A weekend getaway in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is a beautiful gem nestled on the coast of Georgia, and it is absolutely worth a visit.
The old southern town is draped in a lush canopy of Spanish moss that occasionally shades you from the harsh sun. The old historic homes stand side-by-side, lining the brick streets with colorful shutters and original windows that offer a small peek inside what it’s like to live in such a beautiful. historic city.
It may be a sweaty trip, but if you’re okay dealing with that, you’ll love it. It is beautiful in summer, though I’d say it’s most likely more tolerable (especially if you prefer to sightsee by foot!) in the winter months – just my two cents!
A Weekend in Savannah, Georgia
Ready for a weekend in Savannah? Here are a few favorite spots to visit while you’re in town!
Day 1
Arrival day! I love planning on a low-key day for my first day in any city away from home. I love taking my time to settle in at the hotel, enjoying a glass of wine, and indulging in some delicious dinner.
First, check-in at The Drayton Hotel. While the hotel is new, its property is not. The hotel is located in a 19th-century building in the heart of the Historic District. I love this property for its location for a few reasons – it’s right near the famous River Street (a must if it’s your first time in town) but not right on it. River Street can be….bustling…so I love having a little reprieve right nearby.
Once you’re all checked in, head on over to Fox & Fig for a tasty lunch to fuel up for the weekend ahead. Tim and I loved the avocado toast and the smoky mac with cashew cheese. The portions were excellent and definitely enough to hold us over until our late dinner.
We were there in summer (for the second time now – what were we thinking?!), which meant that by the time we were done with lunch we were DRENCHED. And not from ocean water. So, it’s time to head on back to the hotel to freshen up and enjoy an afternoon glass of wine at the rooftop bar. The curated menu was exactly what we were looking for, and the drinks were divine. The wine list was long enough to include everything we were looking for, without being overwhelming. All in all, it was the perfect stop.
Now that you’ve enjoyed some food and a beverage or two, head out for an evening walk along Broughton Street. There are a ton of spots along this street, and it’s only a few blocks from The Drayton.
As you wind through the city, plan a dinner stop at Little Duck Diner. I’ve had this spot on my list for ages and was so thrilled to dine al fresco there this time around. And, because the breakfast menu is offered all day long, I indulged. I went with The Maxwell and holy moly it was SO GOOD. I simply cannot recommend it enough.
Now, rest up for day 2!
Day 2
If you haven’t guessed it yet, day 2 is beach day! And, I don’t know about you, but I love kicking off any beach day with a trip for fresh bagels. If you’re like me and like to bring bagels for an early beach morning, swing by Big Bon Bodega on your way. The bagels are DIVINE. Truly. I grabbed a lemon blueberry (have you ever heard of such a bagel flavor?!) and devoured it in minutes as soon as we plopped down on the hot sand.
Now that you’ve acquired your bagels, it’s go time. We love visiting Tybee Island while we’re in Savannah. With Savannah being about a 3.5 – 4-hour drive from Atlanta, we don’t want to hop in the car for hours again. Though, Hilton Head is definitely an option!
Tybee is only 30 minutes from the hotel, and it’s a beautiful beachy drive. Hop in the car, throw on some summer songs, and make your way to the beach. There’s parking all along the side streets that have access to the beach. We like to park down by 7th Street, but almost any street will do. You’ll want to note that this part of the beach does not have public restrooms, so we would stop by the local park before and after our time at the beach.
Savannah is known for its beautiful squares, so once you’ve showered off all the sand and hopefully the exhaustion from the sun, throw on your walking shoes and get lost in Savannah. Stop by as many squares as you can! They’re all over town, you’re sure to stumble onto at least one or two within a few minutes of walking around.
If you’re up for a delectable dinner (who isn’t?), grab yourself a reservation at The Olde Pink House. The restaurant lives in what was once called the Habersham House, which opened back in 1771! The native brick had bled through the plastered walls and mysteriously transformed it into the sweet shade of pink it is now. The food is grand and the interior is even more impressive. Definitely snag a reservation if you can!
Now that you’ve dined and potentially wined, top your dinner off with a quick trip over to Leopold’s for some ice cream. I still remember that cup of lavender ice cream I ordered there – it’s the perfect way to cool down on a summer evening.
Day 3
Here we are, the final day of the weekend – day 3. And, if you know me at all, you know exactly what I’m going to say. It’s time for the beach, again! While you could head on up to Hilton Head, we opted for the shorter drive to Tybee. We got there early to fully avoid crowds and it was so worth it. We grabbed a spot right up by the water and just…relaxed. It was perfect.
As soon as the beach started filling up, we made our way back to town with a quick stop at The Coffee Fox. We’ve been fans of their coffee & snacks for years – ever since the first time we spent a weekend in Savannah. If they have it on the menu – grab their churro muffin! Eek it was so good.
If it’s a bigger brunch you’re looking for, make it a point to stop in for food at St. Neo’s Brasserie. It’s located right on the ground floor of the hotel, which is perfect when you’re feeling a little sluggish after soaking up all those rays on the beach. Plus, the interior is unbelievable; you’re definitely going to want to take a peek (and maybe even a seat).
Here comes the tough part – and by tough I mean sad. It’s time to check out. We were so sad to leave The Drayton but already plan to get back soon. The hotel is just beautiful! You’ll see for yourself soon, hopefully. Pro tip: Grab a coffee in the little lobby café before loading up your car!
Because we still had some time to spend in Savannah after checking out, we swung by Two Tides Brewing for some of the most delicious beer – order outside or inside then grab one of the rooms or a patio to yourself! The perfect way to enjoy your last afternoon in town.
And, if you like to enjoy a few snacks before driving or flying out, Starland Yard is right next door and a pure delight. Their tagline, “Savannah’s Backyard” is entirely accurate. I love that they host rotating food trucks! FARM Bluffton was there while we were and oh boy, those were some of the most delicious tacos I’ve had in a LONG time. Seriously, if you can time it to be there on a Sunday – do it. Here’s their food truck schedule if you do end up stopping by!
Whew, that was a whirlwind of a weekend, wasn’t it? When you’re ready for your next getaway, check out all of my city guides! There may be one for your next destination 😊
I’m curious to know, what’s at the top of your list for Savannah, Georgia? And, if you do go, share photos on Instagram and tag me (@gabivalladares) so I can check them out! I would love to see where you end up.
g.
