Best One Day In Savannah, Georgia: Itinerary For 24 Hours

Last Updated on March 2, 2024 by Soumya

Is 1 day in Savannah, GA, enough?

One day in Savannah, GA is enough to check out the highlights of the city such as the Forsyth Park, a historic home like the Owen-Thomas House, Bonaventure Cemetery, and take a stroll through the historic squares of Savannah and its Instagram-worthy streets.

Best One Day in Savannah Itinerary

Begin your day in Savannah with breakfast at The Sentient Bean

A good breakfast goes a long way in setting the tone for the day. So, begin your one day in Savannah itinerary with a scrumptious breakfast at The Sentient Bean (Google Maps).

Located across the south side of Forsyth Park, The Sentient Bean is one of the most convenient places to have breakfast in Savannah, GA. Also one of the best!

They are known for their coffee, sandwiches (real fresh bread!), and amazing vegan and vegetarian options. Tripadvisor reviews here!

Take a stroll through Forsyth Park

One of the best things to do in Savannah GA is to take a stroll through the lush green Forsyth Park (Google Maps). And the best time to do it is early in the morning when the crowd is thin.

Dating back to the early 1800s, Forsyth Park is home to the famous water fountain that was modeled after the fountains of Paris’ Place de la Concorde.

This fountain is the best place to relax and spend some peaceful moments with yourself. It is also a great place to get amazing pictures in Savannah.

📖 Related Read: First time in Savannah? Find out the 20 best things to do in South’s Hostess City.

Visit the Cathedral of St. John, The Baptist

Head next to the Cathedral of St. John The Baptist (Google Maps), which is only 10 minutes away from the park.

Also known as the Savannah Cathedral, this church is incredibly ornate and beautiful. The interiors are decorated with Persian rugs, Italian marble, and stained glass from Austria. That sounds regal, doesn’t it?

Make sure to look up and notice the Great Rose Window and the 34 outstanding murals that have gotten the cathedral a new name, “The Sistine of the South”!

You can do a self-guided tour of the cathedral for a small fee.

✦ Pro Tip: See the Savannah Cathedral with a knowledgeable tour guide on this Guided Sightseeing & History Walking Tour of Savannah.

Head to Chippewa Square in Savannah

The next stop on our exciting one-day itinerary of Savannah, Georgia, is a famous public square – the Chippewa Square (Google Maps).

Of the 22 odd Savanah squares, Chippewa is the most popular. And that is because this is the exact place where the bus stop scenes from the movie Forrest Gump were shot.

At the center of the square, you will find a tall statue of James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony of Georgia. Savannah Theater and the First Baptist Church are located nearby.

However, what I loved best about the square was its charming southern appeal with all those Spanish moss-laden oaks and a totally relaxing vibe.

📖 Related Read: Love history? Read more about the historic squares, homes, and cemeteries of Savannah, GA.

Explore Owens-Thomas House

If you want to dig deeper into the complex dichotomous history of Savannah, then a trip to one of Savannah’s historic houses is the best way to do it.

Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters (Google Maps) is a historic home where you can still see the original slave quarters that housed enslaved men and women.

A tour of Owens-Thomas House will not only show you the finest example of Regency architecture in the Americas but also allow you to explore the complicated relationship between the wealthy Owens family and their enslaved domestic help.

One of my favorite ways of seeing the Owens-Thomas House is on this Historic Homes of Savannah Guided Walking Tour. This tour is a great investment if you have some time on your hands because you can see more historic homes such as the Green-Meldrim House, Juliette Gordon Low Home, and Harper Fowlkes House.

A National Historic Landmark today, this historic home also showcases the largest swathe of slave-applied “haint blue” paint known to ward off evil spirits.

✦ Pro Tip: Want to know what haint blue is? Read our article on the 13 Most Intriguing Things about Savannah, GA.

Have a delicious Southern lunch at The Olde Pink House

I am sure all that walking around will have made you super hungry. So, next, we head to the Olde Pink House (Google Maps) for a delicious Southern lunch.

Located on Abercorn Street, this place is Savannah’s favorite stop for Lowcountry cuisine.

Olde Pink House is located in an 18th-century mansion and features an attractive Palladian window above the portico, crystal chandeliers, and rustic furniture. Umm! So 18th century!

But the real showstopper is the food. Try their fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and crab cakes. Absolutely delicious!

By the way, this place gets super busy. So make sure you reserve a table way ahead of time.

✦ Pro Tip: Remember that The Olde Pink House is open for lunch only from Tuesday – Saturday (11 am – 2:30 pm). If you’re visiting Savannah on a Sunday or Monday, try Vic’s on the River, another Southern favorite of mine.

Enjoy homemade ice cream at Leopold’s

Leave some space in your tummy for dessert because we are going to try the homemade ice creams of Leopold’s (Google Maps), which is just around the corner.

Founded in 1919 by two immigrant Greek brothers, Leopold’s Ice Cream is more than 100 years old and basically an integral part of Savannah’s rich culture.

Their butter pecan, original tutti frutti, and honey almond ice creams are the best. They also have vegan options!

Take a tour of Bonaventure Cemetery

After savoring some delicious ice cream, it is now time to head to another exciting part of the city – the Bonaventure Cemetery (Google Maps).

Located only 3 miles from Savannah’s downtown, Bonaventure is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. It is also one of the spookiest sites in Savannah.

If you are staying 2 – 3 days in Savannah, I would highly recommend clubbing Bonaventure with Wormsloe Historic Site. This half-day tour does a very good job of clubbing the two historic sites and allowing you to learn more about them.

Hundreds of graves lie beyond the oak-lined walkways of Bonaventure Cemetery.

One of the most intriguing gravesites is that of Gracie Watson, a 6-year-old who died right after being photographed in her fine Easter clothes.

Other popular ones are the graves of Johnny Mercer, Conrad Aiken, and James Neill.

The cemetery usually offers free guided tours on the second weekend of every month at 2 pm, Saturday and Sunday. Click here to find the latest schedule.

Unfortunately, you cannot reserve these tours ahead of time, and space is limited. Be sure to show up before the time to participate.

✦ Pro Tip: If you want to see Bonaventure Cemetery on the best tour, here’s a small-group guided tour with a historian guide that I absolutely love. The tour guide is a local who has in-depth knowledge about the cemetery and its history.

Head back to Savannah’s historic district

Once you are done learning all about the cemetery’s spooky past, head back to Savannah’s historic district.

Take a walk down East River Street (Google Maps), where you can dive into history, shop, eat, drink, and be merry.

Shop for souvenirs at the open-air market while enjoying the cool breeze of the river.

An interactive map of how to spend one day in Savannah

Practical information for seeing Savannah in one day

Best time to visit Savannah, Georgia

The best time to visit Savannah GA is in spring and early summer when the temperatures are mild and humidity is low. Plus, there were flowers all around, making everything look ten times lovelier.

Spring is also when a ton of festivals happen in the city. The music festival, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, NOGS Tour of Savannah Gardens, and SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival are some of the notable Savannah festivals that happen in spring.

Fall is also a great time to visit Savannah, GA, with many food festivals scheduled during the season.

Getting around Savannah, Georgia

The Historic District of Savannah is totally walkable. Be sure to pack a good pair of walking shoes for the first half of your day in Savannah.

Please see our 1-day Savannah itinerary map here and find the exact trail you need to take to minimize walking time and spend maximum time at the attractions. 

Hopping on a popular Hop-on Hop-off Savannah Trolley Tour is a great way of seeing the historic downtown without tiring your legs.

If you are tired of walking, hop into one of the CAT (Chatham Area Transit) buses. They are cheap and super convenient.

There is also a free dot shuttle service that connects visitors with parking areas, visitor centers, attractions, shops, and restaurants. Find more about Savannah’s free dot shuttle here.

For the second half of the day, you will need a car to get to Bonaventure Cemetery, which is around 3 miles from the historic center. You can hire an Uber or Lyft or rent a car and drive to Bonaventure Cemetery.

Alternatively, you can book this Bonaventure Cemetery Walking Tour with a Historian Guide that includes round-trip transportation from the Savannah Historic District.

Experience more of Savannah, Georgia Read our posts on Best Things to Do in Savannah, GA | From touring spooky cemeteries to learning all about Southern USA’s complicated past, there are lots of good things to do in Savannah, GA. Perfect Savannah Itineraries | From spending one busy day in Savannah to enjoying a Savannah trip of 3 days, our itineraries are definitely going to wow you. Historic Sites and Haunted Houses | From notable historic sites and scary haunted houses, there’s a lot to do in Savannah, GA. Visiting Wormsloe Plantation | Grab this guide for visiting Wormsloe Plantation from Savannah. Savannah on a Budget | Free things to do in Savannah, GA that will help you plan a budget-friendly trip.

Loved our Savannah GA One Day Itinerary? Pin it for later!