WELCOME TO SAVANNAH !
We’re thrilled you are here for us, but also so that you can spend some time in city that we love and call home.
Below are some local tips and beloved places that we would encourage y’all to visit and support:
SOME QUICK TIPS!
1. Love on our city like a local.
Check out this decree from one of Savannah’s most beloved writers and adopted locals.
2. Yes, you can drink on the streets…
… within the confines of the historic district boundaries
(between West Boundary Street to East Broad Street and to the North border of Forsyth Park)
**Ask for a to-go cup at bars and restaurants and take it along with you!
3. Don’t ask where Paula Deen’s is.
There’s better southern food out there, made by other more local locals. If you ask where it is, you’ll likely get a stare and potentially the wrong directions, which is not an accident.
4. Don’t touch the Spanish moss and/or try and wear it.
Just trust us.
** Fun facts: the moss is not actually moss, but epiphytes, which are plants that absorb water and nutrients from the air. It is most closely related to the pineapple. It also harbors tiny red bugs that will burrow into your skin.
(… we told you to trust us)
6. If you ask “is it haunted?” The answer is yes.
The city is built on top of dead people.
Literally.
7. Downtown Savannah is walkable!
… but if you ever get tired or need to get somewhere quickly, the DOT shuttle is an ideal way to travel.
Pedicabs are also a fun way to get around. Hail them from the street, or schedule a pickup.
8. Beware comparing us to Charleston.
We’ve heard it may bring a hex upon you.
9. Leave simple narratives about the south at home.
It takes a lot to hold the contradictions of this place, but the south is a mirror to the rest of the country and a place of meaningful movement. You can chuckle about people being backwards all day (we think Brian Kemp is a dingle-dong) or you can talk to many of the amazing folks at our wedding about how they are working to undo inequality in voting rights, reproductive health, criminal justice, or education.
10. Brake for boiled peanuts.
ALWAYS.
SEE THE SIGHTS!
(our recommended tours and guides)
Freedom Tours with Johnnie Brown
NY Times acclaimed You gotta call: 912-398-2785
Patt Gunn of Underground Tours
She's a phenomenal advocate, Gullah-Geechee storyteller, and is doing some work on renaming some of our squares right now.
Vaughnette Goode-Walker of Footprints of Savannah
Another master storyteller and historian. She runs the Civil Rights Museum here in Savannah (another must-visit) and is also doing some excellent work with the Equal Justice Intuitive.
Britt Farbo tours
A tour guide who has a background in radical theology and central government intelligence? Need we say more. You gotta call: (301)-204-2038 - but first send a text for context and be sure to mention us!
PLACES WE LOVE!
E. Shaver Booksellers: 326 Bull Street.
Right off Madison Square, books both local and from afar. Check out their new pop up location at the Gingerbread House, right next to Foxy Loxy.
The Book Lady: 6 E Liberty Street.
A book lover’s delight and one of the coziest spots in town.
Starlandia: 2438 Bull St.
Yes it’s an art store, but it’s more a spiritual experience. Need a bag full of baby hands? (yes, you do). A thousand pieces of craft paper? Color and sparkle from every corner? Then would strongly recommend.
Savannah Yoga Center: 1319 Bull St.
Grab a class to get your body moving. Plus, the studio is inside Ordinary Magic, Savannah’s most magical little gem ever.
Graveface Museum: 410 E Lower Factors Walk.
Get weird at Savannah’s weirdest museum. Plus, check out their record and curiosity shop in Starland.
HISTORIC SPOTS!
Walking in the squares and Forsyth park in itself is pretty phenomenal (plus, we are on a grid system, so it’s hard to get lost… remember, River Street is North and Forsyth Park is South). But much of Savannah’s most important history is off the beaten path, so here are a few special places we recommend checking out.
First African Baptist: 23 Montgomery Street.
This cherished landmark is known for its prominent role as a safe house for the enslaved and for Black folks throughout history. First African Baptist Church served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and you can still see the holes in the floorboards that were used to ventilate the concealed spaces through which the formerly enslaved traveled. The church also played an integral part in the Civil Rights Movement, and continues to host civil rights events today. First African Baptist is the oldest black church in North America.
The Beach Institute: 502 E Harris St.
The first official school for Black children in Savannah, it now stands as a cultural center and museum.
Mickve Israel: 20 East Gordon St.
The first synagogue built in America. Shalom y’all.
Laurel Grove Cemetery:
Laurel Grove North: 802 W. Anderson St.
Laurel Grove South: 2101 Kollock St.
Nowhere is the South’s accurate history more on display than in Laurel Grove, the original cemetery for whites and a companion burial ground that was reserved for the enslaved and free people of color. The cemetery is divided by a highway (Jane Jacobs is scowling somewhere) but showcases the reality of Savannah segregation. Make sure to pay homage to W.W. Law’s grave in Laurel Grove South and do not move the shell.
Bonaventure Cemetery. 330 Bonaventure Rd.
East Savannah’s most beautiful cemetery and yes - insert Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil here.
Bonus quest for extra points: Say hi to Coco’s fam on plot A-367!
The Weeping Time. 2053 Augusta Avenue.
In March of 1857, the largest sale of human beings in the history in the United States took place at a racetrack in Savannah, Georgia. During the two days of the sale, raindrops fell unceasingly on the racetrack. It was said as though the heavens were crying at the atrocity taking place. So, too, fell teardrops from many of the 436 men, women, and children who were auctioned off during the two days. The sale would thereafter be known as "the weeping time” and was widely reported across the nation, fueling the abolitionist movement. It has since become a sacred site in Savannah.
Pin Point Heritage museum: 9924 Pin Point Ave.
The Gullah-Geechee heritage museum that focuses on the oystering/crabbing community at Pin Point.
The Savannah African Arts Museum: 201 E. 37th St.
One of the largest collections of African art in Savannah.
Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home: 207 E Charleston St.
One of Savannah’s favorite grumpy weirdos, American novelist Flannery O’Connor grew up in Savannah, and her childhood home still stands today at 207 East Charlton Street. Growing up, O’Connor helped her family raise chickens, and actually taught one of them how to walk backwards.
COFFEE + NIGHTLIFE!
The Sentient Bean: 13 E Park Ave.
Vegan delights and we mean it. Plus, it’s on the south end of Forsyth Park and also next to Brighter Day, where the baked cheese sandwich is pretty great.
The Culturist Union: 3129 Bull St.
Savannah’s only Black owned coffee shop and cultural space.
Foxy Loxy: 1919 Bull Street.
Texas-style treats and coffee. Plus, a garden patio that is not to be missed. Check out their satellite locations around town for the same great stuff and more!
Henny Penny: 1514 Bull St.
The sister shop to Foxy Loxy—coffee, wine, but particularly kid friendly and has artsy kid activities (also waaaay less crowded and right down the street from Foxy)
Smol: 2421 DeSoto Avenue.
The tiniest bar you will ever visit with a brewery upstairs.
Lone Wolf Lounge: 2429 Lincoln St.
Locals only. 10/10. You will sit next to a dog at the bar.
The Wormhole: 2307 Bull St.
It’s a venue! It’s a Restaurant? It’s a… unique club that somehow has survived all the recent change in town. Hosting music, comedy, and peculiarities since forever?
TO EAT!
(or not to eat…?)
The Grey Market: 109 Jefferson St.
Renowned chef Mashama Bailey opened this bodega style mini-market with a lunch counter since the Grey can be packed and pricey. This is the best way to experience her divine work on a dime)
Troupial: 9 W 43rd Street.
Venezuelan food and coffee done right
Narobia’s Grits & Gravy: 2019 Habersham.
GO EARLY.
Green Truck Pub: 2430 Habersham Street.
Burgers and fries, but better? You can’t go wrong. Seriously
Starland Strange: 17 W. 41st ST.
What would Dolly Do? She’d get the mango ice cream with Tajin and a “My other ride is a cowboy” sticker.
**Fun Fact: this was the meeting place for our first date!
Al Salaam: 2311 Habersham Street.
Palestinian owned and some of the best falafel you can grab in the south. Try the grape leaves.
Munchies: 2110 Montgomery Street.
Super, super casual, and they have drinks named after beloved elected officials and people. Great crab rice. BBQ that cannot be tamed.
Sorry Charleys: 114 W Congress St.
If you are into oysters, hush puppies and good Savannah seafood, this is your place.
Boomy’s: 409 W Congress St.
Suprisingly good Thai and Vietnamese food that serves it up late-night for takeout or delivery. Housed in a dive bar in the heart of tourist-land.
SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE!
These are some of Savannah’s hard working nonprofits that serve our community. If you are feeling generous and want to make a donation, please check out the work below:
Savannah Black Heritage Festival:
The festival runs all through February and highlights and celebrates Black culture in Savannah and beyond.
Loop It Up Savannah:
A youth arts and educational enrichment program that serves over 10,000 kids in the public school system.
Offender Alumni Association (Savannah):
A space led by and for returning citizens (formerly incarcerated) to find support, employment, community and create space for a more just world.
Planned Parenthood (Savannah):
Georgia is currently under a six-week ban that has proved to be disastrous for women’s health. Yet PPSEA still serves Savannah, as well as the larger state of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
DID SOMEONE SAY SLEEP?
Savannah has grown to be a tourist trap tourist town, and as a result there are a plethora of options for folks looking to rest their heads. We considered booking a block of rooms so everyone could be near everyone else and stuff, but they wanted our first born child, a sample of blood, and our social security numbers and said we’d be on the hook if all the rooms weren’t rented, so we said nyah. So you’re on your own. But we’re happy to offer some tips!
Given the tourist nature of the town, hotel prices fluctuate a good bit. We’re having the wedding at the end of “off-season” and there’s a good chance prices will be pretty low a few days before the big day, but we understand not everyone’s a gambler so we suggest keeping an eye on prices, or just pull the trigger and live with what you get.
For a room downtown (the historic district), if you can book something downtown for between $200 and $250 a night that’s a pretty good price though prices could dip down to $150 or lower if you pay attention and catch it right. Downtown is where the action is though; you can stroll out of your hotel with a beer if you so feel like it as there are no open cup restrictions in the historic district. If you’ve never been to Savannah, we think you’d best be suited here… but be aware a room on the lower floors may be subject to the WOOOOOOOHS of bachelorette parties till the wee hours of the weekend morn. You’ve been warned!
Midtown should be somewhere around $150 a night for a decent priced room, with low prices swinging towards $100. There’s not too much going on in Midtown, but it’s not that far of a drive to the venue, or the historic district. If you’re looking to save a buck or two you might look here, but it’s not quite the same experience
When last we checked, Tybee Island has some cheaper hotel rooms and plenty of Airbnbs at a discount from similar rentals found in town, but it’s a much more beachy vibe than spooky historic. You won’t get the full Savannah experience, but it does allow for you to get away from the tourist hustle and bustle, and being close to the ocean is always nice! Many of e-s’ family are staying out on Tybee. Take this information however you will!
Airbnbs in general (on Tybee or in town) are pretty swell, but beware the “cleaning fee”, which is just a way for them to milk you for a ton of money on a short one or two night stay. We used to love Airbnbs and used them exclusively… and sometimes we still do. But things change. Be sure you study the final cost before you book! For one night or two night stays, nowadays we tend to think a hotel is a cheaper (and often a more comfortable) option.
We don’t recommend staying on the South Side, it’s the land of cheap lodging but far away from most people and things you might want to see. But hey, we get it. money talks! So with that, we came up with a little rhyme if you decide to stay that way. We hear mantras are helpful in potentially stressful situations?
Iffin’ you wanna save some dough
yon Southside Hotey’s the way to go
for while it lacks the glitz and glam,
one rests much better with coin in hand?
SAFE TRAVELS EVERYBODY!!!
