Dimly lit bar in Savannah with the word "RELAX" glowing in the background, setting the mood for a peaceful getaway.

🌿 Relax & Recharge: Choose Your Own Pace

Savannah offers so many ways to slow down — whether recharging means a quiet coffee in a shaded square, a spa day, or a gentle adventure on the water. For some, it’s about curling up with a book; for others, it’s moving your body with yoga, a riverside run, or a healthy meal that leaves you feeling good.

This itinerary works like a menu: choose what speaks to you from each section — eats & drinks, relaxing things to do, and healthy ways to reset — and create your own version of “relax & recharge.”

Map Your Day

See where to sip, stroll, and slow down — all the local gems from this Relax & Recharge Itinerary in Savannah, just blocks apart.

🍴 Eats & Drinks Worth Lingering Over

☕ Slow Coffee Spots

  • Gallery Espresso (234 Bull St.) – Cozy coffeehouse with mismatched armchairs right on Chippewa Square.

  • Collins Quarter Forsyth Side Window (center of Forsyth Park) – Perfect stop before or after a walk in the park (the side window is right near the playground).

  • Savannah Coffee Roasters (215 W. Liberty St.) – In my opinion, the best coffee in town (hands down). Some comfy seating options, too, but it can get crowded at peak times. It’s one of my preferred places to work on my laptop, and they even have a fireplace going in the winter.

🍳Laid-Back Breakfast/Brunch Options

  • Collin’s Quarter in Forsyth (Forsyth Park near fountain) — Brunch beneath moss-draped oaks right in the heart of Forsyth park. Even the wait is relaxing and unhurried — grab a latte from the side window and linger under the trees until your table is ready.

  • Clary’s Cafe (404 Abercorn St.) — A classic neighborhood diner (seen frequently in Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil) where time slows down. Plates are your traditional American breakfast fare, coffee is endless, and you’re right on Jones St. to snap a photo.

🥗 Healthiest Lunch Options

  • Kayak Kafé (1 E. Broughton St.) – Healthy wraps, salads, tacos, and more — a perfect light lunch or dinner. Being a healthy eater myself, I will often order from here for dinner and eat it at home. The interior is nothing to write home about, but the food is definitely health-focused.

  • The Clyde Market (223 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) – Some of the best smoothie bowls you’ll find downtown.

  • Urban Deli (321 Habersham on Troup Square) – We get take-out here often. Their sandwiches are fresh, and they have some outdoor seating overlooking the square.

  • Brighter Day Natural Foods (1102 Bull St.) – Known for their extensive selection of vitamins and natural products (from food to cleaning supplies), but they also have a little deli in the back that serves sandwiches and smoothies.

🍽 Worthy Farm-to-Table Dinners

  • Common Thread (122 E. 37th St.) – In the Victorian District. If you don’t mind walking, take Bull Street. If you’ve read my restaurant guide, you already know this is one of my absolute favorite dinner venues. The food and ambience are top-notch every. single. time.

  • Flora & Fauna (2401 Bull St.) – Also in the Victorian District. A very fresh “supper club” restaurant with a unique, ever-changing menu.

🌊 Food & Drinks With a View

  • The Wyld (2740 Livingston Ave.) – It’s a short Uber ride, but worth it if your idea of relax & recharge means eating with a phenomenal view. The Wyld has a solid menu, but its biggest selling point is the marshside setting. Lots of locals even boat here on weekends for lunch.

  • The Deck Beach Bar & Kitchen (404 Butler Ave., Tybee Island) – Another Uber/Lyft destination, this time to Tybee. In my opinion, The Deck has the best view of any Tybee restaurant. The owner also owns Collins Quarter, so you can trust the food’s good. Ask to sit as close as possible to the dune/water.

  • Bar Julian (rooftop bar of The Thompson Hotel, 201 Port St.) – Sitting at the eastern end of Savannah’s riverwalk is The Thompson Hotel, and their rooftop “Bar Julian.” It’s quite possibly my favorite rooftop view for a nice lunch or cocktails.

  • Peregrin (rooftop bar of The Perry Lane Hotel, 256 E. Perry St.) – This is definitely a better option if you prefer something closer to the south or victorian districts. Peregrin used to be my top-rated rooftop bar, but, and I don’t know why, it’s gotten a little chaotic and unkempt. Sometimes there are tables that haven’t been cleaned, etc. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a fantastic option, which is why I’m listing it here.

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🌳 Relaxing Things to Do

🌿 Peaceful Parks & Squares

  • Forsyth Park’s Fragrant Garden – A small walled garden designed for the visually impaired, filled with herbs and aromatic plants. It’s one of the park’s quietest corners — and easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there.

  • Pulaski, Chatham, Lafayette, or Taylor Squares – Among the most peaceful squares in Savannah, shaded by oaks and perfect for reading or people-watching without the bustle. Unlike the squares along Bull Street, these stay relatively calm.

  • Sit by the River – For a quieter experience, head east along the river beyond the Marriott. You’ll eventually reach Eastern Wharf, where a large open green space with Adirondack chairs invites you to linger. Squirrel’s Pizza and its bar are right there if you get hungry or thirsty, making it a perfect low-key afternoon stop.

🛍 Slow Shopping & Browsing

  • E. Shaver Booksellers – Savannah’s most beloved indie bookstore, complete with resident cats and cozy nooks to curl up with a book. It’s such a charming spot and definitely worth a stop.

  • The Paris Market – A French-inspired shop with a basement full of curiosities and a café upstairs. Perfect for browsing slowly and sipping tea. I almost never leave without buying something — the selection is that good.

  • Asher & Rye – A beautifully curated lifestyle store featuring furniture, décor, and Scandinavian-inspired design pieces.

  • One Fish Two Fish – A stylish boutique filled with jewelry, home accents, and gifts that feel both coastal and chic. A no-fail option if you need a thoughtful gift.

  • JW Marriott Plant Riverside Lobby – Walk through this stunning riverside hotel to see towering geodes, fossils, and artifacts. It feels like a free mini-museum.

  • River Street Marketplace – A collection of local, small vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to Savannah-themed art. Located near the east end of River Street by the Waving Girl statue. Lots of stocking stuffers to be found.

  • ShopSCAD – A gallery-like space featuring work from SCAD students and alumni. Pricey, but worth a browse for unique art, jewelry, and design pieces.

  • Capital Bee Company – A small, cheerful boutique on the east end of Broughton St., featuring all sorts of cute finds. If you need a hostess or thank-you gift, this is your place.

    Locals know — Capital Bee sells two sizes of Savannah Cheese Straws, and they’re hands-down the best you’ll ever try. We crumble them into soups and salads, but they’re just as good on their own. They’ve also become my go-to gift when visiting friends out of town — people love them so much they now ask me to bring a box whenever I come.

✨ Creative & Quirky Ways to Unwind

  • Get a Reading at Savannah Psychics – Brian & Jen run Savannah Psychics at 311 W. Broughton Street, offering tarot and intuitive readings. A unique way to pause and reflect during your trip.

  • Pounce Cat Café & Wine Bar – Relax with a glass of wine or coffee while spending time with adoptable cats from the local shelter. It’s equal parts cozy, playful, and heartwarming.

  • Learn to Make a Cocktail – At Congress Street Up, the speakeasy inside the American Prohibition Museum, you can take part in hands-on cocktail classes that teach you the craft behind classic drinks.  TICKETS

  • Savannah Drag Queen Pub Crawl – A one-of-a-kind evening led by Savannah’s queens, mixing comedy, history, and plenty of sass with bar stops along the way. TICKETS

  • The Graveface Museum – Located at 410 E. Factors Walk, this offbeat museum explores true crime, secret societies, the occult, and more. Of note: Factor’s Walk itself was once the site of Savannah’s slave trade, adding a sobering historical layer to your visit.

  • Sea Love – At 310 W. Broughton Street, you can blend your own fragrance and pour a custom candle to take home.

  • Tour Savannah in a Classic French Citroën – See the city from a different angle with a guided ride in a vintage French Citroën. It’s part history, part style statement, and entirely unforgettable. TICKETS

💪 Healthy Ways to Recharge

For when slowing down means moving your body, sweating, or refreshing yourself.

🧘 Yoga & Mindfulness

  • Yoga in Forsyth Park – This is always fun because lots of people participate (it does require an entrance fee).

  • Yoga Studios: Otium Studios (102 E. Liberty in Drayton Tower), Savannah Yoga Center (509 Barnard St.), Paddleboard Yoga through Savannah Canoe & Kayak

  • Meditation in a Square – Bring headphones, find a bench, and take 15 minutes of quiet.

💆 Spas & Wellness

🏊 Pools & Fitness

  • Rooftop Pools – The Thompson (includes gym), The Andaz (includes gym), Homewood Suites The Alida (includes gym), Kimpton Brice, and The DeSoto (includes gym) are all ones I’d recommend. Can be bought through Resort Pass

  • Gym Day Passes – Fitness on Broughton is the only real downtown gym (other than hotel gyms) that you can get a day pass for. It’s super convenient, though, being right on Broughton.

🚣 Outdoor & Active Adventures

  • Kayak/Paddleboard – Savannah Canoe & Kayak offers tours and rentals, making for a healthy way to explore our natural scenery.

  • Day Trip to Tybee – This one on Viator is popular because they provide transportation, a cooler with ice, chairs, and umbrella. They’ll also stop somewhere for you to stock your cooler in route to the beach.

Map Your Day

See where to sip, stroll, and slow down — all the local gems from this Relax & Recharge Itinerary in Savannah, just blocks apart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about how to make the most of your relaxing day in Savannah? Here are a few helpful answers based on what guests often ask us.

  • A lot of people come to Savannah with a laundry list of things to check off, bars to visit, etc, but it can absolutely be a relaxing and rejuvenating place to visit — that’s why so many of us have moved here! You can lean into the city life when you want it, but it’s just as easy to slip into a slower rhythm, which is what the majority of us do.

  • Most stops — parks, squares, coffee shops — are accessible, but Savannah does have uneven brick sidewalks and cobblestones. Rooftop pools and certain historic shops may have stair access only. If accessibility is a priority, check ahead with specific businesses before visiting.

  • Yes, I would definitely make reservations at least two weeks in advance for Common Thread, as well as Flora & Fauna. You can always look for last-minute cancellations, but, to get the time you want (assuming you want a table), definitely book in advance.

  • A few things:

    • Yoga in Forsyth Park requires an entrance fee.

    • Spa treatments and Resort Pass rooftop pools should be booked ahead.

    • Some experiences, like the Drag Queen Pub Crawl or Congress Street Up cocktail classes, sell tickets in advance.

    Everything else — squares, shops, riverside strolls — is free to enjoy at your own pace.

  • If it were up to me, I’d begin my day with a walk or run around Forsyth Park (it’s a one-mile loop), followed by coffee from the Collins Quarter Forsyth side window. Afterwards, as a runner, I’d probably do my regular 4.5-mile loop around downtown, making sure to run the full length of the riverwalk down to Eastern Wharf.

    After a shower, I’d head to Urban Deli for a sandwich (not a breakfast eater), then wander through The Paris Market and Capital Bee Company (where I’d pick up their cheese straws because they’re incredible). In the evening, I’d grab a pre-dinner cocktail at Bar Julian with my husband (the view is phenomenal) before having dinner at Common Thread. That’s my ideal relaxing day here in SAV!

You Don’t Need a Schedule to Make Memories