Your Guide to Savannah, Georgia

In January, my mom and I took our annual mother-daughter trip to Savannah, Georgia, a city with culture as rich as its cuisine.

The Historic District of Savannah, where we spent the bulk of our vacation, includes 22 town squares as originally planned by James Oglethorpe in the 1700s. The squares are easy to navigate, and each one we visited had its share of landmarks, restaurants, and eclectic shops.

I’m excited to share the highlights of our trip on the blog, and provide a guide for those traveling to this city for the first (or fifth!) time. 🙂

Places We Visited

Wormsloe Plantation

We began our visit at the Wormsloe Plantation outside of Savannah’s Historic District. There, we toured the museum and watched a short film about the city’s establishment. The highlight of visiting these tabby ruins was our mile-long walk down the Spanish moss-lined avenue. What a gorgeous view and perfect photo op!

Owens-Thomas House

My mom and I are both big fans of historic homes, so visiting this English Regency-style house was a must. We enjoyed learning the history of the home and its architecture. If you only have time to visit one historic mansion on your trip, this is the one!

Telfair Academy

Telfair Academy is an art museum located in Telfair Square (near the Owens-Thomas House) and boasts a beautiful sculpture gallery. It also boasts its share of ghost stories. For those planning to visit Telfair Academy, your ticket will also grant you admission to the Owens-Thomas House, as well as the Jepson Center, a contemporary art museum.

Sorrel-Weed House

The Sorrel-Weed House was located very close to our hotel, so we decided to pay the home a visit. Sorrel-Weed is currently undergoing restoration efforts, but it was interesting to see how people lived in the 1800s when it was first built. It is also a site known for its ghost sightings, so be wary of any paranormal activity!

Massie Heritage Center

This former school house was converted to a museum after the school closed in the 1970s, providing a helpful overview of Savannah and its history. From its interactive 3D map of the city with a laser show to the 1800s classroom replica, we had fun stepping back in time at Massie.

Old Town Trolley Tours: Hop-On, Hop-Off

Whenever visiting a new city, I always recommend taking a hop-on, hop-off tour. Not only can these tours teach you a lot about a city, but they also happen to stop at all of the major attractions. We toured the city on an Old Town Trolley Tour, which transported us to the picturesque Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Congregation Mikve Israel (one of the oldest synagogues in the country and the only one designed with gothic architecture), Massie Heritage Center, River Street, and many more destinations.

Ghosts & Gravestones Tour

You can’t visit a historic city known for its hauntings without taking a ghost tour! My mom and I did a Ghosts and Gravestones tour on our St. Augustine trip last year, so it was only fitting that we returned for our 2017 trip. Not only did the tour provide insight into Savannah’s history, but it also stopped at the Andrew Low House as well as a ship chandlery. Definitely spooky!

What We Ate

The Public Kitchen and Bar

Our first dinner in Savannah was spent at The Public Kitchen and Bar, a farm-to-table restaurant. I tried a Thai Coconut Red Curry, while my mom ordered one of the grass-fed burgers the restaurant is known for.

River Street Sweets

River Street, while iconic, was a little too crowded and touristy for our taste. However, we did make a special stop at River Street Sweets, where we sampled free pralines and purchased some candy. The long lines were well worth it!

Gryphon Tea Room

Gryphon Tea Room was the perfect lunch spot for our second day in Savannah. The restaurant itself is a sight to behold, with beautifully carved bookshelves, stained glass, and ornate light fixtures.  While I enjoyed my chicken marsala, the highlight of our visit was their Atlanta Peach Tea. On my next visit to Savannah, I would love to return for high tea.

Chocolat by Adam Turoni

How can you walk by a store called “Chocolat” and not go inside? Like Gryphon, Chocolat by Adam Turoni is filled with bookshelves and actually resembles a bookstore more than anything else. The store sells gift book boxes of chocolates, mint julep truffles, and a variety of other unique food products. I enjoyed a piece of the Savannah Honey Chocolate Bar and a Raspberry Chambord Truffle. Definitely worth the visit!

Savannah was only a four-hour drive and the perfect way to spend a long weekend for a mother-daughter trip! I can’t wait for my next visit to the Hostess City of the South, and look forward to getting to know this city even better.

Have you been to Savannah? What are some of the highlights from your trip? Share your suggestions or questions in the comments section below!