A weekend in Savannah, GA is the perfect getaway for families, couples, friends, and even solo travelers! What was once the capital of the 13th colony of Georgia is full of history, haunted happenings, world-class cuisine, antique shops, and so much more. The historic downtown is quite small, making it the perfect place to visit for a weekend trip. I first visited Savannah for 2 days in March 2021 on a solo trip and was thrilled to recently enjoy a girls weekend in Savannah, so without further ado, here’s 20 things you need to do on your girls weekend in Savannah, GA.
Disclaimer: This Savannah getaway blog post was written in partnership with The Alida, a boutique hotel located on River Street in historic downtown Savannah. The Alida hosted my friends and I for a night during our girls weekend in Savannah and I couldn’t recommend a stay here more. Continue reading below to learn more about The Alida Hotel, and as always, all opinions written here are my own.
1. Stay At The Alida Hotel
Look no further for accommodation for your girls weekend in Savannah than The Alida Hotel. Located centrally on River Street in the historic district, The Alida had the perfect location and ambiance for our girls weekend in Savannah. The beds were so comfy, it was within walking distance to all of Savannah’s most popular bars and restaurants, and there are numerous amenities here to take advantage of – including an outdoor pool, fitness center, and bikes. The best part? We received complimentary cookies and champagne upon arrival for happy hour! What better way to kick off a weekend in Savannah than that!
2. Eat And Shop On River Street
River Street is one of the main roads in Savannah and as the name suggests, is the historic road that lines the river along Savannah’s waterfront. This two mile road is full of seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, bars, and hotels.
Be sure to swing into River Street Sweets during your visit for some authentic candied pecans and pralines. This local candy shop is worth the hype!
Hungry for a meal? Last time I was in Savannah I ate at Vic’s on the River for lunch. During this past trip, we booked a reservation at Savannah’s River House for dinner. I highly recommend eating at both! The chicken dish we ate for dinner was especially delicious.
3. Check Out The Roof At Electric Moon
When asked for bar recommendations for Savannah, I noticed a pattern – no matter where we searched or who we asked, Electric Moon always came up as a recommendation for nightlife during a girls weekend in Savannah. Although this place really comes to life in the summer months, Electric Moon is a must-visit year-round. Complete with firepits, two slides, yard games, a DJ, and an indoor bar, Electric Moon is the best place to dance a night away with your girlfriends during a weekend in Savannah.
4. Brunch At The Common Restaurant
No girls weekend is complete without a yummy brunch! Head on over to the Common Restaurant on E Broughton Street for one of the best brunches you’ll ever have. The service here was impeccable and all the food is locally sourced. Split a few of the entrees with your friends; we tried the breakfast burrito, avocado toast, salmon benedict, and chicken & waffles. All were amazing!
5. Shop On Broughton Street
Savannah has its fair share of charming boutiques, but stroll down Broughton Street for some quintessential clothes shopping during your time in Savannah. My friends and I hit up H&M, Free People, and Urban Outfitters during our girls weekend in Savannah, GA.
Pro-tip: Savannah is also known for its coffee shops! More on this below, but swing by The Coffee Fox for a little pick-me-up while shopping. It always has a long line, but is worth the time!
6. Dance The Night Away At Saddlebags
Located right across the street from Electric Moon, Saddlebags was also highly recommended for nightlife during our girls weekend in Savannah. Saddlebags is your typical country bar, complete with live music and a mechanical bull. Expect to pay cover here and wait in a line on a weekend night.
7. Enjoy Forsyth Park
Savannah is known for its greenery, parks, and squares. 22 of them to be exact; with Forsyth Park being the largest. Forsyth Park was named after the Governor of Georgia and occupies 30 acres in the historic district of Savannah. It’s bordered by residential areas, antique shops, and cafes – with Gaston Street to the north, Drayton Street to the east, Park Avenue to the south, and Whitaker Street to the west.
The city’s most famous fountain – installed in 1858 and modeled after a similar one in Paris – is located in the northern edge of the park and is the perfect place for capturing content during your girls weekend in Savannah.
The park is also home to numerous playgrounds, event spaces, and a Collins Quarter cafe. The cafe location offers brunch in the mornings, but doesn’t take reservations. It’s just first-come-first-serve.
Pro-tip: The main restaurant for Collins Quarter, located on Bull Street, is one of the most popular restaurants in Savannah, so reservations book up way in advance here.
8. Go Antiquing
Savannah’s shopping scene resembles its century-old history… there’s a lot of old things! Antiquing and thrifting are such fun activities for a girls weekend and are especially relevant for a getaway in Savannah, which is scattered with antique stores. Even if a 200-year-old table won’t fit in your carry-on bag, be sure to browse.
Pro-tip: Alex Raskin antiques is one of the best known shops in town. It’s located on the north side of Forsyth Park… check it out!
9. Visit The Cathedral Basilica Of St. John The Baptist
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic Church in Savannah, Georiga. It’s also the largest church in Savannah and is by far one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen in the south. It’s open for the public to visit, although a donation of $3 is suggested.
10. Get Coffee At Mirabelle Cafe
After visiting the basilica, head across the street to Mirabelle Cafe for a coffee. This cafe doesn’t have much seating on the inside, but there’s some sidewalk tables out front. The aesthetic is super welcoming and cozy here, and their lattes were amazing.
11. Check Out Chippewa Square
Savannah was one of the first planned cities in the US, so its streets and neighborhoods are all structured in a grid. This has been replicated numerous times around the world by other cities, but what makes Savannah truly unique are its squares that are scattered throughout the grid. Savannah has 22 of them, with Chippewa Square being one of the most famous. Chippewa Square was laid out in 1815 and lies between Bull and McDonough streets. It’s most well-known for being the filming location of Forrest Gump. Although the bench from the film no longer sits in this square, the backdrop will look familiar to you if you’re a fan of the film.
Pro-tip: If you’re a HUGE fan of the film, head to the Savannah Visitor’s Center to see the bench that Forrest sat on. The best part? There’s free parking here too!
12. Grab A Cone At Leopold’s Ice Cream
Leopold’s is the most well-known ice cream shop in Savannah – and it’s worth the hype. Since 1919, Leopold’s has been serving award-winning, homemade super-premium ice cream and made-from-scratch soups and sandwiches. This place resembles a historic ice cream parlor, with its marble soda fountain and costumed staff.
Pro-tip: Expect to wait in a long line outside here, especially on a warm day.
13. Check Out Savannah’s Speakeasy Scene
Savannah’s nightlife scene matches its old-time feel. Hidden in unassuming back alleyways and behind closed doors are a series of speakeasy bars. I recommend trying the Peacock Lounge! We ran into some locals in line here who said they were regulars.
14. Do A Hearse Ghost Tour
Savannah is known for its haunted history, so not partaking in a ghost tour during your girls weekend in Savannah would be a real miss! Dozens of cities around the US offer historic ghost tours, such as Charleston and New Orleans, but I’ve never seen another city offer one in a hearse.
You read that right… a hearse. Hearse Ghost Tours, which has been world famous since 2002, has modified, real hearses to accommodate up to 8 (living) people. The back has been cut out to form a raised convertible, allowing guests to enjoy views of the city in the open air. Not only was this tour a great way for my friends and I to learn about Savannah’s spooky past, we were able to see so much of the city!
Pro-tip: Since Savannah is an open container city, so this tour was BYOB! We were able to cruise around AND enjoy our wine. Highly recommend!
15. Spend A Beach Day On Tybee Island
Tybee Island is known as “Savannah’s beach” due to its proximity to the city. Located about a 20 minute car ride from the historic downtown, Tybee is a must for a weekend trip in Savannah. There’s a beautiful pier here, still-functioning lighthouse, and the sand is ideal for a sunset stroll or fat tire biking.
Fun fact: Nicholas Spark’s “The Last Song” was filmed here!
16. Stroll Through Savannah’s City Market
In the 1700s, City Market was Savannah’s central marketplace for people to trade and shop. Today, it’s a central spot to take a drink to go, grab a bite to eat, shop for gifts, and mingle with other community members. There’s usually live music here too!
17. Do A River Cruise
What better way to enjoy a girls weekend in Savannah than a dinner cruise! The Georgia Queen is Savannah’s iconic riverboat, and can be enjoyed by guests for nightly dinners, brunches, or sunset. Tickets range from about $75-$100 per person depending on the day of the week, but comes with a full buffet selection in addition to two wonderful hours onboard.
18. Ride The Historic Trolley Tour
Another amazing tour option in Savannah! Enjoying a historic trolley tour is an amazing way to see the entire city during a girls weekend in Savannah. Old Savannah Trolley Tours is the most well-known trolley company in the city. It also happens to be the longest-running! It’s the only trolley line created, owned, and operated by locals and is open 362 days a year. What makes this tour experience especially unique is how they bring Savannah’s history to life!
During the tour experience, historical re-enactors appear from time to time, boarding and walking the aisles of the trolley. It’s a great way to better understand the city’s history and should be a must during a Savannah getaway.
19. See A Show In One Of The Historic Theaters
There are several theaters in Savannah, with the most well-known being the historic Savannah Theater. This theater first opened in 1818 and is located in Chippewa Square. It’s one of the United States’ oldest continually-operating theaters and has been used for both live performances and as a movie theater.
Seeing a show here would be the perfect activity for a girls weekend in Savannah!
20. Sunbathe In One Of The City Squares
And to round out this list with recommendation #20 – sunbathe in one of Savannah’s many city squares! As mentioned above, Savannah has 22 city squares, all of which are decorated with live oak trees, weeping Spanish moss, benches, and wistful fountains. During our girls weekend in Savannah, my friends and I often took a coffee or snack to a nearby park to people-watch and soak up the sun. I’m sure your Savannah getaway is bound to be jam-packed with adventure, so be sure to enjoy the parks a bit!
That’s it for my recommendations for a weekend in Savannah, Georgia! This list was mostly curated for a girls trip. If you’re looking for a more general, 2 day Savannah itinerary, I wrote a post about this after my first visit here in March 2021! Thank you again to The Alida Hotel for hosting my friends and I during our girls trip. I hope you get the chance to visit soon!
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