In a world where the current headlines feel particularly heavy and every conversation is tinged with politics, music has a singular power to cut through the noise and feed the soul. On a recent trip to Savannah, GA, I attended the Savannah Music Festival. There, I watched as people, many of them strangers, sat shoulder to shoulder, swaying to the same music, reminded that harmony isn’t just something you hear—it’s also something you feel. For a few precious days, it didn’t matter where you stood on the issues of the day. What mattered was the shared experience of listening to music that unites us when everything else threatens to divide us.
What Not to Miss
- Lunch at The Olde Pink House Restaurant, which serves Southern classics like Fried Green Tomatoes and Pan-Seared Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
- A visit to the Massie Heritage Center, a former school that has since been transformed into a center offering interpretive programs focused on sharing the history of Savannah
- A ride on the Old Town Trolley Tours, a hop-on-and-off bus tour of the most popular spots in Savannah
- A visit to the Prohibition Museum, which explores the cultural battles over alcohol in the 1920s
Accommodations
While Savannah has a plenty of beautiful and historic places to stay, we called the River Street Inn, built in 1817, home for the duration of our visit. Overlooking the Savannah River in the heart of the Historic District, it was within walking distance of a host of attractions. The cobblestone street with restored 18th– and 19th-century warehouses captured the charms of this storied destination. We especially enjoyed mingling with other guests at the daily manager’s reception, a complimentary happy hour that took place each afternoon. The only thing missing from the hotel was a spa. However, there were plenty to be found in the vicinity, including Sweet Water Spa in the Historic District; Poseiden Spa at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District; and Spa Bleu, with three nearby locations.
Healthy Eats
While I expected to eat well in Savannah, I was surprised by the vibrant and healthy food scene. In the charming historic district, there are more than 100 restaurants crowded into two square miles. There, I found a host of both indulgent and mindful options. At The Olde Pink House, with its white-tablecloth setting, there were a host of healthier options on the menu, from Chilled Gazpacho to a black-bean Veggie Burger. The historic restaurant even offers a gluten-free dinner menu. The Flying Monk, a Lao-owned Southeast Asian noodle bar felt especially authentic when two monks showed up for their takeout—just as I was devouring the Singapore Noodles. Another favorite was The Wexford, which proved to be a cozy Irish gastropub with elevated seafood. The Pan-Seared Cod was pitch-perfect). Hana Sushi, quick and unassuming, served up fresh, fast, and flavorful sushi rolls for a healthy lunch. And those with a sweet tooth won’t want to miss indulging in a cone at Leopold’s Ice Cream, founded in 1919. Just be prepared to wait, as this Savannah staple often has a line down the block.
Things to Do
A wellness lover’s dream, Savannah is walkable, historic, and humming with cultural charm. Strolling beneath moss-draped oaks and through the city’s leafy squares offers a form of slow travel that feels restorative in itself. My favorite indoor escape was the Massie Heritage Center, a former public-school-turned-museum. It’s a hidden gem where even the recreated classroom feels meditative, and the staff generously share Savannah’s layered history—from its indigenous roots to the maritime industry that shaped it. I was especially interested in the role women played in its development, even if they didn’t often get the credit they deserved. Even today, only one square is named after a woman. Taylor Square is named after Susie King Taylor, a Black woman known for her work as a nurse and educator during the Civil War.
The Prohibition Museum offers a surprisingly balanced and enlightening take on America’s temperance era (Fun fact: The Mayflower carried 42 tons of beer!), while the First African Baptist Church provides a powerful reminder of the city’s spiritual and civil rights history. For a breezier view, hop aboard a narrated riverboat cruise to learn about how Savannah came to be the third largest port in the country, or opt for an Old Town Trolley Tour—nine miles of open-air beauty through the Historic and Victorian Districts. Just south, the Starland District’s DeSoto Avenue is a pedestrian-friendly strip where street art, indie boutiques, and cafes invite you to slow down and soak it all in.
Art and Restoration
The influence of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) on the city is both visible and deeply felt. Since its founding in 1978, SCAD has reimagined more than just old buildings. It has redefined what this Southern city can be. By restoring dozens of architectural treasures and attracting a global community of artists, designers, and thinkers, SCAD has transformed Savannah into a living gallery where innovation and preservations coexist. The streets are filled with inspiration, sometimes in the form of dramatically styled art students, sometimes through public installations or pop-up exhibits that invite you to pause, reflect, and engage. For wellness travelers, that sense of curiosity and creative flow is its own kind of nourishment. SCAD’s festivals and events keep the city’s energy high year-round, and its presence makes even a casual walk through Savannah feel like an immersive, soul-stirring experience.
