Savannah, Georgia is the perfect destination for a girl’s trip. With unrivaled history, charm, beauty, and the lore of ghostly tales. Here are the best things to do in Savannah for an unforgettable girl’s trip!
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12 Things to Do in Savannah For an Unforgettable Girls’ Trip
Table of Contents
- 1. Stroll Through Forsyth Park
- 2. Tour a Historic Home
- 3. See the Forrest Gump Filming Location at Chippewa Square
- 4. Walk the Savannah Riverfront
- 5. Cozy Up With a Book at E Shaver Booksellers
- 6. Step Inside the Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist
- 7. Admire the Homes on Jones Street
- 8. Take a Segway Tour of Bonaventure Cemetery
- 9. Visit the Savannah City Market
- 10. Go on a Ghost Tour
- 11. Drive under the Avenue of Oaks at Wormsloe Historic Site
- 12. Take a Day Trip to Tybee Island
- Where to stay in Savannah
1. Stroll Through Forsyth Park
Forsyth Park is the perfect introduction to Savannah. This city park is the oldest public park in Savannah and spans over 30 acres.
As you make your way along the paved path under the ancient oak trees draped in gauzy Spanish Moss, you will likely be serenaded by cicadas and a trumpet rendition of America the Beautiful by a local musician.
This main thoroughfare leads to the grand Forsyth Fountain. The iconic fountain was installed in 1858 and was actually ordered from a magazine!
The same fountain can be found in several other locations, such as Place de la Concorde in Cuzco, Peru.
The park is located in the heart of the city and is often buzzing with community events such as the Savannah Jazz Festival, free movies at the park, and the Saturday farmer’s market.
Take time to walk along the perimeter of the park and admire the stately colonial homes lining the square.
My favorite is Magnolia Hall. This regal home was built in 1878 for Thomas Heyward Jr, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Today it serves as the guest house for the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Many notable guests have stayed here including Oliver Stone, Marc Jacobs, and John Berendt while he was writing the book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
The Armstrong House is also situated on the square and is one of the most impressive homes in Georgia.
This opulent 25,000-square-foot granite and glazed-brick mansion was built in 1919 as a private residence.
It later served as the campus for the Armstrong Junior College and then the offices of a law firm. In 2019 it was renovated by luxury hotelier Richard C Kessler, a Savannah native, who currently resides here.
Just across the street from the Armstrong House is the Oglethorpe Club, the most prestigious private club in the South. This club was referenced quite often in the book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
2. Tour a Historic Home
There are a handful of former private residences that have been opened to the public for tours where you’ll discover the collision of history and beauty.
These homes have been renovated to reflect the historical accuracy of the time period and often come with an interesting past. If only the walls could talk!
Consider taking a hop-on hop-off trolley tour that will take you to many of these homes.
Mercer-Williams House
The Mercer Williams House was our favorite home to tour. The lavish home was featured in Architectural Digest, but the biggest draw is that this is the location where one of the most notorious murders in Savannah took place.
Before you visit Savannah, I would highly recommend reading the book or watching the blockbuster movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
The book is based on true characters and events that happened in Savannah, particularly the murder of Danny Hansford.
Jim Williams was an antiques dealer that lived in the Mercer Williams house where he shot Danny, his occasional lover.
He was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison, but the case was overturned and he was tried on 4 separate occasions before being acquitted.
Only 8 months after being released, he died of pneumonia and heart failure in the same study where Danny was shot.
The tour focuses mostly on the architecture and history of the home, but the murder is brought up when you tour the study where he was shot. Unfortunately, photos and videos are not allowed inside.
The home sits on the outskirts of the picturesque Monterey Square where several movies have been filmed, including scenes from Force of Nature starring Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck.
If you have time, stop by the nearby Clary’s Cafe and pick up a sticky bun before touring the Mercer Williams House.
Clary’s is a favorite local hangout that was mentioned quite often throughout the book.
Davenport House Museum
While the Davenport Home looks simple from the outside, the interior is trimmed with extravagant decor.
The home was built in the 1820s but over the years the once stately home had become a rundown boarding house.
It was set to be demolished to make room for the neighboring funeral parlor’s parking lot.
Concerned community members raised enough money to save the home. This became the first house to be restored by Savannah’s Historic Preservation Society.
Today the home is open for tours where you can admire the ornate architecture, period furnishings, and elegant wallpaper. The home is even rumored to be haunted by a young girl and a ghost kitty!
Owens-Thomas House
The Owens-Thomas House was built in 1819. The sprawling Regency-style mansion is the epitome of refinement, boasting exquisite architecture and furnishings.
However, touring the home will also give you an insight into the dark history of slavery. Richardson was a wealthy banker, merchant, and known slave trader who shipped mostly children from Savannah to New Orleans.
Behind the home, guests can tour the humble slave quarters that housed the Richardson’s nine slaves.
As an interesting side note, if you look at the ceiling of the slave quarters, you can find an original example of “haint paint”.
This particular shade of blue paint was invented by the gala people to ward off evil spirits.
They believed that the spirits don’t travel over water so they often painted their walls, ceilings, shutters, and front porch roofs this particular color of blue to keep the spirits away.
In fact, you will notice that many of the front porch ceilings in the south are still painted with “haint paint” blue.
Another interesting bit of history is that in Savannah they used to tax people on the number of doors in their home. As a result, homeowners opted to use closets instead of armoirs.
The trend of floor-to-ceiling windows also became a way to avoid the tax.
If you notice on the south side of the Owens-Thomas House there are tall windows leading to a porch. Instead of installing doors, they would raise the window to step out onto the balcony.
The mayor of Savannah eventually bought the house where it was passed down to his granddaughter, Margaret, his last living descendant.
Margaret was born in the home and died in the same bed where her mother gave birth to her. After her death, the home was willed to the Telfair Academy where it was opened for tours.
Guests can tour this home, as well as the Jepson Center and Telfair Academy for one ticketed price.
Andrew Low House
The Andrew Low House is the birthplace of the Girl Scouts of America.
Juliette Low wanted to do something special for the girls of Savannah so she started the organization and ran it out of the carriage house.
Eventually, it grew to become the largest organization for girls in the United States.
This home was also designated as the first National Historic Landmark in Savannah.
As with many of the historic Savannah homes, this one is supposedly haunted as well.
Take a tour and admire the timeless beauty, but just beware that you may hear the butler’s footsteps or see the rocking chair move by the ghost of Robert E Lee!
3. See the Forrest Gump Filming Location at Chippewa Square
One of the things that I love about Savannah is that the city streets are punctuated with 22 historic squares boasting bronze statues, moss-lined fountains, manicured gardens, and shaded pathways.
These small communal parks add so much beauty to an already beautiful city.
One of the more well-known squares is Chippewa Square, the filming location for the famous bench scene from the movie, Forrest Gump.
While the original bench has been relocated to the Savannah History Museum, you can still find the location on the north side of the park facing Bull Street.
And if that phrase “life is like a box of chocolates” leaves you craving some chocolate, head to the nearby Chocolate Library.
The Chocolate Library is the brainchild of Adam Turino. He has whimsically cataloged truffles alphabetically alongside bookcases of novels and he tastefully displayed chocolate confections on gallery walls.
The historic Savannah Theater can also be found at Chippewa Square. This retro theater first opened its doors in 1818 and is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the US.
One of the best ways to admire the city squares and get an insightful overview of the city’s history is through a Carriage Tour.
The Hop-on-hop-off Trolley Tour is also a popular option. The narrated tour is quite interesting and the option to hop on and hop off allows you to see many of the main tourist sites without the hassle of finding parking.
4. Walk the Savannah Riverfront
River Street is the beating heart of Savannah. This bustling waterfront hub is filled with boutiques and galleries housed in old cotton warehouses, and live music spilling out of trendy restaurants.
The 1.5-mile pedestrian pathway and historic cobblestone street follow alongside the Savannah River.
The cobblestones that pave River Street have actually come from around the world.
The stones were once used as ballast weights that were unloaded off ships coming into port from faraway places in Europe and even remote islands off Africa’s coast.
The discarded stones were used as building materials around Savannah, including the cobblestone streets of River Street.
While visiting Savannah’s Riverfront, consider booking a sunset riverboat cruise aboard the Georgia Queen Steamboat.
Alternatively, you can just find a bench to sit and take in the cotton candy sunset while watching the massive cargo ships coming and going from one of the busiest ports on the East Coast.
As you stroll along the waterfront, stop in at River Street Market Landing to shop for local gifts, get an ice cream cone at The Cinnamon Bear Country Store, or pick out souvenirs at Bob’s Your Uncle Fanny’s Your Aunt.
Grab a drink from a rooftop bar, sample old-fashioned fudge at River Street Sweets, enjoy a Parisian brunch at Cafe M, and be sure to stop in at Huey’s for homemade beignets.
Step into the JW Marriott Hotel to check out the Generator Hall. It is like a museum of sorts filled with gemstones, fossils, and even a glass dinosaur skeleton!
There are also several monuments and historic sites along River Street, including the African American Monument, the World War II Monument, the Olympic Cauldron from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and the Waving Girl Statue.
Legend has it that Florence Marta fell in love with a sailor. Before he shipped off to sea she promised him that she would be standing there waiting for him to return.
For 40 years, she stood on the bank waving to every ship that came into port but he never came home.
However, that may just be an unfounded fairytale love story as Florence Marta is believed to be a girl who just liked to wave at the passing ships and didn’t miss a single ship in 40 years.
After you explore River Street, head down the narrow alley behind the River Street storefronts known as Factors Walk. Here you can find a hidden speakeasy reminiscent of the prohibition-era back-alley clubs.
Mata Hari is a sultry speakeasy that will make you feel as if you stepped into the pages of The Great Gatsby.
You’ll find thick velvet curtains and a lounge singer crooning the blues. Entertainment also includes a burlesque show, comedians, and games.
Mata Hari is located at 306 Williamson Street and you’ll need the password to get through the unassuming door leading to the club. Check with a hotel concierge or restaurant waiter along River Street for the password.
The speakeasy is open on weekends from 9 pm – 3 am and Thursdays until 1 am. Just use caution and stay in a group as it is located down a dark alley.
The Stone Stairs of Death can also be found near the speakeasy. This old historic staircase earned its name from the fact that a steep slick staircase next to the bars is not a good idea.
5. Cozy Up With a Book at E Shaver Booksellers
E Shaver Booksellers is an independent bookshop that is housed in an old historic home.
The house was originally built in 1842 by Eliza Jewett as her personal residence.
Eliza was a successful home builder in Savannah and was well respected in a male-dominant field. In fact, she constructed several homes on the famed Jones Street.
E Shaver Booksellers was opened in 1975 and it has been a beloved fixture in the community for over 45 years.
The walls of this quaint cozy house are lined with bookshelves and the floors are layered with antique rugs.
You’ll wish you could slip into your pajamas and grab a mug while you cozy up on a couch in the former living room, or peruse the latest book releases in the old tea room.
You’ll even find a few resident cats curled up on the furniture which only add to the charm of this enchanting corner bookshop!
6. Step Inside the Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist
In the late 1700s, Haitian and French immigrants fled to Savannah where the first parish was established.
As the congregation grew over the years, the building also grew from a small frame church, to a brick structure, to the current French Gothic cathedral that was dedicated in 1876.
The Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist is a prominent landmark in Savannah. As you step inside, you will be welcomed by a friendly docent who is willing to answer questions and share a bit of the cathedral’s history.
It was fascinating to talk to him as he pointed out particular highlights of the cathedral.
These include the Innsbrook Austrian stained glass windows depicting stories of the saints, the 14 stations of the cross that were carved from wood in Germany, and the hand-carved marble Pieta statue from Italy.
After you tour the cathedral, step across the street to the adorable Mirabelle Cafe for a Southern Belle Peach Cobbler Waffle!
And for more restaurant recommendations, be sure to check out our guide 8 of the Best Places to Eat in Savannah!
7. Admire the Homes on Jones Street
Jones Street has been voted one of the most beautiful streets in North America by Southern Living Magazine. It is also rumored that the phrase “keeping up with the Joneses” was coined here, but that’s an unsubstantiated claim.
Jones Street runs for about a mile from Broad Street to Tattnall Street with utterly charming homes all along the way. The best way to explore Jones Street is by foot where you can truly appreciate all the details of each home.
What makes this street particularly remarkable is not only the storybook-worthy homes and the arching live oaks lining the road.
But it is also the fact that the majority of the Civil War-era homes are all originals that were spared from fires, demolition, and even General Sherman’s infamous “March to the Sea”.
The homes were built in the mid to late 1800s and not much has changed aside from preservation measures.
One of Savannah’s most popular restaurants, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, can also be found on Jones Street.
Mrs. Wilkes is a former boardinghouse that has been serving homestyle Southern dishes in a family-style setting for the past 68 years.
You can find many notable homes on Jones Street, including the home of Joe Odom located at 16 East Jones Street.
Odom is an eccentric character from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. He was known for his lively parties with people parading in and out of his home at all hours of the day and night.
One of my favorite features of these homes, and many other homes in Savannah, is the gas porch lanterns that burn continuously. I also love the plaques stating the name of the original owner.
8. Take a Segway Tour of Bonaventure Cemetery
Bonaventure is a hauntingly beautiful Southern Gothic cemetery that has been around since 1846. Here you’ll find weathered gravestones resting under towering trees hung with Spanish moss.
While visitors are free to explore the 160-acre cemetery, taking a guided tour will bring the history to life and make your visit so much more interesting.
We took the guided Segway Tour where we not only learned so many fascinating insights but had plenty of fun while doing it!
We learned about how sometimes people in comas with a low pulse rate were mistakenly buried alive. As evidence, they have found scratch marks inside caskets when bodies have been exhumed or ransacked by grave robbers.
To prevent this from happening, a string would be tied to the finger of the deceased and attached to a bell next to the grave.
The family would then pay someone to watch the grave, which is where the term “graveyard shift” originated.
This is also why families began holding a “wake” to ensure that their loved ones didn’t wake before being buried.
We visited many interesting gravesites, like the grave of Johnny Mercer, the co-founder of Capitol Records and one of Bonaventure’s most famous residents.
Our tour guide also took us to the grave of Gracie, the sweet 6-year-old who supposedly haunts the Regions Bank.
We learned so much during our 90-minute tour and I couldn’t get over the alluring beauty. For more details, be sure to check out our guide 12 Fascinating Things You Didn’t Know About Bonaventure Cemetery!
Check Groupon for discount tickets and be sure to ask for Carolyn when you book your tour!
And for an added thrill, book an after-hours cemetery tour!
9. Visit the Savannah City Market
The Savannah City Market is a historic open-air market spread across two city blocks. Neighbors once gathered here to purchase seafood, get their horses shod, and pick up groceries and sundries.
The City Market has survived even after the city was ravaged by two fires, a hurricane, and the Civil War.
Today the pedestrian courtyard is lined with historic storefronts selling everything from homemade sweets to handcrafted jewelry.
The market buzzes with electric energy, particularly after the sun goes down. Tourists and residents alike gather on balmy summer nights to listen to live music while dining on local cuisine.
Be sure to visit the Savannah Candy Kitchen for their homemade pralines, gophers, and fudge. Browse the old wooden display cases and watch as they pull taffy and make candies on huge marble slabs.
Byrd Cookies are also a Southern staple. Stop in to sample these bite-sized crispy cookies and take home some packaged sweet morsels.
Catch a breeze while dining on City Market Cafe’s outdoor patio, order a slice of fresh pecan pie at Pie Society’s Little Crown, or indulge in some of the best steak and seafood at Belford’s.
Pick out souvenirs at Trolley Stop Gifts, pop into an art gallery, and set aside time to visit the American Prohibition Museum.
10. Go on a Ghost Tour
Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and is steeped in history. It has a reputation for being one of the most haunted cities in America and is considered to be a necropolis due to the overwhelming number of graves buried underneath the city.
As they have unearthed parts of the city during excavation, they have even discovered layers of caskets buried on top of each other.
Savannah has had so much tragedy in its history including fires, epidemics, yellow fever, and the Civil War to name a few.
Taking a ghost tour and exploring this dark history of the city is one of the best things to do in Savannah.
We loved that the tour focused on the historical aspect of Savannah and not just on creepy ghost stories, although there was plenty of that too!
The tour starts at Wright Square, which was once the site of public hangings and is haunted by the ghost of Alice Riley who was executed there.
We learned that the Marriott Residence overlooks a mass grave from the Colonial War and the ghosts of soldiers can be seen here at night.
We walked by the Marshall House Hotel which was once where the hospital stood.
During the excavation of the hospital, workers discovered body parts from amputations that happened at the hospital. Guests at the hotel have reported faucets turning on and the ghosts of children who like to tickle feet.
The 17hundred90 Inn & Restaurant is also supposedly haunted by a woman who jumped from the window. Miley Cyrus has stayed here and posted on social media about a bloody handprint that she found on one of her boots.
If you’re brave enough, you can stay at the Kehoe House Bed & Breakfast which was once a funeral parlor. Guests can even book a night in the old embalming room.
Not to mention, Savannah takes on a whole different element of beauty when the city streets are quieted by the thick night air.
You’ll find homes illuminated by gas lanterns and street lamps casting long shadows on the sidewalks.
Taking a ghost tour was definitely a unique experience and added an element of mystery to our Savannah girls’ trip!
11. Drive under the Avenue of Oaks at Wormsloe Historic Site
The Wormsloe tree tunnel draped with Spanish moss hails as the most beautiful location in all of Georgia, according to Condé Nast, Harper Bazaar, and National Geographic.
It is also considered the most photographed location in the state, and a girls’ trip to Savannah just isn’t complete without a stop here!
It is reminiscent of the Avenue of the Oaks at Boone Hall Plantation, which is the best plantation to visit in Charleston.
As you pull up to the entrance, you’ll be greeted with a moss-covered concrete arch that looks like something you would find in a Halloween movie.
You’ll need to pay the entrance fee of $10 per person before you are granted access to drive down the 1.5-mile avenue lined with 400 live oaks.
As you drive along, roll your windows down, turn on Ray Charles’ Georgia on My Mind, and soak in the intoxicating beauty as flecks of golden light filter through the trees. It truly is a moment you will always remember.
Do not stop along the side of the road for photos as this can damage the roots. However, about halfway down the drive, you will find a designated parking area where you can get out and take pictures.
As an interesting side note, Spanish Moss is not actually moss, nor did it originate from Spain.
It is actually an air plant that is in the same family as pineapples and succulents.
It was given its name by French explorers who thought that it resembled the long beards of the Spanish conquistadors.
Once you reach the end of the rural avenue, you will find a small museum and gift shop as well as nature trails. I would recommend taking the short trail to see the tabby ruins.
The tabby ruins are the remains of a Colonial fortified house that was built in 1732 by Noble Jones.
“Tabby” refers to the coastal concrete that was used to build the house and surrounding walls. It consists of a mixture of lime, oyster shells, sand, water, and ash.
Wormsloe Plantation is Georgia’s oldest tidewater estate. The name “Wormsloe” comes from the Wormslow Township in England where Jones originated from.
The plantation has remained in the same family since the 1730s when it was founded by Noble Jones, who is buried in Bonaventure Cemetery. The family still lives in a private estate hidden away on the property.
The ruins are located on the Isle of Hope and overlook the Skidway Narrows. If you have time, kayak rentals are available at Skidway Island State Park where you can paddle along the river through the marsh.
*Related post: If you are planning to tack on a trip to Charleston while visiting Savannah, be sure to check out our guide Best Things to Do in Charleston SC on a Girl’s Trip!
12. Take a Day Trip to Tybee Island
Tybee Island is only about a 25-minute drive from the heart of Savannah and is worth the short trek.
As you drive over the bridge, the stately homes and cobblestone streets are soon replaced with windswept grasslands, sunny stretches of sand, and the heady fragrance of the salty sea air.
This cheerful beach town is where Nicholas Sparks’ The Last Song was filmed, starring Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth.
On your way to Tybee, be sure to stop at the Davis Produce Stand. Because you can’t go to Georgia and NOT try a fresh peach!
You’ll also want to grab a bite to eat at The Original Crab Shack. This place is more than just a restaurant, it is an experience!
The Tybee Island Lighthouse crowns the coast and is also a must-see when visiting the island. The lighthouse is the tallest and oldest lighthouse in Georgia, with a history dating back to 1736.
For more details and recommendations, be sure to check out our guide 5 Things To Do in Tybee Island!
I hope this guide has helped you plan the best things to do in Savannah on a girl’s trip!
*Related post: For more trip inspiration, see our guide 11 of the Best Girls’ Trip Destinations in the US.
Where to stay in Savannah
There are so many options when it comes to accommodations in Savannah.
With historic bed & breakfast stays, luxe high-end hotels, budget-friendly chains, trendy boutiques, cozy Airbnb’s, and even a few haunted hotels!
We chose to stay at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront and would highly recommend it.
It is situated on the east end of River Street, which is a great home base for exploring the city.
The hotel is clean and modern with great amenities, and the view from the balcony over the river is one of the best views in the city!
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This is exactly what I needed! Suggestions on what to do in Savannah this weekend! Now me and my girl can plan out our weekend getaway! It’s good that https://www.visitsavannah.com/events helped us in finding accommodations and your blog gave us ideas on what to do!