6 Romantic Things to Do in Savannah
Savannah might be the most romantic city in America. It’s slow, it’s beautiful, and it feels a little like stepping back in time. The historic center is a grid of 22 leafy squares, each one surrounded by old mansions and shaded by huge live oaks dripping with Spanish moss.
In this guide
- 1. Walk Forsyth Park in the evening
- 2. Take a carriage ride through the squares
- 3. Have dinner at the Olde Pink House
- 4. Drive the oak avenue at Wormsloe, then visit Bonaventure
- 5. Watch the sunset on River Street
- 6. Escape to Tybee Island for the day
- A few small extras worth adding
- Where to stay as a couple
- Common questions
It’s walkable, it’s full of good restaurants, and you’re allowed to carry a drink in a to-go cup around the historic district. That last one helps. Here are six things to do as a couple.
1. Walk Forsyth Park in the evening
Forsyth Park is the big park at the south end of the historic district, 30 acres of lawns and oak trees. Its white cast-iron fountain, from 1858, is probably the most photographed thing in Savannah, and it’s the spot for proposals and wedding photos.
Come in the late afternoon. Grab a drink to go, walk the long path under the oaks to the fountain, and find a bench. On Saturday mornings there’s a farmers market at the south end, which makes a lovely breakfast date too.
2. Take a carriage ride through the squares
Yes, it’s a bit cheesy. Do it anyway. A horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic district at dusk is one of the most romantic things you can do in Savannah, clopping slowly past the squares and the gas lamps while the guide tells you the history (and plenty of ghost stories).
Book a private carriage if you can. Group tours are cheaper, but it’s not quite the same sharing it with a family of six.
Afterwards, wander through the squares on foot. Each one has its own character, and some of the quietest are in the southern half of the district. Monterey Square, with the Mercer-Williams House from “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” is one of the prettiest.
3. Have dinner at the Olde Pink House
The Olde Pink House is a mansion on Reynolds Square, built in 1771 and painted a soft pink. Now it’s one of the most famous restaurants in the South, with candlelit dining rooms full of antiques and fireplaces.
The food is Southern with a modern twist: crispy scored flounder, shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes. Book well ahead. If you can’t get a table, the cozy piano bar downstairs in the old cellar takes walk-ins and serves the full menu.
4. Drive the oak avenue at Wormsloe, then visit Bonaventure
About 20 minutes from downtown, Wormsloe Historic Site is the ruin of a colonial estate. You’ve probably seen the photo even if you don’t know the name: a perfectly straight avenue over a mile long, lined with more than 400 live oaks arching overhead. It’s breathtaking, and it’s one of the most romantic places in the South.
Then head to Bonaventure Cemetery, on a bluff above the Wilmington River. That might sound like a strange date, but trust me. It’s a beautiful, peaceful place with moss-covered oaks, old marble statues and winding paths, more like a park than a graveyard. It was made famous by the cover of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
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5. Watch the sunset on River Street
River Street runs along the Savannah River at the north edge of the old town. Its cobblestones and old cotton warehouses are now home to shops, bars and restaurants, and it’s busy and touristy. Still, at sunset, as the big container ships glide past on the way to port, it’s lovely.
Take the free ferry across the river for a view of the skyline from the other side, or book a riverboat dinner cruise. For a quieter drink with a view, find a rooftop bar overlooking the water.
6. Escape to Tybee Island for the day
When you’ve had enough of the city, drive 20 minutes east to Tybee Island, Savannah’s beach. It’s laid-back and a little funky, with pastel cottages, seafood shacks and long stretches of sand.
Climb the 178 steps of the Tybee Island Light Station for the view, then walk the beach and watch for dolphins in the water. Stay for dinner and a sunset over the marshes on the back side of the island. It’s a perfect day.
A few small extras worth adding
If you have a spare hour, a few smaller things make a Savannah weekend feel special. Leopold’s Ice Cream on Broughton Street has been scooping since 1919, and sharing a cone there after dinner is about as sweet as a date gets. Expect a line in the evening. It moves fast.
The Mercer-Williams House runs short tours of the mansion from the book, and the Owens-Thomas House is one of the finest Regency homes in the country. For something with a little spookiness, an after-dark ghost tour on foot is a fun, silly way to see the squares by lamplight. Savannah calls itself America’s most haunted city, and it leans into it.
And on Sunday morning, skip the busy brunch spots and pick up coffee and pastries to eat on a bench in a quiet square. It’s the most Savannah way to start a day.
Where to stay as a couple
Savannah has lots of romantic places to stay. Historic inns and B&Bs in old mansions are the classic choice, many with fireplaces, four-poster beds and evening wine and cheese. Look around the squares in the middle of the historic district, so everything is walkable.
For something more modern, there are several boutique hotels near River Street and in the Plant Riverside District.
Common questions
When is the best time for a romantic trip to Savannah?
March to May and October to November. The weather is mild, and in spring the azaleas bloom all over town.
How many days do we need?
A long weekend of three nights is perfect. It gives you time for the city and a day trip to Tybee.
Can you really drink in the streets in Savannah?
Yes, in the historic district, as long as it’s in a plastic cup of 16 ounces or less. Glass bottles and cans aren’t allowed.
Do we need a car?
Not in the historic district. You’ll want one, or a rideshare, for Wormsloe, Bonaventure and Tybee.
Is the Olde Pink House worth it?
Yes, especially for a special occasion. Book early, or try the cellar bar.
