Savannah [Best Bets 2026]

the classics | Modern takes | get around | seasonal events

Savannah

M aybe your first introduction to Savannah was seeing Forrest Gump sitting on a bench in Chippewa Square. Or maybe you were transported to this Georgian city while reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Fiction may have kindled your interest, but seeing Savannah in its real-life glory will ignite your wanderlust in a different way. A timeless city that just keeps getting better with age, Savannah somehow manages to bring a modern twist to its historic streets shaded by Spanish moss-draped oak trees. If you’ve visited in the past and think this city is one and done—think again. There’s even more to love now.

A busy port along the Savannah River since its founding in 1733, Savannah is America's first planned city. That planning created squares that dot the Historic District with ample green space. Designed first for fire prevention, the original six squares have since expanded to include 22, all framed by towering oaks adorned with ancient Spanish moss, which runs like a current through the land. (For an enchanting fairytale experience, drive to Wormsloe Historic Site, one of the oldest standing structures, and walk under the arches of countless trees stretching towards each other, bearing gifts of moss.) The squares are within walking distance of attractions in the Historic District, including notable homes, inns, museums and churches, as well as River Street with its many shops, bars and restaurants. You'll see the towering spires of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist from many spots throughout Savannah—they are hard to miss and are a good compass point as you explore the city on foot. Walk over to Lafayette Square to see this beautiful church up close, and make sure to go inside to see the stained glass and woodwork.

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Wormsloe Historic Site

Plant Riverside District

The classics

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River Street

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Plan your trip

Forsyth Park

"Bird Girl," featured on the cover of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," now resides at the Jepson Center

Chippewa Square

Mercer House

Jones Street

Bonaventure Cemetery

Lucia Pasta Bar | credit: Adam Drummond, A101 Architecture

Dolphin near Tybee Island

Savannah Belles Ferry

Ghosts & Gravestones trolley

Tybee Polar Plunge

Savannah Music Festival

SCAD Savannah Film Festival

Savannah Music Festival

Savannah boasts some of the oldest houses in the country, dating as far back as the 1700s. You’ll see original brick structures, elegant wrought-iron railings and two sets of staircases. (Back in the day, men and women had to walk up different steps because a man had to marry a woman if he saw her petticoats.) For maximum mansion-viewing, stroll down Jones Street, arguably one of the most picturesque streets in the U.S.

Best Bet 2026

Savannah was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2026. Only ten worldwide destinations were selected for this honor, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.

Best Bet 2026

Best Bet 2025

Best Bet 2026

Kayak on Tybee Island

Sav sign in the Eastern Wharf District

Monterey Square

For another historical perspective (and a spooky atmosphere), drive to Bonaventure Cemetery. Visit the graves of famous haunters like Little Gracie, a young girl who died and was buried in the 1800s, but whose parents are interred in New England. Also buried here is Johnny Mercer, an Academy Award-winning songwriter who wrote “Hooray for Hollywood” and “Moon River.” Close to Moon River Marsh and east of Savannah is Pin Point Heritage Museum, which highlights the Gullah Geechee culture. The Gullah Geechee people are the descendants of West and Central Africans who were enslaved and brought to various Southern states, including Georgia. The museum showcases their traditions, food and language (which is spoken nowhere else in the world).

With its century-old warehouses turned antique shops, boutiques, galleries, brew pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, River Street attracts locals and visitors alike. In fact, the city is investing $60 million over the next five years to upgrade this 2-mile waterfront area in numerous ways, including landscaping and lighting. Anchoring the western end of River Street is the Plant Riverside District, an innovative conversion of the city's 1912 power plant into an energetic hub of refined dining, live entertainment and high-end shopping. In a city of unique hotels, the JW Marriott Savannah stands out, not only for the life-size chrome-dipped dinosaur that greets guests in the lobby. The hotel is spread across three buildings styled from industrial chic to romantic elegance to maritime touches that pay homage to the city's seafaring culture. Close to the buzz of River Street, another recent development is the Eastern Wharf District, a mixed-use complex set on 52 acres along the river’s edge. In addition to homes, bars and a mix of retail (think florist, an artisanal bakery and a wellness studio), you’ll also find a Thompson Savannah that has 172 rooms and 21 suites.

From historic inns to RV sites and everything in between, Savannah has always had options to suit every budget and travel style. In 2025, a few more joined the ranks and 2026 will see that number increase. A former Federal Savings Bank, Municipal Grand opened as a 44-room boutique hotel this past summer by Midnight Auteur; billed as a “cocktail-forward” brand, the minibars contain full-size spirits, bar tools and glassware. The Douglas converted an 1853 mansion into a 16-room, adults-only luxury inn. The Manger Building has lived many lives since 1912, but it’s going back to its original one as a hotel; in early 2026, it will reopen as the Recess Hotel & Club, a 136-room luxury hotel and social club. Accrue some hotel points with stays at the AC Hotel by Marriott Riverfront Historic District, a 170-room hotel with a rooftop restaurant. The 7-story Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District is now accepting reservations for stays from April 17, 2026.

Bring your stretchy pants as Savannah has even more food on offer. In Savannah’s Starland District, chef Kyle Jacovino creates handmade pasta like squid ink bucatini and tagliatelle Bolognese at Lucia Pasta Bar. Bull Street runs east to west in Savannah’s Historic District and is great for strolling along to see its historic churches, shops and boutiques. Fuel your sightseeing with a stop at its latest eatery, Café Crêpes Square, for a sweet or savory treat. For adults-only, Untitled Cocktail Den on Whitaker Street is a speakeasy-style lounge with Asian-inspired drinks and bites like truffled Kabayaki frites, charred edamame and signature rolls. In the basement of the aforementioned Douglas hotel, early 2026 will see the grand opening of its French-inspired oyster bar by chef Jacques Larson called Lester’s at the Douglas.

The Savannah River used to play host to pirates in the early 18th century. Today it's a perfect playground for visitors and locals alike. Power your own trip down the river by renting a kayak or a canoe from places like Savannah Coastal EcoTours or Moon River Kayak Tours. Guided tours are available to see coastal wildlife in places like undeveloped Little Tybee Island; the black water, cypress-filled Ebenezer Creek; and the barrier island of Skidaway Narrows. Saltwater meets freshwater at the mouth of the Savannah River, creating an ideal ecosystem for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins as there is an abundant food supply of fish and crustaceans in relatively safe waters. Join one of the many dolphin tours near Tybee Island to see them, particularly during the spring and summer. If you’re on Tybee Island watching the shrimp boats go by, you might also catch a glimpse of dolphins following them as well.

Of course, Savannah has plenty of options if you just want to get on a boat and kick back. The Savannah Belles Ferry is free to ride and takes about 15 minutes to cross the Savannah River and see the skyline views. Running every 20 minutes, it connects downtown River Street with Hutchinson Island, where the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and Savannah Convention Center are located. For longer rides, get yourself down to River Street and hop aboard a riverboat cruise, a fun way to learn about Savannah's history while enjoying the breeze off the water, chowing down on lunch or dinner and enjoying a cocktail or two. The PS Georgia Queen is the largest paddle steamer in operation in the country. Private charters are also available if you prefer a more customized experience or a luxury yacht.

See the city in a different light by joining one of its many tours. One must-do in Savannah is a ghost tour. With so many restless spirits famously floating around town—especially in the historic homes and cemeteries—you’re bound to run into a few. Just ask any Savannah native (everyone here has a favorite ghost story or two). If you'd rather be spirited around town rather than walking, you'll find ghost tours by trolley and—for the truly committed—hearse. Burn off calories while sampling local cuisine by strolling around the city on a food tour like Savannah Taste Experience or Flavors Food Tours. For adults only, Revelry Tours combines premium cocktails with history—ranging in topics from Savannah’s Civil War history to murders—at the city’s bars, pubs and restaurants.

While other U.S. cities experienced Prohibition for the first time in the 1920s, this was actually Savannah’s second go-around as founder James Oglethorpe banned alcohol as well. This may explain why Savannah is a place that loves to party for any reason and no matter the season. In fact, its annual St. Patrick's Day Parade is the third largest in the country. Have we mentioned open containers are allowed within the Historic District? Plan to be in town to have a good time in 2026 during one of these events. If you’ve always wanted to say you’ve done a Polar Plunge, you could always attempt the Tybee Polar Plunge, typically held on Jan. 1. Tybee Island is Savannah’s beach, located about a 20-minute drive away. The average water temperature in January here is about 56 degrees, which, while cold, is still warmer than plunges happening in the Northeast. Savannah Book Festival (Feb. 5–8) features author talks and signings with national and local writers in downtown squares. Each year, more than 9,000 word-enthusiasts descend on the event. A full schedule will be released closer to the festival's start, so check the website to see if your favorite author will be there.

For more than 30 years, the Savannah Music Festival (March 25–April 6) has highlighted various musical genres with dozens of concerts spanning classical, jazz, Americana and world music. Today, it’s Georgia’s largest musical arts event. Along with the July 4 fireworks on Tybee Island, summertime brings more music festivals, such as the Savannah Jazz Festival. Close to the city’s heart, jazz legends from Savannah include Johnny Mercer, Irene Reid and Sahid Shihab. This week-long festivity typically held in September brings free jazz performances across the city culminating in a celebration in Forsyth Park. The Savannah VOICE Festival held in August puts the focus squarely on classical voices, bringing operas, recitals and masterclasses with international vocalists.

October brings cooler temperatures and a number of festivals with it. The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) draws creative types from around the globe to study topics like fashion, illustration, industrial design and sculpture. It’s also a highly-regarded film school, and the SCAD Savannah Film Festival each October is the largest university-run film festival in the U.S. This multi-day event includes screenings, panels and celebrity guests. Savannah’s Greek Festival turns 75 in 2026, bringing with it Greek dancing, Greek dishes like spanakopita and souvlaki, and of course, Greek treats like baklava for three days straight. Keep the joyful “Opa!” vibes going as the Savannah Pride Festival & Parade is just around the corner with its parade, performances and art installations downtown. The one-day festival brings drag performances to Forsyth Park, which dates back to the mid-1800s, for a truly modern twist.

Why

There’s plenty of fun to be had by pint-sized visitors to Savannah. In late September, the Savannah Pirates & Treasure Museum opened under the American Prohibition Museum in City Market. The interactive exhibits include music aboard ships, real weapons of the sea and women in piracy. Scheduled to open in late 2025, the outdoor Savannah Children’s Museum will expand with its first indoor space, an innovative STEAM Center. The immersive exhibition, “Numbers in Nature,” focuses on the mathematical patterns found in nature, music, art and architecture. With its dancing, gymnastics and unique rules, Savannah Bananas’ twist on baseball, known as Banana Ball, has proven so popular that there’s always a waiting list for tickets. Luckily, fans that don't win the ticket lottery can still buy some merchandise at Grayson Stadium while in town. In 2026, the roster of teams playing Banana Ball will increase from four to six.

Savannah Pirates & Treasure Museum | credit: Travis Spangenburg

Exploring Savannah on foot comes in handy, particularly after eating (or over-eating) its delicious Southern cuisine. There are a number of tried-and-true restaurants here for a reason. That long line you see outside Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room? Get on it so you can experience the tastiest homemade lunch with your new besties at the family-style tables. The Olde Pink House, set in an 18th-century mansion, boasts formal and casual dining options, but all can dine on the corn bread fried oysters or Low Country she crab soup. Along with serving wild Georgia shrimp and smoked cheddar stone ground grits, Vic’s on the River also dishes up history. Set in a 19th-century warehouse, the building was used during the Civil War by General Sherman’s officers. The main dining room still has a map on the wall hand-drawn by Union soldiers, detailing Sherman’s march from Tennessee through Georgia.

The Olde Pink House

Guest room at The Douglas | credit: Matthew Williams

Bar at Municipal Grand | credit: Kelly Calvillo

Davenport House

the classics | Modern takes | get around | seasonal events