ghost tour – Wandering the Gap

Make the most of your weekend getaway with my guide to the top six Savannah, Georgia things to do! As a born-and-raised Georgia peach, I’ve taken many trips to this picturesque destination. Every time I visit, I fall more in love with the romantic scenery, mouthwatering cuisine, and vibrant culture. I recently returned from a bachelorette weekend in Savannah and uncovered even more fun and unique ways to experience the city. These are the best things to do in Savannah on a weekend trip!

1. Visit a Cafe

Savannah, Georgia things to do, by travel blogger Wandering the Gap

Savannah boasts an impressive number of adorable cafes and coffee shops where you can satisfy your caffeine cravings. If you aren’t a big coffee drinker, there are plenty of tea options as well. These are some of my favorite spots!

Collins Quarter – cute spot conveniently located in Forsyth Park. The dirty chai was excellent, and I’ve heard good things about the sweet taro latte.

The Sentient Bean – casual coffee shop with vegan/vegetarian food and drink options.

Maté Factor – charming cafe with an emphasis on yerba maté drinks. I thoroughly enjoyed the Fresh Green latte and date square.

Gallery Espresso – I haven’t been myself, but a friend recommended it for the quirky, laid-back atmosphere. It also claims to be Savannah’s oldest coffee shop!

2. Walk Around the Historic District

Strolling through Savannah’s Historic District will instantly transport you back in time. This quaint neighborhood is famous for its cobblestone streets, opulent mansions, and expertly landscaped gardens. River Street is an excellent area for waterfront views, shopping, and grabbing a drink or a bite to eat.

There are also more than 20 park squares to explore throughout the Historic District, complete with monuments, fountains, and massive oak trees covered in ferns and Spanish moss. Highlights include the 30-acre Forsyth Park, Chippewa Square (featured in Forrest Gump), and Lafayette Square, located near the iconic Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist.

3. Indulge in the Local Cuisine

Foodies, rejoice! Savannah is renowned for its Southern and seafood offerings. Don’t worry if those aren’t your thing—you’ll find many other cuisines appealing to every palate. I suggest visiting these Savannah restaurants.

Common Restaurant – FABULOUS brunch. The staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating of different dietary restrictions. The Southern Comfort Hash is to die for, and the “This Is Not a Mimosa” cocktail is also a must for gin lovers.

Savannah Seafood Shack – this is the place to beat for fresh seafood in Savannah. I haven’t been in years, but I still crave the fried shrimp and fish basket with hushpuppies that I enjoyed there.

The Fitzroy – we were so spoiled here! Shoutout to our server, Grayson, who offered great menu recommendations and treated us to some complimentary drinks and desserts. Everyone loved the grilled sourdough (especially paired with the smoked eggplant dip). I tried the roasted half chicken, which was incredibly flavorful and tender.

4. Explore Tybee Island

For a change of scenery, make the short drive over to Tybee Island. It’s the perfect day trip from Savannah if you’re craving some beach time. I usually end up at South Beach because it’s so convenient, but North Beach is also nice and a bit quieter. Don’t forget to grab a frozen daiquiri from Wet Willie’s to sip on!

Once you get hungry after a full day of surf and sand, head over to North Beach Bar and Grill. The sweet potato fries, in particular, are delicious and some of the best I’ve ever had. For some retail therapy, visit The Shops at Tybee Oaks. Here, you’ll find quirky art galleries and souvenir shops with interesting and unique goodies.

I also have to mention River’s End Campground. My husband and I stayed here many years ago during a weekend trip to Tybee. It’s the only campground on the island and is a fun, family-friendly home base for your adventures. Plus, there’s easy beach access!

5. Go Out on the Town

While there’s a lot to do in Savannah by day, the city also shines after dark. With countless bars and music venues, Savannah’s nightlife scene has something for everyone. Here are some spots worth checking out during a night on the town.

Rhett – chic restaurant and bar attached to the Alida Hotel. Convenient location, great cocktail menu, and modern, upscale vibes.

Rocks on the Roof – swanky bar atop the Bohemian Hotel with beautiful views of the Savannah River, ample indoor and outdoor seating, and strong drinks. What’s not to love?

Other spots recommended to us that we didn’t have a chance to visit were McDonough’s (for karaoke), Barrelhouse South (for live music), and Electric Moon Skytop Lounge (another rooftop).

6. Venture Into the Beyond

Savannah is a dream for lovers of all things spooky. There are reportedly many haunted locations throughout Savannah, such as the Old Sorrel Weed House, the Marshall House, and Colonial Park Cemetery. Taking a nighttime ghost tour is a wonderful way to get acquainted with the city while learning about the local history and hearing eerie stories of paranormal encounters. I also suggest paying a visit to the beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery, featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Hopefully, this travel guide inspires you to plan a Savannah weekend getaway! I can’t recommend this Southern destination enough, regardless of whether you’re traveling solo or with family, friends, or a romantic partner. Leave a comment with your favorite Savannah, Georgia things to do so I can add them to my list next time I visit!

Do you and your boo need some fun new Raleigh date night ideas? Take a walk on the spooky side with a downtown Raleigh ghost tour! My husband and I embarked on one during our most recent date night in Raleigh, and I’m here to spill all my honest thoughts. Plus, you can save 10% on a US Adventures Raleigh Ghost Tour using my exclusive promo code WANDER10!

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Quick disclosure: US Ghost Adventures invited me on their Raleigh Ghost Tour in exchange for a review. However, all of the opinions expressed in this blog are my own. This post also contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you book a tour through my link. Thank you SO much in advance for your support!

Raleigh Ghost Tour Review

Raleigh Ghost Tour Info

The US Ghost Adventures Raleigh Ghost Tour highlights numerous buildings purported to be haunted throughout the downtown area. The tour is about an hour long and covers one mile (there’s also an extended tour, but we just did the standard option). Along the way, your guide will highlight the city’s scariest spots, sharing historical facts and reported paranormal encounters.

Tours are offered nightly at 8pm, and groups convene at the North Carolina State Capitol. There is plenty of free parking available nearby, and the meeting location is easy to find since the tour guides carry mini lanterns. Note that tours are rain or shine—and they do mean it!

There was a decent amount of rain and thunder during our tour, and we came unprepared without jackets or umbrellas. While some locations offered tree coverage, we were pretty thoroughly soaked by the end of the night. However, everyone remained in good spirits—and the stormy weather only added to the eerie ambiance.

Locations Featured on the Raleigh Ghost Tour

Above is a map detailing all the stops we made along the Raleigh Ghost Tour.

The experience started with a few stories surrounding the State Capitol building itself. Apparently, some Civil War-era souls may still walk the halls…

From the State Capitol, the tour stopped by Death & Taxes, an upscale restaurant found in a building from 1907. Before being converted into a restaurant, it was used as a coffin house and then a morgue. Unsurprisingly, there are many creepy accounts of ghostly apparitions and interactions.

Next up was the Briggs Hardware Building (where the City of Raleigh Museum is located). Here, we heard the tragic story of a child who reportedly fell to their death down a flight of stairs in the building. You can see the stairs themselves from the street—they’re incredibly steep and look straight out of a horror movie.

After this stop, it was time to visit the White-Holman House. This historic former home had genuinely unsettling vibes, especially against the backdrop of rain and lightning. Visitors say a peg-legged ghost can sometimes be heard going up or down one of the staircases inside. Talk about creepy!

From there, we took the short walk over to Haywood Hall. The 18th-century mansion is considered one of Raleigh’s oldest homes, and the beautiful property now operates as an event venue. Many people claim to see ghostly felines wandering around the house and gardens because the original owner kept upwards of 40 cats as pets.

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The next location on the tour was the stunning North Carolina Executive Mansion. It’s a beautiful residence that has housed state governors and their families since the late 1800s. One of the most interesting facts we learned about this spot is that some of the bricks used around the mansion grounds feature cursive signatures. Since the mansion was built with prison labor, these signatures were left by inmates who participated in the construction.

Our final destination (no pun intended) and my favorite stop on the tour was the Hecks-Andrew House. This unique building has a distinctive Second Empire-style architecture and quirky design elements, including stained glass windows and staircases that lead to nowhere. It reminded me a little bit of the Pink Palace from Coraline! Many spooky tales surround the historic mansion, which is currently undergoing an extensive renovation.

My Raleigh Ghost Tour Experience

Overall, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the Raleigh Ghost Tour. It’s more of a historical walking tour than a ghost-hunting experience, but there’s a nice balance of history and scary stories. I recommend bringing layers and/or an umbrella if the weather might be dicey. Wear comfortable shoes as well, since you will end up walking around a mile.

Our tour guide, Alexa, did an excellent job of guiding the group through downtown Raleigh while highlighting unique landmarks and fun facts along the way. She was very engaging, adaptable, and knowledgeable, and she made the tour interesting for our entire group (which included a wide range of ages).

Final Thoughts

The Raleigh Ghost Tour is fun for couples, families, and friend groups—make sure to add it to your list of downtown Raleigh things to do! Since it wasn’t super intense or frightening, I’d consider it an appropriate activity for anyone over the age of 13 or so.

I especially enjoyed learning about the local history and admiring the buildings’ architecture, so this tour is fun even if you don’t believe in ghosts. US Ghost Adventures also hosts tours in over 100 cities (including iconic locations like the Lizzie Borden House), so I highly suggest checking if there’s one near you.

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Big shoutout to the folks at US Ghost Adventures for partnering with me on this post!