Historic Downtown Savannah or Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil:
As happens with many movies, I’m sure, I decided I HAD to go to historic downtown Savannah, Georgia after watching Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It took many years for that to become a reality but once it did…I was hooked. I have been back several times now and still haven’t seen everything so come to grips with that now, you’re just going to have to make a return trip.
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Arriving in Historic Downtown Savannah, Georgia:
I’ve only ever flown into Savannah so that’s what I’m going to talk about but I’m sure it’s just as easy to drive in as it was to fly. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is on the smaller side which made it super nice to travel through. Clean and very well laid out, the process of arriving and departing was very laid back and not stressful at all.
I picked up a rental car from Hertz at the airport both times I visited and they are lovely to work with. I would highly recommend them. Driving in Savannah wasn’t an issue. It’s not overly congested or hard to navigate like say, Boston. Woof…don’t get me started about driving in Boston.
Where to Stay in downtown Savannah:
As per usual, I would definitely use Booking.com to find a place to stay. You can focus on what you want from your trip, whether that’s the beach, the historic district or somewhere a little further out.
Another option if you’re going with a group of people is renting a house via VRBO. That’s what I’ve done the last couple times and we stayed at a beautiful house on the Wilmington River.
I wanted to be outside the city a little bit but close enough for us to go in for dinner or to do something fun. It was perfect.
If you have the budget for it, I would definitely try to stay in the Historic Downtown District Georgia. You’ll get the full experience of being right in the center of all that history. It’s gorgeous and you can walk to pretty much everything.
Things to do in Historic Downtown Savannah, GA:
There is a ton of things to do so it would be a good idea to do some research on GetYourGuide.com so you can start narrowing it down.
I love a good ghost story and Savannah is definitely not lacking in the spooky department so we took the Grave Encounters Trolley Tour with Dinner at the Pirates’ House. It was SO MUCH FUN.
If and when you book your tour (which you definitely should), ask for Tammy. She was the best guide. She knows everything there is to know about Savannah and she had us laughing all night. Can’t recommend enough!! Dinner was delicious at The Pirates’ House, I would go again just on its own.
Another option is walking tours. There are so many options in Savannah, you’re sure to find one that fits what you’re looking for. Ghost tours, historic home tours, pub crawls, food tours, Civil War tours, cemetery tours and of course, a Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil tour. You could pick a different one every night you’re there if you wanted!
Something else to consider, riverboat cruises! There are a bunch of different ones so you can focus on sightseeing down Savannah’s historic riverfront or maybe pick one that includes lunch or dinner. They also offer ones that combine other sites in the package so you could cruise down the river and then take a trolley tour of the city!
Let’s just say it’s going to be harder picking what you’re going to do than it will to find something to do. This city has endless opportunities for a good time!
Restaurants River Street, Savannah:
Obviously, I’d have to be out of my mind to not mention the food. If you’re into seafood…welcome home…its ALL amazing. Here are a few places that I’ve tried and loved:
Huey’s Southern Café on the River:
“Dine with us in an 1817 cotton warehouse constructed of balastone and brick and surrounded by floor to ceiling windows. Enjoy an evening of great food and people-watching, or just grab a drink from our full service bar and take a stroll down the riverfront.”
The Cotton Exchange Tavern:
“Watch the ships roll in and out along River Street as you dine inside a former cotton warehouse from Savannah’s early days. Inviting and friendly, The Cotton Exchange favors hearty portions of fresh-caught seafood served grilled, broiled or fried as well as a fine selection of steaks, well-stuffed sandwiches and giant salads. The views and atmosphere might inspire you to linger, and you’re always invited to take your time — the Cotton Exchange is a fine place to while away the afternoon over good food and cocktails.”
The Shrimp Factory:
“Seafood and Savannah go hand in hand, and here you’ll find one of the city’s tastiest options for casual, coastal dining along the thriving riverfront. Housed in one of River Street’s former cotton warehouses built in 1823, The Shrimp Factory is known for its- you guessed it- shrimp! Serving lunch and dinner, we offer many dishes to enjoy along the Savannah River for the perfect dining experience. “
Lizzy’s Burger Bar and Grill:
“Come on down to the river and visit us- housed in an old 1800’s trade warehouse, our 2 story waterfront burger bar is fully equipped with the best burgers, drinks and beer around to let you unwind and dig in. From fried pickles to taco twists, you’ll find plenty of fun and delicious bites to try. Party with us and treat yourself to a margarita or craft beer from our full-service bar, or sit back for lunch and tackle our knife-and-fork burger.”
Retail Therapy Savannah Style:
Now to walk off all that good food you just ate! There are loads of boutiques and shops dotted along your way as you stroll through Savannah but here are a few that I wouldn’t want you to miss:
City Market:
“By day, stroll the shaded courtyard between two Savannah squares, surrounded by bistros and galleries, serenaded by local musicians. By night, join the genial crowds for concerts and cuisine. Explore our shops before catching a trolley or carriage tour from the heart of the market. Savannah’s historic center, City Market is still the place to be—where fun is delivered fresh daily.”
This place was super cool. Lots of fun shops and artisans at work in their studios. A great opportunity for a souvenir instead of stopping to get a keychain along the riverfront. Haha…
Alex Raskin Antiques:
From Atlas Obscura, “If the walls of the Noble Hardee Mansion could talk, they’d have to speak up to be heard over the hoard of antiques jostling for attention in their rooms. Billing itself as the ‘last unrestored grand mansion of Savannah,’ this decaying southern gem lives up to its own hype: peeling paint, crumbling plaster, and genteel neglect. Currently an antique store, it is a mecca for those who love old stuff, enjoy decrepitude-induced shivers, or any combination thereof.”
This. Place. Was. Incredible. We stumbled upon it by accident not knowing what we were in store for. You can wander the whole house and its STRAIGHT out of a creepy movie. There is just stuff everywhere and the house is falling apart all around it. You absolutely have to stop here. No questions, just go…you can thank me later.
Plant Riverside District:
A huge multi-use space with shops, art galleries, entertainment, restaurants, and hotels. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop…this is it. Tons of different things going on at any given time and they have private space you can rent if you’re looking to hold an event. Very cool place with loads to do.
Day Trips from Historic Downtown Savannah:
If you’ve got the time and want to venture a little further a field, here are a few ideas that we did on our own without a tour company. They weren’t too far of a drive and well worth the stop:
Wormsloe Historic Site:
“A breathtaking avenue sheltered by live oaks and Spanish moss leads to the tabby ruins of Wormsloe, the colonial estate of Noble Jones (1702–1775). Jones was a humble carpenter who arrived in Georgia in 1733 with James Oglethorpe and the first group of settlers from England. Wormsloe’s tabby ruin is the oldest standing structure in Savannah.”
Definitely take one of the walking tours with a guide. It was so interesting hearing not only the history of the place but also the natural elements of the landscape.
Bonaventure Cemetery:
“Bonaventure Cemetery is a rural cemetery located on a scenic bluff of the Wilmington River, east of Savannah, Georgia. The cemetery became famous when it was featured in the 1994 novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, and in the subsequent movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, based on the book.”
The cemetery is over 100 acres so I’d definitely recommend downloading their tour app or going on their website to search for plots if you’re looking to locate someone specific. It’s overwhelmingly huge but incredibly beautiful.
Tybee Island:
“Tybee Island is a barrier island and small city near Savannah, Georgia. It’s known for its wide, sandy beaches, including South Beach, with a pier and pavilion. In the island’s north, Fort Screven has 19th-century concrete gun batteries and the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum. The still-functioning 18th-century lighthouse has been rebuilt many times. The museum, in Battery Garland, focuses on local history.”
A great beach about a half hour outside Savannah, it’s a nice change of pace from being in the city center. If you plan your day right, you could hit Bonaventure Cemetery on your way to Tybee Island!
Wrapping up from Historic Downtown Savannah, Georgia:
So, bottom line is…I’m not even scratching the surface on Savannah, Georgia. All I can say is go explore it for yourself and then obviously send me your recommendations because I’m definitely going back.
If you’re looking for other trip ideas in the US, check out my NYC Post here!
