The Perfect Savannah Georgia 3 Day Itinerary
Savannah, Georgia is one of those cities that feels made for a long weekend. The Historic District is incredibly walkable, there are more restaurants and tours than you could possibly squeeze into 3 days, and you don’t have to venture far from downtown to find sprawling oak trees, beautiful old homes, eerie cemeteries, and even a beach.
We spent 3 days mixing some of Savannah’s most popular sights with ghost tours, river cruises, great food, and plenty of time to wander around the city on our own. And while you could easily fill an entire trip without booking a single tour, Savannah has such a fun tour scene that we definitely recommend working a few into your plans.
This Savannah Georgia 3 day itinerary covers exactly how we’d spend a long weekend in the city, including where to eat, what to see, which experiences are worth booking, and how to fit it all together without spending your entire trip rushing from one stop to the next.
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Savannah Georgia 3 Day Itinerary
Three days is the perfect amount of time to get a really good taste of Savannah. This itinerary packs in the city’s biggest highlights, some of our favorite experiences, and plenty of good food, without scheduling every second of your day.
Here’s exactly how we’d spend a long weekend in Savannah. 👇
Day 1: Fountains, Statues, & Spanish Moss
We’re starting outside the heart of Savannah today with some of our favorite stops from the entire trip, including Forsyth Park, Wormsloe State Historic Site, and Bonaventure Cemetery.
Having a car will make this day much easier since Wormsloe and Bonaventure are both outside the Historic District. If you’re visiting Savannah without one, you can still follow this itinerary by walking around downtown and using Uber or Lyft for the farther stops.
Start With Waffles at Mirabelle
Start your morning at Mirabelle, a tiny café directly across from the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist that specializes in Belgian Liège waffles and coffee.
Grab a waffle and coffee to go, but don’t leave without taking a minute to check out the cathedral across the street. Even if you’re not going inside, it’s one of the prettiest buildings in Savannah and an easy first stop before heading to Forsyth Park.
See the Fountain at Forsyth Park
Time needed: 1 – 2 hours
Next, head to Forsyth Park to see one of Savannah’s most recognizable landmarks.
The park is exactly what you picture when you think of Savannah. Huge live oaks drip with Spanish moss over the walking paths, old lamp posts and benches line the sidewalks, and you’ll usually find a mix of local vendors, musicians, and people just hanging out around the park.
The famous Forsyth Park Fountain sits near the north end of the park and has been here since 1858. Spend some time around the fountain, wander through the surrounding paths, and enjoy your waffles before heading out of downtown.
Drive Through the Oaks at Wormsloe State Historic Site
Time needed: 1 – 3 hours
Wormsloe State Historic Site is worth visiting for the entrance alone! Just beyond the gate is the famous 1.5 mile avenue of enormous live oak trees forming a canopy over the road. It’s one of the most recognizable scenes in Savannah and easily one of the prettiest drives we made during our trip.
But there is more to Wormsloe than the oak avenue. The property was established by Noble Jones, one of Georgia’s original colonial settlers, and today you can explore the ruins of his fortified tabby home, walking trails, a museum, and areas interpreting life during Georgia’s colonial period.
You’ll stop near the entrance to purchase your tickets before continuing down the oak lined avenue toward the main parking area.
Definitely stop for photos before driving down the road. We explored the ruins and demonstration area before taking one of the trails back toward our car, but you can spend as little or as much time here as you want depending on how interested you are in the history.
Have Lunch on the Water at The Wyld
The Wyld is less than 10 minutes from Wormsloe and makes a great lunch stop before continuing on to Bonaventure Cemetery.
This laid back waterfront restaurant sits directly along a creek off the Herb River with a huge outdoor patio overlooking the marsh. The menu changes, but seafood is a big part of it, and this is a great place to slow down for a bit before the second half of the day.
Explore 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 nearly 100 acre property is filled with huge live oaks, Spanish moss, elaborate statues, old gravestones, and beautiful monuments tucked along winding roads. It feels much more like wandering through an enormous historic garden than visiting a modern cemetery.
Bonaventure is completely free to visit and you can explore it either on foot or by car. We recommend keeping your car with you and driving between different areas instead of trying to cover the entire property on foot. You can pull over when something catches your eye as long as you leave enough room for other vehicles to get around.
If you want to understand more of the stories, symbolism, and history behind what you’re seeing, consider booking a Bonaventure Cemetary Walking Tour. Tours are offered at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm daily and you do need to book in advance. This tour should not be confused with the many ghost tours that are offered later at night.
Optional Stop: Old Fort Jackson
Time needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour
If you still have some energy and you’re interested in military history, Old Fort Jackson is only about 10 minutes from Bonaventure Cemetery.
It was built in the early 1800s to protect Savannah during the War of 1812 and later served as an important part of the city’s river defenses during the Civil War. Today you can walk through the fort, see historical demonstrations (the coolest part, in our opinion), and learn more about its role in Savannah’s history.
If historic forts aren’t your thing though, skip it and give yourself more time downtown instead.
Spend the Evening Exploring 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 you’re staying downtown, this is a good time to take the car back to your hotel because you won’t need it again tonight.
Spend the next couple of hours doing whatever sounds good. Wander down Broughton Street, walk along River Street, browse the shops, or find one of Savannah’s little squares and just explore for a while.
Don’t worry about checking off every historic home or museum you pass. We’re saving most of those for tomorrow when you’ll have plenty of time to explore the Historic District properly.
Dinner at Savannah Seafood Shack
When you’re ready for dinner, head to Savannah Seafood Shack on Broughton Street. This is a casual little seafood spot where you order at the counter before finding a table. We went with fried shrimp and scallops, but you’ll find everything from seafood baskets and po’boys to their popular Low Country boils.
It’s nothing fancy, which is exactly why we liked it. But it does get crowded, so be patient!
Get 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.
We were stuffed from dinner so skipped this stop, but we’ve been told it’s absolutely worth the wait!
Optional: Take a Cocktail Making Class
Still not ready to call it a night?
Head to Congress Street Up, which is a 1920s style speakeasy located inside the American Prohibition Museum, for a hands-on Cocktail Making Class. It’s a two hour experience that teaches you how to make two full sized cocktails while sampling several others and learning a little about cocktail history and Prohibition along the way.
This one needs to be booked in advance, so if you want to add it to your itinerary, reserve your spot before your trip.
Day 2: Riverboats, Trolleys, & Ghosts
Today is all about Savannah’s Historic District, so if you’re staying downtown, you can leave the car behind.
We’ll spend the morning exploring whichever historic sites interest you most, cruise the Savannah River in the afternoon, have dinner at one of the city’s most famous restaurants, and end the night with ghosts.
Breakfast at Café M
Start the morning at Café M, a little French café near River Street known for its croissants, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and coffee.
This is a good day for a relatively quick breakfast because you’re about to spend the rest of the morning wandering around the Historic District.
Build Your Own Historic District Crawl
Savannah’s Historic District has way too much to see in a single morning, so instead of trying to cram everything in, pick a few stops that actually interest you.
We recommend choosing two or three from the list below and creating your own little walking route through downtown.
If you’re taking the afternoon riverboat cruise, just keep an eye on the time and work your way toward River Street as you get closer to departure.
💣 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! - 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 )
This is 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. And if you’re lucky enough to be there while Vinnie Van Go-Go’s is open, this is your excuse to grab a giant slice of 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.
Take a Savannah Riverboat Cruise
Time needed: 2 – 2.5 hours, including boarding
After walking around Savannah all morning, sitting on a boat for a while feels pretty fantastic, plus seeing the city from the water brings on a whole new perspective.
We recommend the Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise instead of one of the lunch or dinner cruises simply because Savannah has too many good restaurants on land to use one of your meals here.
The cruise itself lasts about 1.5 hours. Departure times can vary, so check the current schedule when you’re booking and build your morning around whichever sailing you choose. We felt like the 1:00 PM tour broke up the day perfectly.
Try to get outside on the upper deck at least part of the time. You’ll have much better views of the waterfront and plenty of opportunities for photos as the boat moves along the river.
Boarding begins 20 – 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 stress about this too much, 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 another Savannah tour catches your eye and is only offered in the morning, don’t abandon this itinerary. Just flip things around. Take the tour first, then do your Historic District crawl later in the afternoon.
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
Tonight, have dinner at one of Savannah’s classics. The Olde Pink House is inside a pink mansion built in the 1700s and serves Southern inspired dishes in a collection of dining rooms that somehow manage to make the entire meal feel like part dinner and part Savannah experience.
Be sure to make a reservation in advance! This is one of the city’s best known restaurants, and dinner is not the time to casually stroll in and hope for the best.
Take a Savannah Ghost Tour
Time needed: 2 hours
You can’t really come to Savannah without hearing that it’s haunted. Ghost stories are everywhere here, and even if you don’t believe a single one of them, a ghost tour is still a fun way to hear some of Savannah’s darker history while wandering around the city at night.
You’ll find walking tours, trolley tours, pub crawls, and plenty of adults only versions, so this is another place where you can choose whatever fits your style. The most popular ghost tour you’ll find is the Ghosts & Gravestones Trolleybus Sightseeing Tour, which we highly recommend!
The trolley takes you through the Historic District after dark and includes stops at the Andrew Low House and Perkins & Sons Ship Chandlery. Parts of it are a bit kitschy, but it’s still a good time. Plus you’ll stay off your feet for most of the tour, which is a win.
💣 Antisocial Tourist Tip — Sit in the back of the trolley! Most people instinctively crowd toward the guide and the front, but we actually prefer being in the back. When everyone else starts taking pictures as you approach something, wait until the trolley begins pulling away and turn around. You’ll often get a much cleaner shot without half the group in it.
If the trolley sounds too touristy for you, 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.
Optional: Stay Out for Drinks
If you’re somehow still going after all of that, Savannah has plenty of places to continue the night. You’ll find rooftop bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, piano bars, themed bars, and just about everything in between.
Congress Street near City Market is an easy place to start if you don’t have a specific bar in mind because several options are clustered together within walking distance. A few places we liked were Alley Cat Lounge, The Bamboo Room Tiki Bar, and Abe’s on Lincoln.
Savannah also allows alcoholic drinks to be carried outside within its designated To Go Cup Zone as long as they follow the city’s container rules, which is one reason you’ll see so many people wandering around downtown with drinks in hand.
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!
Day 3: Brunch, Beaches, & Relaxation
After two full days of sightseeing, we’re slowing things down for your last day in Savannah. Sleep in, have a long brunch, and spend the afternoon at Tybee Island. Even if you’re visiting while it’s too cold for swimming, this is worth a stop to walk along the sand and take in the ocean.
Brunch at The Collins Quarter
Start the day with brunch at The Collins Quarter. Their downtown location serves brunch every day, with everything from breakfast classics and eggs Benedict to sandwiches, bowls, and some seriously good mimosas.
Brunch is first come, first served, so keep in mind that you may have a wait during busy weekend mornings.
Spend the Afternoon at North Beach on Tybee Island
When you’re ready to leave Savannah behind for a few hours, drive out to Tybee Island. The island is about 18 miles from downtown Savannah and makes an easy little beach escape without turning this last day into an entirely separate trip.
We recommend heading to North Beach, which has a more laid back feel than the busier South Beach area and puts you right next to the Tybee Island Light Station. Parking on Tybee is paid, and spaces can fill up when the island is busy, so don’t be surprised if you have to circle around for a bit. We definitely did.
Once you finally claim a spot, though, you’re done planning for a while. Grab a place on the sand, walk along the water, or grab a drink and an app somewhere.
Optional: Visit the Tybee Island Lighthouse
If you’re incapable of sitting on a beach without eventually needing to go look at something, the Tybee Island Light Station is right across from North Beach.
A light station has stood on Tybee since Georgia’s colonial days, although the structure has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. Today you can visit the lighthouse, climb its 178 steps, and explore the surrounding historic buildings and museum.
Wrap Up Your Last Day
By the time you’re done at the beach, it’ll probably be late afternoon anyway, so there’s no need to plan much more. Head back toward Savannah, grab dinner whenever you’re hungry, and use your last evening to fit in anything you missed during the first two days.
When to Visit Savannah Georgia
Spring and fall are generally the best times to visit Savannah if you want comfortable weather for walking around the city. The temperatures are usually much more comfortable for sightseeing, and Savannah still feels lively without the intense summer heat.
Summer in Savannah can be brutally hot and humid, especially in July and August, so keep that in mind if your itinerary includes a lot of walking. September can still feel very summery too, but it really depends on the year. We visited in September and had warm but pleasant weather.
Winter is mild compared to much of the country and can still be a great time to visit, especially if you care more about exploring the city than spending time at the beach.
💣 Antisocial Tourist Tip — This itinerary includes an afternoon at Tybee Island on the last day. If you’re visiting during cooler weather, just skip the beach and use that time to revisit a favorite spot, explore anything you missed, or turn this into an easy two day Savannah itinerary.
Where to Stay in Savannah Georgia
If it fits your budget, we highly recommend staying in Savannah’s Historic District.
This is one of those cities where paying a little more for location can be completely worth it. Most of the restaurants, shops, squares, museums, and tours in this itinerary are concentrated downtown, so staying nearby means you can walk almost everywhere and leave your car parked most of the time.
Savannah also has a ridiculous number of beautiful boutique hotels, historic inns, and familiar chains packed into the Historic District, so you’ll have plenty to choose from.
OUR TOP HOTEL PICKS IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN SAVANNAH
📍The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront, Autograph Collection
Luxury Option
The Bohemian sits right along the Savannah River and puts you steps from River Street and the rest of the Historic District. The hotel has a much more dramatic, eclectic style than your typical chain hotel, plus river views and a rooftop bar overlooking Savannah. If you want your hotel to feel like part of the trip instead of just somewhere to sleep, this is the splurge option.
📍The Drayton Hotel
Boutique Option
The Drayton is a small boutique style hotel in the heart of the Historic District, just a few blocks from River Street. The building dates back to the 1800s, but the rooms and common spaces have a modern, polished feel. There’s also a rooftop bar with views over downtown Savannah. This is a great option if you want something stylish and historic without going quite as over the top as The Bohemian.
📍Holiday Inn Express Savannah-Historic District, an IHG Hotel
Comfort Chain Option
There is absolutely nothing wrong with choosing the reliable chain hotel. The Holiday Inn Express has one of the best locations in the Historic District, free breakfast, and a rooftop pool overlooking the Savannah River. If you care more about comfort, convenience, and location than staying somewhere particularly fancy, this is an easy choice.
📍The Marshall House, Historic Inns of Savannah
Historic (and Haunted) Option
If you want your hotel to come with a little Savannah history, stay at The Marshall House. The hotel has been welcoming guests since the 1800s and served as a hospital during parts of Savannah’s history. Naturally, that also means it has collected plenty of ghost stories over the years. If you’re looking for a haunted stay, this is the place for you.
How to Get Around Savannah Georgia
For most of this itinerary, your own two feet will be the easiest way to get around. Restaurants, shops, historic homes, museums, River Street, City Market, and Savannah’s famous squares are all packed into a relatively small area.
A car does come in handy for a few stops though. Wormsloe State Historic Site, Bonaventure Cemetery, and Tybee Island are all outside downtown, so we recommend either having a car for Days 1 and 3 or using Uber or Lyft when you need to venture farther out.
If you’re flying into Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, you can rent a car directly at the airport or use Uber or Lyft to get downtown.
Once you’re in the Historic District, there are a few other ways to give your feet a break too. Old Town Trolley offers hop on hop off service throughout downtown, and Savannah’s free DOT Shuttle makes stops around the Historic District.
You’ll also see pedicabs and bicycles around town, but unless you’re trying to avoid walking, you probably won’t need to overthink transportation here. Savannah is one of those cities that’s easiest to experience on foot.
Final Thoughts on Savannah Georgia
Savannah is one of those cities that just works for a long weekend. Three days gives you enough time to see the big highlights, eat really well, wander the Historic District, get out to a few spots beyond downtown, and still slow down enough to actually enjoy the trip.
We loved how easy Savannah was to explore and how much variety we could fit into such a short getaway. Between the Spanish moss, historic squares, ghost stories, river views, and a beach day on Tybee Island, it never felt like we were doing the same thing twice.
If Savannah has been sitting on your bucket list, we hope this itinerary makes planning your trip a whole lot easier!
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