Start your 3 days in Savannah in Forsyth Park

Savannah is the oldest city of the beautiful southern USA state of Georgia. It was an important city during the American Revolution and Civil War serving as a seaport and industrial centre. Today, it’s full of wonderful attractions showcasing its history through important landmarks, streets, parks and buildings. And it should be on your list of best USA cities to visit for a weekend getaway. In this guest post, Brianna Hayes of Briabroad shows us how to spend 3 days in Savannah.

Three days in Savannah, Georgia is the perfect amount of time to soak up all of the city’s charm, history and fun. A long weekend in Savannah will allow you to see all of the city’s major attractions and enjoy a few Southern style meals. 

From historic architecture to spooky ghosts (it is one of the most haunted cities in America, after all), this three day guide to Savannah will help you design your perfect trip. This post is divided into 2 sections. The first part is the best 3 day Savannah itinerary, and the second part provides details how to organise your Savannah 3 day trip.

How to Spend 3 Days in Savannah, Georgia

It’s time to start exploring Savannah on this 3 day Savannah itinerary. Enjoy!

TIP: Purchase the Savannah Card and get entry into 30+ museums, cultural sites and tours, saving you around 40% if you paid to enter each place individually. Purchase the Savannah Card here.

Day 1: Forsyth Park and Food Tour

Enjoy a southern delicacy – shrimp and grits

On the first day of your three day visit to Savannah, start off with a small breakfast at your accommodation or visit a cafe like Foxy Loxy Cafe or Goose Feathers Cafe & Bakery. Try not to eat too much though. You’ll want to be hungry for your food tour later!

When I visit a new city, I like to go on the tourist hop on hop off bus. It gives me an insight to the city, plus lets me work out which places I want to go and spend more time in. If I’m travelling with kids in Savannah it will give you an idea of what interests them too! And you’re in luck! Savannah has the Savannah Hop On Hop Off Trolley taking you to some of the best places in Savannah.

Book your ticket on the Savannah Hop On Hop Off Trolley here (which is included in the Savannah Tour Pass mentioned earlier)

If you don’t go on the Savannah Hop On Hop Off Trolley….. start day one of this 3 day visit to Savannah at one of the most famous sites in Savannah: the fountain in Forsyth Park. Enjoy a leisurely walk from your accommodation to the park. The morning is the best time to visit the park as the weather should be temperate and it won’t have peak crowds yet.

At 30 acres large, there is a lot to see during your walk here. Street performers, art and architecture, to name a few. One of my favorite parts? All the dogs! Locals bring their dogs here for walks and to play with other pets.

If you’re a fan of the movie Forrest Gump, you can take a quick detour to Chippewa Square where the bus scene was filmed. Unfortunately, if you want to see the famous bench, you’ll have to go to the Savannah History Museum.

Late morning, kick on a food tour of Savannah. Visit a variety of different restaurants and local food boutiques, so you can quickly become an expert in all things Southern food. Meet your guide and embark on a culinary journey. Some of the foods and beverages you can expect to try include craft beers, honey products, Southern coastal cuisine, authentic mojitos, Southern biscuits and chicken, and British pies.

Book your food tour of Savannah here.

There’s no better way to work off all that delicious food than shopping down Broughton Street. Some of the shops you won’t want to miss are the Savannah Bee Company, Nourish, and The Paris Market and Brocante.

If you’re craving something sweet, stop by one of the top 10 ice cream parlors in the world: Leopold’s Ice Cream. With a mix of classic and unique flavors, there’s something for everyone here.

Plan to spend a few hours window shopping and enjoying the local shops in the area. For a break from the sun, check out Gutstein Gallery, one of the many galleries owned and restored by the Savannah College of Art and Design. In the past, it has featured artists like Yoko Ono, Chuck Close, Richard Mosse and Gregory Crewdson.

Dinner at the Olde Pink House is only a quick walk away. The Olde Pink House is known for its Southern cuisine served inside a Colonial mansion. This is one of the most famous restaurants in Savannah, so you’ll want to make a reservation as early in advance as possible.

To close out the evening, visit a cocktail bar before heading back to your hotel. One of the best spots for a drink is the Alley Cat Lounge. You have to walk through an alley to get there, but that really adds to the speakeasy vibe here.

Day 2: Riverfront and Ghost Tour

Enjoy the Savannah Riverfront

This morning, kick off your day by eating brunch and collecting rubber ducks at Little Duck Diner. Yes, you can get drinks here with rubber ducks in them! Not to mention, the food at the diner is delicious.

After you’ve had your fill, head over to River Street. It’s a lovely walk with plenty of shops to stop by along the way. You’ll definitely want to check out River Street Market Place and Savannah Candy Kitchen.

The Tiniest Bookshop can also be found on River Street. True to its name, this bookshop is just 150 square feet! Can you believe it started as a bus?

If you enjoy boat rides, you’ll definitely want to arrange a riverfront cruise. This is a good way to learn about the history of Savannah while seeing the city from another angle. Savannah Riverboat Cruises has two boats, so you can choose the best cruise for you.

For more nature-forward scenery, walk over to Johnson Square. The trees here are gorgeous! If you purchased a book at The Tiniest Bookshop, this would be a great place to pause and read.

After all that walking, you’ll probably be ready for a pick-me-up. Some of the best coffee shops and cafes in Savannah include The Coffee Fox and Bitty & Beau’s Coffee.

By the way, Savannah is an open container city. If you drink alcohol, you could walk into a bar and ask for a drink to-go! You’ll probably see a lot of bachelorette parties in Savannah enjoying a few drinks.

One of the must-do’s in Savannah is a ghost tour. Since you’re visiting one of the most haunted cities in America, it’s a right of passage in the city to see if you can find some (hopefully friendly) ghosts. Soon after your pick-me-up of choice, embark on a ghost tour. There are a couple of different types of ghost tours in Savannah catered to the type of adventure you want. If you’re looking for something more laidback, companies will take you to the most haunted spots in the city on a trolley. If you’re looking for something more hands on, like a paranormal investigation, there are tours for that too.

Book your Ghosts tour here.

After your encounters with the beyond, close out your evening at one of the Riverfront’s many rooftop bars. The Electric Moon Skytop Lounge + The Moon Deck has table service overlooking the river. You can wave to tourists and locals going by on boats from here while enjoying a few beverages and small plates.

Day 3: Discover more of Savannah

Lots of buildings with southern charm and character

On your final day in Savannah, you’ll spend your morning in the city followed by a day trip to explore the outskirts of Savannah.

Once again, you’ll be partaking in the best type of meal – brunch. Collin’s Quarter is one of the most popular brunch spots in Savannah. But no need to fear, they’re good at getting a lot of people seated in a timely manner. Don’t miss their unique coffees and teas.

Next, you’ll be learning about the history in Savannah. Your first stop is the Colonial Park Cemetery, located in the heart of the Historic District. This cemetery is the oldest in Savannah, dating back to 1750. It’s known for being the final resting place for 700 people who died during the yellow fever epidemic of 1820.

While dark, it’s still important to explore the more difficult parts of history. At the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, you can take a tour to learn about the families who lived there and the enslaved people forced to work there.

Another piece of Savannah’s history is that the first Girl Scout’s of America headquarters is located here. If you were a Girl Scout, or know someone who was, you may want to visit Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace to learn about the creator of the Girl Scout’s.

After you’ve learned about the history of Savannah, it’s time for a change of pace. Located about 25 minutes away from downtown Savannah is Tybee Island, where you’ll spend the afternoon. Although it’s called an island, you can drive (or taxi) straight there. At Tybee Island, you can try to spot some wild dolphins on a tour or just spend a few hours soaking in the sand and sun. It’s a great place to relax after all the walking you’ve been doing and get your tan on.

Book your Savannah Historic Sties and Tybee Island tour here.

Be sure to make it back to Savannah in time for dinner, though. Say goodbye to Savannah with an eclectic Southern menu at Alligator Soul. This restaurant features a seasonal menu that utilizes farm-fresh ingredients, perfect for your final send-off.

Organise Your Trip to Savannah

How to Get Around Savannah

As Savannah is a relatively small city, it’s easy to get around on foot. To make best use of your time, it’s recommended to block your days based on where you’re walking. So get your walking shoes on that you’ve packed for this weekend getaway! If you tire of walking or you’re travelling Savannah with little kids that tire quickly, Savannah’s bus system is called CAT. There are 15 different bus routes to get you around. There is also DOT, the free shuttle services that takes residents and visitors around Savannah’s historic district. It runs every 10 minutes.

Best time to travel to Savannah

You can visit Savannah anytime, though the weather of the different seasons may influence when you visit.

Spring – March, April, May – is said to be the best time to visit Savannah as the weather is warm and pleasant and the azaleas are flowering. There are also plenty of festivals to enjoy.

Summer – June, July, August – is hot and humidity can be sky high making it unpleasant walking around, particularly if visiting Savannah with kids.

Fall – September, October, November –  is when the weather begins to cool and tourism tends to be lower making Savannah better for walking around. And enjoying some of the festivals such as the Savannah Jazz Fest.

Winter in Savannah – December, January, February – is a great time to visit Savannah as it is pleasant walking around the city, plus you get the amazing Christmas atmosphere.

Best places to stay in Savannah

During this 3 day Savannah itinerary you will need to book 2 nights accommodation. So whether you are travelling to Savannah solo, visiting on a girls or guys weekend, or spending time in Savannah with kids, there is accommodation to suit everyone and their budget. So where to stay in Savannah?

The most beautiful place to stay in Savannah is its historic district. You will be right in the heart of the hustle and bustle of the city here, making it easy to walk and discover some of the best things to see and do in Savannah. Like Forsyth Park and the Georgia State Railroad Museum. And there are plenty of restaurants and great bars for those chasing the nightlife. Other areas to stay are City Market and Midtown, but if this is your first visit to Savannah I would stay in the historic district to be close to everything.

If wanting a budget friendly accommodation option in Savannah, check out the Holiday Inn Express Historic District. Located in Savannah’s historic center, this contemporary hotel is only a 7-minute walk from City Market.

For a mid-range hotel, check out Hotel Indigo Savannah Historic District. This hotel is located in a converted 19th-century warehouse and shop known to locals as the “Grand Lady on the Bay.” It overlooks the Savannah River.

If seeking a high-end option consider The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront, Autograph Collection. This chic hotel features scenic views of the river, with unique amenities like a fire pit.

For a family friendly hotel in Savannah hotel consider the River Street Inn. Built of cobble and ballast stones in 1817, as a cotton warehouse, it has been converted to a historic hotel that overlooks the Savannah River, right on world famous River Street. How cool!

For more information, prices and availability of accommodation in Savannah and to book your hotel stay in Savannah click here.

Are You Ready to Visit to Savannah, Georgia

I hope this guide has been useful for you to plan your own Savannah holiday. Whether your visit is a 3 day planned visit or part of a longer USA road, if you have any questions about your visit to Savannah, ask away in the comments. Or if you have been, I’d love to hear about it.

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