Start the day with a slow, guided stroll through the city’s famous grid of squares—begin at Chippewa Square (home of the Forrest Gump bench shot) and continue to Wright, Johnson, and Madison Squares—pausing to enjoy live oaks draped in Spanish moss and the many monuments. Pop into the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters for a richly interpreted look at antebellum domestic life, then grab a savory biscuit and coffee at a nearby café like Collins Quarter to fuel your walking morning.
After lunch, head down to the Savannah Historic Riverfront: wander along River Street’s cobblestones, browse galleries and shops housed in old cotton warehouses, and take a short harbor cruise or tall-ship tour for views of the shipping channel and Fort Pulaski from the water. Visit the Savannah History Museum or the Telfair Academy/Jepson Center (both on or near Telfair Square) to soak in regional art and history—these museum choices let you sit, reflect, and dive deeper into Savannah’s cultural stories.
As evening falls, enjoy dinner at a classic Lowcountry restaurant such as The Olde Pink House or a riverside spot with views of the lit-up bridge; try shrimp and grits or she-crab soup for local flavor. Finish with a relaxed after-dinner walk through the softly lit squares—Forsyth Park’s fountain is especially atmospheric at dusk—or join a reputable ghost- or history-walking tour to cap the day with storytelling that brings Savannah’s past to life.
After a leisurely breakfast in Savannah (try The Collins Quarter or Back in the Day Bakery), drive ~30 minutes to Tybee Island and start at the Tybee Island Light Station & Museum — climb the lighthouse for breezy panoramic views of the Atlantic and explore the small museum and keeper’s quarters. Follow that with a relaxed stroll along North Beach or the paved promenade, watching pelicans and shorebirds and stopping for a mid-morning coffee or fresh seafood snack at Jessie’s or The Crab Shack.
Spend the early afternoon with a guided kayak or eco-tour through the salt marshes around Lazaretto Creek to see dolphins, marsh birds, and the tidal environment up close, or visit Fort Pulaski National Monument (a short drive back toward Savannah) to walk its ramparts and learn about Civil War defenses. If you prefer sand and sun, rent a beach chair and umbrella near the Tybee Pier, stroll the pier for fishing and views, and pop into local shops for a cold drink and souvenir seashells.
Return to Tybee Pier or the North Beach area for a waterfront dinner at The Deck Beach Bar & Kitchen or A-J’s Dockside Restaurant to enjoy fresh Lowcountry seafood and sunset views over the water. After dinner, take a slow walk along the shore under the early evening sky — if you’d like, join a local dolphin-watch cruise or simply linger on the beach to listen to the surf before heading back to your Savannah lodgings.
Choose between two classic Lowcountry gardens depending on how active you feel: spend the morning at Middleton Place exploring America’s oldest landscaped gardens—wander the terraced grounds, admire the century-old camellias and azaleas, and visit the stableyard and house museum for deep historical context and furnished rooms. If you prefer a shorter, more riverside walk, head to Wormsloe Historic Site to follow the iconic live-oak avenue, walk the scenic riverside trails, and take in the interpretive exhibits about colonial Savannah.
After a relaxed lunch at the Middleton Place café or a picnic beneath the oaks at Wormsloe, continue your immersion by joining a guided grounds tour or demonstration (Middleton often offers horticulture and craft talks) or drive to nearby Isle of Hope for a gentle stroll along the waterfront and colonial-era cottages—stop at local spots like The Green Truck Pub for a coffee or light fare. If you're interested in deeper history, schedule a short visit to the A.E. Beach Museum at Wormsloe or the nearby Pin Point Heritage Museum to learn about Gullah-Geechee culture and rice-farming legacies.
Return to Savannah in time for dinner at a laid-back tavern or Lowcountry restaurant—consider The Collins Quarter at Forsyth for a garden-proximate meal or Treylor Park for inventive Southern plates—and savor classic dishes like fried green tomatoes or Lowcountry seafood boils. Finish the day with a gentle twilight walk through one of the city squares or a quiet seat on the riverfront to watch the lights come up, reflecting on the day’s landscape and history before resting up for the Skidaway Island outing tomorrow.
After two days of squares, coastlines and plantation gardens, ease into the day with a short drive to Skidaway Island State Park and start on the easy, well-marked Salt Marsh Boardwalk and Live Oak Trail—these shady paths wind beneath giant live oaks draped in Spanish moss and offer frequent benches for rest and birdwatching. Pop into the park’s visitor center for a map and look for fiddler crabs, snowy egrets and osprey; if you’re feeling energetic, combine the half-mile boardwalk with the longer 3-mile Skidaway Island Loop for varied marsh and maritime forest scenery.
After a picnic lunch at one of the park’s tables or the nearby picnic area, take a guided kayaking or eco-tour from a local outfitter (check Skidaway Island or Wilmington River guides) to paddle along tidal creeks and see dolphins, herons and the subtle tidal rhythms up close—these calm waters make for accessible, senior-friendly paddling options with an experienced guide. Alternatively, drive the short distance to the Wilmington River waterfront for a gentle riverside walk and visit the Isle of Hope neighborhood to admire historic cottages and waterfront views; stop at The Green Truck Pub or a waterfront café for a refreshing snack.
Return to Savannah mid-to-late evening for a relaxed dinner — choose a casual waterfront spot like The Wyld Dock Bar near the marsh for fresh seafood and sunset views or head into town for a quiet meal at The Collins Quarter to compare flavors from earlier in the trip. Finish the day with a slow, reflective stroll through a lamp-lit square or Forsyth Park’s lawn, listening for night birds and letting the day’s salt-tinged air and live-oak canopy settle you before tomorrow’s optional extras and departure.
Begin the day with a serene visit to Bonaventure Cemetery—take a guided walking tour to learn about the cemetery’s Victorian monuments, famous residents (like Johnny Mercer), and the poetic live-oak drapery that makes this place iconic; arrive early for softer light and fewer crowds. If you’d prefer something livelier, start at the nearby Bonaventure Historical Society or swing by the Bonaventure Café for coffee and a light breakfast before a slow drive along the Vernon River scenic route to soak in marsh views.
Spend the afternoon filling any lingering interests: return to town for a visit to the Jepson Center or the Telfair Museums to catch exhibits you missed, stroll Bay Street boutiques and the City Market for last-minute souvenirs, or take a short ferry or trolley tour to the coastal neighborhoods for a relaxed orientation before departure. Alternatively, if time allows, enjoy a final riverside meal and a walk at the Atlanta or Broughton Street shops, or detour to the Wormsloe Colonial Entrance for a last stretch beneath the live-oak avenue and a few photos.
For your final evening, savor a celebratory Lowcountry dinner—choose a classic like The Olde Pink House for ambiance or a casual waterfront send-off at The Wyld or River’s Exchange for views and seafood—and toast the trip with shrimp and grits or a she-crab soup. If your departure is later or scheduled the next day, finish with one last slow walk through Forsyth Park or the softly lit squares to take in the moss-draped oaks and let the calm of Savannah linger as you pack up and depart.