Start your travel day with a relaxed departure from Santa Fe: drop by Santa Fe Plaza for a quick coffee and a last stroll among the adobe architecture, then head to Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) for check-in and a midday flight. If driving to a connecting airport, plan a scenic coffee stop at Bandelier Coffee Roasters before setting out; allow extra time for TSA and enjoy the desert-to-southbound views as you begin the journey toward Savannah.
After arrival in Savannah, take a light, easy-paced first afternoon by checking into your hotel and stretching your legs with a walk along River Street-browse the cotton warehouses turned shops and grab a refreshing iced tea at The Public Kitchen & Bar. If time and energy allow, ride the scenic Savannah Belles Ferry for a short harbor cruise to see the waterfront from the water, then settle into an early dinner at The Collins Quarter for Southern-inspired plates as you acclimate to the lowcountry evening.
Unwind from travel with a relaxed stroll through the oak-shaded alleys of Jones Street, then settle into a cozy porch-table dinner at The Olde Pink House for classic Lowcountry dishes and live piano (reservations recommended). After dinner, take a moonlit carriage tour from Savannah Carriage Tours to soak up the city's history and gaslight ambiance before returning to your hotel for a well-earned rest.
Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast at Clary's Cafe, then wander into the heart of the Historic District to admire the manicured green of Forsyth Park and its iconic fountain-perfect for photos and people-watching. From there, take a guided walking tour that stops at Savannah Historic Trolley pickup points or small museums like the Green-Meldrim House, letting a local guide weave in stories of the squares as you make your way toward the riverfront for a late-morning coffee at The Collins Quarter River Street before lunch.
Continue your exploration with a leisurely lunch at Leopold's Ice Cream (try a seasonal scoop for dessert), then wander down to the waterfront to visit the atmospheric Savannah Riverfront Market and the nearby Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum to learn about historic vessels and local sea lore. Round out the afternoon with a peaceful carriage ride pick-up at Mallets & More Carriages or a guided architectural walk through the nearby squares, pausing for a riverside cocktail at The Shrimp Factory as the light softens over the river.
As twilight falls, wander toward City Market to browse local galleries and catch live street music, then grab a craft cocktail at the cozy speakeasy The Alley Cat Lounge for intimate atmosphere and seasonal drinks. Finish the night with a ghost tour from Ghosts & Gravestones for a theatrical, lantern-lit romp through hidden squares and historic cemeteries before returning to your hotel to rest for tomorrow's Tybee Island plans.
Start with a soulful Southern breakfast at The Collins Quarter at Forsyth Park (try the avocado smash and a nitro cold brew), then stroll the park's perimeter to admire the live oaks and local photographers capturing the fountain. Head east into the quieter squares to join a small-group food tour that stops at Mellie's Corner Café for biscuits, Zunzi's for a signature sandwich, and a final tasting of Savannah pralines at River Street Sweets-a delicious way to sample neighborhood flavors while learning the city's culinary stories.
After a hearty morning, wander eastward to explore the boutique-lined streets around Broughton Street, popping into galleries and the charming bookshop E. Shaver, Bookseller for a local read. Stop for a relaxed lunch at The Grey Market's deli counter (try a shrimp salad or their famous biscuit), then take a slow, self-guided tour of tucked-away squares like Telfair Square and Chippewa Square, pausing at outdoor benches to watch life in the city and sip a post-lunch iced coffee from Foxy Loxy Cafe.
As twilight deepens, wander from the squares toward The Olde Pink House's nearby neighbor Husk Savannah for a refined Lowcountry supper that highlights regional seafood and heirloom vegetables (reservations recommended). After dinner, enjoy a riverside nightcap at The Collins Quarter River Street's bar or catch live jazz at The Jazz Corner for an intimate finish to your day before a slow, lantern-lit walk back through the gaslit streets to your hotel.
Catch an early ferry-like vibe with a sunrise walk along Tybee Island Beach-bring a thermos and stroll past sand dunes while local fishermen set up for the day. Afterward, climb the spiral stairs of Tybee Island Light Station & Museum for panoramic views, then reward yourself with fresh seafood and Lowcountry coffee at The Breakfast Club, Too, before renting a bike from Tybee Island Bike Shop to explore quieter north-end beaches and the historic Battery Garland.
After a morning on the north end, head to the lively south end for lunch at A-J's Dockside Restaurant & Oyster Bar, then stroll the wooden piers near Tybee Island Marine Science Center to spot shorebirds and learn about local tide ecology. In the late afternoon, rent a kayak from Tybee Island Kayak Company for a guided paddle through the calm marsh channels around Lighthouse Inlet, finishing with golden-hour photos of the island's dunes before returning to town for dinner.
As the sun sets, head to The Deck Beach Bar & Kitchen for fresh Lowcountry seafood and an outdoor table where you can watch colors deepen over the Atlantic, then stroll the shoreline toward North Beach Pavilion to catch the final light and hear the evening surf. After dinner, take a guided night walk with Tybee Island Ecology Adventures to search for shorebirds and learn about the island's nocturnal ecosystems, or unwind with a craft cocktail at Gnat's Landing while planning tomorrow's return to Savannah.
Head out for a tranquil morning at Wormsloe Historic Site, strolling its famous live oak avenue and exploring the colonial tabby ruins before a guided tour of the interpretive center; afterward, drive a short way to Bonaventure Cemetery for a peaceful walk among sculpted monuments and sweeping river views, with time to photograph the moss-draped oaks. Finish the morning at Davenport House Museum, where a docent-led tour reveals 19th-century domestic life in Savannah and ties together the day's themes of landscape, history, and preservation.
Spend a cultivated afternoon at Middleton Place, wandering the landscaped terraces and orchards before joining a guided stable-yard talk about heirloom crops and historic rice cultivation; afterward drive a short distance to Wormsloe Visitor Center & Gardens for a different perspective on colonial landscaping and interpretive exhibits (note: this is a separate, garden-focused visit from your morning). Finish with a relaxed late-afternoon visit to Savannah's Telfair Museums - Jepson Center to explore contemporary Southern art and rotating exhibits, then enjoy coffee and pastries at the museum café as sunlight softens over the nearby squares.
As the day cools, enjoy a twilight stroll through the formal terraces and reflection pools at Magnolia Gardens (noted for its camellias and curated boxwood beds), then settle in for a candlelit tour and Southern supper at The Olde Pink House's sister restaurant, The Lady & Sons Inn (reservations recommended) to savor regional flavors in an intimate setting. Finish the night with an after-hours talk or lecture at SCAD Museum of Art when available, or sip a nightcap on the museum terrace while savoring the gentle hum of the city-an elegant close that ties the day's historic landscapes to Savannah's thriving arts scene.