Things to Do in Savannah This Weekend

At Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, the line outside says it all. Inside, guests gather around communal tables as platters of fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, biscuits, and more are passed around. This tradition dates back to the 1940s and gives visitors a real taste of Southern hospitality.

Not far away, The Pirate’s House continues to be a favorite stop tied to the history of Savannah, GA. Built in 1753, it once served sailors and travelers along the port. Today, the menu leans into Lowcountry classics like shrimp gumbo and pecan pie. Guests often hear about hidden passages and pirate legends connected to the building, adding to the sense of dining inside living history.

The Olde Pink House takes its name from the 18th-century mansion it occupies. Famous for She-crab soup, crispy scored flounder, and pecan-crusted chicken, it offers both elegant dining rooms and Planters Tavern downstairs, where candlelight and piano music set the mood. A meal here is not just about the food but about stepping into a place that has been part of Savannah’s story for centuries, making it one of the most memorable things to do in Savannah this weekend.

Congress Street Up inside the American Prohibition Museum^® serves cocktails in a recreated speakeasy, offering a more uniquely spirited night out. Bartenders share the history behind each recipe, making the visit feel part museum, part night out.

The newly opened Old Savannah Distillery will blend tradition with fresh experiences across Southern-inspired fare and cocktails. Guests will be able to do self-guided tastings, enjoy the delicious menu items, and take home a branded souvenir or bottle of spirits distilled specifically for this location.

Weekends also draw locals and visitors to Starland Yard, where rotating food trucks, a great live music scene, and permanent vendors gather in a courtyard setting. With a full bar and outdoor seating, it’s as much about the atmosphere as the food, making it a casual stop to enjoy with friends.

At Collins Quarter, café-style dining shines through brunch favorites like brioche French toast, smashed avocado toast, and specialty lattes. The setting is relaxed yet polished, making it easy to see why both locals and travelers keep it on their lists.

Common Thread rounds out the choices with a focus on seasonal ingredients. Located inside a restored home, the restaurant highlights local farms and fishers. Plates are served with context about where the food comes from, tying each dish back to the region itself.

Catching a live music performance is one of the most memorable things to do in Savannah this weekend. The Plant Riverside District has become a centerpiece of the city’s nightlife, and at District Live, you’ll find everything from local favorites to national touring acts. The venue’s modern design makes for great sound, and being right on the waterfront means you can step outside between sets for views of the river. Visitors often build a full evening here, with dinner and drinks across the complex before or after a show.

Jazz’d Tapas Bar keeps its underground, industrial-style space filled with music Wednesday through Sunday. The lineup shifts between jazz, blues, and contemporary acts, and the small stage gives the room an intimate feel. Couples often pair the live sets with tapas plates and martinis, making it a go-to for date nights. Just a short walk away, Vic’s On The River mixes Southern cuisine with live piano or small groups in the dining room, creating a refined backdrop where food and music go hand in hand.

The Warehouse Bar & Grille on River Street serves burgers and pub fare while local musicians set the mood with acoustic and rock sets. It’s a great spot for a more laid-back vibe. It’s popular with both visitors and locals, especially on weekends when the riverwalk is busiest. To end the night on a high-energy note, Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos invites the audience to request songs and sing along, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere that can last well past midnight.

When you’re planning things to do in Savannah this weekend, shows and tours offer a perfect mix of entertainment and history. The Savannah Theatre, which first opened in 1818, remains one of the oldest continually operating theaters in the United States. Inside its beautifully restored space, guests can catch musicals, comedies, and variety shows that bring high energy to a night out. Its location on Chippewa Square means you can enjoy dinner nearby before stepping into a theater with more than two centuries of history.

Savannah’s ghost stories are legendary, and a weekend visit often includes at least one tour of the city’s darker side. Genteel & Bard’s Savannah Ghost Encounter is known for its immersive storytelling, with guides using wireless headsets so you never miss a detail as you walk through candlelit squares and past historic homes.

Ghosts & Gravestones^® delivers a different kind of thrill on the Trolley of the Doomed. Guests ride through the city with a costumed Ghost Host sharing tales of misfortune and restless spirits. The tour includes chilling tales involving Colonial Park Cemetery and other sites connected to the city’s eerie past.

For those who like their scares with a twist of humor, Hearse Ghost Tours uses retired hearses outfitted with seats, creating a spooky yet playful way to roll through Savannah’s haunted streets. The Ghost Hunters of Savannah^® Paranormal Investigation leans into the hands-on side of ghost lore, with guests using professional equipment to search for signs of paranormal activity in one of Savannah’s historic buildings.

Not every tour focuses on frights. Old Town Trolley Tours^® of Savannah is a favorite for visitors who want to see more of the city without the stress of driving. The hop-on and hop-off service makes it easy to stop at must-see landmarks while friendly and knowledgeable guides provide live narration filled with stories and local insight. Guests can ride as much as they like, stepping off to explore squares, museums, or restaurants before rejoining the trolley later.

These shows and tours are part of what makes things to do in Savannah this weekend so varied and memorable, giving every visitor the chance to experience the city’s history, charm, and famous haunted side.

If you’re making a list of things to do in Savannah this weekend, the city’s museums give you plenty of variety. The American Prohibition Museum is one of the most unusual stops, since it’s the only one of its kind in the country. Inside, you’ll see a recreated speakeasy, vintage cars, and confiscated stills. Costumed guides share stories of how Prohibition shaped daily life, and the museum bar serves cocktails based on recipes from the 1920s, making it both educational and fun. At the museum, you’ll also find Congress Street Up, the on-site speakeasy that is available to both guests of the museum and everyday visitors to Savannah.

Families often head to the Savannah Pirates and Treasure Museum^®, where artifacts like gold coins, pistols, and navigation tools are displayed beside interactive exhibits. Kids can try pirate-themed activities or explore recreated ship decks while life-size figures of pirates such as Blackbeard and Anne Bonny make the stories feel real.

The Andrew Low House Museum brings you into the life of one of Savannah’s prominent families, with period furniture, portraits, and decorative arts preserved inside its walls. Its connection to Juliette Gordon Low links it to the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, where exhibits explore her early years and her role as founder of the Girl Scouts. Together, the two homes create a clear thread through the city’s past.

The Savannah History Museum covers nearly three centuries of stories, from Revolutionary and Civil War displays to exhibits on Savannah’s role as a port city. There’s also a pop culture angle with a section on Forrest Gump, which filmed nearby in Chippewa Square. The Telfair Museums add another layer with three distinct sites. The Telfair Academy displays European and American art in a historic mansion, the Jepson Center highlights contemporary pieces, and the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters show both the architectural detail and the daily lives connected to the home.

Savannah’s weekends often feel like a celebration, filled with festivals and outdoor gatherings that highlight food, music, and community. If you’re planning things to do in Savannah this weekend, there’s usually a lineup of recurring events and seasonal favorites that keep the city lively.

Community events add another layer of variety. The Wilderness Southeast Paddle Battle & Family Fun Day combines outdoor adventure with family-friendly activities. Guests can watch paddle races on the water, explore nature trails, and join in interactive programs that celebrate Savannah’s natural beauty.

Seasonal festivals give the city a spotlight on the regional calendar. The Savannah Music Festival is one of the largest in the Southeast, bringing in artists from around the world and filling venues across the city with diverse performances. The VOICE Festival highlights vocal talent, while the Savannah Jazz Festival celebrates the city’s deep connection to jazz with concerts in parks and historic squares. The Tybee Island Pirate Festival transforms the nearby beach town into a family-friendly celebration with costumes, parades, and music, while the Isle of Hope Arts & Music Festival showcases local artists, food vendors, and community performances in a scenic waterfront setting.

City Market also comes alive with its own events. The Wexford Irish Music Fest brings traditional Irish food and music to the heart of the district, while the Courtyard Serenades turn the open-air plaza into a relaxed gathering place where people enjoy food, drinks, and live music surrounded by Savannah’s historic architecture. Visitors searching for things to do in Savannah this weekend can enjoy these events as an easy way to take in the city’s culture and spend time outdoors.