Georgia Travelers Recommend

If you have three days in Savannah, you can enjoy a combination of tours and attractions that highlight the cultural heritage, architecture, and long history of Georgia’s oldest city. Keep reading to find out our top suggestions for a 72-hour itinerary in this Southern hotspot.

Day 1: Historical Introduction

Get oriented with the city on a hop-on hop-off trolley tour, which offers convenient transportation and an overview of the Savannah Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District. Trolley tours often can be combined with a Savannah River cruise for a more complete look at the city. 

Spend the afternoon on a walking tour to learn about Savannah’s history from a guide. Depending on your interests, you might opt for a themed tour, such as Savannah locations from books and movies, Civil War sites, or the Bonaventure Cemetery. At night, join a ghost walking tour to hear about local superstitions, legends, and haunted locales. For those of drinking age, haunted pub crawls are a popular way to explore the city’s nightlife.

Day 2: Cultural Highlights

Discover more of Savannah outside of the Historic District on a neighborhood tour to the Victorian District or Thomas Square, which each feature their own architectural gems and character. Or, go deeper into Savannah’s history as a Southern city with a visit to the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters. 

Art lovers will want to head to the Jepson Center art museum, while food lovers can sample a variety of regional fare on a culinary tour. Typically taking place on foot, food tours introduce you to restaurants and food shops where you can sample dishes such as fried green tomatoes, pork belly donuts, or pimento-cheese croissants. When sunset rolls around, the ideal place to be is on a river cruise, where you can give your feet a well-deserved rest and admire the Savannah waterfront.

Day 3: Coastal Adventures

Savannah’s proximity to the Atlantic coast offers a few day trip options for those ready to see more of the area. For an urban adventure, check out Charleston, a 2-hour drive away and competitor to Savannah for the most beautiful Southern city. Hilton Head Island, a 45-minute drive north in South Carolina, is a family-friendly resort destination in the Low Country known for its golf courses and beaches. Or, stay even closer to home: Tybee Island is just 30 minutes away and a favorite getaway for locals. Book a tour from Savannah with included transportation, so you don’t have to worry about getting there on your own. Some tours include cruises to look for dolphins and seabirds, and others give you free time to explore on your own.

With two days in Savannah, you can explore the city’s historical landmarks plus enjoy activities highlighting the food, scenery, and culture of Georgia’s oldest city. Here are a few ways to create a 48-hour itinerary that suits your interests.

Day 1: Get to know the Savannah Historic District

Morning: Get your bearings and an overview of the city’s National Historic Landmark District on a hop-on hop-off trolley tour, Segway tour, or Savannah River cruise. Stretching from River Street to Forsyth Park, the district is full of attractions important to the city’s heritage.

Afternoon: Put on your walking shoes and hit the streets. Walking tours often focus on a theme or location such as Civil War sites, the Bonaventure Cemetery, or books and movies set in Savannah. Cobbled streets and tree-lined squares provide the perfect backdrop for strolling.

Night: Time for something different: a ghost walking tour, where you’ll hear about local legends, superstitions, and haunted houses. Haunted pub crawls are also available for those who’d like to combine the paranormal with local nightlife.

Day 2: Discover more local culture

Morning: Check out the vibe and architectural gems of a neighborhood outside the historic district, such as the Victorian District or Thomas Square. Or, visit a cultural institution or historical site such as the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, Telfair Academy, or Jepson Center art museum.

Afternoon: Indulge in Southern fare and local specialties on a food tour that introduces you to a major part of Savannah culture. Wander around to restaurants and food shops to sample dishes such as shrimp and grits, pork belly donuts, fried green tomatoes, and pimento-cheese croissants.

Night: End the day on a relaxing river cruise. Watch the sunset and admire the city from the water while resting your legs, which are sure to be weary after all your walking.

Savannah is an ideal place to spend a day, especially for history buffs, architecture lovers, foodies, and those interested in Southern culture. From the city’s National Historic Landmark District to the riverfront, there’s plenty to do and see in this Georgia gem. Here are our favorite ways to enjoy 24 hours in Savannah.

Morning: City overview

Get your bearings on a hop-on hop-off trolley tour that highlights the top sights in the Savannah Historic District and surrounding streets. Stretching from River Street to Forsyth Park, the district is chock-full of landmarks important to the city’s heritage. Alternatively, get the lay of the land on a Segway, or a combo land and water tour that includes a Savannah River cruise.

Afternoon: A walk

With its leafy streets, manicured squares, and well-preserved historical architecture, Savannah was made for walking tours—so take your pick of themes and put on your walking shoes. Perhaps you’d like to see Civil War sites, or locations related to the bestselling book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Opt for a culinary tour to learn about Savannah’s food scene, or explore Bonaventure Cemetery for something more macabre. Most tours are led by guides with deep knowledge of the city’s heritage.

Night: Savannah’s spooky side

Time to discover the darker side of the city on a ghost walking tour, as a guide leads you to haunted locations and tells you sinister stories about characters from the past. Most ghost tours take place in the historic district and feature tales about local superstitions, mysteries, crimes, and spirits. Visitors of drinking age might choose a haunted pub tour for a fun twist. If you’d prefer a more relaxing evening experience, head out on a Savannah River cruise to watch the sunset and admire the city from the water.

The city of Savannah, Georgia’s oldest, was founded in 1733. Today, it’s brimming with historical attractions, from mansions and cemeteries to churches and forts. A visitor could easily spend weeks diving into Savannah’s history, but here are the top historical sights not to miss.

Bonaventure Cemetery

Savannah has several Southern Gothic municipal cemeteries, but none is quite so famous (or atmospheric) as Bonaventure. Spread across 160 acres (65 hectares), the cemetery dates to 1846 and is filled with lavish mausoleums and monuments. To get the full history behind the cemetery, see it on a dedicated tour or as part of a haunted tour.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

The Battle of Fort Pulaski was critical in the Civil War, and modern–day visitors get a glimpse at what life was like during that time through reenactments and ranger–led tours through the national monument, as well as Civil War–focused tours that include this as a stop.

First African Baptist Church

Situated just off Franklin Square, First African Baptist Church is the oldest African American church in North America and a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can join a worship service or come for a regularly scheduled tour.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

This National Historic Landmark—the first in Savannah—is the childhood home of the woman who would go on to found the Girl Scouts. The nearby Andrew Low House was where Juliette Gordon Low lived as an adult, and the servants quarters behind the house served as the First Girl Scout Headquarters. Hop on hop off tours generally include this as a stop.

Mercer Williams House

Known as the setting for a purported murder that inspired the bestselling novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, the Mercer Williams House features on just about every historical tour of Savannah. Visitors can see the front den where Jim Williams supposedly killed his lover, as well as a sizable collection of 18th and 19th century furniture and art.

From civil rights landmarks to downtown style, sprawling Atlanta has endless facets to explore. With one day, you can sample the best of the city’s Southern cuisine, visit a big-name attraction, and discover film sites, local history—and even zombies. Use these tips to make the most of one day in Atlanta.

Morning: Hotlanta’s Hottest Spots

Atlanta’s headlining attractions rival the best in the nation, so take time to explore the one that interests you most. Go nose-to-nose with marine life at the Georgia Aquarium; try to guess the secret ingredient at the World of Coca-Cola; visit the resident pandas at Zoo Atlanta; or head to CNN’s global headquarters to see how the news gets made. Booking tickets in advance is a time-saving strategy that makes arrival seamless, and if you’re hoping to tick off more than one destination, multiple-attraction passes can save you money.

Afternoon: Sample Southern Hospitality

Pour yourself a glass of sweet iced tea for an afternoon of Atlanta cuisine—it goes from traditional Southern “meat and three” to fried chicken and cutting-edge bites. With just one day in Atlanta, it’s a shame to commit to a single meal, so consider a food tour that features a series of dishes in restaurants, diners, and local markets. And since food, history, and culture are deeply linked here, you’re sure to get a side of storytelling with your meal, as well as a delicious look at daily life in Atlanta.

Night: From History to the Hollywood of the South

Now that you’re energized for an afternoon of exploring, choose a guided tour that dives into Atlanta history, or discover some of the blockbuster films and television shows that have been filmed here. Themed film tours run the gamut from Gone with the Wind to The Walking Dead, while best-of film tours sample a little bit of everything. If history is more your style, Atlanta’s rich in fascinating destinations; check out Civil Rights landmarks and historic homes with some of the city’s grandest architecture.

With three days in Atlanta, you can cover key highlights, sample Southern fare, and see why the city's become a backdrop for everything from blockbuster movies to zombie attacks. But while Atlanta could easily fill your whole itinerary, it's also a great home base for exploring Georgia. Here's how to spend three days in Atlanta.

Day 1: Hotlanta Highlights

A long list of landmarks have helped Atlanta snag a spot as one of the South’s best destinations, so start by ticking off a few that interest you most. For wildlife lovers, the Georgia Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta are must-sees, with world-class animal collections that include giant pandas and whale sharks. Other favorites include the World of Coca-Cola, devoted to all things Coke, and the world headquarters of CNN; lucky visitors might even see anchors as they broadcast. For a glimpse of Atlanta’s civil rights heritage, stop by the Atlanta Center for Civil and Human Rights, which links a local history of activism to world issues.

At each of these sights, booking tickets in advance pays off in time savings and convenience. If you plan to visit more than one, combination tickets and passes can be budget-friendly options, often coming with added perks and discounts.

Day 2: Hollywood of the South

From the films of Tyler Perry to the TV show The Walking Dead, Atlanta's proved to be one of America’s most popular sets, snagging the title of the "Hollywood of the South." Even if you're not a movie buff, joining a film tour can be a fun way to see off-beat neighborhoods and scenic locations, ones you might recognize next time you’re at the theater. Die-hard fans should go for themed options, choosing from trips that explore The Walking Dead sites, locations used in the series Stranger Things, and historic landmarks from Gone With the Wind. If you’re looking for a general introduction to Atlanta's film industry, opt for a tour that samples a little bit of everything while hitting all the highlights.

Day 3: Best Day Trips from—and in—Atlanta

When you're ready for a day outside the city, the possibilities are endless: explore the Georgia mountains, visit a rural Amish community, or sip your way through local wineries. Since avoiding Atlanta’s traffic is something of a local art, tours with dedicated drivers take advantage of the best routes out of the city.

If you’d rather stick around, dedicate your last day in Atlanta to history; the city is home to mansions, landmarks from the civil rights era, and other fascinating sites. For an in-depth discussion of Atlanta history, consider a tour that's themed to your interests to ensure you don’t miss any key points.

With two days in Atlanta, you can pick off a few of the city’s landmarks and soak up the high-frequency energy. Go from classic Southern sites to the cutting edge of Atlanta culture in a flash, then circle back for some civil rights era history. Here’s how to make the most of two days in Atlanta.

Day 1: Silver Screens and Hotlanta Wildlife

Morning: Ready to roll? Start by finding the places that catapulted Atlanta onscreen, whether that’s blockbuster films, Stranger Things, or The Walking Dead. Scouts are famous for picking the coolest spots in the city, so even if you’re not a movie buff it’s a great way to get your bearings.

Afternoon: Pick one of the city’s two world-class wildlife destinations for an afternoon with the animals. With giant pandas and an African rain forest, Zoo Atlanta is a longtime favorite, while the Georgia Aquarium brings beluga whales right into downtown—consider snagging your tickets in advance to save time.

Night: Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, dive into local food culture, which includes down-home cooking and cutting-edge cuisine. A food tour is a great way to get a little bit of everything.

Day 2: History, Landmarks, and Atlanta After Dark

Morning: If you’re visiting during the hot summer months, take advantage of the cooler morning hours with an Atlanta history tour, visiting landmarks that stretch from the Civil War to the civil rights era. True history buffs should consider a private tour, as it’s a great way to start one-on-one conversations about events that interest you most.

Afternoon: Choose another of Atlanta’s headlining attractions for an afternoon in the air-conditioning: The CNN world headquarters are fascinating for news hounds, while the World of Coca-Cola tells the intriguing story of Coke’s secret formula.

Night: With one more night in Atlanta, dabble in the city’s searing nightlife—opt for a pub crawl or bar tour for an insider’s look at the scene.

Some 40 percent of Savannah’s buildings are of architectural or historical significance, and walking the streets of this Southern city is a study in architectural styles of the 18th and 19th centuries. There’s plenty to learn about Savannah as you tour these gems—here’s where to start.

Isaiah Davenport House

One of the best examples of Federal-style architecture in the city, the brick and brownstone Isaiah Davenport House—today a museum—has been restored to what it looked like in the 1820s, complete with original plaster and woodwork, a hanging staircase, and period furniture. Stop off at this historical gem during a hop-on hop-off trolley tour.

Mercer Williams House

One of Savannah’s most popular tourist attractions and a setting in the best-selling novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, the Italianate Mercer Williams House was the site of a notorious 1969 murder allegedly committed by historical preservationist and antiques dealer Jim Williams. Williams’ private art and furniture collection still adorns the space.

Forsyth Park

Designed by landscape gardener William Bischoff, Savannah’s leafy Forsyth Park is a shining example of landscape architecture. Trees draped with Spanish moss shade gardens, memorials, and Savannah’s most famous fountain in this 30-acre (12-hectare) green space. Just about every sightseeing tour makes a stop here. 

Telfair Academy

The Telfair Academy is part of the Telfair Museums of Art, the oldest art museum in the South. This classical Regency mansion houses marble rooms hung with paintings from both American and European masters and decorated with Telfair family furniture.

Olde Pink House

The pink stucco-covered brick gives Savannah’s Olde Pink House its name. This Georgian mansion, built in 1771, is a favorite spot for ghost hunting. Stop in for dinner or do a bit of your own investigating on a haunted tour of the Savannah Historic District.

Temple Mickve Israel

Monterey Square is home to the third-oldest Jewish congregation in the country. The only pure Gothic-revival synagogue in the United States, it also houses significant historical documents, including a letter from George Washington.

Nearly all of AMC's hit series The Walking Dead is shot in Georgia, and whether you're a die-hard Deadhead or simply want to brush up on your zombie trivia, a film sites tour is a great way to spend an afternoon in Atlanta. Here are your options.

Jackson Street Bridge

To recreate the iconic season one sight of Rick Grimes riding a horse along the highway into a zombie-infested Atlanta in search of his wife and son, you'll have to pay a visit to Atlanta's Jackson Street Bridge. The spot also offers a gorgeous view of the city skyline.

Atlanta Mission as the Hospital

Part of the administrative Atlanta Mission building was featured as the hospital where Rick wakes up from a coma to realize the world as he knew it is forever changed in the season one episode Days Gone By.

Grant Park as Rick's Neighborhood

Atlanta's Grant Park neighborhood is where you'll find the 19th-century Victorian home used as the Grimes residence during season one filming.

Senoia, Georgia, as Woodbury

The town of Senoia, located an hour south of Atlanta, doubles as the seemingly idyllic town of Woodbury in season three, where the survivors quickly realize that the town has some dark secrets of its own.

Haralson, Georgia

The town of Haralson, situated near Senoia, was the film site for several scenes in season three. The old ESCO Feed Mill was the site of the silo scenes with Andrea, Daryl, and Martinez, while Rick meets with the Governor of Woodbury along Main Street. The town is also home to the barn where Merle ultimately meets his end.

Hampton, Georgia

Also south of Atlanta is the town of Hampton, where Glenn, Michonne, and a band of survivors show up during season six. The pet shop scene was filmed along Main Street, while the dumpster where Glenn seems to meet his unfortunate fate is now marked by a body outline on the pavement.

Tradition and creativity collide in the renowned kitchens of Savannah, Georgia, where chefs blend the flavors of the American South with influences from Africa and Europe. Here’s what you need to know about the city’s nonstop dining scene, including where to find the best dishes and foodie experiences.

Must-Try Dishes

Start a meal off with some fried green tomatoes, a dish brought to Savannah by Jewish immigrants. While shrimp and grits may be more closely associated with the Lowcountry cuisine in South Carolina, many Savannah restaurants are also cooking up versions of the Southern staple. Don’t leave town Savannah without tucking into a traditional Southern spread of fried chicken, black-eyed peas, okra, cornbread, and biscuits.

Pecans grow abundantly in Georgia, making pralines and pecan pie local favorites. Wash it down with a Chatham Artillery Punch, a strong cocktail of sparkling wine, rum, brandy, and bourbon, and named for Georgia’s oldest military organization.

Must-Do Experiences

• Learn about Paula Deen, the queen of Southern cuisine, during a tour of her hometown, including dinner at Lady & Sons, one of her restaurants.

• Stroll the cobblestone streets of Savannah’s Historic District to sample from the area’s best restaurants and specialty food stores.

• Tuck in for a boozy, history-filled evening on a drinking tour of Savannah, with stops for Madeira wine, mead, mint juleps, and Chatham Artillery Punch.

• Dive into local culinary lore on a foodie bus tour, with stops at several iconic restaurants.