The choice to have my bachelorette in Savannah came down to a few factors: a short flight from New York City (Delta operates direct flights out of LGA and JFK), reasonable costs, and sweater weather in February. I also wasn’t interested in bar crawls, nightclubs, or pedal taverns. The prospect of a nighttime tour of a purportedly haunted old mansion after a few martinis felt more on the mark. I should mention that this trip was in early 2019—before there were brides-to-be wearing veils on the riverwalk, before stylish boutique hotels started springing up, before the Starland District became a bona fide foodie mecca.
Like virtually every Savannah-bound traveler, I was drawn to its history and charm—grand homes, cobbled squares, centuries-old oak trees draped with Spanish moss. Back then, the city’s artsy undercurrent was very much alive, of course (Savannah College of Art and Design was founded in 1978), but it hadn’t become the city’s defining trait—which, I would argue, it is now.
What was once a small, sleepy Southern city has emerged as a buzzing nexus of creativity, fueled by SCAD grads and urbanites seeking greener, more gentle pastures. These days, there’s plenty to explore beyond the leafy squares and preserved landmarks in the historic core.
The purchase and retooling of the old Starland Dairy into artists’ studios ignited a spark of revitalization, transforming what was previously an industrial no-man’s land into a creative hub. Painters, sculptors, designers, and young gastronomes with a forward-thinking vision have put down roots. The result is an area where originality and cuisine flourish, colorful murals cover once derelict buildings, offbeat boutiques sell handmade wares, and the younger generation can find some much-needed excitement.
It’s not only Starland that’s benefited from an infusion of energy. Across the city, the culinary and hotel scenes are rapidly evolving, with dozens of new restaurants and boutique basecamps added to the roster in the past few years. And, of course, a city with this much history has a few long-standing favorites and can’t-miss attractions that very much hold up.
From cobblestones to cocktails (which you can sip while strolling, thanks to Savannah’s open container laws), here’s your complete guide to the coolest compact city in the South.
Where to Stay
You could credit (I certainly would) Hotel Bardo Savannah with ushering in a new wave of modern-minded accommodations in the city. When the stylish urban resort opened across from Forsyth Park in February 2024, it filled a long-missing niche and set in motion a revival now rippling through Savannah. In the warmer months, the pool scene buzzes. Cocktails and colorful murals define convivial Bar Bibi. The plant-filled green atrium is a favorite for wedding receptions and Instagram feeds. Rooms lean luxurious but remain approachable and playful. The well-curated boutique carries local designers and some of the best branded hotel swag—including lightly fragranced candles and motif scarves you’d actually wear in real life.
Occupying a beautifully restored 1853 townhouse on a leafy residential street in Savannah’s Historic District, The Douglas is a luxury, adults-only B&B for the modern age—intimate, exquisitely detailed, and imbued with a palpable warmth. Interiors by Kirby Caldwell blend saturated hues, rich textures, and bold art. Each of the 16 rooms and suites is individually designed, pairing original features—fireplaces, stained glass windows, glimmering Murano chandeliers—with four-poster beds and vintage Oushak rugs. The “home, but better” atmosphere is elevated by a guest-only bar for an Old Fashioned or whatever cordial you fancy, as well as complimentary breakfast and evening canapé (caviar anyone?) service by James Beard Award-nominated chef Jacques Larson.
Built in 1961, the First Federal Savings and Loan Association building has sat at the corner of Broughton and Abercorn for five decades. In July 2025, it went from bank to boutique. The reimagining by AAmp Studio transformed the six-story landmark into Municipal Grand, a 44-key hotel that puts as much emphasis on sipping and socializing as snoozing. Trading a typical lobby for an all-day eatery-meets-bar with a reception desk set neatly in the corner, the Southeastern debut for Midnight Auteur, a hospitality brand from the founders of Death Co., shows its preference for fun, rather than following “the rules.” Rooms, like the common areas, reflect the structure’s midcentury architectural legacy. Overpackers are sure to appreciate the ample cabinetry.
Before the other boutiques popped up, the Perry Lane Hotel was holding court as the chicest stay in historic downtown Savannah. Even with the onset of competition, it still stays relevant and as swish as ever. The five-star favorite offers 167 rooms styled with oversized windows, leather headboards, and Frette bed linens, as well as a gallery-worthy art collection and a refreshed rooftop pool. Peregrin rooftop bar, designed in partnership with SCADPro, is a buzzy, tropical-tinged spot for sundowner cocktails, masala-spiced fries, and soaking in the skyline views. Guests will appreciate the trademark Southern hospitality (big smiles, sincerity when asking about your day, complimentary wine in the lobby). Even pups get the VIP treatment courtesy of locally made biscuits and plush dog beds.
Where to Eat and Drink
For over a decade, fans of crab fritters and cornbread dressing have packed into The Grey, housed in a brilliantly restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal, to dig into Mashama Bailey’s version of Port City Southern cuisine. The soulful cooking is infused with inventiveness that keeps things fresh yet familiar. Patrons can reserve a table in the dining room for the prix fixe menu or roll the dice at the more casual diner bar, where fresh oysters and cocktails await.
Set in a brick building at the corner of Bull St. and Victory St., just across the train tracks from Starland (a cue that the cool district is expanding beyond its borders), you’ll find this neighborhood spot. Late Air pours from a rotating list of natural wines and slings seasonal small plates, such as Sapelo Island littleneck clams in tomato mala or roasted Brussels sprout leaves with blue oyster mushrooms—all within a stylish space of exposed brick, concrete floors, and a walnut bar.
Lucia Pasta Bar is a new Italian spot in the hip Starland District, where exposed brick, an open kitchen, and delicious food make it equally well suited for solo dining at the bar as date night in the pasta room. Order the lettuce with bright tonnato sauce, a hulking cherry tomato focaccia, and beet-stuffed scarpinocc. To wash it down: Negronis on draft, expertly mixed cocktails made with Italian spirits, or ask for a glass of the chef’s favorite Vermentino.
Two rules for visiting Brochu’s Family Tradition: come hungry and with a craving for playful Southern fare. Meals start with bivalves from small, regional oyster farms, which you can get raw with clever condiments like wasabi pea tobiko or grilled with beef fat mignonette. Moving on to the main event: the famous fried chicken comes with biscuits, gravy, honey butter, sunchoke hot sauce, and pickles. Be sure to save room for macadamia key lime pie.
Grits are glorious. But after back-to-back meals of unctuous corn-based porridge, you might find yourself in the mood for carbs from a different part of the globe. Saint Bibiana, the chic coastal Italian restaurant at Hotel Bardo Savannah, satisfies such cravings with house-made pasta (try the torchietti with braised rabbit, zucchini, and Jerusalem artichoke), plus lighter fare such as oysters and daily crudo. Dinner is served seven nights a week, but if you’re in town for the weekend, don’t miss brunch.
For a taste of Low Country with a bit of global flair, make a reservation at Common Thread, the award-winning seasonal dining concept from the team behind Farm Bluffton. The converted mansion setting and a staff that treats diners like longtime friends set an inviting tone. The menu leans into comfort food, but with unexpected twists like oysters with Granny Smith apple, fermented green cayenne, and spicy peanuts or Carolina Gold rice topped with secreto verde, huancaína, corn, and scallion relish.
Inspired by the tradition of coming together around the table with family after a long week, Sunday Sunday, open for all-day brunch and dinner, celebrates the kind of cooking passed down through generations, where joy and heritage are key ingredients. The menu leans Vietnamese, with plenty of comforting Southern classics to share among diners. Start with sticky rice patties, avocado fresh rolls with seafood dipping sauce, and oysters before moving on to a ban xeo crepe and shrimp and grits (when in Savannah, right?).
Death Co. spurred an entire genre of cocktail bars. So if the guys who built the liquor-fueled empire are opening another temple to tipples, you know it’s going to be on point. The Hot Eye—the new underground boozer below Municipal Grand—shies away from the overdone speakeasy formula. Deliberately devoid of gimmicks (you won’t hear silly passwords to enter), it’s the place to go for drinks, dance-y music, and dark corners for, well, whatever people do in dark corners.
As the saying goes: “If you want to know a city, ask a bartender.” I asked a dozen bartenders where they like to drink in Savannah. Without hesitation, every single one pointed me to Lone Wolf Lounge, a James Beard Award semifinalist in the Outstanding Bar category. You’ll find locals sipping tiki-inspired cocktails at this beloved neighborhood watering hole any night of the week—and belting out karaoke on Wednesdays.
For martini fans, Savoy Society is a non-negotiable stop. The menu reads like a choose-your-own adventure in a glass—dry, classic, dirty, or pickled. You can even customize the size—mini, standard, or pitcher. Not a gin (or vodka) drinker? There’s a massive list of classic and creative signature cocktails, plus draft beers, wine, and no-ABV options. If you want to nibble on something, the dill pickled deviled eggs and Korean meatball sliders are easily shareable.
What to See
The Historic District is, without a doubt, the most famous and photographed part of the city. Covering 2.5 square miles, it’s packed with picturesque cobbled squares (23 to be exact), oak trees draped with Spanish moss, restored 19th-century mansions (some that are purportedly haunted), and museums. It’s enjoyable to amble along at your leisure or book a walking tour to learn about the past from a local guide.
Forsyth Park, which was donated by William Brown Hodgson in the 1840s, is Savannah’s oldest and largest public park. Its towering oak trees draped with Spanish moss, winding pathways, and famous fountain appear on postcards, tourism brochures, and the Instagram feeds of nearly every visitor. In addition to being a favorite spot for strolling and snapping photos, the 30-acre green space hosts a Saturday farmers’ market, as well as concerts and other special events.
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The SCAD Museum of Art spotlights both emerging and established artists. It has a robust permanent collection of 4,500 works by Alicia McCarthy, Arturo Alomar, and Beauford Delaney, as well as rotating exhibitions—large-scale paintings by Michi Meko that focus on “the African American experience of navigating public spaces, particularly in the American South” are on view until early January 2026.
Savannah doesn’t have a designer shopping district—but what it lacks in Prada and Dior, it more than makes up for in local talent. Equal parts gallery and store, shopSCAD has an ever-changing inventory of fine art (works by Elizabeth Winnel, Meredith Pardue, and Trish Andersen currently adorn the walls), jewelry, books, stationery, home decor, and seasonal items. If you’re on the hunt for a souvenir for a has-it-all type, this is the place to find something unique and memorable.
The Paris Market looks like a charming French shop you might find in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Paula and Taras Danyluk were deeply inspired by the open-air markets of France, so they stocked her Savannah store with one-of-a-kind pieces and curiosities that transport travelers to the towns of the Luberon and the Left Bank. The shelves and vintage tables display a mix of 19th-century prisms sourced from Provence, lavender sachets to scent drawers and suitcases, well-traveled books, and Haviland Limoges porcelain plates.
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Nestled between the historic Owens-Thomas House Slave Quarters and the Telfair Academy, in a modern building designed by acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie, the Jepson Center celebrates contemporary art in its many forms. A highlight is the evolving long-term installation curated by Erin Dunn, In Reflection: Contemporary Art and Ourselves, which explores individual, social, and societal themes through paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculptures, textiles, and mixed media.