My Solo Getaway to Savannah, Georgia
Peregrin restaurant at Perry Lane Hotel // Photo by Secret Key Photography
After spending some time in Charleston, my road trip continued south to Savannah, Georgia. Upon arrival at my hotel, I was told that Savannah is one of the three “sister cities,” along with Charleston and New Orleans. The term comes from their resemblance to one another, all with subtle differences. Charleston is the first-born, and she is the most polished and buttoned-up. Savannah, the second born, is more relaxed and rivals her older sister with her beauty. And New Orleans, the youngest, is the fiery redhead with a wild side. I loved this analogy because now having been to all three cities, it really is a great way to describe them!
After polling friends who had visited previously, I decided a two-night stay should be enough time to explore the city. Savannah was smaller than I imagined, and it’s very walkable. You can easily visit many of the city highlights within a day.
The rooftop view from Perry Lane Hotel
Where I Stayed: Perry Lane Hotel
I browsed through a lot of hotel websites while planning my trip, but the instant I saw Perry Lane, my search was over. Nestled in the heart of downtown, the rooftop pool and Peregrin restaurant has a spectacular view of the city, and with those warm golden sunsets it’s the perfect place to kick back in the evening. Because the hotel just opened in 2018, it’s very modern (something I didn’t see a lot of when searching for accommodations in the area) while retaining the historical feel of the area. The location can’t be beat - it’s perfectly situated between the Riverwalk and Forsyth Park, which makes walking everywhere very easy.
Forsyth Park Fountain
Outside of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist // Top: Reformation, Jeans: Levi’s
What I Did In Savannah
Stroll through the city
The best thing you can do in Savannah is put on a pair of comfortable shoes and get walking. There wasn’t one major point of interest for me in the city, but rather a dozen smaller things I wanted to see. Chippewa Square is the filming location of the famous Forrest Gump bench scene. However, however, the bench isn’t actually there - it was brought in for the movie. I didn’t know this and spent a solid ten minutes walking laps around the square trying to find it. Whoops. If you’re in need of coffee, pop into Gallery Espresso just across the street. Make sure peek down Jones Street to see some beautiful homes, and check out the Forsyth Park fountain. Head down to the Riverfront for souvenir shops and street musicians.Get spooked with a ghost tour
Savannah is considered one of the most haunted cities in America, and it comes alive at night with a myriad of ghost tours throughout. There’s something for everyone, ranging from early evening family-friendly excursions to midnight adults-only graveyard walks. I decided to take a trolley tour, and to be entirely honest, I think I would have enjoyed one of the later, spookier tours more.Dipped toes in the Atlantic on Tybee Island
A 30 minute drive away, Tybee Island is the place to go if you’re looking to hit the beach. It’s a popular Hollywood filming spot - the latest Baywatch film was shot here. One of the things that impressed me the most on my trip was how much beautiful coastline there is in this region - you locals are so lucky!
Top: Reformation, Jeans: Levi’s, Shoes: Soludos
Tybee Island Beach
Savannah is great for the solo traveler because it’s easy to navigate, and I loved that the city was so full of tour groups on the streets late at night. One of my least favorite things about solo travel is being nervous about walking alone in the dark (which I usually avoid altogether), but because everyone was out, I didn’t feel nervous at all walking back to my hotel after my ghost tour.
Two nights was the perfect amount of time for my stay in Savannah. If you only have a weekend to get away, I highly recommend making a trip because you’ll have plenty of time to take it in without feeling rushed.
Have you been to Savannah? What was your favorite thing about it?
For great photos in Savannah, check out Secret Key Photography.