Last year, we spent a few days in Savannah, Georgia, between Christmas and New Year’s Day. My husband and I had visited many years ago and loved it then, so we decided it would be fun to take the kids. Savannah is the perfect winter getaway for us because it’s an easy, two-hour drive from Charleston and doesn’t require any winter clothing! It’s a charming city with a rich history, a vibrant art scene, and a taste for deliciously innovative restaurants.
Day One: Saturday
When we arrived in Savannah, we began at Forsyth Park so we could check out the Farmer’s Market before it closed at 1:00. We strolled around the park and the kids enjoyed the playground. After stopping for a photo at the Forsyth Fountain, we walked up Bull Street to Monterey Square to see the Mercer Williams House. We then continued to Liberty Street for lunch at J. Christopher’s, a casual diner that serves breakfast all day. We spent the afternoon walking around the historic district, gazing at the beautiful homes, all decked out in their holiday finery.
After checking into our Airbnb apartment, we took the dot shuttle to Broughton Street and did some shopping. I bought myself some sweetly scented hand cream at the Savannah Bee Company. We had a delicious dinner at the Little Duck Diner, then went to check out the City Market, where drinks and live music were giving the scene a festive vibe. (In Savannah, you can take your alcoholic drink to go and enjoy it as you walk.) Our kids were delighted by Rhen’s Nest Toy Shop and Savannah’s Candy Kitchen.
Day Two: Sunday
We started with brunch at The Collins Quarter. I had to try their Spiced Lavender Mocha Latte and it did not disappoint. The whole brunch was amazing! From there, it was a 15-minute walk to the Georgia State Railroad Museum. We toured the roundhouse, historic railcars, and model train room. We even had the opportunity to operate a handcar, which was the highlight of the day for our kids!
Next, we walked down the street to the SCAD Museum of Art. The variety of exhibits was incredible – from sculpture to fashion to drawings. When we finished, it was raining outside, so we walked through a second time. Our kids were happy to stay and play with the interactive exhibits until the rain subsided.
After taking some time for a rest at our Airbnb apartment, we headed out for dinner at Treylor Park, a trendy but casual spot with specialty cocktails, craft beer, and a creative menu. We had planned to hit Leopold’s Ice Cream for dessert, but their line was wrapped around the block, so we had to postpone.
Day Three: Monday
We ate a quick breakfast at our apartment, grabbed coffee at The Sentient Bean, and took the dot shuttle to Wright Square to meet our tour guide. We chose Tour with the Teacher‘s Trivia Tour because it’s designed to be fun and educational for both kids and adults. We all learned a lot about the history of Savannah!
Our tour ended in Lafayette Square, so our next stop was the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. The cathedral is truly stunning and is even more delightful to visit at Christmas time. At this point, the kids were getting weary from all the walking, so we made an executive decision to have “lunch” at Leopold’s Ice Cream. No arguments there! The line was shorter than the night before, and the ice cream was worth the wait!
On the way back to our apartment, we explored Colonial Park Cemetery, where many prominent Savannah residents and historical figures are buried. We then walked through Madison Square and over to Whitaker Street to visit the gift shops One Fish Two Fish and Courtland & Co.
After another siesta, we took the dot shuttle down to River Street and walked along the Savannah River. We opted for dinner at Tubby’s Seafood, where I’m pretty sure my kids ate their weight in shrimp. Of course, we also stopped at River Street Sweets for a treat.
Day Four: Tuesday
Before we left Savannah, we decided to visit the American Prohibition Museum. I have to be honest – the place looks like a tourist trap, but it’s actually quite educational. Its exhibits are full of American history and fascinating trivia.
We also took some time to walk through the City Market art galleries before driving home to Charleston. We enjoyed a wonderful visit to Savannah at Christmas time! We look forward to going back again soon!