Savannah in 5 days

The Old South's belle: oak-shaded squares, antebellum mansions and Lowcountry charm. Best time to visit: March-May and September-November. Average daily budget: $130 to $240 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Historic District, The heart of Savannah, 22 oak-shaded squares, mansions, museums and most attractions.

Morning: Stroll the historic squares. Wander the oak-and-moss-draped squares like Chippewa, Monterey and Forsyth Park's grand fountain.

Afternoon: Explore Historic District, The heart of Savannah, 22 oak-shaded squares, mansions, museums and most attractions.

Evening: Walk River Street. The cobblestone riverfront lined with restaurants, candy shops and bars in old cotton warehouses.

Eat: Shrimp and grits

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: River Street, Cobblestone riverfront of restored cotton warehouses, now shops, bars and restaurants.

Morning: Tour an antebellum mansion. Step inside grand homes like the Mercer-Williams, Owens-Thomas or Davenport House.

Afternoon: Explore River Street, Cobblestone riverfront of restored cotton warehouses, now shops, bars and restaurants.

Evening: Take a ghost tour. Savannah is famously haunted, evening walking or trolley ghost tours bring its eerie history to life.

Eat: Lowcountry boil and fresh seafood

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Forsyth Park & the Victorian District, The grand park with its famous fountain, edged by ornate Victorian homes.

Morning: Day trip to Tybee Island. A relaxed barrier-island beach with a historic lighthouse, just 20 minutes from downtown.

Afternoon: Explore Forsyth Park & the Victorian District, The grand park with its famous fountain, edged by ornate Victorian homes.

Evening: Bonaventure Cemetery, hauntingly beautiful with its moss-draped oaks and statuary.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fried green tomatoes

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Starland District, A hip, artsy neighbourhood of murals, indie shops, breweries and cafés.

Morning: The Wormsloe Historic Site's iconic avenue of oaks.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Starland District, A hip, artsy neighbourhood of murals, indie shops, breweries and cafés.

Evening: Leopold's Ice Cream, a beloved century-old parlour.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Southern fried chicken and biscuits

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Tybee Island, Savannah's laid-back beach getaway, about 20 minutes east on the coast.

Morning: Quiet early-morning walks through the squares before the tour groups arrive.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Tybee Island, Savannah's laid-back beach getaway, about 20 minutes east on the coast.

Evening: Dinner at Shrimp and grits, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Tybee Island.

Eat: Shrimp and grits

Hidden gems

Bonaventure Cemetery, hauntingly beautiful with its moss-draped oaks and statuary.
The Wormsloe Historic Site's iconic avenue of oaks.
Leopold's Ice Cream, a beloved century-old parlour.
Quiet early-morning walks through the squares before the tour groups arrive.

Getting around

Savannah's Historic District is compact, flat and made for walking, the squares are best explored on foot. A free DOT shuttle loops the downtown area, and pedicabs, trolley tours and rideshare cover longer hops. For Tybee Island, Bonaventure Cemetery or Wormsloe, you'll want a car or rideshare. Parking downtown is metered and limited, so many visitors leave the car and walk.

Safety

Savannah's Historic District is generally safe and well-touristed by day, but as a city it has areas that change quickly block to block, so stay in well-lit, busy areas at night and use rideshare rather than walking through quiet or peripheral streets after dark. Watch your footing on uneven cobblestones and historic stairways, and keep valuables secure in the riverfront crowds.

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