Article

How to Plan the Perfect Savannah Getaway

By Brian de Pu Ruiz

Savannah is a charming city located in Georgia, and like Boston, it’s the perfect size city to explore on foot. Get lost in the warmth of a well-rounded city offering a blend of historic charm, delicious noms, and fun activities. The flight from Boston to Savannah was a quick 2 hrs. Especially in the winter season, you can transport yourself to a destination with creative cuisines, and well-preserved historic districts that will make sightseeing such a joy with nonstop flights.

Brian is the skilled photographer behind "Corners of Boston," where he showcases his home city in his unique perspective. Visit Savannah invited Brian to come experience Savannah in December 2023. Below is an opinion piece about his trip experience. Follow his work at @CornersofBoston on Instagram.

Where to Stay: Kimpton Brice Hotel

Address: 601 E Bay Street, Savannah

The Kimpton Brice Hotel is located in the Historic District, next to the beautiful Washington Square Park. Located near all the delicious restaurants in Savannah, and a 5-minute walk to the famed River Street. Take a fun trolley ride through this part of Savannah, and step back in history to the age of pirates and nautical exploration. The Brice offers an in-house restaurant, Pacci, offering a sophisticated vibe with Italian-inspired southern cuisine, and delicious regional wines.

leopolds ice cream — Leopold's Ice Cream

peregrin rooftop — Peregrin Rooftop at Perry Lane Hotel

jones street architecture — Jones Street

origins coffee bar food — Origin Coffee Bar

madame butterfly cocktail — Madame Butterfly - Korean Steakhouse

savannah architecture — Savannah Architecture

brice hotel courtyard — Kimpton Brice Hotel Courtyard

Historic Places to Visit in Savannah

SCAD Savannah Museum of Art

Address: 601 Turner Blvd. | Hours: 10 am to 5 pm | Admission: $10 per ticket

We love art and exploring new fun places! SCAD Museum of Art offers a variety of exhibitions from students and local artists, which change every couple of months or so. There’s always something new and exciting to see. The staff was welcoming and helped us explore the many amazing installations. We left seeing and feeling many beautiful points of views.

American Prohibition Museum

Address: 209 W Saint Julian Street | Hours 10 am to 5 pm

We learned a lot on the authentic tour of America’s only Prohibition Museum, which included artifacts from the Prohibition era. The welcoming staff wears pier clothing and really allows you to step back into history. And guess what? There’s a speakeasy at the end of the tour! We learned so much while sipping a delicious cocktail at the bar.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum

Address: 41 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd | Hours: 10 am to 5 pm | Tickets: $15 per person

Ships Of the Sea Maritime Museum is a must-see. We loved browsing the museum and hearing about the many ship models from some short movie clips. The staff was extremely friendly and guided us through the many different eras. We left with so much knowledge about Savannah, which made us appreciate our walk around the waterfront even more.

Wormsloe Historic Site

Address: 7601 Skidaway Road | Hours: 9 am to 4:45 pm | Admission: small entrance fee

Personally, I’ve always wanted to experience walking down the breathtaking Wormsloe Historic Site oak-lined road. It was magical. While there, you can explore several short hiking trails to different historical sites. Overall, the experience was great. I recommend going on a weekday as there weren't many crowds.

Where to Eat in Savannah

The Fitzroy

Address: 9 Drayton Street

I love a tender short rib, and The Fitzroy did not disappoint. The staff was very friendly, and the bartender treated us well, using his skill to craft citrusy cocktails. The Fitzroy is a fun and chic offering in the heart of the city, perfect for an evening to hang out with friends. But we are definitely coming back for the short ribs.

Churchill's Restaurant & Pub

Address: 13 West Bay Street | Hours: 10 am-11 pm

A pub-style location, Churchill’s is a fun place to grab a beer with friends. But please, make sure to get a round of their delicious wings. They are so crispy and well-seasoned. If not for the beers, go for the wings.

Madame Butterfly

Address: 110 W Congress Street | Hours: 11 am to 3 pm

Delicious Korean restaurant in downtown Savannah with a variety of artisanal cocktails. The atmosphere was unique, and Madame Butterfly started off our night of exploring.

Where to Drink Coffee in Savannah

Origin Coffee Bar

Address: 1514 Bull Street | Hours: 7 am to 5 pm

Stop at this relaxing, welcoming, absolutely delicious coffee shop near SCAD, named Origin Coffee Bar. Try a show-stopping cappuccino and latte, and indulge in a perfectly toasted croissant. We recommend coming here after a day of exploring the museum.

Mirabelle Cafe

Address: 313 Abercorn Street | Hours: 8 am to 4 pm

Mirabelle is a charming café located in a pretty and historic part of Savannah. The coffee was absolutely incredible, but we highly recommend trying the sweet waffle selections as well. The peach crumble waffle was a highlight; so mouthwatering. This is undoubtedly a coffee shop to add to your travel list.

Boston Is a very walkable city, and my body is used to exploring on foot. Similar to Boston, Savannah is a walkable city with so many historic districts, such as River Street, Jones Street, and Forsyth Park (30 acres of Savannah’s oldest public park). The historic facades were my favorite and I loved exploring all of Savannah’s unique neighborhoods, allowing me to step back in time, for at least a few days.