A 3-Day Savannah, Georgia City Trip for 2026

Start at Chippewa Square — yes, the Forrest Gump bench square (the actual bench is in the Savannah History Museum, but the square is the star). From here, walk south through the grid: Wright Square (Tomochichi's memorial), Oglethorpe Square, then east to Columbia Square with the Davenport House Museum ($15 adult, kids' scavenger hunt). The squares are each about 2 blocks apart — the whole walk is under a mile.

Morning: Forsyth Park

Walk south on Bull Street (15 minutes from Chippewa) to Forsyth Park — 30 acres anchored by the 1858 cast-iron fountain. Go before 10 a.m. for empty paths and golden light through the moss. The Fragrant Garden (for the blind, but lovely for all) and the Confederate memorial anchor the north end. Grab coffee at Collins Quarter on Bull Street — the Australian-style flat whites are the city's best.

• Cathedral of St. John the Baptist — French Gothic, free entry, stunning interior; 5 minutes from Forsyth
• Mercer-Williams House — the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil house; tours $15, on Monterey Square
• Jones Street — walk one block of "the prettiest street in America" (between Bull and Whitaker)

Afternoon: River Street

Head north to River Street — 2.5 miles of cobblestones along the Savannah River in former cotton warehouses. Take the free Savannah Belles Ferry across to Hutchinson Island and back for skyline views. The Waving Girl statue (Florence Martus waved at ships for 44 years) is at the east end. Shop the galleries, then climb the stone stairs (or take the elevator) back up the bluff to Bay Street.

Where to stay

Stay in the Historic District — everything above is walkable. The Marshall House (1851, on Broughton Street) has haunted-room lore and a great location (from $220/night). Kehoe House (1892, on Columbia Square) is the romantic pick with fireplaces. The Alida (on River Street) has rooftop river views and a pool. Budget: Thunderbird Inn — retro, fun, on MLK Jr. Boulevard, from $130/night. Dinner: The Olde Pink House (1771 mansion, Southern fine dining — book 2+ weeks ahead) or Vic's On the River for shrimp and grits with a view.

Where to eat

Day 1 is for settling in. Lunch: Zunzi's (the Conquistador sandwich) or Crystal Beer Parlor (historic, great burgers). Dinner is the main event — The Olde Pink House needs reservations 2+ weeks out; the fried chicken and she-crab soup justify it. Backup: Alligator Soul (adventurous, underground) or Savannah Seafood Shack for low-country boil.

Bad-weather plan

Rain? The Telfair Museums (Jepson Center + Telfair Academy, $30 combo) cover art and history. The Savannah History Museum (in the old train station) has the actual Forrest Gump bench. Prohibition Museum on Congress Street is surprisingly fun. Or do a historic home tour — they're all indoors.

Walk: ~3 miles total, all flat · Free: squares, Forsyth Park, River Street, ferry · Paid: Davenport House $15, Mercer-Williams $15

Today is for eating and lingering. Start at City Market (between Franklin and Bryan Streets) — four blocks of galleries, cafes, and the American Prohibition Museum ($16). The Savannah Bee Company offers free honey tastings (the tupelo honey is worth the splurge). From here, walk to Ellis Square for the free DOT shuttle if feet are tired.

Morning: Mrs. Wilkes or brunch

If it's a weekday, join the line at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room by 10:30 a.m. (doors open 11, cash only, ~$30/person). You'll share a table with strangers and pass platters of fried chicken, collards, black-eyed peas, and banana pudding. It's the single most Savannah experience. Weekend? Collins Quarter does the city's best brunch (try the lamb or the French toast). Clary's Cafe (featured in Midnight in the Garden) is the old-school diner pick.

• Leopold's Ice Cream — since 1919; the line moves fast; try the Tutti Frutti
• Savannah Candy Kitchen — pralines made in the window on River Street
• Gallery Espresso — on Chippewa Square, great people-watching

Afternoon: Historic home tour

Pick one mansion — they all take about an hour. Mercer-Williams House ($15, Monterey Square) is the Midnight in the Garden house with an incredible art collection. Owens-Thomas House ($28, includes Telfair Academy) has the most beautiful courtyard in the city. Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace ($18) — the Girl Scouts founder's home — is great for families. After touring, walk Jones Street (Bull to Whitaker) — "the prettiest street in America" with its brick rowhouses and iron balconies.

Where to stay & farewell dinner

Last night — make dinner count. The Grey (James Beard Award winner, in the restored 1938 Greyhound station) needs reservations 3+ weeks out. Common Thread (in a restored Victorian) is the chef's-counter splurge. Brochu's Family Tradition does elevated fried chicken in a beautiful space. For a farewell drink: Peregrin (rooftop at the Perry Lane Hotel, sunset views) or Artillery Bar (craft cocktails in a former artillery storage space). If you're driving out in the morning, The Marshall House or Kehoe House work for the final night.

Where to eat: the short list

Three days isn't enough for Savannah's food scene, but prioritize: (1) Mrs. Wilkes lunch (weekdays), (2) Leopold's ice cream, (3) dinner at The Grey or Olde Pink House. Honorable mentions: Savannah Seafood Shack (low-country boil), Sending Love (Italian-Southern), Flock to the Wok (Asian-Southern fusion food truck).

What to do with extra time

• Wormsloe Historic Site — the 1.5-mile live-oak avenue; $10, 20 min south; arrive at 9 a.m. opening
• Beaufort, SC — 45 min northeast; antebellum homes, waterfront park, Forrest Gump filming locations
• Savannah ghost tour — the Blue Orb or Genteel & Bard tours are well-reviewed; book the late slot

Walk: ~2 miles, all flat · Must-book: The Grey (3+ weeks), Olde Pink House (2+ weeks) · Mrs. Wilkes: weekdays, cash only