Georgia City Highlights Itinerary
Historic Atlanta
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park — Sweet Auburn; explore Dr. King’s birth home area, church, and visitor exhibits in the morning, ~2.5 hours.
- Mary Mac’s Tea Room — Midtown; enjoy classic Southern comfort food for lunch, approximately $20–35 per person, ~1 hour.
- Atlanta History Center — Buckhead; tour Atlanta-focused galleries, gardens, and historic buildings in the afternoon, ~2.5 hours.
- The Flying Biscuit Café — Midtown; have a relaxed Southern-style breakfast-for-dinner meal, approximately $15–30 per person, ~1 hour.
- Fox Theatre — Midtown; attend a performance or take an architectural tour in the evening, ~2–3 hours.
Morning
Start at Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Sweet Auburn, ideally around 9:00 AM. Allow about 2½ hours for the visitor exhibits, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the surrounding landmarks connected to Dr. King, including the birth-home area. The visitor center is generally open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, though birth-home tours can have limited capacity or temporary closures, so check the National Park Service schedule before leaving. Parking is available nearby, but arriving early makes the area easier to explore on foot; bring water, especially in late-August heat.
Lunch and Afternoon
Take a short drive—roughly 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic—to Mary Mac’s Tea Room near Midtown for a classic Southern lunch. Expect about $20–35 per person, and plan on an hour; fried chicken, vegetables, cornbread, and peach cobbler are the kind of comforting staples to look for. After lunch, continue north to the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead, usually another 15–25 minutes by car. Give yourself about 2½ hours for the Atlanta-focused galleries, gardens, and historic buildings; its campus is substantial, so comfortable shoes help. Check same-day hours and admission pricing before going—afternoon entry is often available until several hours before closing, and parking is typically easier here than in central Midtown.
Evening
Return toward Midtown for a relaxed dinner at The Flying Biscuit Café, where breakfast-for-dinner plates, grits, biscuits, and other Southern favorites usually run about $15–30 per person. Allow extra time for traffic and parking, particularly on a performance night. Finish at the Fox Theatre, one of Atlanta’s great atmospheric interiors, for a scheduled show or an architectural tour. Performances typically last 2–3 hours; tour times and ticket prices vary, so reserve ahead if there is a specific event. The theatre is on Peachtree Street, and rideshare is often simpler than driving—if you do park, use a nearby garage rather than relying on street spaces.
Savannah Historic District
- Savannah History Museum — Historic District; get an engaging overview of Savannah’s history in the morning, ~1.5 hours.
- Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room — Historic District; share a traditional family-style Southern lunch, approximately $20–35 per person, ~1 hour.
- Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist — North Historic District; admire the ornate interior and stained glass, ~30–45 minutes.
- Forsyth Park — Victorian District; stroll beneath the oaks and see Savannah’s iconic fountain, late afternoon, ~1 hour.
- The Grey — Downtown Savannah; enjoy a memorable dinner in the restored Greyhound terminal, approximately $60–120 per person, ~2 hours.
Morning
After arriving in Savannah, head to the Savannah History Museum in the former Central of Georgia Railway passenger shed. Plan for about 1½ hours, ideally arriving around 10:30 AM; hours are commonly 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, with admission generally around $10–15. It is an easy introduction to the city’s layered history, and the museum’s location makes the rest of the day walkable. From there, walk roughly 15 minutes through the Historic District to Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room on West Jones Street. Expect a traditional family-style Southern lunch—fried chicken, vegetables, cornbread, and plenty of sides—for approximately $20–35 per person. It is cash-oriented and famously popular, so arrive before the main noon rush and be prepared to share a table; hours can be limited and may change seasonally.
Afternoon Exploring
After lunch, take a leisurely 10-minute walk north through the leafy squares to the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Allow 30–45 minutes to admire the marble altars, detailed murals, and stained glass; entry is usually free, though donations are welcome. Check the posted schedule around services, and dress respectfully. Continue south toward Forsyth Park, about a 15-minute walk, or use a short rideshare if the late-August heat is intense. Spend the late afternoon beneath the live oaks, taking in the fountain and the surrounding Victorian-era streets. Savannah is humid at this time of year, so carry water, wear comfortable shoes, and use the park’s shade as a chance to slow down rather than trying to cover every square.
Evening
For dinner, walk or take a quick rideshare back toward downtown to The Grey, the beautifully restored former Greyhound bus terminal on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Reserve well ahead—this is one of Savannah’s hardest tables and dinner typically runs about $60–120 per person before drinks. Set aside roughly two hours for the restaurant’s polished take on Southern cooking; arriving a little early gives you time to appreciate the Art Deco interior and have a drink at the bar. Afterward, keep the evening unhurried with a short stroll around the nearby squares, where the Historic District is especially atmospheric after the daytime heat eases.
