You’ve probably seen the photos. The Spanish moss dripping like candle wax from massive oak limbs, the cobblestones that look great but absolutely murder your ankles, and that iconic white fountain in Forsyth Park. Savannah is basically a movie set that people actually live in. But honestly, if you just stick to the main TripAdvisor hits, you’re going to miss the actual soul of the Hostess City.
Savannah isn’t just a place to look at old houses. It’s a city built on top of its own dead—literally—and that weird, slightly morbid energy is exactly what makes it great. Most people think things to do in Savannah GA starts and ends with a slow walk down River Street with a plastic cup in hand. That’s a start, but it's barely scratching the surface of what’s happening here in 2026.
📖 Related: Santa Rosa La Pampa: Why This Argentine Stopover Is Actually Worth a Look
The Squares and the "Stone Stairs of Death"
Let's get the logistics out of the way. Savannah is designed on a grid of 22 squares. They’re like little green lungs for the city. You’ll probably end up in Chippewa Square because that’s where the Forrest Gump bench was (it’s in a museum now, stop looking for it on the corner).
Instead of just walking through them, look at the monuments. Each one tells a story about a person who usually met a fairly dramatic end.
Then there’s River Street. It’s touristy. There’s no way around that. But those steep, uneven steps leading down from Bay Street? Locals call them the "Stone Stairs of Death." They are historic, slippery, and the quickest way to end your vacation with a cast on your leg. Use the elevator behind the Hyatt if you’ve had more than one "to-go" drink.
Speaking of drinks: yes, you can walk around with alcohol here. It’s one of the few places in the country where the "open container" law is a way of life. Just keep it in a 16-ounce plastic cup and stay within the boundaries of the Historic District.
Beyond the Fried Green Tomatoes
Everyone wants to go to The Olde Pink House. And you should! It’s 18th-century gorgeous and the bourbon peppercorn sauce is legit. But getting a reservation is like trying to win the lottery.
💡 You might also like: Sidney Drive In Theater: What Most People Get Wrong
If you want a more "2026 Savannah" vibe, you need to head to the Starland District. It’s south of the main historic hustle.
- The Grey: It’s in a restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal. Mashama Bailey is a literal genius with Port City southern food. It’s fancy but doesn’t feel stuffy.
- Narobia’s Grits & Gravy: This is where you go for breakfast. No frills. Just the best crab stew and smothered shrimp you’ll ever have.
- Zunzi’s: It’s South African-Italian-Dutch fusion. Get the "Conquistador" sandwich. It’s messy, it’s huge, and it’s basically a Savannah rite of passage.
People always ask about Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room. Is it worth the two-hour wait? Kinda. It’s communal dining, so you’re sitting with strangers eating fried chicken and okra. If you like making friends while you eat, go for it. If you value your personal space, maybe skip it.
The Ghost Thing is Actually Real
Savannah is allegedly the most haunted city in America. Every third person you meet is a "ghost tour guide." Most of these tours are just people in capes carrying lanterns and telling tall tales.
If you want the real deal, look into the Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour. A guy named Dan has been running a version of this that focuses more on the grim history—the yellow fever epidemics, the fires, the duels—rather than just "I saw a lady in white."
The real hauntings are in the soil. Underneath those beautiful squares? Bodies. Underneath the Colonial Park Cemetery? More bodies. When they expanded the city, they didn't always move the graves; they just moved the headstones. You are quite literally walking on history.
Tybee Island and the Lowcountry Escape
If the humidity starts to feel like a warm, wet blanket, head to Tybee Island. It’s about 20 minutes away. It’s not a manicured resort beach; it’s a "shoes are optional and everything is covered in salt" kind of beach.
Check out the Tybee Island Light Station. It’s the oldest and tallest in Georgia. If you climb the 178 steps, the view of the Atlantic is incredible, but your quads will hate you the next day.
For something a bit more "National Geographic," go to the Wormsloe State Historic Site. It’s that famous 1.5-mile drive lined with 400 oak trees. It leads to the ruins of a 1737 colonial estate. It’s eerie and quiet and feels like you’ve stepped back 300 years.
How to Actually Do Savannah Right
Don't overschedule. This isn't New York or London. The whole point of being here is to slow down until you’re moving at the speed of the river.
- Walk Jones Street. It’s often called the most beautiful street in America. The brick pavers and high stoops are peak Savannah aesthetic.
- Visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Even if you aren't religious, the stained glass and the sheer scale of the place will make you stop talking for a second.
- Bonaventure Cemetery. It’s not downtown; you’ll need an Uber. It’s 100 acres of Victorian funerary art. It’s where Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was centered. It’s haunting in the best way possible.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake? Spending all your time in the four blocks nearest the river. The shops there are mostly T-shirt joints and pralines (which are delicious, don't get me wrong, but how many can you eat?).
The "real" Savannah is in the Victorian District and the Starland District. It’s in the record shops, the weird art galleries like Graveface Museum (which has a bunch of taxidermy and cult memorabilia if you’re into the macabre), and the local coffee shops like Perc or Foxy Loxy.
👉 See also: The Hall of Presidents: What Most People Get Wrong
Savannah is a city of contradictions. It’s deeply conservative in its preservation and wildly progressive in its art scene (thanks to SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design). You’ll see a billionaire’s mansion next to a house that looks like it’s being held together by the vines growing on it. That’s the charm.
Actionable Next Steps
- Book reservations now: If you want to eat at The Grey or The Olde Pink House, do it weeks in advance.
- Check the tide: If you’re heading to Tybee, check the tide charts. At high tide, some of the best walking beaches disappear.
- Pack the right shoes: Seriously. Those cobblestones are 200 years old and they don't care about your heels.
- Download a parking app: The city is strict about meters. Use the "ParkSavannah" app so you don't end up with a yellow ticket on your windshield while you're enjoying your grits.
Savannah isn't a checklist; it's a mood. Put the phone down, grab a drink, and just wander until you get lost in a square you didn't mean to find. That's usually where the best stories start.