With all of the new shops and sights in downtown Savannah, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and try to fit all the fun into one afternoon. But the great thing about living in Savannah is you don’t have to worry about doing that; instead, you can enjoy yourself at a leisurely place, which is what being in the South is all about.
- Combine shopping with cocktail hour. While walking and shopping downtown, pop in to Kayak Kafe’ Downtown, located on Broughton Street. Get one of their specialty cocktails, and get it to-go. We recommend the Strawberry Arnold Palmer; made with fresh strawberry purée, Tito’s Vodka, homemade lemonade, sweet tea and mint. It’s perfect for the scorching Savannah sun. A refreshing beverage with just the right amount of zip.
- Find a hidden treasure. For a city that is known for its arrayed history, Savannah still manages to surprise, and one great example of this is V&J Duncan. Located off of Monterey Square (of “The Book”) fame, this little shop can be easily skipped over by the casual passerby or tourist, but is easily found by anyone who knows to look for it. V&J Duncan houses antique maps, lithographs, prints, and photographs, as well as books both new and old. Lovingly curated, this store is a pleasure to explore; I can easily spend an afternoon just combing through their collection of maps.
- Brave the crowd for a snack and cheap entertainment. While the hustle and bustle of River Street can be a bit much, a late-afternoon snack of calamari at Olympia Cafe’ is worth it. Skip the restaurant side during the day. Instead, walk up to the counter on the casual side (the door on the left!) and grab an order of calamari to go and snag the table outside. If those are full, take your snack across the cobbles to the RiverWalk and people watch while noshing on some deep-fried goodness. Wash it all down with a Greek beer.. Opa!
- Treat yourself. Shopping local is always a rewarding experience, and when you’re buying something that is made here by locals in Savannah, well, that’s even better. Stop in and visit the lovely ladies at Satchel (at Liberty and Bull Streets) for handmade leather goods such as bags, bracelets, coasters and koozies. You can choose from any of the merchandise that is available for sale out on the floor, or you can have your perfect piece custom-designed and made.
- Treat yourself, again. Ignore the crowds flocking to Wet Willie’s and stop in at Sorry Charlie’s for a Bushwhacker. This classic Floridian frozen cocktail has all the fun of a milkshake, but it’s the floater of Myer’s Dark Rum that elevates this beverage to something worth savoring. Going ahead and grab a seat at the bar and relax for a minute; you’ve earned it.
Want more ideas? Stay tuned–we’re just getting started.