A Family Weekend in Savannah GA {The Great Southern Road Trip}

I am so excited to share my favorite way to spend a weekend with my family in Savannah, The Hostess City of the South, as part of the Great Southern Road Trip today!

I grew up in Georgia’s first city and am fortunate to still spend a good deal of time back home with my family.  You can read about ALL of my Savannah favorites HERE and find my “Delightful Savannah” weekend itinerary below!

forsyth2 dd2 Photo Credit: J. Miers

FRIDAY / DAY 1

After driving in to town and settling in your hotel, you’re going to have some stir crazy littles on your hand!

Hop on over to Tricentennial Park where you can find all sorts of fun and educational things, as well as lots of room for them to stretch their legs and run out their wiggles.  You’ll find:

  • Savannah History Museum – get grounded the city’s history from 1733, spanning the American Revolution and Civil War, all the way to today
  • Savannah Children’s Museum – located in one of the original structures at the Georgia Railroad Museum, it’s a stunning and whimsical place where you and your littles can lose yourself for hours
  • Georgia State Railroad Museum – the world’s largest and most complete Antebellum railroad repair facility still in existence

You should be sufficiently starving by now and you and your littles will adore The Pirate’s House for dinner.  The food is good but you really go there for the experience.  Located in a mysterious building that first opened as an inn for seafarers in 1753, you can still see the tunnels that lead to the river and pirates pop by your table.

 

SATURDAY / DAY 2

Start the day off right with a bite to eat at Back in the Day Bakery,  a retro, relaxed and remarkable stop for a light breakfast, quick lunch or fabulous dessert.  I implore you to try the ‘nana puddin’ and will go ahead and advise you to get a little to-go bag for snacks the rest of the day.

To really get a feel for the history and beauty of Savannah I must recommend an on-and-off trolley tour!  Old Town Trolley Tours is a favorite, where you can find stops for:

  • The Juliette Gordon Lowe Birthplace (home of the Girl Scouts)
  • Savannah Bee Company – don’t miss the honey tasting bar and try one of their delicious drinks sweetened with honey
  • Paris Market – you simply must have a snack (frozen french hot chocolate and an iced cookie) at the brocante and explore this one of a kind shop
  • Leopold’s Ice Cream – have a float in this retro and iconic Savannah ice cream parlor
  • Forsyth Park – let the littles stretch their legs and run loose in this expansive and gorgeous city park
  • Mercer House (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil)
  • Cathedral of St. John the Baptist – stunning Catholic church (where we were married)
  • Colonial Park Cemetery – there is so much history here; be sure to have the littles look for headstones with dates changed by Union soldiers!
  • River Street – grab a praline at River Street Sweets and watch the hustle and bustle of the river; Take the water ferry across the river to the Westin and back for a fun boat ride (free) and be sure to see the Waving Girl statue!
  • Ellis Square (just outside of City Market) has a small sprayground open seasonally and is a another great place to let the littles run free
  • Vinnie Van GoGo’s is downtown Savannah’s pizza spot.  Grab a slice and sit on the bricks to listen to live music.  Note that they only accept cash.

At this point, you’ve earned a nice dinner out.  The Olde Pink House unrivaled for Southern service and divine eats. This is a must-eat for all visiting Savannah. Start your evening with cocktails in the lounge and end it with the praline basket. You can go casual or dressy and feel free to take the littles along (you might consider dining early).

 

SUNDAY / DAY 3

In my mind, it’s hardly a trip to Savannah without a visit to Tybee Beach.  Check out of your hotel and sit down for breakfast at Goose Feathers Express Cafe.  It has been one of my favorites for as long as I can remember and it’s barely changed a lick in twenty-five years.  It’s a great place for breakfast (all day) and lunch and you cannot leave without a heath bar cookie.

On the way to Tybee, if you are a history and cemetery lover, you must stop in Bonaventure Cemetery.  It’s hauntingly beautiful and home to many famous Savannahians.

Down at Tybee, do a tour of Fort Pulaski.  My littles absolutely adore it!  Be sure to ask for the “scavenger hunt” to become a Junior Park Ranger at the welcome desk.

Make your last Savannah meal a yummy and casual seafood lunch at AJ’s Dockside and then make your way down to the beach for a sandy walk and a dip in the water.  On your way off the island save room for a sweet treat at the Sugar Shack and pop into Seaside Sisters for some delightful shopping!

There is really SO much more to do and you can find all of my favorites on the Delightful Savannah page.

This wraps up my weekend in Savannah.  I do hope y’all enjoy the ride on The Great Southern Road Trip!!  The other three stops on today’s tour will take you to Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee:

Wednesday Graphic- FINAL

Dixie Delights {Savannah, GA} | Slightly Coastal {Fernandina Beach, FL}
Uptown Acorn {Grand Isle, LA} | The House of Wood {Nashville, TN}

If YOU have Savannah favorites, I’d love to hear them in the comments!!  And, if you are new to Dixie Delights, I’m just *delighted* to have you!!

xoxo

Dixie Delights Delightful Savannah

The Great Southern Road Trip

MONDAY:
Southern State of Mind {Atlanta, GA} | Restless Arrow {Belton, SC}
Southern Hospitality {Marietta, GA} | Our Southern Home {Caswell Beach, NC}

TUESDAY:
Unskinny Boppy {Birmingham, AL} | Maison de Pax {Austin, TX}
Atta Girl Says {Greensboro, NC} | 3 Little Greenwoods {Aiken, SC}

WEDNESDAY:
Dixie Delights {Savannah, GA} | Slightly Coastal {Fernandina Beach, FL}
Uptown Acorn {Grand Isle, LA} | The House of Wood {Nashville, TN}

THURSDAY:
11 Magnolia Lane {Southern Pines/Pinehurst, NC} | The Turquoise Home {Huntsville, AL}
Duke Manor Farm {Pendergrass, GA} | Domestic Charm {Charlotte, NC}

FRIDAY:
Our Fifth House {Charleston, SC} | At Home with the Barkers {Greenville, SC}
Simple Stylings {Mount Pleasant, SC} | Refresh Restyle {Bishop, GA}

SATURDAY:
Link up YOUR Southern city!

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8 thoughts on “A Family Weekend in Savannah GA {The Great Southern Road Trip}

  1. This was a great post, Amanda! Savannah is one of my favorite cities; and we hit many of the places that you mentioned. We’re planning to go back; and I will definitely have to try some of the ones that you mentioned.

  2. You know that I’ve been missing Savannah since we moved away last summer. Maybe that’s why we’ve been back down to visit at least five or six times since then! Next time you go, bring me back a Pink Lady! :)

  3. I have only been for St Patricks Day in college, my bachelorette weekend and a weekend with the hubs so this is good stuff for visiting with the boys. Thanks for joining the road trip!

  4. Amanda,
    When my youngest started college the fall of 2012, my husband and I literally left the campus in IOWA and drove to Savannah. Boy was it hot! I am a southern girl at heart being from Minnesota. Subscribe to many magazines that relate to the south. So many places you mention we have gone to but a few newbies for our next venture. Did I miss you mentioning Leopolds Ice Cream – a must do:)

  5. We were just in Savannah the last week in May and it was wonderful. Loved touring the squares, a couple of historical homes, lunch at The Olde Pink House and The Public (our favorite). The trolly tour is well worth it. Such a beautiful city. Can’t wait to return sometime.

  6. I love your city and visit there often. I’ve tried most of your suggestions and agree that they are all super fun. I especially recommend the Trolley tour for fist time visitors, it helps to get your bearings when there is so much to do and see in a weekend. Another tour I love is the candle light walking tour, it is so much cooler (temp and experience) after the sun goes down!
    Cheers!
    Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

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