Planning a getaway? Check out Savannah, Georgia — a staple of Southern hospitality.

RICtoday City Editor Robin here. When my family drove south to check out Savannah, I fell in love with the live oak trees and Spanish moss lining the sidewalks, the diverse cuisine, and the art around every corner.

Why go?

There's something for everyone in Savannah — and it'seasy to navigate through different neighborhoods. We traveled by foot, but there's also a free trolley bus for popular sites in the Historic District.
In March, Savannah Stopover attracts musicians headed to Austin for South by Southwest for a vibrant, intimate preview at a lower price. You can also see one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the county — and enjoy the party that continues for days — with a springtime visit.
Check out 10 Must-Dos for First Time Visitors from Visit Savannah and Travel + Leisure's insight into the foodie scene for more tips.
If you follow foodie news, you may know that contemporary farm-to-table restaurant Common Thread (122 E. 37th St.) made it on Bon Appétit's list of the 50 Best New Restaurants in 2022.

The experts at Leopold's have been scooping for more than a century. | Photo by RICtoday

Act like a local

Food: Sample fish croquettes (and your choice of what's in season) at the 1938 bus terminal-turned restaurant The Grey, $16
Dessert: Grab a scoop of Leopold's Ice Cream (in business since 1919), $5.50
Shop: Pick up something sweet + buzzworthy as a souvenir from Savannah Bee Company, $8
Outdoors: Plot a walking route to a few of the 22 squares — there's history around every corner.
Learn: Take a tour of the nation's oldest Black church — the First African Baptist Church, $15
Listen: Catch a show at Victory North in the Starland District to hear local tunes in an old ice factory.
Explore: Take in the art + soul of Savannah at City Market, where you can shop handmade jewelry and accessories from local artisans.

Walk the streets of Savannah and stop in at coffee shops, book stores, and art galleries. | Photo by RICtoday

Where to stay [3-4 options]:

Vrbo: Historic row home steps from Forsyth Park (~$262/night)
Airbnb: A cozy condo close to shopping hotspots (~$191/night)
Splurge hotel: The Drayton Hotel (~$500/night)