The choice to have my bachelorette in Savannah came down to a few factors: a short flight from New York City (Delta operates direct flights out of LGA and JFK), reasonable costs, and sweater weather in February. I also wasn’t interested in bar crawls, nightclubs, or pedal taverns. The prospect of a nighttime tour of a purportedly haunted old mansion after a few martinis felt more on the mark. I should mention that this trip was in early 2019—before there were brides-to-be wearing veils on the riverwalk, before stylish boutique hotels started springing up, before the Starland District became a bona fide foodie mecca.
Like virtually every Savannah-bound traveler, I was drawn to its history and charm—grand homes, cobbled squares, centuries-old oak trees draped with Spanish moss. Back then, the city’s artsy undercurrent was very much alive, of course (Savannah College of Art and Design was founded in 1978), but it hadn’t become the city’s defining trait—which, I would argue, it is now.
What was once a small, sleepy Southern city has emerged as a buzzing nexus of creativity, fueled by SCAD grads and urbanites seeking greener, more gentle pastures. These days, there’s plenty to explore beyond the leafy squares and preserved landmarks in the historic core.
The purchase and retooling of the old Starland Dairy into artists’ studios ignited a spark of revitalization, transforming what was previously an industrial no-man’s land into a creative hub. Painters, sculptors, designers, and young gastronomes with a forward-thinking vision have put down roots. The result is an area where originality and cuisine flourish, colorful murals cover once derelict buildings, offbeat boutiques sell handmade wares, and the younger generation can find some much-needed excitement.
It’s not only Starland that’s benefited from an infusion of energy. Across the city, the culinary and hotel scenes are rapidly evolving, with dozens of new restaurants and boutique basecamps added to the roster in the past few years. And, of course, a city with this much history has a few long-standing favorites and can’t-miss attractions that very much hold up.
From cobblestones to cocktails (which you can sip while strolling, thanks to Savannah’s open container laws), here’s your complete guide to the coolest compact city in the South.
Where to Stay
Photo: Left Lane