The Insider’s Guide to Savannah

Long thought of as Charleston’s smaller, low-key cousin, Savannah is coming into its own. With galleries owned by just-graduated, soon-to-be-famous alums of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), coffee shops that turn into wine bars at sundown, microbreweries, nationally acclaimed restaurants, and a burgeoning music scene, the city is a bohemian paradise, cloaked with romantic intrigue. Set yourself in the center of it all at The Kimpton Brice Hotel, where you can explore, soak in the culture, and of course, make it back in time for Kimpton’s legendary wine hour.

Living Room at The Kimpton Brice Hotel

EXPLORE: Start your morning with the legendary nitro cold brew or a killer cortado from Perc, a local specialty coffee roaster set in an industrial warehouse on the city’s east side, then set out to explore. Pedestrian-friendly Savannah is home to 22 block-long parks called squares, making it a great city to wander on foot. (Flanked by 19^th century Queen Anne homes, the quiet Whitefield Square, with its Victorian gazebo and blossoming azaleas is a personal favorite.)

If you’re in town at the beginning of the month, the tony Starland District, anchored by an old dairy, is home to a Friday Art March, where nearly 20 galleries, restaurants, and boutiques open their doors for special events and exhibitions (Free, check website for details). And there are plenty of Instagram opportunities to take photos of the iconic hanging moss in Savannah’s trees—snap your #WishYouWereHere shots in Forsyth Park, ideally on a Saturday morning, when the farmer’s market is in full swing.

Forsyth Park’s picturesque fountain

EAT: Have a casual lunch at The Green Truck, a gourmet burger-and-brew joint favored by locals. Try the Whole Farm burger—a grass-fed beef patty topped with cheddar, bacon, and a runny fried egg. And make sure to make a reservation at The Grey, one of Savannah’s most buzzed-about restaurants, where chef Mashama Bailey draws raves for her unique interpretations of regional favorites, such as clams and dumplings and baked purple peas. Of course, make sure to spend one evening sitting and sipping in the backyard courtyard at Pacci, a coastal Italian-influenced restaurant that’s a neighborhood favorite.

Pacci

SHOP: Pop into Alex Raskin Antiques, as much for the location as their collection of one-of-a-kind objects. Housed in the unrestored, timeless Noble Hardee mansion and encompassing several floors, walking in is like stepping back in time—of course, with the option of stepping out with a set of Edwardian-style chairs. Treat yourself with a Savannah-made beeswax candle or luxurious Royal Jelly body butter from Savannah Bee’s flagship store, located on Broughton Street. Another can’t-miss, right down the block: The Paris Market, a curated and eclectic mix of vintage home goods, books, and other trinkets.

PLAY & CHEERS: Home to the Savannah Stopover, mid-March music festival of bands making their way to Austin, TX for SXSW, Savannah is known for a good time, any time, with great drinks and live music options. Spend the afternoon at The Southbound Brewing Company, a new microbrew where tours are offered and drafts suggested. You can even ask to take your drink in a to-go cup (yes, legally!) while you continue your exploration. Before the sun sets, make sure to head to the Wyld, a waterside hangout with cocktails, seafood, and can’t-miss sunset views.

— Anna Davies