Savannah, Georgia
A Weekend Itinerary
Day 1: Travel
Savannah is a nine hour drive from my hometown in Kentucky. It is brimming with Southern charm, history, beautiful architecture, and access to the beach. I find it to be one of those destinations in which you can pack all Savannah has to offer in a long weekend trip—as long as you plan accordingly. Here’s where I come in: read below and create your own guide to a weekend in Savannah.
Day 2: Historic Sites and Forsyth Park
These sites are must do’s in Savannah. Even if you aren’t necessarily interested in history, they are beautiful spots to visit in their own right. If you’ve seen Savannah in films, you’ve likely watched cars drive down the long rows of Spanish mosses as you enter the Wormslow Historic site. Or you might have seen a romantic date in front of the large white fountain at Forsyth park.
Located 11 miles from Downtown Savannah, The Wormsloe Historic Site marks what was once known as Wormsloe plantation. Guests can wall through the mosses, swampland, and interact with the ruins of colonial Georgia. Follow along the guided trails that take you past what remains of the Jones’ house, which are some of the oldest standing ruins in the United States. The trails also take you past interactive colonial replicas and to the marshlands which overlook the Isle of Hope.
This site is open daily from 9-5 and the cost of admission is $10 for adults. As close as it is to downtown Savannah, I think this site is worth a stop especially with the low cost. We went in the middle of the day in June, so it was both hot and humid, though not overly busy. Opt for the morning hours if you want a cooler visit in the summer.
Forsyth Park is located in the heart of historic Savannah. It was only a ten minute walk from our Vrbo on West Waldburg Street in the Victorian District. (This was a really great area to stay in. It was close to Forsyth Park, a short drive to the Riverfront, and was located in a safe, quieter, neighborhood). Probably the most iconic part of the 30 acre park was the Parisian inspired fountain that is perfect for a photo op. Along the park there are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops, and there are typically Jazz players and street performers located within.
Not far from Forsyth Park is Chippewa Square, where none other than Forest Gump himself stood–or sat. The bench that appeared in the movie sits in the Savannah History Museum, but you can still visit the north part of the Square where this iconic scene was filled.
Colonial Park Cemetery
Established in 1750, Colonial Park Cemetery is one of the oldest and most beautiful cemeteries in the U.S. As all the graves are hundreds of years old, this cemetery feels like stepping into the past. You can read about those buried within the posted signs, or you can stop to make out some of the names on the fading gravestones. Relatively small, this cemetery is worth a stop, especially if you plan to eat at the nearby Olde Pink House.
To Eat…
After hitting the historical sites in Savannah, you’re likely ready to grab a bite to eat. To match the charm of the city itself, head to The Olde Pink House. My group didn’t come especially prepared, so we didn’t know we needed to make a reservation beforehand. We couldn’t make it on the first night we tried and reservations were booked up for the rest of our trip, but the hostess was so helpful and managed to get us in for an early dinner the next evening. I’d recommend booking a reservation at least a few weeks in advance to ascertain you get a table for dinner.
The staff and service were as impeccable as the food itself. I ordered sea scallops, cooked in a buttery sauce served atop creamy mashed potatoes and asparagus. The dinner was a classy affair, but I found the prices reasonable. The Olde Pink House itself is a colonial mansion with various rooms inside decorated with distinct Southern elements. My friends and I weren’t impressed with much of the food we ate in Savannah, but we can easily say that The Olde Pink House was the best dining experience we had on our trip.
Something to consider… If you can’t get into The Olde Pink House, or a classic southern dinner isn’t your thing, opt for Planter’s Tavern which is located in the basement. Believed to be haunted by the creator’s ghost, he is said to light the flickering candles which are the only light sources at your dinner table. If you want a spooky dinner experience, this is for you.
Note: Savannah is considered one of the most haunted towns in the U.S., ranking with the likes of Salem despite its charming exterior. As a former colonial slave town, it isn’t hard to imagine why there might be some disturbed souls lingering within. There are plenty of ghost tours offered if you want to learn more about the dark side of Savannah’s history.
Tybee Island
Day 3: Tybee Island
If you don’t have the extra day, don’t fret. You can always drive to Tybee Island on Day 2, after exploring the historical sites in sunny Savannah. Tybee Island has some history of its own, but the beaches themselves are your typical Atlantic coast beaches. The water is warm but brown; this portion of the trip is easy to exclude if you aren’t a beachgoer.
That being said, I viewed Tybee Island as an extension of Savannah itself with its lighthouses and Spanish mosses along the way. Even in June, the beach wasn’t overcrowded and the cool Atlantic was still refreshing.
Along the coast line there are many shops and restaurants, plenty of which to occupy you or satisfy your cravings after a day soaking up the Southern sun. If you want to visit some famous movie locations, visit the wedding chapel where The Last Song was filmed or hit the pier where Baywatch captured audiences.
To Eat…
After returning back into Savannah, make a stop at the famous Leopold’s Ice Cream to cool off. Leopold’s has served Savannah since 1919 and presents old-fashioned, premium ice cream.
Pro Tip: Go during afternoon or early evening hours as the line wraps around the street later in the evening.
If you didn’t grab dinner while on Tybee Island, head to Treyler Park for casual dining and great drinks. Located on Drayton street, this is less than a ten minute walk from Savannah’s historic district. My friends and I were all more than happy with our meals, (I had their tacos with guacamole) but the shining star was the many Cherry Colas we ordered. Made with vodka, cherry kool-aid, and lime, this was quite literally one of the best mixed drinks I’ve had. It had just the right amount of sweetness with a bite of vodka. Needless to say, multiple rounds were delivered to our table.
To Entertain…
If you’re ready to hit the town once the summer heat has faded, head to the riverfront for shops and entertainment.
Located on River Street, Electric Moon is the perfect playful bar for young adults or for those young at heart. Sip on cocktails atop the Rooftop lounge and slide down to the lower level to sit on turnstile seats while listening to a local band sing your favorites. Coupling the whimsical, almost childlike elements to entertainment and nightlife, this was one of the best bars I've been to.
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Day 4: Travel (and Covington, Georgia)
If you’re driving home northwards, be sure to make a pitstop in Covington. If you’re a vampire lover like me, you probably know that The Vampire Diaries was shot in Covington, Georgia. But this isn’t all Covington has to offer. It is a beautiful, well-maintained, city in Georgia where films like Remember the Titans and Sweet Home Alabama were filmed. Take a trip into the visitor’s center to see memorabilia from The Vampire Diaries and some of these films.
For The Vampire Diaries Fans…
If you’re just making a pitstop in Covington, you truly need no itinerary. Head to the town center and dine at the Mystic Grill where many TVD scenes were shot, and then visit the famous clock tower which sits just steps away. There is parking all around the courtyard, so take your time browsing the vampire themed shops. For $8 you can even buy your own blood bag. (Don’t worry, it’s only fruit punch).
If you’d rather spend more time in Covington, there are many tours offered that take you to filming locations like the Lockwood Mansion and the Salvatore House.
To be clear, this is a worthwhile stop even if you haven’t seen The Vampire Diaries (which you definitely should). The downtown courtyard area is one of the most pristine tourist areas that I’ve ever seen. There’s a multitude of shops and restaurants to shop and dine as you walk along the downtown sidewalks. Parking is free here, and I found the prices to be very reasonable despite catering to tourists.
I truly think Covington is one of those southern towns straight out of a magazine. To me, this town embodies the public’s idea of southern charm. Airbnbs are available in Covington and there are plenty of walking and driving tours offered to visit some of the TV and movie locales.
With an itinerary in hand, enjoy your time in Savannah!