Things to Do in Savannah, Georgia, for Couples

Savannah, Georgia, is one of the most romantic cities in the United States. It’s about more than that Southern charm, too. It’s all that hanging Spanish moss, a delectable food scene, and green spaces made for canoodling.

It’s easy to get lost in the romantic vibes here.

I’ve been both with friends and with Brian now, and the city does hit a little differently when you’re with your honey. This guide includes all of our favorite things to do in Savannah for couples, including where to eat for a romantic meal.

Walk the prettiest street in Savannah.

The prettiest street in Savannah is Jones Street. That’s thanks to its large oaks draping themselves over the pathways and the historic homes that date back to the 1850s-1860s.

It’s well-situated for all the fun in the Savannah Historic District, the heart of the city, and your base for exploration if you’re here for historic homes.

Fun fact: Broughton Street, Savannah’s main street, is no slouch, either. You’re sure to find your own scenic escapes while you’re out and about in Savannah.

Find your favorite square.

There are over 20 different squares in the city, and finding your favorite could become a fun couples activity and one of the most romantic things to do in Savannah.

The most romantic square in Savannah is Monterey Square. It overlooks the Mercer-Williams House Museum and boasts plenty of shade from the mossy oaks for potential picnics.

The square also has a monument in honor of Polish military hero Casimir Pulaski, so you know that makes my Polish heart sing. If you get there and don’t agree about its merits, there are quite a few more to choose from:

• Washington Square: Lose the tourists in this quiet square, dedicated to our first president. Washington visited Savannah in 1791 on a tour of the South, one year after the dedication of this square.
• Chippewa Square: Chippewa is Savannah’s most popular square. This is where Forrest Gump sat on a bench to tell us his tale of woe. You won’t find the bench here, but if you’re a big fan, go to the Savannah History Museum for a replica.
• Johnson Square: This is Savannah’s oldest and largest square. If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to linger at the monument in the middle dedicated to Revolutionary War hero General Nathanael Greene.
• Calhoun Square: This one overlooks two important sites in Savannah: the Massie Common School House and the Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church. This is also the city’s most haunted square if you’re into that sort of thing.
• Lafayette Square: Give some props to the namesake of this one, the Marquis de Lafayette, a French general in the American Revolutionary War. Don’t miss the Semiquincentenary Fountain, a mouthful of a water feature.

READ MORE: Charleston has similar vibes when it comes to city square. Check out my itinerary for Charleston when you’re done here!

Stroll the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens.

I’m usually the one more into smelling the roses when we’re visiting botanical gardens, but you can’t deny the picturesque nature of this place. The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens are over 50 acres of stunning horticulture.

Start at the Cottage Garden if you and your honey are really into Bridgerton. While the flowers aren’t as elaborate here, they’re more deliberate…just like Elizabethan marriage proposals.

Just make sure to stick to the designated walkways throughout the gardens. You’re not here for an Instagram photo shoot. You’re here for the vibes.

Catch a proposal at Forsyth Park.

I’ve gone all in on Savannah’s squares, but you shouldn’t ignore the city’s parks, either. Forsyth Park is where you’ll find the city’s iconic white fountain, a great photo stop for couples, and garden settings great for a picnic lunch.

The fountain was actually designed to resemble the fountain on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. If France doesn’t make you feel romantic things, I’m not sure what will.

READ MORE: Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world. Whether you agree or not, read my defense of the City of Lights!

If you’re in the park on a warm weekend afternoon, you may even catch a proposal. I’m telling you this city is romantic!

For a longer walk, head to the southern end of the park to pick up the Starland District. This is a neighborhood known for its shopping, dining, and art galleries.

Pretend you’re in France at The Paris Market.

Step into The Paris Market, a European-inspired boutique and café, and transport yourself to the streets of France for a fun date idea.

OK, so no American destination can really compete with France, but this place is very aesthetically pleasing. Browse French antiques, jewelry, and all kinds of artisanal goodies if you feel like treating your date to something cute.

Their in-house café is a fun spot to linger, too. Share a pastry or a box of macarons over one of their loose-leaf teas. They sell edible treats to take with you, too, in case something strikes your fancy for later.

Tour a historic home.

Savannah’s beautifully preserved historic homes are a great way to get some learning in on a day date in the city. Some of them are known for being haunted, so there’s that added element if you’re with a cutie who likes a good scare.

The Mercer Williams House Museum is the most popular. This one is famous for its connection to the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

The Sorrel-Weed House is a great alternative if you want to visit one of the city’s most haunted sites. The mansion was built for Francis Sorrel, a wealthy shipping merchant, but it’s more known for the tragedies that happened here.

Sorrel’s wife, Matilda, committed suicide on the property next door after finding out her husband was forcing sexual encounters with Molly, the enslaved 16-year-old who lived with them. Molly was later found hanging in the carriage house of one of the homes.

Note: I don’t describe these encounters as an “affair” for a reason. Molly was an enslaved person, which means she didn’t have consent over what Francis wanted to do with her body.

One we didn’t get to on our visit was the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters. This one offers tours where you learn not only about the residents but the enslaved people who lived there. It’s an important piece of any trip to the South.

Go on a Savannah Riverboat Cruise.

If you’re trying to impress your date, set sail on a romantic dinner cruise with live music, dancing, and waterfront views courtesy of Savannah Riverboat Cruises.

I’ve only done the narrated afternoon tours with girlfriends, but their evening version seems to be less about getting an overview of the city and more about a good time.

You’ll ride either the Savannah River Queen or Georgia Queen. Both are big enough that the waves never get too rocky. This is coming from someone with awful seasickness, too.

If their dinner cruises seem a little too pricey, they also offer sunset cruises without the meal. Those come with live music so you can still dance with your date on the open-air top deck patio.

Explore River Street.

Savannah’s lovely River Street is a hub of activity with dozens of shops, art galleries, eateries, and pubs waiting for your patronage. Enjoy Savannah’s Waterfront exactly as you see fit.

Love options? Head to the River Street Market Place. Need to satiate that sweet tooth? River Street Sweets is your headquarters for classic pralines and more Southern desserts.

If you’re hungry for a full meal, Huey’s is a classic in the area as you explore Savannah. Their beignets alone are worth a stop.

Indulge in fried green tomatoes at The Olde Pink House.

If you’re only here for the night, make it a point to plan a special meal at The Olde Pink House, arguably Savannah’s best-known eatery for Southern cuisine. Reservations are highly recommended and available via OpenTable.

If you want to visit but are feeling a little sticker shock from the menu prices, visit the cellar bar at the very least.

The Planters Tavern in the basement of the restaurant is one of the best places in the city to grab a drink. The fireplaces and live piano will certainly set the mood, too.

Sip on wine smoothies.

The Georgia Tasting Room is a playful little bar close to the Savannah City Market shops and the Savannah River. During our visit, it only cost a few dollars to try sips of six different wines.

We were having such a great time we tried their wine smoothies, too, including one dedicated to the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day.

If you’re here for shenanigans, you’ll find them. If not, the sips are still a good time. I’m not a huge fan of sweet wines, their specialty, but those smoothies were a real delight.

If you had a great time here, the Savannah Wine Cellar is another place that specializes in sustainable and low-intervention wines. It’s primarily a wine shop, but they also do tastings.

Share a pint at Savannah’s best breweries.

OK, you really don’t need to share. I was thinking about milkshakes, which I suppose you don’t need to share, either.

Here are a few of the city’s best breweries if you want Savannah date nights that start with a brew:

• Coastal Empire Beer Co.: Southern-inspired brews like their Southern Delight Praline Amber will make you feel very much at home, if home is the South, of course.
• Service Brewing Co.: This one is veteran-owned and operated, so it’s quite aptly named. If their seasonal Savannah Banana Beer is available on your visit, I’d suggest you start there.
• Two Tides Brewing Co.: They don’t really have a specialty at this one, but that just means you’ll have options as you decide between an IPA or a sour. I’m firmly in the sour camp, by the way, and they have quite a few fruited varieties.

Share a scare on a Savannah ghost tour.

Ghost tours in Savannah are a big deal. We booked with the Hearse Ghost Tours because we liked the idea of learning about the city’s spooky history out of a real modified hearse.

That’s what we call romance.

Despite the transportation, their tours are more about having fun and a laugh rather than seeking out paranormal activities. Check them out for yourself if that sounds right up your alley.

Old Town Trolley Tours, a popular company with tourists, also does a regular Ghosts and Gravestones Frightseeing Tour that could be fun.

If you’re interested in some comparison shopping, check out a few more highly-rated options below:

Plan a romantic meal.

I’m not just going to leave you at The Olde Pink House and call it a day for dinners in this foodie city. We had a delicious time exploring some of Savannah’s best casual restaurants and a few from the city’s more romantic side.

Here are a few favorites:

• Alligator Soul: This one wouldn’t be appropriate for vegetarians as the focus is on game meat. For the carnivores, it’s a great option. The interior is dark and moody, as you’re eating in an old grain warehouse. Reservations are available online.
• Elizabeth on 37th: Set in a restored 1900s mansion, this fine-dining beauty blends Southern hospitality with gourmet cuisine. Menus are seasonal, so what we indulged in likely won’t appear during your visit. Make reservations for this one.
• Husk Savannah: Enjoy upscale Southern eats in the Savannah Historic District. Apparently, this is one of the more haunted spots in the city, but the ever-changing seasonal menu is anything but scary. Reservations are available via Resy.

Explore a city cemetery. 

You may not think a cemetery can get romantic, but you must not have ever broached the topic of post-death plans with your sweetheart. It can get VERY intimate.

Cemeteries in the South aren’t like any other, either. You’ll see the same hanging moss and impressive memorials dedicated to (likely rich) loved ones. The gardens are well-kept and preserved as historical sites in the city.

Bonaventure Cemetery is the most well-known Savannah cemetery. It’s also known as Savannah’s most haunted cemetery. Don’t be afraid, though. I’m a real chicken about basically everything and the eerie vibes were more intriguing than anything else.

Fun fact: Little Gracie Watson is the most popular grave here. Gracie died at six years old after a bout of pneumonia, and visitors to her gravesite have been bringing her presents ever since.

Colonial Park Cemetery is another option with historical intrigue in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District. This was the city’s primary cemetery from 1750-1853, so you’ll find lots of old graves at this one.

Visit the American Prohibition Museum.

I love museum dates already, but this one kicks things up a notch with its focus on the Prohibition era. Laugh about the life-sized wax figures, see the evolution of speakeasies, and learn about the connection between jazz and booze in this interactive space.

You can finish up with a cocktail class or a drink at their on-site speakeasy, Congress Street Up. You’ll need to sneak past the coppers to enjoy a menu of craft cocktails meant to teleport you to the 1920s.

See peak Spanish moss on the Isle of Hope.

In just 20 minutes from central Savannah, you and your love can arrive at one of the most photographed spots in the country, let alone the South. That scene above is from the entrance to the Wormsloe Historic Site.

The site is the former home and plantation of Noble Jones, one of the first settlers in these parts. Wormsloe today is run by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Visit the museum to see artifacts found at the site or walk the interpretive nature trails.

Keep in mind that the success of Wormsloe back in the day was thanks to the forced labor of enslaved people on the plantation.

Unfortunately, we didn’t see much about that fact at the site during our visit, but I admit it’s been quite a while since that happened.

Take in a show at The Historic Savannah Theatre.

See a show at one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the United States at this 1800s-era venue. You’ll obviously need to time this one right, but you can expect everything from popular musicals to comedy shows to seasonal offerings.

You’ll be in the Savannah Historic District once you’re done, too, which means all kinds of potential for a romantic stroll. Check online for a full calendar of events.

Spend the day at Fort Pulaski National Monument.

The only thing better than a historical fort is a pillow fort, but that would be somewhat of a silly waste of time during a couples trip to Savannah.

The Fort Pulaski National Monument is where the Union Army forced the Confederates to surrender during the Civil War, and that does it for me, too.

Dogs are welcome all over this park, so we obviously had to bring Kimmy Kibbler along on the ride. If you, your honey, and your pooch make three, you can bring them along on the 1.5-mile roundtrip Lighthouse Overlook Trail.

This easy trail only took about 20 minutes each way with a photo stop at the end of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse, the smallest — but still very pretty! — lighthouse in Georgia. If you love a good lighthouse, the Tybee Island Light Station is more popular.

The Tybee Island lighthouse is the oldest and the largest in the state, but you’ll need to leave your pups behind for this one. Snack at The Crab Shack after for chowders, oysters, and deviled crab.

Take a hike at Skidaway Island State Park.

If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous for you and your date, Skidaway Island State Park is a great mini-trip just 20 minutes from downtown Savannah.

This place is perfect for nature-loving couples who want to retain those Savannah vibes with trails lined with the oaks and Spanish moss that make the city so romantic.

Pack a picnic or backpack full of snacks — I find Twizzlers especially romantic, especially when you share one — and explore the salt marshes. There are gators here, so be aware of your surroundings as you explore fun things to do in the park.

Note: If you love a date that involves wildlife, plan a visit to the Oatland Island Wildlife Center to meet the critters that call this region home.

Treat yourselves to something sweet.

I know I’ve mentioned a few treats to be had while in Savannah already, but the Byrd Cookie Company is in a class of its own. They have some salty snacks for you to peruse, but you’re here for the cookies.

Grab them by the box if you know what’s good for you. Your date will thank you when you’re feeling a nosh during that Netflix binge later.

Our favorites during our visit were the maple wafers, the cupcake cookies, and the lemon coolers, but you really can’t go wrong here.

If it’s a hot day (or night) and you need something frozen, Leopold’s Ice Cream is a local favorite. Menu items stick to the classics, but they do a lemon custard SO well.

Catch a Savannah sunset.

This is one of those cliché romantic date ideas that tend to deliver no matter where you are, and Savannah sunrises just hit a little differently.

Any of the city’s rooftop bars will do, but here are my favorites:

• Top Deck Bar: This Savannah rooftop bar boasts views of the historic district and the Savannah River, but their popular cheese boards are almost as delicious. Oh, who am I kidding? I’d take seasonal cheese over a sunset any night and I’m not sorry.
• The Wyld: Seats on the back patio of this waterfront eatery are where it’s when you want to catch the sunset, but good times are guaranteed regardless. If you’re here for snacks, trust me on their chicharrones.
• The Lost Square: This rooftop lounge overlooks the Savannah River, a perch that makes it pretty perfect at sunset. If you’re here in the winter months, they usually have a special menu of warm-up cocktails for cozy blanket times.

Best Hotels in Savannah for Couples

The best part of town to stay in Savannah is the Historic District, especially if you’re visiting for the first time. You’ll be within walking distance of all of the best Savannah date ideas.

From there, the city’s historic inns are a better option for a romantic stay compared to chain hotels. We’ve always stayed outside the city for cost savings, but the Planters Inn on Reynolds Square and the Eliza Thompson House look perfect.

Use the map below to browse more options:

Savannah is known for romance for a reason.

With its oak-lined squares, historic charm, and scenic waterfront, Savannah creates the perfect backdrop for some unforgettable moments with your partner.

The one thing I didn’t mention here is horse-drawn carriage rides. If you love them, have at it. Just do your research to make sure the animals are treated as well as possible before you choose a tour company.

I did one in Charleston, another super romantic city, and it was a lovely way to spend an hour. I imagine it’s a similar vibe in Savannah!

Traveling the American South? Check these out, too:

• A Guide to Day Trips from New Orleans
• How to Travel the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
• A Guide to the Most Impressive Memphis Museums
• Unique Things to Do in Augusta, Georgia
• A Delicious Guide to Baton Rouge, Louisiana

I’m not done yet! Here are a few more guides to the South:

• Things to Do on a Day in Athens, Georgia
• Embrace the Best of Lake Life at Lake Oconee
• You Need to Spend a Full Weekend in Asheville
• Plan a Trip With the Girls to Nashville, Tennessee
• Hit the Trails at Natural Bridge State Park

Want to see more?