Savannah is filled with garden-like squares, oak trees gracefully draped in Spanish moss, streets lined with historic buildings, and some of the best food in the country. And the city shines brightly in the month of March. It hosts a St. Patrick’s Day parade that is one of the oldest and largest in the entire country. And the weather is as perfect as it gets: warm without humidity. Plus, direct morning flights from DCA can have you in the heart of the city in time for brunch. So, there’s never been a better time to plan a trip to the ‘Hostess City of the South.’
Where to Stay
Savannah is truly a gracious hostess with more inns, bed and breakfasts, and hotels that you can count. For a luxurious and comfortable stay right in the heart of the upper historic district, situate yourself at Perry Lane Hotel. Beautifully designed to embody classic southern decor with all the modern touches of a five-star hotel, Perry Lane is walkable to virtually everything you may want to see in a weekend. The hotel’s location could not be better, just steps from Chippewa Square where the famous bench scene in Forrest Gump was filmed, and in the thick of the city’s lively streets.
Yet Perry Lane Hotel manages to also be a respite. The rooms are spacious and decorated more like a home than a hotel. The downstairs living rooms feature ample seating, a fireplace, and grand piano, which guests are welcome to play. Welcome additional amenities like a hotel car that will bring you anywhere within a 2-mile radius, all-day sparkling wine in the lobby, and an eccentric collection of art on every floor are the cherries on top. Don’t miss the rooftop bar, Peregrin, with sweeping views of the city, and a classic Southern all-day restaurant, Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market, both of which are popular with locals as well as hotel guests.
Where to Eat
Savannah is a city made for leisurely meals and walks with a drink in hand — the city famously has a district that allows open containers. Make sure you stop at some of the classic institutions like The Olde Pink House. First built in 1771, the building has had many different lives and today serves traditional southern fare (you will want to order the fried chicken and a sweet tea) in a labyrinth of historically decorated rooms.
The more under-the-radar B. Matthew’s Eatery has some of the best fried green tomatoes you’ll ever eat. For something more casual, stop by Franklin’s, a hip café for a coffee or casual lunch (and drinks to go). Starland Yard is a local-favorite outdoor courtyard where several vendors serve Napoleon-style pizza, beer, and other bites in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. The crown in Savannah’s dining scene in Saint Bibiana, a coastal Italian-styled restaurant in a restored 19th century mansion. Pasta, oysters, and fish are the stars of the show, only rivaled by the beauty of the space itself.
What to See
You can spend your whole trip jumping from house museum to house museum. Focus your energy on the excellent guided tours of the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, which presents a historically rich picture of those who lived in the home as both masters and enslaved workers over the centuries.
Visit the Jepson Center for its diverse rotating exhibitions including the remarkable Venice and the Ottoman Empire (on view until May 4th) and the associated Telfair Academy for its impressive collection of 19th and early 20th century paintings. It’s here that you’ll find the “Bird Girl” statue, made famous as the cover image of the popular book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The American Prohibition Museum is a fascinating and engaging stop that covers the topic with a wide-reaching lens and contains a must-visit speak-easy, Congress Street Up.
Where to Treat Yourself
A trip to the Saltgrass Spa at Hotel Bardo, right on Forsyth Park, is well worth the splurge. A new addition to the city, the serene spa uses French skincare products and offers a variety of facials, massages, and innovative treatments like red light therapy and grounding mat sessions.
For shopping, most of the big-name stores can be found along W. Broughton Street. Seek out The Paris Market, a destination store (with a café) that sells a curated mix of European home goods, antiques, and curiosities. It’s so pretty you will want to stay for a cup of tea when you’ve finished browsing the shelves. A short walk away on Bull Street you’ll find Southern Crafted, which offers hand-crafted goods like pottery and stationery made by artisans across the American South.
Feature image courtesy Visit Savannah
