What to Pack for Savannah

I have had plenty of time to get to know Savannah, Georgia. I was born and raised here. My husband and I met here and spent our dating years bouncing around downtown. (Full disclosure: he’s not originally from here.) I spent my school years going on field trips to many of the historical sites you’re probably planning on seeing when you get here. That’s why I feel more than qualified to share with you what to pack for Savannah, Georgia. Read on!

Cool and Casual Layers

When deciding what to pack for Savannah, keep in mind that by and large, we’ve got a laidback vibe. We like sundresses and basically anything that will keep us cool during warmer months. (Any month that isn’t December, January, or February.) If you are visiting in late fall or early spring, consider layers. Mornings can start off on the chillier side and in the 40s but can easily warm up to the upper 80s and beyond by afternoon. On that note, if you are visiting during the summer, be prepared for the heat. On a bad day, Savannah’s humidity can be intense. We love a good denim jacket down here for that reason! Toss it over a dress and you are good to go. My go-to denim jacket is my old faithful from Old Navy.

Comfortable, Flat Shoes

Repeat after me: comfortable. flat. shoes. If your trip to Savannah includes tours downtown or through our historic cemeteries, you’re going to want something comfortable and steady. The historic district is pedestrian-friendly and there are countless things to do along the riverfront alone. Downtown is filled with beautiful squares…beautiful squares with beautiful oak trees that sometimes shift bricks in pathways ever so slightly out of place. Also, has anyone mentioned cobblestones yet? They’re lovely. But, if you’re considering a trip down River Street, trust me and pack the flat shoes or you might literally trip down River Street. A narrow staircase that leads to River Street has come to be known as “the stone stairs of death” by locals. These stairs earned their nickname. Pack comfortable, steady shoes. Your feet and ankles will thank you.

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Personally, after being diagnosed with tarsal tunnel syndrome from fallen arches, I love Vionic Shoes. They support my feet and are comfortable to wear for the entire day.

Bug Spray

Before we had the Savannah Bananas, the local minor league baseball team was the Savannah Sand Gnats—for good reason. Sand gnats are tiny little gnat flies that love to come out right around sunset. I highly recommend packing some bug spray if you are planning any outdoor activities around twilight. This is especially noteworthy if you’re planning on any of the cemetery tours, like my personal favorite at Bonaventure.

Thigh Rescue

I didn’t create this blog to lie to anyone or to leave out any details, so I’m going to be honest with you. Pack something for any part of your body that you know of that chafes. Savannah is very humid nearly year-round. Make sure you’re prepared by packing something to prevent chafe before it happens. I love the Megababe Thigh Rescue. I’ve used it in Florida theme parks during the summer and it gets the job done. Don’t let the name fool you. This multi-tool product can also be used to prevent blisters.

Megababe also makes a great talc-free body powder that is perfect for sweaty days in the humid Savannah sun.

Pedialyte AdvancedCare Plus Electrolyte Powder

“If you go to Atlanta, the first question people ask you is, “What’s your business?” In Macon, they ask, “Where do you go to church?” In Augusta, they ask your grandmother’s maiden name. But in Savannah, the first question people ask you is “What would you like to drink?”
― John Berendt, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Did you know that Savannah has an open container policy? You can walk around with an alcoholic beverage pretty much anywhere in the historic district. It’s a huge draw for our tourism industry because who doesn’t want to do a tipsy ghost tour through the country’s most haunted city? I didn’t realize how unique this is until I went to Atlanta for college, but it definitely means that during your visit you might find yourself imbibing more than you normally do. That and the fact that Savannah has a fantastic food and beverage scene with tons of fun bars. These Pedialyte Instant Packs are easy to pack and TSA friendly and should make your list for what to pack for Savannah. They might just save you if you wake up to find you overserved yourself the day before. They’re also great to keep in your go-bag for surviving the heat.

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I hope that this post has helped you determine what to pack for Savannah. She is a beautiful city with so much to offer and I hope you have a wonderful visit. Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments!

Be sure to check out the Savannah section of my site for more information on the hostess city of the south!