Fun Fall Getaways for a Long Weekend

Savannah, Georgia

A gracious Georgia city rich in low country cuisine and southern charm. By Samantha Labrecque

Photography: most images courtesy of Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce; (beer and Wormsloe State Historic Park) Samantha Labrecque.

Clockwise from top left: Take a ghost tour and ride down historic River Street. Buy Parisian home goods and macarons at the Paris Market. Stroll down Jones Street and see beautiful architecture. Moon River Brewing Company’s outdoor beer garden. Take a food tour and stop at 22 Square for low country cuisine. Writer Samantha Labrecque and her boyfriend at Wormsloe State Historic Park. Leopold’s Ice Cream is a Savannah institution. Explore the beauty of Forsyth Park. Grab a bite to eat at The Olde Pink House.

Savannah: The city of twenty-two squares, shrimp and grits and southern hospitality. A place where spirits linger, riverboats run and southern Live Oaks draped in Spanish moss bid a touch of romance among the Historic District.

Saturday evening: We arrive in beautiful downtown Savannah at about 9 p.m. and check in to our hotel to drop off the luggage and freshen up a bit post plane ride. After getting our bearings, we make our way down to the popular tourist hotspots on River Street, like Wet Willie’s, a bar with an entire wall lined with alcohol-infused slushies. Tip: Savannah is one of a few open container cities in America, meaning you can take your drink to-go in a plastic cup as long as you sip and savor in the Historic District. wetwillies.com
Sunday morning: Savannah is a pedestrian-friendly city, so bring a good pair of sneakers. We wake up early, eager to start the day and walk through squares that are lined with Live Oaks, until we reach Forsyth Park at the far end of the district. We slowly stroll past an extravagant, picture perfect water fountain that was erected in 1858 and then head over to a tiny corner bistro, Mate Factor, for a cup of coffee and a quick bite to eat. The inside looks like a treehouse and has comfortable, homey vibes. matefactor.cafe
We call an Uber and make our way over to Wormsloe State Historic Site. Oak Avenue, the dirt road leading to a 1736 colonial estate’s plantation house, ruins and more, is a beautiful sight — southern Live Oaks line the street as far as the eye can see. Simply put, it is spectacular. gastateparks.org
Sunday afternoon: Lunch is back downtown at Treylor Park, a retro restaurant serving unique cocktails like the grapeful dead, a grape Kool-Aid vodka mixed with club soda and lime, plus unusual bites. Menu favorites include chicken and pancake tacos, peanut butter and jelly wings, the Treylor Park pot pie, which is wrapped and deep fried in a flour tortilla, and more. treylorpark.com
After stuffing ourselves full, we check out the dainty and exquisite Paris Market, a two-level Parisian boutique full of charming treasures for one’s self and home. Plus, a chic café with offerings like coffee and colorful macarons has you feeling as if you’re right in the heart of France. theparismarket.com
Just down the street is Savannah City Market, an outdoor community gathering place for locals, business owners and tourists alike. Byrd’s Famous Cookies, which was founded in Savannah in 1924, is a small shop in the market that sells homemade bite-sized cookies. Our favorite? Georgia peach, triple chocolate and a package of chocolate chip to go. savannahcitymarket.com; byrdcookiecompany.com
Then, we swing by Moon River Brewing Company just a few streets over for brews like IPAs and lagers in the outdoor beer garden while we cool down as an afternoon shower quickly passes. moonriverbrewing.com
Sunday evening: Dinner at the Olde Pink House, a Georgian mansion from 1771, is a must while in Savannah. After savoring dishes like deep dish chicken pot pie or braised pork shank, head downstairs to the tavern for spirits. theoldepinkhouserestaurant.com. Then, cruise down the Savannah River, which divides Georgia and South Carolina on a Savannah Riverboat. The sunset, a cocktail and music on the top deck make for a charming night. savannahriverboat.com
If time allows, head to Rocks on the Roof at the top of the Bohemian Hotel and enjoy a drink amidst stunning views of the river, the Talmadge Memorial Bridge connecting the two states and beyond.
Monday morning: We wake up early to beat the heat and walk through Chippewa Square, where the famous bus stop scene in Forrest Gump was filmed. We take some time to meander around the neighborhoods and down East Jones Street, named one of the prettiest streets in America, to marvel at the manicured gardens and historic homes. We stumble across E. Shaver, Bookseller, a quaint corner bookstore that was built in 1842 as a personal residence by Eliza Jewett, a female builder. It now houses hundreds of books, a tea room and a trifecta of cats. eshaverbooks.com
Monday afternoon: One of the highlights of our trip is the Savannah Taste Experience food tour. Alongside an overview of the city’s history, our plates are loaded with delicious low country cuisine. Stops at area restaurants include bites like shrimp and grits at 22 Square, mini sausage rolls at Pie Society, Succotash at Savannah Spirits Kitchen and more. savannahtasteexperience.com
Then, we take a step back in history and learn about the temperance movement, southern rum runners and moonshine making at the American Prohibition Museum. The 1920s and ’30s sure were a whiskey business. americanprohibitonmuseum.com
For a quick afternoon cool-me-down, we opt for a homemade treat from the famous Leopold’s Ice Cream. Peach is sweet and satisfying, but Tutti Frutti is a hallmark favorite. leopoldsicecream.com
Monday night: A Savannah mainstay, Crystal Beer Parlor, is off the beaten path but serves burgers and beer that everyone can get behind. Order the Gawgia Cracka Nachos, but know these cheesy chips are meant to be shared. crystalbeerparlor.com. And if you’re still hungry after all of that, head to Husk for dessert and a drink. The seating on the covered porch offers a true southern dining experience and the twice-daily changing dessert menu will have you wanting to go back over and over again. husksavannah.com
To end the night, hop aboard a Ghosts and Gravestones trolley for a ghost tour in America’s most haunted city. We can’t share the secrets behind Savannah’s most sinister spirits, but the tour will stop at the Andrew Low House and Perkin’s and Sons Ship Chandlery, two known haunted hotspots. ghostsandgravestones.com
tuesday morning: Reserve a table for brunch at the Ordinary Pub, which is anything but ordinary. Palatable portions like the pork belly doughnut sliders topped with bacon onion jam or bananas foster French toast will leave you feeling full for the remainder of the day. theordinarypub.com
After a fun-filled, sweet southern getaway, it’s time to head home and board our flight. So long for now, Savannah.