A PERFECT DAY
A perfect day in Savannah, was for me, a blend of the city’s historical charm, cultural richness, and Southern hospitality. It didn’t even matter if it was a bit overcast! From a stroll through picturesque squares, historic homes, and delicious Southern cuisine, to hauntingly beautiful cemeteries and a walk along the scenic riverfront. “How to Experience The Perfect Day in Savannah” is a great starting point if you want to spend some time in the heart of Southern elegance.
We managed to squeeze in a quick visit to “Savanna’s Beach,” Tybee Island, and spend some time at Jekyll Island before heading south to Florida. Just keep reading!
Please read Great Reasons to Put Georgia on Your Travel List and Great Ways to Explore the Natural Beauty of Georgia if you’re looking for more adventures in Georgia, But first, Savannah!
Savannah
Welcome to Savannah mural
Spanish moss and Antebellum
We visited Savannah in early April, on our way from Marietta/Atlanta to Florida. It’s a great place to make a pit stop for a day like we did, but Savannah definitely deserves a little more time if you have it.
We were immediately struck by the enchanting blend of historic charm and vibrant atmosphere in Savannah. The way cobblestone streets and beautiful antebellum homes were framed by moss-draped century-old oaks, almost seemed seductive. To really get the city’s vibrant energy and deep-rooted southern hospitality, Savannah is one of those places you simply have to experience yourself to believe.
Spanish moss-draped oak trees and antebellum
Trolley Tour
Since we only had one day, we went on a hop-on-hop-off Trolley Tour, which offered the perfect introduction. Savannah is very walkable but there is a lot to cover. The trolley weaved through the city’s historic districts and a knowledgeable guide made Savannah’s haunted past, pirate legends, and Civil War stories come alive.
The Cathedral of Saint Johns the Baptist on a trolley tour
The hop-off part of the tour worked fine, but hopping on at a different location not so much. Long lines of people made it impossible to get back on, so we just stayed on the trolley and explored Savannah on foot after the tour. The walk through Savannah was when we really soaked up the true atmosphere of the city. No matter what direction we took in the historic part of town there was something special to experience.
Squares
22 public squares are a defining feature of the city’s historic layout and charm. Each square has its own unique character and history. We walked along the shaded pathways of the squares with canopies of majestic oak trees draped in Spanish moss above us. Each of these squares tells the story of Savannah’s past where monuments and historic homes take you on an amazing journey through time and culture.
Square in Savannah
I don’t recall exactly what squares we wandered through, but I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. Here are some of the most popular: Chippewa Square, where Forrest Gump famously sat on a bench. Wright Square is one of the oldest squares. Johnson Square is the largest and first established square. Monterrey Square is considered one of the most beautiful squares. Lafayette Square has a pretty fountain making it another favorite. Historic homes and the elegant Savannah College of Art and Design flank Madison Square. Taylor Square is one of the few that still has all of its original buildings providing a glimpse into the city’s antebellum architecture.
Streets
There are so many things to see everywhere you turn in Savannah, and one day isn’t nearly enough to explore it all. However, here are some of the places we got to explore during our day in Savannah.
Bull Street runs through the heart of the historic district and is lined with some of Savannah’s most iconic squares, such as Chippewa Square, Madison Square, and Monterey Square. In Bull Street, it’s possible to explore the rich history and stunning architecture of Savannah by touring the Mercer-Williams House.
Historic buildings and beautiful squares in Savannah
Another popular place is the Owens Thomas House & Slave Quarters in Abercorn Steet closer to the waterfront. It offers a look into the complexities of Southern history, architecture, and the way the lives of the wealthy and enslaved people were interconnected in the early 19th century. The site includes one of the best-preserved urban slave quarters.
Whittaker Street is less touristy but equally charming as Bull Street, with a range of boutique shops, local eateries, and art galleries.
Broughton Steet is the main shopping street in Savannah. It’s a bustling mix of historic architecture, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and cafes.
Jonas Street is often named one of the most beautiful streets in America. It’s known for its picturesque tree-lined avenue and well-preserved historic homes with intricate details such as wrought-iron railings, ornate moldings, and classic Southern porches. Sounds like most of Savannah? Well, this street a just a level above.
Wrought-iron railings and ornate moldings
On Macon Street, we found another must-see in Savannah. Vividly painted row homes of Rainbow Row where the colors range from soft pinks and green to bright yellows and blues are a beautiful contrast to the moss-draped trees lining the streets.
The Forsyth Park
Forsyth Park is located in the heart of the historic district. This 30-acre park is Savannah’s oldest park. It’s not just a beautiful green space, but a vibrant hotspot of activity that embodies the spirit of Savannah. The first thing that caught our eye was the iconic tiered Forsyth Fountain. The park also features a fragrant garden, a playground, tennis, and basketball courts. On Saturdays, the southern end of the park transforms into a farmer’s market.
The Cathedral
We saw The Cathedral of Saint Johns the Baptist on our trolley tour but this architectural masterpiece is worth a close-up visit. Situated in the historic district, the cathedral’s twin spires dominate the skyline, making it an iconic feature of Savannah. The French Gothic style architecture is characterized by intricate stonework, soaring spires, and large ornate stained glass windows. The cathedral is open for mass attendance, for tours, or you can just wander through it on your own.
The Cathedral of Saint Johns the Baptist
Visit a Cemetery
I don’t think that cemeteries are to be found on many bucket lists or vacation itineraries. But they really should be. I’m not sure if Allan shares my fascination, but I am so amazed by the cemeteries on the East Coast. They offer an unforgettable glimpse into history, architecture, and cultural diversity and you don’t even have to visit a museum.
The Bonaventure Cemetery is considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world, famous for its picturesque setting along the Wilmington River. It was definitely on my list, but because of COVID restrictions at the time, the cemetery had limited access, and we were not able to visit while we were in Savannah.
The Colonial Park Cemetery
Colonial Park Cemetery
Instead, (or probably we would have done both) we visited Colonial Park Cemetery. As we entered the cemetery we were captivated by its serene and somewhat haunting beauty. The grounds were scattered with ancient weathered, tombstones, and monuments, ornately carved and rich in history. The towering oak trees draped in Spanish moss were not a romantic feature like everywhere else in Savannah but contributed to the haunting and mysterious atmosphere of the cemetery.
Colonial Park Cemetery. was established in 1750 and is one of the oldest surviving cemeteries in Savannah. It serves as the final resting place for many of the city’s earliest settlers and notable figures and is said to be one of Savannah’s most haunted locations.
Lunch
I often get disappointed when we’ve hiked from one end of town to another to find a particular cafe that I read about on Pinterest. Maybe the food is okay but then there is something about the ambiance that doesn’t quite follow through. In a place like Savannah, you don’t really need recommendations. Delicious food is everywhere. Some places are more touristy than others, but find a place where you feel the atmosphere.
That being said, I will share where we had lunch. Before exploring the last part of our visit, the River District, we went to Treylor Park. This place puts a creative, modern twist on classic Southern cuisine. It has a casual and quirky vibe, and we had the best, fried chicken and waffles with blueberry walnut compote. And fired green tomatoes, of course!
Lunch at Treylor Park
A Lively Waterfront
From Treylor Park we walked down to the river. The cobblestone streets of River Street run parallel to the Savannah River. Not only does River Street offer great views of the river, but what makes it interesting is that all the historic buildings have been converted into shops, restaurants, and bars. A fun feature of River Street is, the aroma of freshly made candy wafting out onto the street from the many candy stores. It was interesting to watch (and taste) pralines, pecan logs, saltwater taffy, and other Southern candy being made on-site.
Converted historic buildings on River Street
Plant Riverside District is also located on River Street. This place is a dynamic mix-use development set within a beautifully restored historic power plant. Lots of shopping and dining options, galleries, wellness facilities, and rooftop bars. To fully explore this area you can easily spend another day in Savannah.
The Plant Riverside District
This lively waterfront scene is also a popular spot for riverboat cruises on the Georgia Queen. Tour the Savannah River or just watch as this historic paddlewheel boat slowly makes its way up and down the river.
Tybee Island
The very last thing we did on this perfect day, was a short visit to Tybee Island, The island is only a 30-minute drive from Savannah and a popular getaway for both locals and tourists. We strolled along the wide sandy beach at Tybee Island Lighthouse. The 145-foot-tall lighthouse was built in 1736 and is one of the oldest and tallest lighthouses in Georgia. Tybee Island is a colorful beach community with many shopping, dining, and lodging opportunities. However, this afternoon in early April, it was quiet, peaceful, and overcast.
Tybee Island Lighthouse
Jekyll Island
Unlike any Other
Sunday morning before the last portion of our drive to Florida, we visited Jekyll Island. The island is part of a group of four barrier islands called the Golden Isles on the southeastern coast of Georgia. On Jekyll Island’s website, it says that “this coastal haven is an escape, unlike any other”. This is not an overstatement! From the moment we crossed the creek and entered Jekyll Island it felt special. Well, everything kind of does when draped in Spanish moss.
The Clubhouse
The island was purchased in 1886 by a group of wealthy industrialists including J.P Morgan, William Rockefeller, and Joseph Pulitzer. They transformed the island into the most exclusive private retreat in America. The original Clubhouse, now operating as a hotel, has retained much of its historic charm and elegance, with Queen Anne-style architecture and an iconic turreted tower.
Jekyll Island Club Resort felt very private and exclusive but we still managed to take a little sneak peek inside. Hard to even pretend we belonged in a place like that.
Jekyll Island Club Resort
The Historic District
From the manicured lawn in front of the hotel where visitors sip cocktails in white Adirondack chairs and play croquet, we explored the rest of the area along the creek. Jekyll Island Club Resort is located within the Historic District where several of the original cottages have been beautifully preserved or restored. They are called cottages but are more like mansions.
Here we found another key part of the rich history of the Island, Faith Chapel. This small place of worship was built in Gothic Revival architecture with a steep gabled roof and stained glass windows, which gives it a charming and rustic appearance.
Jekyll Island Club Resort, the cottages at the Historic District and Faith Chapel
Driftwood Beach
As we crossed the island to the northeastern part, we noticed that Jekyll Island is an ideal destination for biking. 20 miles of paved bike trails through the marshes, forests, beaches, and historic sites, – if only we’d had more time.
If you want to bike around Jekyll Island check out these options for bike rental.
We headed straight for Driftwood Beach which was the main reason for visiting Jekyll Island. This beach had the most fascinating and hauntingly beautiful landscape we had ever seen on a beach. Scattered along the shore, was a dramatic and artistic display of driftwood and weathered trees. Years of erosion and tidal forces had created the most stunning natural sculptures. With a backdrop of neverending ocean, blue skies, and white sand the experience was almost surreal.
Driftwood Beach at Jekyll Island
From Driftwood Beach we drove back to the Historic District on the western side of the Island. Here we had a late lunch on the patio at The Wharf while overlooking the creek and embracing some southern favorites. Last chance to soak up the historic ambiance of this place before we headed down to Cocoa Beach in Florida.
The Wharf at Jekyll Island
Read more
If you’re interested in more about our adventures in Georgia, please read Great Reasons to Put Georgia on Your Travel List and Great Ways to Explore the Natural Beauty of Georgia
Interested in more travel experiences from our journey across the US? Read more in the travel journal
Busy navigating midlife? We might share some similar experiences. Read more in the midlife journal