When I visit new cities, I love trying out everything from gimmicky tourist attractions and beloved restaurants to under-the-radar activities.
I did just that on my four-day trip to Savannah, Georgia, a city known for its scenic riverfront, haunted buildings, and “Forrest Gump” filming locations.
During my trip, my mom and I explored the cobblestone streets and sauntered around the city to find the best things to do.
Here are five things we thought were worth the money and time on our short trip, and one that I’d skip next time.
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room was worth the 45-minute wait outside.
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is a culinary institution in Savannah. The original Wilkes boarding house opened in 1870, but Sema Wilkes took over in 1943, serving her delicious Southern food to hungry patrons.
After waiting outside for about 45 minutes, we were invited to sit at a communal table with six other people.
The all-you-can-eat spread, which was already on the table when we sat down, included every Southern staple imaginable, from fried chicken and mac and cheese to house-made pickles and okra with tomatoes.
I counted about 30 different dishes, and that was before the dessert options of banana pudding or peach cobbler arrived.
Dining at Mrs. Wilkes costs about $35 a person and is cash-only.
The American Prohibition Museum was an under-the-radar activity that I loved.
I’m usually not a fan of gimmicky museums, but the American Prohibition Museum, located in the heart of Savannah’s City Market, was worth the $20 or so per ticket that we paid.
We got to explore the only museum in the country exclusively dedicated to the Prohibition era. It has 200 historic artifacts, restored 1920s cars, and interactive displays that bring history to life.
After perusing the museum’s galleries, I ended up in a cool 1920s-inspired speakeasy and ordered a Chatham Artillery punch — a strong drink of rum, bourbon, sparkling wine, brandy, lemon, and sugar.
I learned that the drink is part of Savannah’s storied history and supposedly dates back to the 1800s.
A food tour gave me a better sense of the city’s culinary scene.
When I think of Savannah, or any Southern city, I have preconceived notions of the type of food I’m going to be eating — most include something fried or seafood.
Although Savannah has plenty of that, the Secret East Side/Port City Walking Food Tour we did taught me that not everything has to be battered and fried to be delicious.
The tour lasted about three hours, and our group of 12 sampled dishes at six different places. Some of the items included a South African-inspired chicken sandwich, a braised-beef taco, a fried pork chop, and a scoop of ice cream from a shop that’s been open since 1919.
Overall, it was worth the $68 I paid. Next time, I’d probably book one of the other food tours the company offers to try different restaurants and dishes.
A riverboat cruise gave us a unique perspective of the city.
One of my favorite activities we did in Savannah was the narrated harbor sightseeing riverboat cruise. It took place on a red-and-white paddle-wheel boat, lasted about an hour and a half, and cost $35 per adult.
During the cruise, we passed by the port of Savannah and the historic riverfront. Then we made our way to Old Fort Jackson, where we watched a cannon-fire display complete with actors dressed in period garb.
The boat had indoor and outdoor seating, but I chose to sit outside to get a better view. I spotted a few bald eagles flying overhead and admired the unique skyline of Savannah’s historic district.
We also enjoyed the fun and ease of the sightseeing trolley tour.
One touristy thing I can never get enough of is a sightseeing trolley or bus. I’ve done these types of activities in Key West, Paris, Barcelona, and now Savannah, and they continue to be worth the money for me.
The Old Town Trolley Tour in Savannah starts at $40 a person, but the price can increase depending on the day and how many tickets have already been sold.
I rode around the city all day, and it was so fun. The trolley picks up guests from set locations, and you can get on and off as often as you wish. I loved the freedom to explore different areas or grab a snack or a cup of coffee.
While riding, the drivers also serve as tour guides, sharing information about historic monuments and famous places. Every driver had a different set of facts, so even if I passed by a location more than once, I learned something new each time.
Next time, I think I’ll skip the comedy ghost tour.
Most lists of things to do in Savannah mention that tourists should take a ghost tour, but I’m not one to walk through cemeteries at night.
So, I settled on a comedy ghost tour I found online that promised to combine the city’s history with a bit of lighthearted fun.
Our $33, 90-minute tour took place on an air-conditioned bus, which was nice. However, that was about the only highlight for me.
Although some people might enjoy the type of humor on the tour, I didn’t find our host very funny and thought their jokes were mostly self-deprecating.
Throughout the tour, costume-clad characters also boarded our bus to tell a story about the historical figures they represented. The storylines were fine, but again, not funny to me.
In the middle of the tour, the bus stopped at a local bar so people could spend 15 minutes grabbing a drink. When we got back to the bus, the guide noticed at least five people had ditched the tour — I kind of wish I’d done the same.
This story was originally published on September 12, 2023, and most recently updated on April 6, 2026.
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