Savannah, Georgia: Mini Guide

Savannah has become one of my favorite places to visit. It has a little bit of everything, from the old historical charm of the South to the beach on Tybee Island. It’s equal parts relaxation and adventure, and small enough that it’s easy to get around and not too crowded. 

I’ve been lucky enough to visit with my good friend Em as a tour guide, and will be going back again in a few weeks to celebrate her bachelorette party. Em went to school at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), so she spent 4 years getting to know the area really well! 

Top 6+ Favorite Savannah/Tybee Things:

BROUGHTON STREET

Several blocks long, this street is full of shopping and food. Some of my favorites are:

Savannah Bee Company

-You can taste all the different flavors of their honey!

Paris Market

-One of the best shops ever, it has an eclectic mix of new and old items.

Leopold’s Ice Cream

-The best ice cream in Savannah. The line can get pretty long, but if you go during off hours you can avoid longer waits.

SCAD

This art school has played a big part in the revitalization of the city. They have fixed up lots of old buildings as part of their campus.

-ShopSCAD carries a wide variety of items made by SCAD alumni and students. 

CLARY’S CAFÉ

-Kind of a dive, but it’s so good (well, I always get the same thing and it’s delicious, The Elvis: peanut butter and banana french toast). It was also in the book/movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

PLANTERS INN & THE OLD PINK HOUSE

We stayed on Tybee the first couple of years we visited. Last year I stayed at Planter’s Inn. It’s in a great location, and was affordably priced the weekend we were there. Next door is The Old Pink House, a nice restaurant, though a little pricey. Each room has a different ambiance to it. They also have an outdoor patio upstairs that’s nice at night. The lowest level has a little bar lit mostly with lanterns/candles, with live music and special cocktails – it’s really neat! You’ll want to make reservations, especially if there’s a specific area you want to dine/drink.

FORSYTH PARK

-The largest park in the city full of large oak trees with Spanish moss. We always bring a blanket and take a nap in the park:)

TYBEE ISLAND

A short drive from Savannah, Tybee has a small town feel, and is a great place to visit the ocean.

North & South Beach

-North beach is generally less busy, and just as nice. The lighthouse is also on north beach. South beach has all the little shops and a nice beach as well. There are jellyfish in the water, and usually some dead ones on the beach – just something to look out for.

Tybee Lighthouse and Museum

-It’s fun to climb the lighthouse, and get a 360 degree view at the top. You can see the ocean and marshes from up high, which is nice. The also have a museum in the house the lighthouse keeper’s family lived in, has lots of neat old stuff and some nice quilts.

Some other fun things: Cute fabric boutique shops: Fabrika & Measure; Juliette Gordon Low House (founder of the Girl Scouts); ride a Vespa.

Want a little taste of Savannah/Tybee, but can’t get there soon enough? Watch these films: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Forrest Gump, The Last Song.