The Perfect Savannah Georgia 3 Day Itinerary

Savannah Georgia 3 Day Itinerary

This Savannah Georgia 3 Day Itinerary was thoughtfully crafted from our own experience in Savannah, so we know you’ll love it. It’s set up to hit all the highlights that Savannah has to offer, while still leaving plenty of leisurely time to soak up all the warm Southern vibes.

Let’s go!

Day 1 — Fountains, Statues, & Spanish Moss

Day 1 will hit several Savannah highlights, including the famous Forsyth Park Fountain, the Wormsloe Plantation, and Bonaventure Cemetery. We do recommend having a car today, as some of the stops are not within walking distance from downtown. If you don’t have a rental car, we suggest walking to breakfast and Forsyth Park and then using Uber or Lyft for the rest of the day.

Street Waffles at Mirabelle

Savannah is a dream town for foodies, so trying some authentic Belgium street waffles is the perfect way to start your adventure! The charming Mirabelle cafe sits right across from the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, so be sure to take in all the French Gothic architecture and snap some pics of this breathtaking church while you’re nearby.

Mirabelle also serves specialty coffee drinks, pastries, and paninis. Grab a coffee and some waffles to go and head to Forsyth Park to get your eyes on the famous fountain!

The Fountain at Forsyth Park

Time needed: 1 – 2 hours

Grab a parking spot along the street and head into Forsyth Park. You’ll be transported to another world almost instantly as you’re draped in a lush scenery of Spanish moss and elegant lamp posts. The walking paths surrounding the fountain are dotted with picturesque benches, local vendors line the paths with their hand-crafted trinkets and souvenirs, and buskers draw in visitors with their talented performances.

The famous fountain can be found on the North side of the park, but don’t worry, it’s hard to miss. The fountain has been around since 1858 and it’s one of Savannah’s most well-known icons.

After you’ve had enough time to truly take in this stunning park, it’s time to head to Wormsloe!

Wormsloe Historical Site

Time needed: 1 – 3 hours

Wormsloe Historical Site is picturesque, to say the least. As soon as you arrive, you’re gifted with a 1.5-mile Avenue lined with live oak trees. The massive estate, often called the Wormsloe Plantation, has numerous walking paths, an area for demonstrations of colonial daily life, the ruins of the home owned by Noble Jones, one of Georgia’s colonial founders, and a small museum.

When you arrive, you’ll need to stop at the small ticket office by the front gate and purchase your tickets before driving down the gorgeous Live Oak Avenue to the official parking lot. Be sure to grab a map with your tickets and snap a picture of the long oak-lined road before driving down it.

Use your map to decide how to spend your time in Wormsloe. We decided to walk to the ruins and the demonstration area before taking one of the trails back to our car.

Once you’ve had your fill of this peaceful plantation, it’s time to grab some lunch.

Lunch at The Wyld

The Wyld is less than a 10-minute drive from Wormsloe and it’s the perfect place to grab some fresh Georgia seafood! The seafood-focused menu does change often, but the restaurant’s most popular dishes — such as their shrimp role — are always available. They also have a great drink menu.

Place your order at the counter and grab a seat on the outdoor patio. The restaurant sits along a creek that branches off the Herb River.

After lunch, you’re off to the enchanting Bonaventure Cemetery!

Bonaventure Cemetery

Time needed: 1 – 2.5 hours

Bonaventure Cemetery was one of our favorite stops in Savannah! Although technically located in Thunderbolt, Georgia, it’s just a short 10-minute drive from the restaurant.

The cemetery is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day of the year. It’s completely free to enter and visitors can explore on foot or by car. There are two small parking lots on each side of the entry gate, but we recommend driving into the cemetery and pulling over at any areas of interest. With over 100 acres to explore, you won’t regret keeping your car nearby — don’t worry, you’ll see plenty of other visitors pulling over too (just make sure other vehicles can still get around you).

The Bonaventure Cemetery is filled with hauntingly beautiful monuments, mossy gravestones, and you know it — more Spanish moss. The combination makes an enchanting fairytale-like scene. A few notably famous people are buried here, including Johnny Mercer, a popular songwriter from the 20th Century.

Although the grounds are easy to explore on your own, if you’re interested in learning more about the history and symbolism of the cemetery, you can join a Bonaventure Cemetary Walking Tour. Tours are offered at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm daily and you do need to book this tour in advance. This tour should not be confused with the many ghost tours that are offered later at night.

After you’re done here, consider stopping by Old Fort Jackson before heading back to downtown Savannah. You may even catch one of their daily cannon firings!

Optional Stop: Old Fort Jackson

Time needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour

Fort Jackson is only a 10-minute drive from the cemetery. It’s open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $10 per adult ($7 per child). When you arrive, park your car and enter through the gift shop, where you’ll purchase your tickets.

Built in the early 1800s, this fort was used during the War of 1812 and it served as a headquarters to Savannah’s river defense during the Civil War. Today the fort is independently run by the Coastal Heritage Society. They offer daily cannon firings, musket firings, historical reenactments, and many hands-on activities for visitors.

If historic forts aren’t your thing, skip this stop and head back to your hotel to freshen up or spend this time exploring downtown Savannah.

Explore Downtown Savannah

It’s finally time for a taste of Savannah’s Historic downtown! Whether you’re coming from Bonaventure Cemetery or Fort Jackson, it’s only a 10-minute drive. If your hotel is not downtown, grab a parking spot along the street, head back to your hotel, and drop your car off for the night.

You’ll find plenty to do until you’re ready for dinner. Shop along the bustling Broughton Street, find some coffee for a caffeine boost, take a stroll along the waterfront of River Street, or people-watch in one of the many town squares.

Don’t worry about squeezing in any museums or historical home tours today — you’ll have plenty of time for that tomorrow on your Historic District Crawl.

Dinner at Savannah Seafood Shack

When you’re starting to get hungry, add your name to the list at Savannah Seafood Shack. This restaurant is very popular, so prepare for a wait!

Once it’s your turn, you’ll head up to the counter to place your order. Everything is cooked to order, so you’ll grab a table and a server will bring your meal to you when it’s ready.

Good luck deciding what to get — their menu will have you drooling. We opted for fried shrimp and scallops, but we noticed most tables devouring the seafood broil.

Ice Cream at Leopold’s

Just a few buildings down from the Seafood Shack, you’ll find the famous Leopold’s Ice Cream. You’re guaranteed to find a long line of visitors waiting for a taste of Leopold’s hand-crafted secret recipe, so be prepared to wait.

As you’re standing in line wondering why so many people are willing to wait so long for a simple scoop of ice cream, just know that it will all make sense after that first bite.

Optional Stop: Take a Cocktail Making Class

Not ready to turn in for the night yet? Grab a drink at one of the many bars in town, or better yet, take a cocktail-making class! This Cocktail Class is held at the Congress Street Up, a 1920s-style speakeasy located inside the American Prohibition Museum. Classes are offered at 7:00 pm every night except for Sundays. Reserve your spot in advance.

You’ll be guided by an expert bartender as you create 2 full-sized cocktails with your liquor of choice. You’ll also get to sample 3 more classic cocktails while learning about the history of cocktails and prohibition.

This experience lasts 2 hours.

Day 2 — Riverboats, Trolleys, & Ghosts

Day 2 will focus on downtown Savannah, hitting all of the historical highlights and giving you a chance to dive deep into the city’s rich history. If you’re staying downtown, there’s no need for a car today — everything is within walking distance. If you’re not staying downtown, you can park in one of the many parking garages for the day, or use a ride-sharing service to get to and from your hotel.

Croissants at Cafe M

Grab a quick breakfast today at Cafe M — known for their buttery croissant sandwiches, you’ll be sure to find something delicious on the menu. This lovely cafe also sells a collection of imported foods, goods, and artwork from France.

When you’re ready, it’s time to start exploring.

Historic District Crawl

Savannah’s Historic District has a lot to offer! The list below includes some of the highlights that won’t be covered by the other tours on this itinerary. Pick two, three, or even four of these stops to fill your morning! Just be sure to leave yourself enough time to get to your 1 p.m. afternoon Riverboat Cruise without feeling rushed.

_{💣 Antisocial Tourist Tip — Once you’ve decided which stops to make, plug the destinations into Google Maps and sort them in order of location so you don’t waste time walking back and forth. Your last stop should be whatever is closest to where you want to end your crawl (if you’re doing the afternoon Riverboat Cruise, you’ll want to end as close to River Street as possible).}

BUILD YOUR OWN HISTORIC DISTRICT WALKING TOUR

• American Prohibition Museum — (Time Needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour )
  This small but mighty museum walks you through the history of Prohibition. It has plenty of exhibits, a ton of interesting facts, and even an on-site speakeasy called the Congress Street Up, where you can enjoy a quick drink or take a cocktail-making class!
  
• The Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters — (Time Needed: 1 hour )
  Built in 1819, the Owens-Thomas House is considered one of the best examples of English Regency architecture in the United States. Tours of this historic home run every 15 minutes and last about 1 hour. On the tour, you’ll explore the mansion, the attached garden, an original carriage house, and the only intact urban slave quarters open to the public in Savannah.
  
• Shopping on Broughton Street — (Time Needed: 1 – 2 hours )
  One of the most popular shopping streets in downtown Savannah, Broughton Street is lined with local shops, sweet boutiques, art galleries, and unusual finds. Take a quick glance around or spend hours searching for the perfect gifts and souvenirs.
  
• Ships Of The Sea Maritime Museum — (Time Needed: 1 hour )
  This museum interprets Savannah’s rich maritime history, exhibiting ship models, paintings, and maritime antiques.
  
• Sample the City Market — (Time Needed: 1 – 2 hours )
  The city’s open-air market spans four blocks and offers a wide variety of shopping, dining, and galleries. Wander through the shops, grab some souvenirs, and sample a variety of sweets from the local bakeries and candy stores. If you’re lucky enough to be there while Vinnie Van Go-Go’s is open, be sure to grab a giant slice New York style pizza.
  
• Stroll Down River Street — (Time Needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour )
  Cobblestone streets, candy shops, and a stunning waterfront setting make River Street the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll. If you’re doing the 1 p.m. Riverboat Cruise, you’ll need to walk down this street to get to your boat, so make this the last stop of your Historic crawl.

Be sure to keep an eye on the clock, you’ll need to be at the Riverboat Ticket Office at least 20 minutes before your 1 p.m. Riverboat Cruise.

Historical Riverboat Cruise

Time needed: 2 – 2.5 hours

Hopping on a boat and viewing a city from the water brings on a whole new perspective and shouldn’t be missed. Savannah offers a ton of riverboat cruises, including lunch or dinner cruises and sunset cruises. With so many amazing restaurants to choose from on land, we recommend skipping the food and taking a cruise focused on sightseeing only.

The Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise takes off at 1 p.m. and lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. You will need to book this tour in advance! Your captain will cruise down the river, telling interesting tales and historical facts about Savannah’s riverfront. This is a great chance to rest your feet and relax after walking around all morning.

Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to sailing time. You’ll pick your tickets up at the Riverboat Ticket Office (right next to Peaches and Creme Ice Cream Shop) before walking across the street to the boat. The sooner you get in line to board, the better your seat selection will be, but don’t worry — there’s lots of bench seating on the upper deck and plenty of room to move around so you can get some great photos.

_{💣 Antisocial Tourist Tip — If you found a different tour that you’d rather do and it’s only offered in the morning, that’s okay, it’s an easy fix. Just do the Historic District Crawl in the afternoon and take your preferred tour in the morning.}

Do you prefer to stay on dry land? This Segway Tour is a fun alternative and a great chance to try something new if you’ve never used a Segway!

After the cruise is over, pick up where you left off with your Historic District Crawl, or head back to your hotel to freshen up before dinner.

Dinner at The Olde Pink House

The Olde Pink House is a staple in Savannah! One of the oldest restaurants in the city, it’s recognized for its pale pink color and sophisticated Southern cuisine. Although there is no formal dress code, we do suggest avoiding ripped clothing, tank tops, and beachwear that may be considered “too casual.”

Reservations are strongly encouraged! There’s a good chance you won’t be seated without one.

After you’ve had your fill of their delicious menu, it’s time to get ready for your ghost tour.

Haunted Ghost Tour

Time needed: 2 hours

Savannah is notably one of America’s most haunted cities, and for good reason — it was literally built on Native American burial grounds.  You’ll hear ghost stories around every corner, but the best way to get the full haunted experience is to join one of the many available ghost tours offered throughout the city. 

Tours are offered on foot, by trolley, or even by segway, so take your pick.  And don’t worry if you’re easily spooked – while the stories you’ll hear may send chills up your spine, we can assure you that there will be no surprise attacks or unexpected shocks.  Most of the ghost tours have many times to choose from between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm daily.

The most popular ghost tour you’ll find is the Ghosts & Gravestones Trolleybus Sightseeing Tour, which we highly recommend! This 1 hour 20 minute tour will take you around the city by trolley, making 8 haunted stops, including the famous Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery and the Andrew Low House.  A few of the stops on this tour do feel a bit kitschy, but overall it’s a lot of fun and the best way to see the most popular haunted spots.

_{💣 Antisocial Tourist Tip — Always sit at the back of the trolley (or stand at the back of the group)! The social tourists will likely gravitate towards the front, to be near the tour guide. You’ll also have the best photo opportunities in the back! While everyone else is snapping their pics as soon as you approach a new spot, you’ll wait until the trolley is pulling away, turning around to give yourself the perfect shot without all the other tourists in your way!}

If you’re not feeling the trolley, or you’re looking for something that feels less “touristy,” try the Adults-Only Beyond Good and Evil Walking Tour. This 1 hour 30 minute walking tour sticks to the basics — hair-raising ghost stories about Savannah’s dark past.

After your tour is over, grab a drink at one of the many bars in town or relax at your hotel for the evening.

Optional Stop: Late Night Drinks

Savannah takes their bar scene just as seriously as their ghost stories. With so many great bars to choose from, there’s honestly something for everyone. You’ll find rooftop bars, dive bars, high-end cocktail bars, piano bars, and themed bars, to name a few.

Not sure how to choose? Head to Congress Street, right next to City Market. This street is known for its collection of bars and pubs. Take a quick stroll down the street and head into whichever bar is calling your name, or grab a drink at each one and create your own bar crawl.

Some of our favorites include Alley Cat Lounge (most affordable), The Bamboo Room Tiki Bar (best theme), and Abes on Lincoln (best cocktails). Savannah also has an open container law, which contributes to the lively nightlife.

And if you’re feeling a bit extra, try the Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl for a wild night of dancing, singing, and over-the-top fun. This tour is perfect for bachelorette parties!

Sign up for our newsletter to have new travel inspiration delivered to your inbox every Monday!

Subscribe

Thank you for reading our post! We hope it helps you plan the perfect trip! Check out our other guides here and follow us on Instagram (@AntisocialTourist) or on Facebook to see our latest adventures!