Savannah is a city so steeped in history and Southern lore that you can sense it oozing from every brick in each historical home, and from every Spanish moss-draped oak branch. With inspiringly gorgeous antebellum architecture everywhere, it's no wonder that the city has a reputation for being artsy...and for being super haunted. The ghosts of pirates, Civil War soldiers, Southern belles and more allegedly prowl the streets of the city. If that's a little too spooky for you, eat and drink your fears away: parts of the city lack open container laws, making it a fun place for a late night. End your 48 hour adventure in Savannah with a big Southern-style brunch.
226 East Gwinnett Street, Savannah, Georgia
lab haunted houses
Yes, taking a stroll through a cemetery might seem morbid, but the graveyards in Savannah are also exceptionally pretty, with the Spanish moss and ornate statuary. Colonial Park is one of the city's oldest, and is the final resting place of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, victims of a yellow fever epidemic, duelers and more.
There's no place where the city's charm is more apparent than at Forsyth Park, the city's historic community green space. It dates back to the 1840's, and since Savannah was one of America's first planned cities, the park benefitted from the decision to design the city's layout. It's remained one of Savannah's most-visited spots ever since...no surprise, since it's 30 acres of pure old-school beauty, and it's put to good use with farmer's markets and other awesome community events.
The park is so iconic to Savannah and it really exemplifies the charm and beauty of the city, and it's even been featured in movies that are set in the city. Two big ones are "Cape Fear" and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." BONUS: Fans of the movie "Forrest Gump" can head to Chippewa Square, a few short blocks away, to see where our hero sat as he told his incredible life story. The bench was just a movie prop and isn't actually located in the park...but you can see it at the Savannah History Museum!
The restaurant that introduced Paula Deen and her decadent Southern style of cooking to the world is Lady and Sons. Located in an old, historic building and serving up down-home classics like fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, fried okra (okay, not everything is fried here, but you get the idea). Go all in and get the Southern buffet so you can load up on mashed potatoes, collards, chicken, and banana pudding and cobbler for dessert.
Before coming to Savannah, it helps to watch or read "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," which tells the story of the murder of Danny Hansford, a local male prostitute by his lover, antiques dealer Jim Williams. The shooting took place in the 1980's in this very building, the Mercer-Williams House which was originally built in the 1860's. The house itself is a beautiful example of the antebellum style of architecture you see throughout the city, and it houses an impressive art collection as well.
Make sure to snag a reservation at this iconic Savannah eatery. Located in an old Colonial home (which is, of course, very pink colored and hard to miss). The inventive Southern cuisine here (sweet potato ravioli with pecan cream sauce, black vinegar BBQ glazed duck, cornbread fried oysters, etc.) is just as elegant and quirky as the building itself.
Head to the Green Truck Pub to enjoy the impressive beer and wine list at this neighborhood bar. They feature beers from smaller breweries across the country; try and find something from Georgia to keep it local!
The best time of a year for a 48-hour Savannah adventure: Springs and summers in Savannah are hot and humid, but because it's conveniently located on the shore, it's not hard to find a beach where you can cool off. Early fall is the sweet spot for great prices, less crowds, and good weather. Savannah is a gorgeous place to spend the holidays as well, with its mild weather, and it happens to be one of the more festive places to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.