Savannah Perfect Summer Visit: What To Wear, Eat, Shop, Do
Here’s my recommendation for a perfect 3-day visit in Savannah especially if you are a design lover, including where to stay, eat and what I wore. Savannah, Georgia is hot in Summer but so is Jacksonville, Florida where we live two hours away.
So, taking the heat into consideration, here’s what we recommend for a brief trip to this charming southern city. It’s Sunday Faves time with Annie and Cindy.
Savannah Perfect Summer Visit Where to Stay: Hotel Bardo
This is a relatively new hotel that our son told us we would love and he was right! Lots pretty design in rusts, peach and green tones. They have glass bottles in the room that you can refill with sparkling or still filtered water. I wish every hotel would do this.
It’s also “dog friendly” although they said Chief was not permitted in the pool area.
The Oasis Of The Bardo Pool In Summer
If you are going to Savannah in warmer months, it’s really refreshing to have a pool!
We had drinks at the fun outdoor pool bar. Lots of interesting “spritz’s” including alcohol free. Here I am cooling off in my new ruffle one-piece bathing suit, cap and polarized sunglasses.
Where to Eat In Savannah — Make Reservations
Saint Bibiana adjacent to Hotel Bardo
The food here is southern coastal Italian and really delicious. The interiors are cool and if you are staying in the hotel you can go to the private club above the restaurant. We loved the Bitter And Sweet pea shoot salad with pecorino cheese and the little neck clam dish.
Common Thread
The restaurant is housed in a restored home built in 1897. I had the ceviche and the grilled vegetable salad with whipped ricotta and spicy honey. (I want Howard to try to make this at home).
Where To Shop
Asher & Rye
What a fun shop! I got away with just a small tray but there was so much more temptation.
The Paris Market And Southern Crafted
It was fun perusing the goods at Paris Market (and eating a croissant). The merchandise at Southern Crafted is beautiful and all made in the South! Love the glassware and oyster plates.
Also, One Fish Two Fish has lots of fun items. I bought some pretty linen cocktail napkins that I can’t wait to use.
What To See – Mercer Williams House and SCAD Story
Two good things to get you out of the heat…
If you read Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil you will enjoy this tour of the antiques dealer’s home. We did. You only get to see the downstairs as the niece of the deceased owner lives upstairs. But it is comprised of five large rooms decorated with the original antiques.
SCADStory tells you about the origins of the Savannah College of Art and Design. “An immersive 4D experience that tells a universal tale of the dreamer in us all. SCADstory carries guests on an unexpected journey through SCAD history“. It’s free, but trust me, you will end up wanting to give a donation.
What To Wear — Comfortable Shoes
Loft eyelet top petite small (on sale) • white cropped denim • Born leather slides • Farm Rio tiered dress now on sale (small) • leather wedge sandals
More Savannah in the Winter ideas here.
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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
Timley post as we’re going to Savannah this weekend. Been there a few times already but haven’t been to any of your places. We live in Raleigh where the weather is sweltering right now. I don’t understand how anyone can wear a long skirt in this heat and humidity! All that fabric would just stick to my legs and constantly annoy me! You look great in those long skirts and dresses. Wondering how you can stay cool and look so polished walking around in this heat and humidity?!?! I found I can better survive in a cute skort!
I think skorts are a great idea! I didn’t put the long skirt on until we were leaving for dinner.
I love Savannah! My brother lived there for many years and while we lived in Atlantic Beach we made frequent trips for work and fun. Now that we are in NC we stop on our way to Amelia Island, it is amazing how it has grown and changed. There are so many wonderful restaurants and walks.
You look beautiful as always.
Cookies and cashew milk ice cream are my downfall! If it isn’t in the house, I do well in staying petite and slim. You looked terrific in your Farm Rio green dress! You are officially slimmer than I am in the waist! Good for you. It is hot here in southern Colorado as well. We are a destination vacation area basically all year long for outdoors activities like hiking, biking and in winter skiing. Because I love my mountains and feel like we did our traveling earlier in our lives, at 80 and disabled, it is just no longer a draw. Enjoy your mini vacations as there are so many places to experience right in Florida.
I was definitely “sucking it in” Syndey. I’m glad you took the opportunity to travel when you could. Now you have great memories and beautiful mountains to enjoy.
Thank you for the details on visiting Savannah, Mary Ann — The Bardo looks great! Interesting name: same as an important museum in Tunis w/ incredible Roman tile mosaics — so glad we visited there in 2014. You look fabulous in the Farm Rio dress and the off white top/khaki skirt outfits!
Hi Mary Ann,
Happy Anniversary! You look so fabulous in your summer picks and I wish that Tan skirt was still available in my size because it is such a winner. What a gorgeous time away for you both. Happy Summer!
I hate it when my size sells out. I did get the skirt on sale though. I think I am going to shorten it a few inches.
Loved this post! Thank you for the travel and outfit ideas. I’m petite also, so it is very helpful to see how you wear different items of clothing. (I have your white eyelet embroidered blouse in black).
You look amazing – you are so slim and trim! I think you lost weight in the last few months. Would you consider creating a blog post about what you did to lose a few pounds and what you eat and how you exercise to keep it off? I gained 4-5 pounds over the last few months and can’t seem to get rid of it. 🙁 Real ideas from a fellow woman over 55 would be helpful!
I lost some weight for Tommy’s wedding and now it’s hard to stay motivated. So I am definitely not an expert in that regard as I’ve gained a couple pounds back already. I have kept up with yoga and pilates though. The big change was that I stopped baking desserts as I just can’t have them in the house.
I love your outfit with the embroidered ivory top and tan skirt. You look Beautiful! I can’t wear ivory close to my face but I think I’ll try this outfit with a white embroidered top and maybe a black skirt. I enjoyed the article on Savannah and have been there before. I’d like to try it again.
Thanks, Christine. That top is sort of an off-white, not too ivory.
I stayed at The Bardo for a few days last May, and thoroughly enjoyed it! Loved that it is located right on lovely Forsyth Park. Savannah is such a beautiful city and we walked all over. We also ate at the adjacent restaurant (twice); fabulous food. We live in Charleston, and plan to make another 3-4 day trip to Savannah soon and will definitely stay at The Bardo again!
I want to go once a year, Donna!
Hi Mary Ann
I love Savannah. We were there last year as you know before we came to Florida! I can only imagine how hot it is this time of year! I loved Asher and Rye. I thought the Paris Market was a bit overhyped although I did find that fun pitcher for you there. A girls trip there would be fun! We went to the Mercer house on one of our other trips, visited several historic homes that we hadn’t before on this trip. I am impressed you can tromp around Savannah in Mary Janes. I got blisters in my most comfortable sandals!
I mostly wore the Born sandals walking around but the Mary Jane’s were fine (flat) to wear to dinner and shorter walks.
Saving this Savanah post. Been a while but always wanted to return in the spring when the azaleas are in bloom. Love your outfits. Poplin skirt is so good! I can see you wearing that year round in FL. Green is such a great color on you ♥️
Hubby and I just returned from a 2 week trip to Alaska and decided we need a vacation to recover from the vacation so we booked a staycation on the beach. I scrolled back through your post looking for the one you posted about a beach canopy instead of an umbrella. Do you still like it and how often is no wind or too much wind an issue?
Oh yes…a Shibumi…I love it. I put the smaller one up all by myself!
Thank you for the wonderful new places for us to visit in Savannah. We go there often from our home in the low country. Would love to see a tour of Jacksonville for a 3-day getaway. You look fantastic in the Farm Rio!
That’s a good idea. I know the Jacksonville Zoo is supposed to be great…a lady who lives is Savannah was telling me that!
Mary Ann—the hotel looks beautiful! The pool area is gorgeous! And how nice to be able to bring chief on trips especially when you’re driving to your destination!
I love the maxi skirt, and eyelet or textured white blouse! Such a a great look for summer!
Xx
Thanks, Annie!!!
I am wearing my Farm Rio dress today and I love it! Thank you for the introduction to this wonderful company. I did pay full price however.
I paid full price, too, Jill. At least we were sure to get the size we wanted!