For three weeks every spring, artists from around the world converge to showcase diverse musical styles, from classical and jazz, to blues, funk and country. Renowned performers like Wynton Marsalis, Emmylou Harris, and Jason Isbell have graced festival stages, with many acts offering free outdoor concerts. Eclectic collaborations, energetic school programs, and innovative commissioned works make this an unforgettable showcase of musical mastery.

The Savannah Jazz Festival ignites fall with scintillating sounds. Over four days each September, jazz greats like David Sanborn, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Arturo O’Farrill get toes tapping during concerts held in intimate venues and spacious squares. Special events include Jazz on the Riverboat and the Jazz Brunch Before the Big Band Bash.

For foodie fun, don’t miss the Savannah Food & Wine Festival. Launched in 2007, the four-day affair draws famous chefs and winemakers offering cooking demos and dinner events. Sip vintages from across the globe during Grand Tastings in Telfair and Wright Squares, or splurge on the opulent Southern Soirée. Seminars on spirited cocktails, chef duels and the signature burgers, bubbles and brews event satiate every appetite.

The Savannah St. Patrick's Day celebration claims bragging rights as the second largest St. Patrick's Day party in the world, after only Dublin. Since 1813, Savannah has hosted an expansive St. Patrick's Day celebration every March 17th. Festivities kick off with a grand parade winding through the Historic District streets, with marching bands, dancers, floats, and characters from Irish lore. Afterwards, River Street morphs into a raucous Irish block party, with music stages and streets filled with revelers clad in green.

Savannah: The Southern Belle With Something for Every Generation - Explore Savannah's Diverse Neighborhoods and Architecture

Beyond the landmark-filled Historic District, Savannah overflows with distinctive neighborhoods offering a mosaic of local culture. From shady Victorian enclaves to hip arts districts, wander beyond the tourist track to uncover the city’s rich diversity.

Venture south of Forsyth Park to discover the Victorian charm of the Thomas Square Streetcar Historic District. Lush private gardens and genteel townhomes dating from 1850 to 1920 line the streets, exemplifying Savannah’s 19th-century prosperity. Regal Italianate and Queen Anne homes flaunt decorative details like fish scale shingles, ornate ironwork, and stained glass windows.

Nearby, the Starland District hums with creative energy. Industrial buildings now house galleries, design studios, and craft cocktail bars, with colorful murals splashing the walls. Don't miss daily happy hour specials at The Sentient Bean coffeehouse, with live music and exposed brick walls covered in local art.

Farther south lies Midtown, Savannah’s premier arts district. Art galleries cluster along Louisville Road, anchored by SCAD’s sleek, modern art museum. Nearby, Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center impresses with its striking, contemporary design by renowned architect Moshe Safdie.

West of the Historic District, the Victorian village of Ardsley Park charms visitors with early 20th-century homes lining quiet, oak-shaded streets. Stately mansions built by Savannah’s elite feature sweeping piazzas, decorative ironwork, and elaborate turrets. The diverse architectural styles include English Tudor, Dutch Colonial Revival, and American Foursquares.

Savannah’s architecture amazes at every turn. The city’s iconic squares and townhomes display stunning variety despite the unifying natural hues of sandstone and red brick. Romanesque Revival churches sit beside Greek Revival plantation manors, exemplifying Savannah’s cosmopolitan 19th-century wealth and prestige.

Look upward to admire decorative iron railings festooned with ferns and vines, echoing Savannah’s garden aesthetic. Peek down cobblestone alleyways to discover hidden courtyard gardens bursting with tropical foliage, moss-draped fountains, and historic carriage houses.

No stay in Savannah is complete without a sunset stroll to River Street along the romantic lanes of the Factors Walk. The 19th-century warehouses and cotton factors' offices trace Savannah’s maritime heritage as a bustling cotton port. Today local design shops occupy the restored buildings adorned with ornate ironwork balconies.

Savannah: The Southern Belle With Something for Every Generation - Shop Local at Riverside Markets and Art Galleries

Beyond the larger shops and restaurants, Savannah overflows with local artisans, galleries, and markets where visitors can discover unique regional creations and directly support the city’s creative community. Wandering through these local creative hubs provides an authentic taste of Savannah's distinctive culture.

Start your shopping adventure at the Savannah Artisan Market, open on weekends in Ellis Square. Browse booths filled with paintings, pottery, jewelry, and an array of crafts like handmade soaps, candles, and textiles. Chat with the artists as you peruse their wares—you may even see demonstrations of blacksmithing, glassblowing, or pottery throwing. Live music and an eclectic mix of food trucks complement the creative vibe.

Just south lies Whitaker Street, Savannah's burgeoning arts district. Pop into lively galleries like Sulfur Studios, a launching pad for emerging artists that also hosts exhibitions, concerts, and events. Nearby, Tessera Arts Bazaar fills a restored warehouse with artists' studios and a dynamic mix of boutiques, cafes, and wine bars. Grab a snack and watch local artisans at work.

Along the cobblestoned Factors Walk, the Savannah Riverfront is dotted with design shops housed in restored 19th-century cotton warehouses. Stop by Savannah Bee Company, where you can sample honey vintages and natural beauty products made with local honey and beeswax. Kids love watching the live bee colony busily making honey through the store's glass observation wall.

Just up the street, shop handcrafted furniture, art, and décor at Nine Line, with much of their military-themed merchandise benefitting local veterans' organizations. Inside a former machinist shop, Duck in Design creates functional art from reclaimed wood, forged metal, and other found objects—check out their signature driftwood lamps and locally salvaged wood cutting boards.

Wander down to the riverside warehouses housing Two Women and a Warehouse, overflowing with stylish Southern décor and gift items. Their signature Savannah cotton throws, sewn locally from raw cotton grown right on Georgia's coastal plains, make a cozy regional memento.

Savannah's local art galleries provide great spots to uncover Lowcountry landscapes, abstract pieces, and provocative mixed-media works you won't find anywhere else. Notable galleries include Kobo Gallery and Gallery Espresso, focused on emerging and mid-career artists. Housed in a restored 1890s stable, Zoya Tommy Contemporary Gallery exhibits provocative contemporary works in a wide range of media.

Savannah: The Southern Belle With Something for Every Generation - Relax at Nearby Tybee Island Beaches and Resorts

Just a short drive east of Savannah lies Tybee Island, a peaceful beachfront retreat with windswept dunes and gentle waves. Connected to the mainland by a scenic causeway, Tybee provides a soothing natural escape from Savannah’s urban energy. Days here pass at an unhurried pace, filled with biking, beachcombing, kayaking, and relaxing oceanside. Tybee’s laidback atmosphere, sandbar sunsets, and family-friendly shores beckon visitors to slow down and unwind.

Tybee’s wide beaches unfurl for miles, with plenty of room to roam even at the height of summer. Parents love the shallow, gentle surf that creates a protected swimming area perfect for little ones. Teens enjoy boogie boarding the frothy waves near the Tybee Pier and Pavilion. Early risers delight in walking the empty dawn beach, when the sun peeps over the sea oats and gulls wheel overhead.

At the island’s north end, the 202-acre North Beach is an unspoiled natural playground. Hiking trails meander across windswept dunes, past scenic observation decks with panoramic ocean views. Kayak through glassy backwaters on a guided eco-tour with North Island Kayak, where naturalists identify native shorebirds and describe the island’s unique ecosystems.

Pedal the oceanside bike paths to reach Tybee Lighthouse, Georgia’s tallest and oldest lighthouse. Since 1736, its towering beacon has safely guided mariners past treacherous shoals at the mouth of the Savannah River. Climb the 178 steps to the top for sweeping views of Tybee and beyond. At the Tybee Museum, exhibits detail the lighthouse’s fascinating history and maritime lore.

Southern hospitality and seaside charm await at Tybee Island’s resorts and rental cottages. The Beachside Colony Resort overlooks the pier, offering balconied rooms with ocean views. Their on-site restaurant Fannie’s and beachside Tiki Bar serve island favorites like grilled mahi tacos and pineapple rum cocktails.

For a tropical vibe, DeSoto Beach Hotel features two pools amidst verdant gardens. Swaying palms surround their historic two-story lodgings dating from the 1960s. Unwind at their soothing Polynesian-themed spa, then savor fresh seafood with your toes in the sand at The Breakfast Club.

Doormen in seersucker suits greet guests at the grand Georgian Terrace of the Beachside Inn, originally built in the 1920s. Rocking chairs on shady verandas set a genteel tone, while inside, plush bedding and marble accents add modern luxury. Their contemporary Southern restaurant Azure serves shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, and local catches like grilled triggerfish.

For affordable beach stays, Postcard Inn offers cheery rooms just steps from seashell-strewn shores. Outside, swings suspended from shady oak trees evoke nostalgic Southern porches. Their Low Country Boil features hearty, family-style feasts of shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn.

Savannah: The Southern Belle With Something for Every Generation - Experience the Beauty of Savannah's Historic Districts

With its stately squares, romantic garden vistas, and architectural treasures, the Savannah Historic District immerses visitors in antebellum elegance. Cobblestone streets reveal a living museum of 18th- and 19th-century buildings that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Wandering the leafy squares transports you to the genteel era when cotton was king and riverboat trade fueled Savannah’s wealth.

The 2.5-square-mile district boasts America’s largest National Historic Landmark district. Time seems to stand still amid the Federal and Victorian townhomes gracing shady residential squares. But looking closer reveals a vibrant neighborhood still lived in and loved by locals.

Stately churches anchor many squares, like the soaring Gothic spires of Calvary Methodist and the Italianate dome of Wesley Monumental United Methodist. Intricate ironwork balconies and rooftop cupolas adorn row houses in hues of red brick, sandstone and pastel pink stucco.

Hidden courtyard gardens burst with flowers and fountains behind the historic homes. Wander down the mansion-lined streets like Jones and Charlton to admire the restored Greek Revival porticos with towering columns that recall Savannah’s cotton empire heyday.

Food writer Jane Stern eloquently described her enchantment touring the historic district: “We were hypnotized wandering under canopies of live oaks dripping gray tendrils of Spanish moss, past lacy iron gates guarding secret gardens, and up steps to handsome doors that looked like they led to the most magical drawing rooms.”

Photographer Michael Freeman captured the romantic visual delights: "I was entranced wandering the leafy squares and quiet side streets. Every turn revealed a delightful new vista, another postcard-perfect scene just begging to be photographed, with blooming magnolias, mossy oaks, and historic homes glowing in the soft dawn light."

Wandering these residential lanes offers an intimate peek into Savannah's daily life. Chat with folks relaxing on shaded benches, or strolling their dogs past the whimsical historic doorways. The streets come alive during annual house and garden tours, when locals proudly open private homes that have sheltered generations of Savannah families.

Venture down to Savannah’s riverfront Factors Walk to see the 19th-century cotton warehouses that fueled the city’s economy. Ironwork balconies and restored brick facades now house trendy shops and restaurants.