7 Things to Do in Savannah at Night
Savannah is beautiful by day, but it gets better after dark. The gas lamps flicker on, the Spanish moss turns spooky, and the whole historic district slows down to a stroll with a drink in hand.
In this guide
It isn’t a big party town, which is part of the appeal. Nights here are about ghost stories, long dinners and wandering the squares. Here are seven things to do in Savannah at night.
1. Take a ghost tour
Savannah is often called America’s most haunted city, and ghost tours are the most popular thing to do at night. Even if you don’t believe a word, the stories are great, and they teach you a lot of real history along the way.
Tours come in every flavor: walking tours, trolley tours, pub crawls and tours in a converted hearse. Many stop at Colonial Park Cemetery, the city’s oldest surviving burial ground, where the stories get darker. Pick a walking tour for the best atmosphere, and book ahead on weekends, especially in October.
2. Stroll with a to-go cup
Savannah is one of the few US cities where you can legally carry an alcoholic drink on the street. In the historic district, open containers are allowed as long as the drink is in a plastic cup of 16 ounces or less.
Most bars will happily pour your drink into a to-go cup on the way out. Then take it for a walk. The 22 historic squares, shaded by live oaks and lit by lanterns, are at their most beautiful at night. Chippewa Square, where the bench scene in Forrest Gump was filmed, and Monterey Square are two favorites. Be respectful; people live in these houses.
3. Walk River Street
River Street runs along the Savannah River on old cobblestones, lined with converted cotton warehouses. It’s the liveliest part of the city at night, with bars, restaurants, candy shops and live music.
It can be a little touristy and rowdy on weekends, but it’s still fun. Watch the huge cargo ships glide under the Talmadge Bridge. They’re bigger than you’d expect. The stairs between River Street and Bay Street are very steep and uneven, so take care after a few drinks.
4. Have dinner at the Olde Pink House
The Olde Pink House is Savannah’s most famous restaurant, set in a pink mansion from 1771 on Reynolds Square. The food is upscale Southern: fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and a crispy scored flounder that everyone orders.
Book weeks ahead for the dining rooms. If you can’t get a table, head down to Planters Tavern in the basement. It’s a cozy bar with two fireplaces and live piano most nights, and you can order from the same menu. Some say it’s haunted. Of course they do.
5. Catch live music in City Market
City Market is a four-block area of restored buildings with restaurants, bars and art galleries. On many nights, musicians play in the open-air courtyard, and you can listen from a patio table.
It’s casual and family-friendly in the early evening, then livelier later. For something more local, look for small bars and music venues around Congress Street, which runs right past the market and stays busy late.
▶ Watch This Before You Go
6. See Forsyth Park after dark
Forsyth Park is Savannah’s biggest park, and its white fountain, from 1858, is the most photographed spot in the city. At night, it’s lit up, and it’s lovely.
Go just after sunset, when the light is soft and the park is still busy. Later at night, it gets quieter, so stick to the lit paths and walk with company. Then head a few blocks north for a drink or dessert. There are good rooftop bars nearby with views over the historic district.
7. Take a dinner cruise on the river
For something different, take a riverboat cruise on the Savannah River. Several paddlewheel boats leave from River Street, and the evening cruises include dinner, live entertainment and views of the city lights.
It’s a little old-fashioned. That’s the charm. It’s a nice option for a couple or for a family with older kids, and it shows you the city’s waterfront from a whole new angle.
If you’re in town on the first Friday of the month, check what’s on along River Street and in the galleries. Savannah also hosts festivals most weekends in spring and fall, so evenings get busier then.
Where to stay
Stay in the historic district so you can walk everywhere at night. Many beautiful inns and B&Bs are set in old mansions on the squares. The area near Bay Street and River Street is the liveliest. The streets around Forsyth Park are quieter and residential.
Staying safe at night
The historic district is generally safe, and busy with visitors well into the evening. As in any city, stick to well-lit streets, stay aware of your surroundings and take a rideshare if you’re going outside the main area late. Don’t leave valuables in your car.
An easy evening plan
Start with a sunset drink at a rooftop bar near Bay Street, then walk down to River Street as the lights come on. Have dinner at around 7pm, either at the Olde Pink House or somewhere smaller near the squares.
Join a 9pm ghost tour, when the streets are at their darkest and spookiest, then finish with a nightcap at Planters Tavern or a quiet bar on one of the squares. It’s an easy, walkable night, and you’ll never be more than a few blocks from your hotel.
Common questions
Can you drink on the street in Savannah?
Yes, in the historic district, in a plastic cup of 16 ounces or less.
What’s the best ghost tour in Savannah?
A walking tour gives the best atmosphere. Read recent reviews and book ahead on weekends.
Is Savannah safe at night?
The historic district is generally safe. Stick to lit, busy streets and use normal city sense.
Is River Street worth visiting at night?
Yes, for bars, music and ships passing under the bridge, though it’s busy on weekends.
Do you need reservations at the Olde Pink House?
Yes, for the dining rooms. The basement tavern is first-come, first-served.
