The Perfect Couples Weekend in Savannah
Savannah was made for couples. The streets are shaded by live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, the squares are full of benches built for two, and the whole historic district moves at a slow, easy pace that makes you want to hold hands.
In this guide
- Saturday morning: Forsyth Park
- Saturday midday: get lost in the squares
- Saturday afternoon: a historic home and a nap
- Saturday night: dinner and River Street
- Sunday morning: Wormsloe
- Sunday afternoon: Bonaventure Cemetery
- Sunday evening: sunset on Tybee Island
- Where to stay as a couple
- When to go
- If you have an extra day
- A few practical tips
- Common questions
Here’s how to spend the perfect couples weekend in Savannah, from a lazy Saturday morning to a beach sunset on Sunday.
Saturday morning: Forsyth Park
Start your weekend at Forsyth Park, Savannah’s biggest and best-loved park. The white cast-iron fountain at the north end dates to 1858, and it’s one of the most photographed spots in the city. Take your photo, then wander the paths under the oaks.
On Saturday mornings, a farmers market sets up at the south end. Grab coffee and a pastry nearby, find a bench and watch the city wake up. It’s a gentle start, and that’s the point.
Saturday midday: get lost in the squares
The historic district is laid out around 22 small squares, each with its own trees, monuments and benches. Walking from one to the next is the single best thing to do in Savannah, and it’s free.
Don’t follow a set route. Just wander. Stroll along Jones Street, often called one of the prettiest streets in America, with its brick townhouses and iron balconies. Stop at the Mercer Williams House on Monterey Square, made famous by the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and look into the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
Saturday afternoon: a historic home and a nap
Pick one historic house to tour together. The Owens-Thomas House and the Andrew Low House are both excellent and take about an hour. They give you a real sense of how the city looked in its early days, including the lives of the enslaved people who built and ran these homes.
Then go back to your hotel and rest. Savannah afternoons can be hot, and you’ll want energy for the evening.
Saturday night: dinner and River Street
Book something special for dinner, and do it a few weeks ahead. The Olde Pink House is a classic, set in an 18th-century mansion with candlelit dining rooms and a cozy tavern downstairs. The Grey, in an old bus station, is more modern and hugely popular.
After dinner, walk down to River Street, where old cotton warehouses now hold bars and shops along the water. Savannah lets you carry a drink in a to-go cup in the historic district, so grab a nightcap and stroll the cobblestones as the ships pass by.
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Sunday morning: Wormsloe
Drive about 20 minutes south to Wormsloe Historic Site. The entrance is a mile-long avenue lined with more than 400 live oaks, their branches meeting overhead. It’s one of the most romantic sights in the South.
Go early, when the light is soft and the crowds are thin. Past the avenue, there are trails through the woods, the ruins of a colonial house and a small museum. Allow about two hours.
Sunday afternoon: Bonaventure Cemetery
It might sound like an odd date, but Bonaventure Cemetery is one of the most beautiful places in Savannah. Mossy oaks shade old marble statues and family plots on a bluff over the Wilmington River.
It’s peaceful, a little haunting and very atmospheric. Pick up a map at the visitor center and look for the grave of songwriter Johnny Mercer. Be respectful, since it’s still an active cemetery.
Sunday evening: sunset on Tybee Island
End your weekend at the beach. Tybee Island is about 30 minutes from downtown and feels like a laid-back little beach town. Climb the 178 steps of the Tybee Island Light Station for a view over the coast.
Then walk out on the pier or find a spot on the sand on the back river side, which faces west and gets the best sunsets. Have dinner at a casual seafood spot. It’s the perfect, unfussy way to end a romantic weekend.
Where to stay as a couple
Stay in the historic district so you can walk everywhere. Savannah is full of romantic bed and breakfasts in old mansions, like the Foley House Inn and the Gastonian. If you want something with a pool and a rooftop bar, the Perry Lane Hotel is a stylish choice. Avoid staying far out by the airport, since walking is half the charm.
When to go
Spring is gorgeous, with azaleas blooming in March and April. Fall is warm and pleasant, with fewer crowds. Summer is very hot and humid, so plan outdoor time for mornings and evenings. December brings holiday lights and cozy inns.
If you have an extra day
Stretch your weekend into Monday and add a few slower moments. Take a carriage ride through the historic district in the evening, or book a riverboat dinner cruise on the Savannah River. Spend a morning browsing the shops on Broughton Street, then have lunch at Leopold’s Ice Cream, which has been scooping since 1919.
A ghost tour is another fun option for couples, especially at night. Savannah calls itself one of the most haunted cities in America, and the guides lean into it. Some are spooky, and some are mostly funny history lessons, so read the reviews and pick your style.
A few practical tips
Wear comfortable shoes, since the sidewalks are uneven and you’ll walk a lot. Bring bug spray in warmer months, especially for Wormsloe and Bonaventure. And slow down. Honestly, the best moments in Savannah tend to happen on a bench in a quiet square, with nowhere in particular to be.
Common questions
Is Savannah good for a romantic weekend?
It’s one of the best in the South, with walkable streets, great food and lovely inns.
Do we need a car?
Not in the historic district. You’ll want one for Wormsloe, Bonaventure and Tybee.
Can you really drink on the street?
Yes, in a to-go cup within the historic district. No glass, and nothing over 16 ounces.
How far is Tybee Island?
About 30 minutes by car from downtown Savannah.
What’s the most romantic restaurant?
The Olde Pink House is the classic choice. Book ahead.
