Charming Getaway to Savannah, GA
Okay...is this post based on a bachelorette trip that I planned for my best friend? Yes. However, there's no need to be discouraged! I believe that this post can be just as helpful for your weekend with the bros (a "brochelor" trip - if you will), a romantic getaway, and everything in between. It's nearly impossible to go wrong in this charming city, but I'll be sharing a few of my thoughts and experiences that may just take your trip to the next level! Let's get started, shall we?
The three main things that everyone starts out with when planning a trip are "Where should I stay? What can I do? Where should I eat?", and you're in luck! I will be breaking down this post into those three categories so that you don't have to worry about a thing once you land in Savannah!
Where To Stay
This city has so many popular spots to choose from. Whether you're on River Street, in the Historic District, or somewhere closer to Tybee Island - there's guaranteed to be a perfect spot for you! If you you want a hotel that won't break the budget, they have a great selection of reliable names like Marriott, Holiday Inn, etc. For those of you who prefer a unique hotel experience and don't mind spending a little extra cash, then the boutique options were made for you. For a classic "Savannah Style" hotel, try looking at places like the Marshall House, Kehoe House, or the Olde Harbour Inn. All of these locations will take you back in time for that perfect historical feel. If you're feeling a little more swanky, then check out The Kimpton Brice or The Bohemian Hotel. Now, for those of us who don't have money to burn, I always recommend Airbnb. They have amazing places to choose from in Savannah - especially if you're in a group where you can split the cost. We rented an Airbnb house for the bachelorette trip I planned and it worked out perfectly. We had enough room for five girls to get ready without killing each other - and that's no easy task. No matter which path you choose, make sure to book your place in advance to get the best selections and prices!
What To Do
Savannah has quite the eclectic selection of activities to choose from. One of my favorite things about this city is that you have tons of cost effective options, as well as unique experiences that you can't get just anywhere. To start off, there are so many parks that are perfect for reading a good book or hanging out with friends. Forsyth Park is the most popular of course, but you can't walk three blocks without running into another beautiful spot and I absolutely love it! Pack a lunch, walk from park to park and enjoy the beautiful buildings of the Historic District while you're at it. Another free must do is walking River Street. Is it touristy? Yes. But watching the barges coast through while the sun sets makes for a great night. There are tons of shops to visit while you stroll, but one that I am obsessed with is The Savannah Bee Company. Ya'll - I love this place. They have tons of homemade honey products and I would spend my life savings there if I could. Their honey is delicious, the mead is amazing, and I currently have their hand soap in my guest bathroom. If you're up for a short drive, Tybee Island is only 30 minutes from downtown Savannah and makes for a great casual beach day! The last item on my list is something I haven't done, but is a Savannah staple - Ghost Tours. Supposedly there are tons of "haunted" places around the Historic District, each with their own unique story, and people love it! If you're one of those brave souls, you're gonna love this city.
Where To Eat
This is my favorite section. I get so excited when I write about places to eat, maybe I should have been a food blogger. Food critic. Food connoisseur. Anyways...what was I saying? Ah yes, Savannah restaurants. I can only speak about places that I have tried while visiting, so if you're upset that I didn't mention a specific place - I apologize - I only have so much time and money to work with. Let's start with breakfast! Well, brunch really - since we usually slept through breakfast. B Matthew's Eatery is a great spot for a classic brunch. I will admit, their breakfast menu isn't huge, but they have perfected the dishes they do offer. Side note: this is a nicer restaurant, so I wouldn't recommend showing up in shorts and a t-shirt with three day old hair like I did. Being a group of young (broke) girls, we chose more simple and cost effective lunch options. One of those being Vinnie Van Go-Go's pizza. I can't remember which specific pie we got, but I remember everyone commenting on how much they enjoyed this classic dish. Our back-up lunch spot, that we didn't get to try, was Zunzi's. Apparently this place is a local hot spot and serve the best sandwiches in town, so I'll be sure to try it out the next time I'm in the city! Now, on to dinner. The first spot we tried out was a modern place called The Public Kitchen & Bar. This restaurant is a bit on the pricey side, but hey - it was a bachelorette party, so we had to splurge at some point. They have a great menu selection and the atmosphere was perfect for a nice night on the town. Now...I have been excited to write about this next restaurant since I first decided to post about Savannah. Treylor Park. Ya'll. This place has a nice laid back atmosphere, great twists on American classics, and it's right in the middle of the city. However - the only thing that matters - is that they have one appetizer that makes my heart flutter just thinking about it. PB&J chicken wings. That's right - PB&J chicken wings. I wish I would have skipped my entree (which was still great) and just ordered a mountain of these guys. Here's the thing, I'm not a huge peanut butter fan, but I do love wings and trying new food. Needless to say, this dish has forever changed my life and I need all of you to try it and love it, ok? Finally, let's discuss a few options for some tasty drinks. For those of you that don't know, one of the beautiful things about Savannah is that you can grab a drink and take it with you as you walk around town. A great place to start is Jen's & Friends. This was a perfect "ladies night" spot, considering the fact that they have hundreds of martini flavors to choose from, including but not limited to: Twix, Bourbon Pecan Pie, and Birthday Cake (topped with a Little Debbie snack cake and candle). So even if you're bro-ing it up, this place is a must for when you're in town. The other bar we tried out was Wet Willie's. Is it touristy? Yes. Will the drinks change your life? No...so I honestly recommend trying a local spot like The Chromatic Dragon where you can drink and enjoy some awesome games with friends!
In conclusion, Savannah is a must see. Not only does it have a lot to offer when it comes to food and entertainment, but this place is just naturally beautiful. The Spanish moss trees lining the streets with the river flowing through town makes is aesthetically pleasing for everyone. My weekend experience in Savannah was nothing short of a great time, and I hope you'll give it a try!
BONUS: If you want a tattoo while you're in the area, you should check out Riverside Tattoo Parlor! They're an all women's shop and do some amazing work. I single-handedly convinced an entire bachelorette group to get sponanteous tattoos before we finished our trip, and it's one of my proudest accomplishments in life.