Exploring Savannah, Georgia’s creative soul

Gothic architecture, ornate ironwork, grand verandas overlooking natural beauty. In Savannah, an appreciation for good design runs as deep as the roots of the city’s centuries-old live oaks dripping in Spanish moss.

Even the aerial map of the city’s geometric grid resembles a Piet Mondrian painting – a symmetrical urban plan developed by British General James Edward Oglethorpe in 1733 and based on a series of squares. Today, the preserved plan provides a lush, pedestrian-friendly playground, where coffee shops, green space, restaurants, and retail abound.

While Savannah may be Georgia’s most historic city, its creative residents bring fresh energy to its tree-lined streets, bolstered by the influential presence of Savannah College of Art and Design. Here is how to experience the city like a local, from art galleries to wine bars.

Art and culture in Savannah

Laney Contemporary

Best for: Contemporary Southern art
Address: 1810 Mills B Lane Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31405

Led by SCAD graduate Susan Laney, this revered gallery is dedicated to amplifying Southern artists, including Savannah’s own Katherine Sandoz and Marcus Kenney. Housed in a brutalist building designed by Lee J. Meyer, the gallery stands in contrast to its verdant surroundings. On view through January 10, 2026, are works by the acclaimed Atlanta-based artist Tori Tinsley, who explores the human condition with a sense of humour. Travel on Savannah’s free DOT (Downtown Transportation) system to get to the gallery, which is about ten minutes west of downtown.

SCAD Museum of Art

Best for: Contemporary art and design
Address: 601 Turner Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31401
Price: 10 USD per person

The lauded Savannah College of Art and Design presents a year-round programme that platforms emerging and established international artists, all housed in a renovated Central of Georgia Railway building dating back to 1853. On display until 11 January 2026, don’t miss André Leon Talley: Style Is Forever, a tribute to the trailblazing fashion icon and Vogue editor. For more SCAD, head to the nearby shopSCAD on Madison Square to browse 100s of works for sale by alumni, or pick up a coffee at the artful Press Cafe inside the college library on Broughton Street.

Follow your visit with a trip to The Grey, a restaurant set in a restored 1938 bus terminal serving Southern fare from James Beard Award-winning chef Mashama Bailey. Or, for more art, stroll across town to the Gutstein Gallery, the home to SCAD Art Sales with rotating exhibits from alumni.

Forsyth Park

Best for: Picnics, people-watching and a weekly farmer’s market
Address: 1 W Gaston Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Price: Free

The centerpiece of Savannah’s historic street grid, this picturesque 30-acre park is the city’s communal living room, where hydrangeas, azaleas, or camellias bloom depending on the season. On Saturday mornings, vendors line the sidewalk selling farm-fresh provisions and artisan collectibles, such as matchbook collages by Seth Bilkis and marbled silks and ceramics by Mia Amanda. On mild days, picnic-goers bring snacks from Provisions Wine & Groceries then sprawl out with blankets and books under the shade of a centuries-old oak tree, in between friendly games of volleyball and soccer.

For a more elevated meal, head to The Collins Quarter at Forsyth for coconut chia puddings, mushie toast, and fried chicken and waffles. Sit on the patio overlooking the park’s famous fountain, or enjoy takeaway from the walk-up window next to the playground (a great hack for parents with little ones).

Food and drink

Origin Coffee Bar

Best for: Locally roasted coffee and community spirit
Address: 356 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31401

Light pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows at Origin Coffee Bar, an independently owned coffee shop and brunch spot in downtown Savannah. A hand-painted mural by local artist Juliana lupacchino covers one wall, while elegant archways frame the cafe’s open space. Everything is made in house, including syrups, sourdough and soups, while coffee comes from the adjoining roastery. Find locals tapping on laptops or reclining on the large window sofa, and look out for community events such as flower sales and children’s classes.

Late Air

Best for: Wine in a pared-back, intimate setting
Address: 2805 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31405

This natural wine bar draws a stylish local crowd, who sit on bistro chairs sipping crisp glasses of Riesling and small-batch producers by the glass. Husband-and-wife owners Colin Breland and Madeline Ott bring years of hospitality experience from New York, Nashville, and Virginia Beach, while chef Daniel Harthausen creates a tight menu that mixes big-city cachet with small-town charm. Standout dishes include a Caesar salad made with sesame, jiri anchovy, and breadcrumbs. Take a seat during a glowing golden hour, when the sun streams through the windows, just before the wood-paneled bar is illuminated by candlelight. Next up, the trio will soon launch their next concept, Specials Pizza, just down the street.

Brochu’s Family Tradition

Best for: Elevated Southern comfort food
Address: 2400 Bull Street, Suite 8 (Entrance on 40th Street), Savannah, GA 31401

This funky, family-owned restaurant blends authentic Southern hospitality with a modern interior in Savannah’s hip Starland District. Owner Andrew Brochu previously worked at Michelin-starred Alinea in Chicago before returning to his wife Sophie’s hometown to open Brochu’s, bringing his famed fried chicken with him. Come hungry for locally grown oysters, chamomile-spiced chicken or seasonal pies, with warm banana pudding to finish.

On the first Friday of every month, Brochu’s patio and the surrounding Starland neighbourhood comes alive with gallery walks (including at nearby ARTS Southeast) and other exciting activations.

Shopping in Savannah

The Paris Market

Best for: Unique home decor and gifts
Address: 36 W Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

This capacious two-story boutique draws influence from France’s famed flea markets. Since 2001, owners Paula and Taras Danyluk have sourced homeware and sentimental gifts from across the globe, both modern and antique. Look out for Fallen Aristocrat jewellery, Paula’s own original line of heirloom pieces featuring vintage charms and French coins. Get lost in the basement stocked with everything from trendy cookbooks and pantry staples to rare antiques and objet d’art. Also within the market is a cafe counter stocked with pastel macarons, Champagne and more.

East and Up

Best for: Vintage fashion
Address: 6 E Liberty St, Savannah, GA 31401

Forget cramped racks and clothing piles – East and Up is a carefully curated vintage shop, presented more like an upscale boutique. Founder and fashion designer Emily Bargeron mixes Americana with European designer labels, drawing inspiration from psychedelic, 1970s-era Southern rock and her travels. There is an impressive array of cowboy boots, as well as a denim bar for onsite alterations.

Where to stay

Andaz Savannah, by Hyatt

Best for: Modern panache, perfectly positioned in the Historic District
Address: 14 Barnard Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Price: From 263 USD per night

Occupying a corner of Ellis Square, Andaz Savannah is a boutique stay that draws on local culture. Art by Savannah creatives hangs throughout, while the rooftop pool‑terrace and fire‑pit lounge look out across the neighbourhood’s redbrick buildings. Suites have private terraces or for a longer stay, upgrade to a Deluxe Loft, replete with a kitchenette including a vintage Smeg fridge. Just beyond the front doors, stroll to the open-air City Market, where you can pick up Byrd’s Famous Cookies and slices from Vinnie Van Go-Go’s. You’ll also find galleries and makerspaces showcasing handmade pieces, from grass baskets by Jerry Taylor to personalized hats from Mess Hall Truck Shop. By the end of an immersive stay here, you may just pass as a local.

At Andaz hotels and resorts, global travel is inspired by local culture. Use code ROADBOOK to save 15 per cent on stays booked and taken before 31 December 2026. hyatt.com/andaz