Leave CAK Akron–Canton Airport on a morning flight and expect about 4.5–6.5 hours total travel time with your connection into Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Once you land, baggage claim is easy, and a taxi or rideshare into downtown usually takes 20–25 minutes and runs about $25–$40. For your first day, I’d keep the hotel close to the historic district so you can drop your bags, freshen up, and avoid wasting energy on logistics. If you’re driving from the airport later in the trip, downtown parking runs best in hotel garages or city decks; otherwise, rideshares are the simplest way to move around Savannah.
Start with Forsyth Park in the late afternoon, when the light is soft and the fountain is at its prettiest. It’s one of the easiest “welcome to Savannah” stops: flat, shaded in parts, and perfect for a relaxed 30–45 minute stroll without overcommitting on day one. The surrounding Victorian District gives you that classic Savannah feel immediately—big porches, old brick, and live oaks draped in Spanish moss. If you’re staying nearby, you can even walk there from many downtown hotels; otherwise, a short rideshare is the easiest move.
From there, wander a few blocks to The Paris Market & Brocante on Broughton Street. It’s part café, part boutique, part treasure hunt, and it’s a lovely low-key stop for an arrival-day browse—good for coffee, a pastry, and a little shopping without feeling rushed. Expect to spend about 45 minutes, maybe longer if you like looking at home goods and gifts. Then head to The Grey for dinner; reservations are smart, especially in peak spring travel season. It’s in a beautifully restored old Greyhound station and is one of those Savannah dinners that feels special without being stiff. Plan roughly $35–$70 per person depending on drinks and entrees, and allow 1.5–2 hours so you can enjoy it at an easy pace.
If you still have energy after dinner, finish at Peregrin atop the Thompson Savannah for a light nightcap and views over the river and city rooftops. It’s a good choice for older travelers because you can keep it brief, enjoy the scenery, and call it a night without committing to another full outing. A drink or dessert here usually runs about $15–$25 per person. Afterward, take a short rideshare back to your hotel and rest up—you’ll have plenty of time tomorrow to explore Savannah more deeply.
From Downtown Savannah, you can do this whole day beautifully on foot, with maybe a short rideshare if your feet need a break. Start early at Chippewa Square—it’s one of the prettiest and easiest squares to orient yourselves in, and in the morning it’s calm, shady, and great for photos. Give yourselves 20–30 minutes to just wander the benches, live oaks, and surrounding streets before heading on. From there, it’s an easy stroll to the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist in the Cathedral District. Plan on about 45 minutes here; it’s usually open to visitors during the day, and there’s no big admission fee, though a donation is appreciated. The interior is genuinely breathtaking, so take your time looking up and around.
Next, continue to the Mercer-Williams House Museum near Monterey Square. This is one of those Savannah stops that gives the historic district more texture, especially if you enjoy architecture and a little local lore. Allow about an hour, and expect a ticket in the neighborhood of $15–$20 per person, depending on tour format. The walk between these stops is part of the pleasure—quiet blocks, handsome homes, and plenty of places to pause without feeling rushed.
For lunch, head to Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room in the historic district, and do yourself a favor by arriving early. They’re typically open for lunch only, and the line can build before opening; getting there 20–30 minutes ahead is smart, especially in a popular season like March. It’s family-style Southern cooking, so you’ll sit with others and pass bowls around, which is part of the charm. Budget about $25–$40 per person, including a tip. It’s one of those meals that feels like an experience rather than just a reservation, so don’t plan anything too tightly right after.
After lunch, take a slower walk over to the Sorrel Weed House Museum by Madison Square. This is a strong afternoon stop because the house itself is impressive, and the storytelling around Savannah’s history adds a different layer to the day. Plan about an hour here; ticket prices are usually around the mid-teens to low-20s per person. If you’re ready for a breather afterward, sit for a few minutes in Madison Square or nearby Taylor Square—Savannah is at its best when you let the squares do some of the work for you.
Wrap up at Clary’s Cafe, a dependable, no-fuss dinner spot with old-Savannah charm and a menu that’s easy to like after a full day of walking. It’s casual, reasonably priced, and a good choice if you want a relaxed meal without the dressier downtown scene. Expect roughly $15–$28 per person, and if you go around 5:30–6:00 pm you’ll usually avoid the longest wait. After dinner, if you still have energy, take one last slow stroll through the nearby squares before heading back to your hotel; Savannah evenings are lovely and often the best time of day to simply wander.
Leave Savannah early enough to be standing at Tybee Island Lighthouse & Museum shortly after opening, ideally around 9:00 AM, before the day gets warm and parking fills up. The grounds are easy to enjoy even if you skip the climb, and for most visitors in their 70s the tower is optional rather than essential — the museum, keeper’s house, and ocean breeze make this a very pleasant first stop. Admission is usually modest, around $10–$15 for adults, and you’ll want about 1.5 hours here without rushing.
A short drive brings you to Fort Pulaski National Monument, which is one of the best historical stops in the area and a nice contrast to the beach part of the day. Give yourselves 1.5 to 2 hours to wander the ramparts, walk the moat trail if you feel up to it, and take in the impressive brickwork. The site is usually open daily from morning until late afternoon, and the entrance fee is typically around $15 per vehicle. There’s plenty of parking, and the pace is easy, shaded in places, and very doable.
For lunch, head to The Crab Shack, a classic Tybee stop with outdoor seating right on the water and that relaxed Lowcountry feel people come here for. It’s fun, casual, and a good place to slow down over shrimp, crab, or fried seafood; expect roughly $25–$45 per person depending on what you order. After lunch, continue to Tybee Island Beach and Tybee Pier & Pavilion for an easy afternoon walk and some time just sitting by the ocean. The pier area is straightforward to access, with nearby parking and restrooms, and if you don’t want a long beach walk, even a short stroll and a few minutes watching the waves is enough to make the day feel complete.
Wrap up with dinner at The Salt Island Fish & Beer, a relaxed, modern beach-town spot that’s a nice fit after a full Tybee day. It’s the kind of place where you can unwind over fresh seafood without feeling dressed up, and dinner usually runs about $25–$45 per person. If you’re staying in downtown Savannah, plan to leave Tybee after dinner or just before sunset so you’re not driving back too late; the return on US-80 W / Tybee Rd is usually about 35–45 minutes, though a little longer on a busy beach evening.
After your Tybee morning, head back into Savannah and give yourselves an easy indoor reset at SCAD Museum of Art. It’s a smart choice after the coast because the pace is gentle, the galleries are compact, and you can spend about 75 minutes here without feeling rushed. Plan to arrive a little after opening, when it’s quieter and the walk through the museum is relaxed. Admission is usually around $10–$15, and there’s often convenient parking nearby if you’re driving, though a short rideshare from Tybee is the easiest option. From there, it’s a pleasant walk or very short hop into City Market, where you can browse the galleries and little shops at your own pace and maybe stop for a coffee or sweet treat without committing to a big sightseeing block.
For lunch, settle into Collins Quarter at Forsyth, one of the most reliable brunch spots in town and especially nice if you want a polished but not fussy meal. It sits near Forsyth Park, so the setting feels very Savannah—tree-shaded, elegant, and walkable. Expect around $20–$35 per person depending on whether you do brunch plates, salads, or something heartier; it’s a good place to linger for an hour and recharge before the afternoon. If the weather is good, you can take a slow stroll past the park after eating, but keep it unhurried so your feet stay fresh for the rest of the day.
From there, work your way downtown to River Street, where the whole point is simply to wander. The cobblestones can be uneven, so wear supportive shoes and take your time on the sloping streets; the reward is the river views, old warehouses, passing ships, and plenty of benches if you want to pause. After about an hour and a half, head inland to Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace near Wright Square. It’s a very manageable historic house museum, and at roughly 45 minutes it gives you one more layer of Savannah history without turning the day into a museum marathon. Finish with dinner at Vic’s on the River, one of the best classic choices on the waterfront for a more elegant evening; plan on $35–$65 per person, and if you want a good river view, ask for a table when you book. If you’re returning to a downtown hotel, this is a lovely night for a slow walk afterward rather than another big outing.
For your last Savannah morning, keep it simple and beautiful: start with an easy walk through the Savannah Historic District around Monterey Square and the nearby side streets. This is the kind of stroll Savannah does best—quiet in the early morning, draped in live oaks, with handsome old homes and little pockets of shade that make walking pleasant even in warmer weather. From your downtown hotel, this is usually a short rideshare or, if you’re staying central, an easy walk. Give yourselves about 45 minutes with no agenda other than enjoying the squares and taking a few photos.
From there, head to Back in the Day Bakery on the Bull Street corridor for breakfast or coffee. It’s a local favorite, casual and friendly, and a good place to sit down before your travel day. Expect about $10–$20 per person depending on how much you order. It’s smart to go earlier rather than later, since the line can build up and the seating is limited. If you’re driving, street parking is usually manageable in the area; if not, a quick rideshare keeps the morning easy.
After breakfast, make your way to Bonaventure Cemetery on Bonaventure Road in east Savannah, one of the city’s most atmospheric places and a lovely final stop if you want something memorable but not rushed. The grounds are peaceful and expansive, with mossy oaks, sculptures, and the kind of Savannah scenery people remember long after the trip. Plan on about 1.5 hours, and wear comfortable walking shoes because the paths are uneven in spots. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated, and it’s best to go before midday when the light is soft and the grounds are calmer. A self-guided visit is fine; you do not need to over-plan this one.
Head back downtown for one last sweet stop at Leopold’s Ice Cream on Broughton Street. It’s a classic Savannah tradition and a fun farewell before you head to the airport. Budget about $8–$15 per person, and expect a bit of a wait if you arrive at a busy time. If you have luggage in the car, this is also a nice point to do a quick check before leaving town. From downtown, the drive to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is usually about 20–25 minutes, but I’d leave extra time for rental car return, security, and the fact that airport traffic can slow down at peak times. For a connecting flight back to CAK Akron–Canton Airport, a mid-afternoon departure is the least stressful choice, giving you roughly 4.5–6.5 hours total travel time depending on the connection.