Savannah is unlike any city I have visited in the U.S. Live oaks draped with Spanish moss, unique architecture and grassy squares transport you to a different era.
For my birthday and Memorial Day Weekend, my husband and I explored Savannah, GA. To keep our trip budget friendly, we camped at Skidaway Island State Park, located about 20 minutes away from downtown Savannah. Despite a threatening tropical storm, we saw some beautiful places.
Here’s how we spent our three-day weekend in Savannah:
Travel Day
- En route to Savannah, we took a stretch break in Montgomery, AL. The Civil Rights Memorial, capitol building and Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church are all within walking distance. It was extremely powerful to see such key locations of the Civil Rights Movement.
On March 25, 1965 thousands of people marched from Selma to Montgomery. In the shadow of the Alabama State Capitol, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “How Long, Not Long” speech.
Day One – Exploring Historical Downtown Savannah
- Forsyth Farmers’ Market – I love visiting farmers’ markets in new towns because it gives a fun peek into the local scene. I grabbed a bottle of Perc, a local, cold brew as we walked by Georgia peaches.
- Forsyth Park – Surrounding a beautiful fountain was an active scene of ultimate frisbee games and a volleyball tournament.
- E. Shaver, Bookseller – Located right off Madison Square, this independent bookseller also has an adorable tea room. I did the super touristy thing and picked up a copy of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt.
- Cathedral of St. John the Baptist – Completed in 1896, the cathedral was reminiscent of European architecture.
- Lunch – For lunch, we went to Vinnie Van GoGo’s, located in City Market. It looks like a dive, but they serve delicious pizza by the slice (cash only) and a quirky atmosphere.
- Walking and Wandering – On Bay St. we walked by the Cotton Exchange. Paris Market is worth a visit for “treasures from around the planet.” When we were on River St., tropical storm Bonnie was making her presence known so jumped in and out of random stores. One of these was the Savannah Bee Company, offering samples of raw honeycomb.
- Dinner – To work up our appetite we ordered a beer flight at Moon River Brewery. The flight included 11 tastings! The food was decent, but I wouldn’t eat there again.
Day Two – Getting Creative with Tropical Storm Bonnie
- Wormsloe Historic Site – As we pulled up to the entrance the rain started coming down hard. The weather, in combination with the entrance fee, dampened our motivation. On a clear day, I would seize the opportunity to explore the estate.
- Bonaventure Cemetery – Thankfully Bonnie was taking a break when we pulled up to the Bonaventure Cemetery. The grounds are beautifully erie.
- Lunch – For lunch, we went to a fully vegetarian restaurant called The Sentient Bean.
- Bull Street – Spanning from Forsyth Park to City Hall, Bull St. is comprised of many squares and ornate buildings. We did a DIY walking tour as historical markers are seemingly everywhere.
- Tybee Island – The more we wandered the streets of Savannah, the more it started to rain. To avoid getting drenched we decided to take a driving tour of Tybee Island. Located 18 miles from downtown, Tybee Island is a popular beach vacation destination. By the time we arrived the rain had stopped. Perfect timing for a beach walk!
- Dinner – Back at our campsite, we grilled salmon burgers and shrimp skewers. With a glass of red wine and local beer, we were happy campers.
Day Three – Birthday!
- Fort Pulaski – Located on Cockspur Island, Fort Pulaski is a military fort built to guard river passages leading to Savannah. We enjoyed learning a new piece of Civil War history. We attempted to bike around, but our skinny road bike tires were no match for the grassy paths. If you do want to bike, bring one that can handle dirt and grass trails. Also, bring your bug spray! We ate our picnic lunch in the parking lot to avoid being eaten alive by aggressive mosquitos.
- Dinner – For my birthday dinner, we went to Chive Sea Bar and Lounge. I would go back in a heartbeat! We ate incredible seafood surrounded by 1920s decor. We unknowingly arrived during happy hour, granting us $2 off any beer or wine and half-price on appetizers ordered with an entree.
Thanks to cooking all breakfasts and two dinners at our campsite, we kept the trip to a reasonable amount. Also, you can’t beat the low cost of camping accommodations. For the price of one night in a hotel or Airbnb, we stayed for four nights at a campground. Exploring new places doesn’t need to be out of reach, you just have to get creative (and willing to dine by citronella candle while swatting away bugs).
