Savannah has been the backdrop of movies like Forest Gump, Gemini Man, Baywatch, and 2019’s Lady and the Tramp, to name a few.  Without a doubt, it is one of the most unique cities in the south, from its unique charm and beauty, decadent cuisine, and stunning architecture boasting of complex history.

Maybe it is the hanging Spanish moss growing from the Live Oak trees or the historic Anti Bellum homes surrounding the many parks throughout the historical downtown that creates an allure of romance.

Whether you’re staying at any number of the magnificent hotels or enjoying the quaint ambiance of a restored late 18th-century or early 19th-century mansion turned Bed and Breakfast, you’re sure to regal in the charm and Regency period antique furnishings.

With so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming to fit it all in just a few short days.  Consider arriving early to the Savannah Hop On/Hop Off Trolley and take a tour of the city, where you gain knowledge of each part of the downtown area hosted by a charmed and friendly guide. This will give you an overview of all the sights that may interest you and what you would consider to hop off on the next go-round. 

The first stop should be Ellis Square, where you can grab some coffee and enjoy the sights and sounds of River St along the Savannah River, where you will find many dining options, market shopping, and a host of street entertainers and you may fancy seeing the Georgia Queen docked for her new guests. Visit the Paula Dean store or tour the American Prohibition Museum, centrally located in Ellis Square, where the roaring twenties are brought to life as you learn about those infamous troublemakers of the time and authentic speakeasy. There is plenty of shopping and dining to be had, and if you’re a beer connoisseur, the River Brewing Company has plenty of samples to try.

Be sure to make your way to E. Jones Street is home to the most beautifully designed and painted row of colorful houses with white widows and dark shutters. Or travel to Rainbow Row on Bryan Street, and you will find yet another row of homes in a Carpenter Italianate style painted in soft pastels. 

Let’s not forget Forysth Park and the iconic fountain installed in 1858. The fountain has become the backdrop of many engagement and wedding photos and is considered the most photographed site in Savanah. The park spans over 30 acres and is the oldest park in the historic Victorian District. The large park is home to the Confederate and Spanish-American War Memorials.  Head over to the Hotel Bardo, formally known as the Mansion on Forsyth Park, and feast your eyes on the 126-room property. It recently underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation in late 2022.  The home was originally built in 1888 to the Lewis Kayton family and converted to a hotel in 2005. When you enter its exquisite marble lobby you have been transfixed and will experience Southern luxury at its finest.

There are a number of historic house museums built in the late 1700s that are open for tours.  One such property is the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters. The young twenty-one-year-old William Jay was the mastermind behind the architectural wonder the home holds. The style known as Greek Revival for the time period of English Regency.  Another architectural beauty is the Telfair Academy, now a museum, just a short walk from Jepson Center, covering over 200 years of history.   The two-story structure doesn’t appear to be grand from the outside, but that is quite deceiving. It is another architectural wonder designed by William Jay built in 1819.  Once you take the steps up to the front entrance and enter, you are amazed at the magnificence and the sheer size of the property. Follow the steps up to the grand ballroom, where many works of art are displayed. The permanent collection of nineteenth-century and twentieth-century American and European art include paintings, sculptures, works on paper and decorative displays of art.

The weekend couldn’t be complete without spending time at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John.  If the doors are seen to be open, the cathedral is open for tours. The beauty that surrounds the cathedral is one of awe.  The church was founded by French and Haitian immigrants in the late 1700s, although the cornerstone wasn’t placed until November 1873.  The church was designed in a High Victorian Gothic style with French traditions. Discover a devastating fire destroyed most of the cathedral and in 1898 rebuilding began. In your tour of the magnificent design, how the panels were brought on a ship from Europe and the stained glass from Australia. The Basilica is listed as the number one for most beautiful cathedrals within the United States. In 2020, the 143-year-old Cathedral was officially given the honor and named the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. It must meet a litany of requirements to be honored as such. 

Across the street is a quaint little coffee house, Mirabelle Cafe, converted from a late 18th-century three-story home.  Be sure to grab a drink, sit out on the sidewalk, and admire the people passing by while you enjoy the beautiful cathedral from afar. You won’t be disappointed.

There is more than enough to do and see in the historic district of Savanah. One would say a short weekend just isn’t enough.  Walking through the streets of old and recalling a time when life was simpler and full of beauty yet hard and despair puts one’s imagination into new perspectives.  Savanah has a unique blend of old and new and is one of Georgia’s gems.  It must be at the top of any traveler’s list of must-see cities to visit within the South.

This was written by our contributing writer Shannon Hrimnak.