One Day in Savannah Georgia: What You Must See in Savannah

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What to Do in Savannah in One Day

There are many great activities in Savannah. Most activities involve wandering the city and soaking in the culture and sights. The below things to do in Savannah are the best way to get a taste of Savannah in a day.

Forsyth Park

Forsyth Park is a stunning park in Savannah. Walk from your accommodation early in the morning for a breakfast picnic in the park. Find a shady bench and enjoy a coffee and pastry from a local shop. Wander the park and be sure to stop by the famous fountain for a photo.

Forsyth park has a relaxed vibe with people strolling, picnicking, reading, roller blading and enjoying the outdoors. Start your day here to ease into a busy day in Savannah.

Bull Street

From Forsyth park, walk Bull street to hit many beautiful squares. Savannah’s squares are one of the iconic landmarks of the city.

They feature monuments, trees, and benches to relax. From Forsyth park, Bull street will cross a square every city block.

One unfortunate aspect of Savannah is the growing homeless population. We encountered small groups of them in the squares along bull park.

While they were mostly harmless, some were nude. If traveling with kids, keep an eye out for your safety and security.

Historic River Street

At the end of Bull Street, head down to the historic river street. The steps to river road are primarily historic (read- steep and narrow), so take them with caution.

On river road, take in the views of cargo ships coming in and out of the port. Enjoy street performers and the vibrance of the area. There are also great souvenir shops along river road for light shopping.

Ghost Tour

Savannah is named the most haunted city in the United States. At night, you must take a ghost tour. I highly recommend Blue Orb tours which are consistently the highest rated.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the tour is a great way to learn about the city and see it at night. The tours will hit the most “haunted” areas of the city and share the stories of their haunted past.

Guests will be given the opportunity to take pictures and view paranormal pictures from previous guests.

Other Activities in Savannah

With more than one day in Savannah, the below activities are a great way to extend your trip.

Bonaventure Cemetery– This is the most popular cemetery in Savannah. Located just outside of the historic area, visit Bonaventure to learn about the haunted history of the city. Note, all cemeteries in Savannah close at 8pm due to a history of after-hours illegal activity.

Tybee Island– Visit this nearby beach for a day to relax and soak in the sunshine.

Day Trip to Charleston– Savannah and Charleston are great complimentary cities. Since they are only two hours apart, they make a great combination for a long weekend trip. For what to do in Charleston, check out my guide here.

Best Restaurants in Savannah

The food in Savannah is fantastic. There are many great restaurants to try but the below are my favorite. With one day in Savannah, these options make the perfect day of eating.

B Matthew’s – Southern Brunch

B Matthew’s is the best brunch in Savannah. Be sure to make a reservation because this spot is popular. B Matthew’s is in the Savannah historic district and walking distance to all the attractions in this guide.

Enjoy the classic southern dishes such as shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, chicken and biscuits or biscuits and gravy. I ordered the crab cake benedict, and it was fantastic. The large pieces of crab complimented the rich hollandaise and crumbly biscuit.

Olde Pink House – Southern Dinner in a Historic Home

The Olde Pink House is one of the most popular restaurants in Savannah, for good reason. Get a reservation at least a month ahead to guarantee a table. This historic mansion, with its iconic pink façade, holds a luxurious and tasty southern restaurant.

The dining room spans the entire mansion, with a few tables in each room. I dined in an intimate upstairs bedroom. The décor looks original and is unique in each space.

In addition to amazing ambiance, the food at the Olde Pink House is fantastic. While you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu, I recommend the artichoke fritter, pecan crusted chicken, and fried pork chop.

Leopold’s – Best Ice Cream in Savannah

Leopold’s is the best ice cream in Savannah and consistently has a long line. The wait is worth it for soda shop style ice cream, milkshakes, and sundaes. Leopold’s is a great afternoon treat to hold you over between brunch and dinner. All the ice creams are delicious, but their signature flavors are the best.

Where to Stay in Savannah

Savannah has many amazing boutique hotels, historic properties, and luxury accommodations. The below options are my favorite hotels in Savannah for luxury and location.

Perry Lane Hotel

The Perry Lane Hotel, a luxury collection hotel, is a stunning property in the middle of Savannah’s historic district. The style of the hotel is modern, traditional.

The rooms feel homey and show understated luxury. The property has three restaurants, in-room spa services and exclusive local tours.

Bohemian Hotel

An autograph collection hotel, the Bohemian Hotel is a stunning hotel on the Savannah waterfront. The style of the hotel lives up to the name with bohemian touches throughout the property.

This hotel bridges a place to stay with local culture. The rooftop bar and live local music make the Bohemian hotel a destination itself.

Summary of One Day in Savannah

During your one day in Savannah, start with a morning stroll of Forsyth park, then head to B Matthew’s for brunch. Next, explore the city on Bull street and river road. Marvel in the beautiful trees, architecture, and mansions all over the city.

Hit up Leopold’s for ice cream to refuel for an afternoon of exploring. For dinner, head to the Olde Pink House then round out the day with a ghost tour.

The best thing about Savannah is your ability to take it slow but see a ton. Be sure to take the time to soak in the culture and southern charm the city has to offer.

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One Day in Savannah Georgia: What You Must See in Savannah