Savannah has been on my list for a while, and after planning a long weekend around its historic architecture, charming squares, boutique hotels, and incredible restaurant scene, I can see why it has become such a popular destination for a Southern getaway. The city has a little bit of everything: gorgeous historic homes draped in Spanish moss, cobblestone streets, atmospheric cemeteries, beautiful boutique hotels, and restaurants that make you want to linger over dinner long after the plates have been cleared. And do not forget the history. This is a city that knows its history, reveres it and preserves it, which was such a draw to someone like me who delights in the beauty of Victorian, Federalist and Georgian architecture.
We planned four days in Savannah, splitting our stay between two stunning boutique hotels and balancing guided tours and historic sightseeing with some seriously good meals and time to relax. Here’s how we structured our long weekend, including the restaurants, tours, and places I’d put on your itinerary if you’re planning a trip of your own.
Thursday: Checking In, River Street & A Ghost Tour
Check-in at Recess Hotel
We arrived in Savannah early in the afternoon, with plans to check into Recess Hotel around 3 p.m. I wanted our first afternoon to be relatively relaxed, giving us a chance to settle in and get our bearings before diving into the city.
The Recess Hotel recently opened and did a massive renovation making it truly five stars. It has a midcentury modern feel and no detail has been left unattended to. Gorgeus tiling, unique furniture, beutiful rooms and quirky details make this a wonderful hotel option. Plus, it has an incredible rooftop pool and bar. It’s in town toward the River in the center of the historic district, meaning you can pretty much walk everywhere.
Savannah’s Historic District is wonderfully suited to exploring on foot, so we wandered around without committing to a packed sightseeing schedule. We went to Paris Market, which is a unique coffee shop and boutique filled with trwasures, from antiques to jewelry and home goods. If you’re looking for a gift or statement pieces, add this to your itinerary.
From here, we ambled through Savannah’s squares, which are truly treasures unique to when the city was foudned and still standing today. We read all of the plackards about the monuments and other historic features and admired the stately homes surrounding the squares.
Dinner on River Street at Charter House
For our first dinner, we planned to head to River Street, Savannah’s historic waterfront district. The riverfront is a fun place to start a trip, with its historic buildings, waterfront views, and lively atmosphere. There are bars and restaurants dotting the waterfront and it is very lively. We were looking for something more upscale, so we went to a restaurant called Charter House for some seafood, steak and cocktails while eating al fresco. It was a great way to kick off the trip.
A Savannah Ghost Tour
At 7:30 p.m., we had this candlelight ghost tour booked which met across from Chippewa Square. Savannah’s reputation for ghost stories makes an evening walking tour an especially fitting activity. With the city’s historic streets, old buildings, and centuries of complicated history, the atmosphere after dark is part of the appeal. It’s ranked one of the most haunted places in America and people come from all over the world to do “investigations” at some of the haunted home.
Since we were also planning a dedicated history and architecture tour the following morning, I wanted this experience to be more about Savannah’s spooky folklore, paranormal tales, and storytelling than a general overview of the city’s past.
My tip: Book an evening ghost tour early in your trip. It’s a fun way to get acquainted with Savannah’s atmosphere, and walking through the squares after dark feels very different from seeing them during the day. There were other trolley and driving options for ghost tours, but we really enjoyed walking around the city, which quickly got us familiar with it.
Friday: Historic Savannah, the Olde Pink House & Hotel Bardo
Checking into Hotel Bardo
Friday morning, we planned to check out of Recess Hotel and move to Hotel Bardo, our home base for the rest of the trip. I have wanted to stay at Bardo since it opened years ago. It’s one of the most luxe hotels in the southeast and part of Leadign Hotels of the World. The hotel has a beautiful design in a historic mansion right on Forsyth Park and an incredible pool, making it a true resort. I booked the stay using my Chase Saphire Reserve Card, which came with lots of perks such as: early check in and late check out, $100 resort credit, free breakfast at their amazing restaurant each morning, upgraded rooms and a gift from their shop. These perks were huge, and meant we had an amazing room right off the pool with a private terrace and sun loungers. We also delighted in breakfast at Saint Bibiana each morning, making our way through the entire menu and enjoying the lovely design details. Our stay at Bardo was 11 out of 10 and I cannot wait to go back with my kids.
10 a.m.–noon: Genteel & Bard History Walking Tour
Our morning was dedicated to a two-hour walking tour with Genteel & Bard, a high-end tour company recommended by the likes of Goop and Conde Nast Traveler.
A walking tour is one of the best ways to understand Savannah’s layout. Rather than simply ticking off individual historic homes, you can begin to appreciate how the squares, streets, architecture, and neighborhoods fit together as well as local lore.
I particularly wanted a tour that would give us context for Savannah’s historic buildings and architectural character before we explored some of the city’s most famous houses on our own. This also seemed like the perfect introduction to the squares we’d be revisiting throughout the weekend. I especially loved learning about the historic city’s biggest leaders, such as the mayor who surrendered the city to save it, the woman who founded the Girl Scouts (truly such an inspiring story) and other notable figures.
Lunch at The Olde Pink House
If there’s one restaurant that seems to belong on every classic Savannah itinerary, it’s The Olde Pink House. My recommendation is to book your reservation the second you book your flights, because this is likely the most in-demand table to get in Savannah, and for good reason. This was easily our favorite and most memorable meal of the trip.
Housed in an eighteenth-century mansion, the restaurant is as much about its historic setting as it is about the meal. Its distinctive pink exterior makes it one of Savannah’s most recognizable buildings, and the restaurant is a natural fit for a long lunch after a morning of sightseeing. For those of you who have been to New Orleans, Pink House reminds me a lot of Commander’s Palace. The historic home and fine dining are a total treat, and I reccomend that you leave a little time to appreciate the building itself rather than treating lunch as just another stop between attractions.
Wander Around Savannah — Jones Street
One of the best parts of being in Savannah was wandering around. We loved ambling down the cobblestone streets, looking at the historic homes and popping into the shops. One of my favorite stores was E Shaver’s book shop, which was a delight to peruse. They seemingly had every book imaginable and a great kids selection, ensuring I stocked up on some books as gifts for when I returned ot NYC. We also had a leisurely stroll down Jones Street, which is ranked the most beautiful street in all of North America. Having now spent a bit of time on it, I can totally see why!
Dinner at Bibiana, Hotel Bardo
For dinner, we planned to stay close to home and eat at Bibiana, Hotel Bardo’s restaurant. We loved the experience at breakfast each morning, and dinner did not disappoint. The meal was so tasty, the service excellent and the ambiance is truly out of Architectural Digest. I would suggest eating here even if you don’t have the privilege of staying on the grounds.
Saturday: Bonaventure Cemetery & Historic Homes
10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Cemetery Tour
Saturday morning was reserved for a cemetery tour, one of the experiences I was most interested in adding to our Savannah itinerary. Not only is the cemetery historic, but it is literary. Let me explain, Savannah is the setting for the NYT bestseller “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” which is a MUST READ before a trip to the city. Some of the book takes place in Bonaventure Cemetery, so I knew I wanted to visit.
Bonaventure Cemetery is famous for its hauntingly beautiful atmosphere, historic monuments, mature trees, and moss-draped landscape. It offers a different perspective on Savannah from the manicured squares and grand homes downtown. A guided tour is especially worthwhile here because the cemetery’s history, memorials, and stories give the landscape more meaning than a simple walk through the grounds. Many of the tours also provide transportation to and from the cemetery. I loved hearing about the city’s residents through the centuries and was particularly moved by the monument to a 6-year-old girl named Gracie.
Afternoon: Mercer Williams House Museum
After the cemetery tour, we planned to return to the Historic District for a visit to Mercer Williams House Museum. The house is one of Savannah’s best-known historic residences, with an architectural presence that makes it worth seeking out even if you’re not familiar with its story. It is also the home that is the main setting for the famous book, which adds another layer of intrigue to the visit.
The Mercer Williams House is a good example of why Savannah is so appealing to people who enjoy historic homes. You can spend the morning learning about the city’s burial traditions and history, then turn your attention to the architecture, interiors, and stories of its grand residences in the afternoon. We particualry loved the tour of the home, and suggest a visit to the house.
Dinner at Husk
For Saturday dinner, we booked Husk, a restaurant known for its approach to Southern cooking and regional ingredients. We also love their original location in Charleston (travel guide here) so it was great to visit what felt like an old friend for some elevated Southern fare.
Sunday: Forsyth Park, the Historic Squares & a Relaxing Afternoon
By Sunday, we wanted to slow the pace a little. Savannah is a city where some of the best moments come from simply walking around, admiring the architecture, and stopping for a coffee or a drink when something catches your eye.
Breakfast at Bibiana
We planned to start Sunday with breakfast at Bibiana before heading out to explore.
Walking Savannah’s Historic Squares
One of the things I most wanted to do in Savannah was walk through as many of its historic squares as possible.
The squares are a defining feature of the city. Each offers a little pocket of greenery surrounded by historic buildings, and together they create a wonderfully walkable urban landscape. They’re also a great way to see the architecture up close, from grand homes to churches and smaller residential streets. My favorite one by far was Monterey Square because of the mansions lining it.
Rather than treating the squares as a checklist, I’d use Sunday morning to explore them at a leisurely pace, stopping wherever the streets look particularly beautiful.
A few places worth incorporating into this walk include:
- Chippewa Square: One of Savannah’s best-known squares and a useful landmark in the heart of the Historic District.
- Monterey Square: A particularly picturesque stop surrounded by historic architecture.
- Jones Street: Often celebrated for its beautiful historic homes and tree-lined streets, it’s one of the streets I’d make a point of walking rather than simply passing through by car.
- Bull Street: A useful route for connecting several of Savannah’s central squares and historic landmarks.
- Forsyth Park: The city’s signature park, with broad walking paths, mature trees, and plenty of space to take a break.
You can also incorporate nearby historic landmarks, such as the Andrew Low House Museum, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, and the Girl Scout First Headquarters, depending on how much time you want to devote to visiting interiors versus admiring the architecture from outside.
My tip: Don’t overplan this part of the itinerary. Savannah’s squares are close enough to make a lovely walking route, but the fun is in taking your time, looking down the side streets, and discovering the details you might otherwise miss.
Afternoon: A Massage at Saltgrass Spa & Time at the Hotel Bardo Pool
After a few days of walking tours, historic homes, and sightseeing, Sunday afternoon was reserved for some downtime.We planned massages at Saltgrass, the spa at Recess Hotel, followed by time at the pool at Hotel Bardo.
I loved the idea of building a proper relaxation window into the itinerary instead of treating every hour as an opportunity to see another attraction. Savannah is a wonderful walking city, but a long weekend can become surprisingly busy when you combine tours, restaurant reservations, and historic sites.
The spa was just delightful and so relaxing and then reading chick lit by the pool with an aperol spritz in hand capped what was a perfect leisurely day.
7 p.m.: Dinner at Common Thread
We planned to finish the trip with dinner at Common Thread. The restaurant makes a fitting final dinner reservation for a weekend built around Savannah’s food scene. The menu is a bit avant garde, so if you only have room for one restaurant of this calibur, I would choose Husk.
A Few Things I’d Prioritize in Savannah
If you’re planning your own long weekend, these are the experiences I’d build around:
Stay in two different boutique hotels. Our plan to split the trip between Recess Hotel and Hotel Bardo gives us a chance to enjoy both properties while keeping the hotel experience part of the vacation.
Take a history walking tour. Savannah’s architecture and squares are much more interesting when you understand the stories behind them.
Book a ghost tour after dark. It’s a fun way to experience the city’s more mysterious side, especially if you choose a tour that focuses on storytelling and atmosphere rather than duplicating a daytime history tour.
Make restaurant reservations in advance. With meals planned at The Olde Pink House, Bibiana, Husk, and Common Thread, our dining schedule was an important part of the trip rather than an afterthought.
Leave time to wander. Some of Savannah’s most memorable sights are simply its residential streets, historic facades, and squares shaded by enormous trees.
Build in downtime. A spa appointment and pool afternoon are easy to overlook when planning a city break, but they’re a welcome counterbalance to several days of walking.
Savannah is the kind of city that rewards a little planning without needing every minute scheduled. For us, the ideal long weekend combines the historic sightseeing that makes the city famous with great food, beautiful hotels, and enough unstructured time to soak it all in.
If you’re planning a trip, I’d start with the walking tour, reserve your restaurant tables, choose a ghost tour that appeals to you, and let the rest of the city unfold as you wander.