How to Do a Girls’ Getaway in Savannah

This artsy estate is a statement to the town’s contemporary side. The interiors are draped in onyx and Verona marble, with gem-colored velvet furniture, and 400 works of art all collected by owner Richard Kessler. Yet, Mansion on Forsyth Park does uphold Savannah’s culinary standards with an impressive cooking school and restaurant, both dedicated to upscale Southern cuisine. At the end of the evening, guests and locals alike mingle over handcrafted cocktails and live jazz at the clubby Bosendorfer Lounge.

At night, Savannah trades its sleepy demeanor for a vibrant party scene—the city is open container, after all. Beer pedal cabs, tipsy bachelorettes, and haunted pub tours can be seen all along Bay Street, but it’s the indoor/outdoor lounge crowning the Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront, by Autograph Collection that can be heard the loudest. Live rock bands, fire pits, and 360-degree views of the riverfront and historic district make Rocks on the Roof—the area’s first sky-high bar—the hottest spot around.

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You can’t come to Savannah and not stuff yourself with some down-home Southern dishes. For brunch, there’s no better place than Goose Feathers Café, a family-run institution where the line is known to wrap around the block. Once you get to the counter, you may be tempted to buy the fresh baked items (croissants, pastries, muffins), but the standout meal you can’t miss is the Bird’s Nest: a bowl of cheesy cheddar grits topped with two poached eggs, homemade salsa, and cilantro.

Let’s be real, what’s a gals’ getaway without some day drinking? Order a flight at Moon River’s sprawling 5,400-square-foot beer garden for a cool respite from Savannah’s sunshine. Favorites include the Yoga Pants pale ale (no, seriously), and the autumn-inspired Taterlicious amber ale, made with North Carolina sweet potatoes and garnished with roasted pumpkin seeds.

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When it opened its doors in 2016, Hotel Indigo added a breath of fresh air to Savannah’s traditional mainstays. This funky 309-room bolthole, nestled beside the City Market promenade, has a hipper-than-thou vibe with a buzzy outdoor patio and a taproom that serves Georgia brews and farm-to-table fare, such as fried oyster flatbread and cinnamon brown sugar-glazed bacon lollies. Quirky design touches (aqua accents, graphic prints, local murals) are balanced with nods to the original 19th-century architecture (arched windows, exposed brick, hardwood floors). Spurge for a loft suite with a living room, kitchen, dining area, and spiral staircase leading to a king bedroom.

This eclectic emporium is a classic example of why you shouldn't judge a book (or building) by its cover. The unrestored, 150-year-old Noble Hardee Mansion may seem decrepit—all peeling paint and crumbling plaster—but inside you’ll find a treasure trove of antiques, art, and priceless 18th-century furniture. Follow the grand staircase to each of the four labyrinthine levels, stacked floor-to-ceiling with vintage gems and rare discoveries.

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For a fancy girls’ night out, head to Artillery, a craft cocktail bar that opened earlier this summer to much applause. Formerly an 1896 armory, the structure has been transformed into a design-forward drinking den with quartz countertops, chartreuse banquettes, and bronze fixtures. And this lounge takes its reputation seriously—strict rules include a classy dress code (no hats, tanks, sandals, or shorts), a noise limit (phones must be silenced), and absolutely no shots allowed. Instead, press the call button to summon the bartender, who will recommend libations like Man the Guns, a concoction of high west campfire, amaro lucano, absinthe, and 18.21 prohibition aromatic bitters.