From Historic Squares to Sandy Shores: The Perfect Savannah to Tybee Island Getaway

Arriving in Savannah feels like stepping onto a film set where Southern gothic meets French colonial influences. The city's 22 historic squares create a natural rhythm to your explorations—each one offering its own character and story. I spent my first two days based in the Historic District, which I highly recommend as your starting point.

Forget rigid itineraries here; Savannah rewards the wanderer. Begin with a morning stroll through Forsyth Park, where the iconic fountain creates the perfect backdrop for that obligatory Instagram moment. The Spanish moss hanging from ancient oak trees creates natural canopies that filter the morning light in the most captivating way.

For accommodations, I chose the Thunderbird Inn, a retro-chic motel that offers surprising comfort without the luxury price tag. Its mid-century modern aesthetic appealed to my merchandiser's eye, while the complimentary donuts each morning became a guilty pleasure I looked forward to.

Savannah's food scene deserves special mention. For an unforgettable meal, book a table at The Grey, housed in a renovated Greyhound bus terminal. Chef Mashama Bailey's menu blends African, European, and Southern influences in a way that resonated deeply with my own multicultural background. For something more casual, The Collins Quarter offers Australian-inspired café fare that's perfect for brunch.

Don't miss exploring the riverfront area at sunset when the cobblestones glow golden and river breezes offer relief from the Georgia heat. Factor Street is my favorite spot to watch massive container ships glide by—a reminder that Savannah remains a working port city beneath its tourist-friendly veneer.

The beauty of this dual-destination getaway lies in the seamless transition between city and shore. The 18-mile journey from Savannah's Historic District to Tybee Island takes you through quintessential Low Country landscapes of salt marshes and tidal creeks that seem to stretch endlessly toward the horizon.

For transportation, you have several options. While having your own car offers maximum flexibility (especially for families with beach gear), I discovered that rideshare services are readily available and reasonably priced. For the eco-conscious traveler, Savannah offers bike rentals that can be transported on the Chatham Area Transit (CAT) buses equipped with bike racks—a system reminiscent of Amsterdam's practical approach to cycling infrastructure.

Before leaving Savannah, I recommend stopping at Whole Foods or another grocery store to stock up on beach essentials and snacks. Tybee has limited shopping options, and prices reflect the island premium. My go-to beach kit includes a reliable beach umbrella for shade (the Georgia sun is unforgiving) and plenty of reef-safe sunscreen.

If you're making this journey with friends as I did, consider breaking up your accommodation reservation. We spent three nights in Savannah followed by four on Tybee, which created a natural rhythm to our week-long adventure. This approach lets you fully immerse in each destination rather than constantly shuttling back and forth.

The transitional drive itself offers several worthy stops. Thunderbolt Marina provides a glimpse into local fishing culture, while the Cockspur Island Lighthouse makes for a striking photo opportunity. These brief interludes help ease the shift from urban exploration to beach relaxation mode.

After Savannah's manicured elegance, Tybee Island feels refreshingly laid-back. This is not the French Riviera or Miami Beach—and that's precisely its charm. Tybee embraces a distinctly unpretentious beach town vibe that reminds me of childhood vacations to small coastal villages outside Marseille.

The island offers three main beach areas, each with its own character. North Beach sits in the shadow of the historic lighthouse and tends to be quieter, perfect for morning walks and dolphin spotting. Mid Beach attracts a local crowd and offers the best value for accommodations. South Beach, near the pier and pavilion, buzzes with energy and provides the classic boardwalk experience complete with ice cream shops and souvenir stands.

For our stay, we chose a mid-range vacation rental through VRBO, securing a two-bedroom cottage just three blocks from Mid Beach. Having a kitchen and outdoor shower proved invaluable for our beach-focused days. If you prefer hotel amenities, Hotel Tybee offers comfortable rooms with ocean views at reasonable rates.

Beach days here follow a natural rhythm: mornings for shelling and quiet contemplation, afternoons for swimming and people-watching, evenings for seafood and spectacular sunsets. The tide changes dramatically here—up to 8 feet—creating different beach experiences throughout the day.

Food on Tybee deserves special mention. The Crab Shack ('Where the Elite Eat in Their Bare Feet') serves up unpretentious seafood boils in a setting so authentically coastal it borders on cliché—in the best possible way. For breakfast, The Breakfast Club serves enormous portions that fuel a full day of beach activities. And no visit is complete without ice cream from Seaside Sweets while strolling the South Beach pier at sunset.

Despite being just 18 miles from Savannah, Tybee operates on its own wavelength—literally and figuratively. The island's pace is dictated by tides and sunshine rather than tour schedules and dinner reservations. Embrace this shift and you'll discover the true appeal of this dual-destination getaway.

While beaches are Tybee's main attraction, both destinations offer engaging activities for travelers seeking variety. In Savannah, the Georgia State Railroad Museum captivated me with its impressive collection of historic locomotives—a pleasant surprise for someone who typically gravitates toward fashion and design spaces.

For those traveling with friends who enjoy cycling as I do, Savannah's flat terrain makes it ideal for exploration on two wheels. I recommend renting bikes from Savannah On Wheels and picking up a waterproof phone pouch to protect your devices while still capturing photos of the historic district's hidden courtyards and lanes.

On Tybee, Little Tybee Island (an uninhabited nature preserve accessible only by boat) offers an adventure beyond the main beaches. Several outfitters offer kayak tours where you can explore pristine marshlands and often spot dolphins playing in the wake. Tybee Jet Ski & Watersports provided our group with an excellent guided kayak excursion that balanced wildlife education with relaxed paddling suitable for beginners.

For history buffs, Fort Pulaski National Monument sits between Savannah and Tybee, offering a fascinating glimpse into Civil War history. The fort's brick architecture and engineering impressed me almost as much as its historical significance. The rangers give excellent tours that bring the past to life without overwhelming you with dates and details.

During summer evenings, the Tybee Post Theater hosts family-friendly films and performances in a beautifully restored historic venue. After days in the sun, these cultural offerings provide welcome entertainment that doesn't require additional UV exposure.

When the weather doesn't cooperate (which happened during one day of our trip), the Tybee Island Marine Science Center offers interactive exhibits that educate visitors about local marine ecosystems. Their touch tanks were particularly popular with the younger visitors, while I appreciated learning about conservation efforts protecting the loggerhead sea turtles that nest on Tybee's beaches.

No travel blog about the Georgia coast would be complete without celebrating its culinary offerings. The region's food scene beautifully reflects its multicultural heritage—African, European, and Indigenous influences blend to create distinctive flavors that tell the story of the American South.

In Savannah, my epicurean journey began at The Olde Pink House, housed in an 18th-century mansion. While admittedly touristy, their she-crab soup and crispy scored flounder justified the splurge. For a more authentic experience, head to Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, where communal tables are laden with Southern classics served family-style. Just be prepared to queue—the line forms well before the 11am opening.

For casual dining in Savannah, The Grey Market (the casual offshoot of The Grey restaurant) offers excellent sandwiches and salads perfect for picnicking in one of the historic squares. Back in the Day Bakery's biscuits provided the perfect morning fuel for our urban explorations—their cheddar and chive variety haunts my dreams to this day.

On Tybee, seafood naturally dominates the culinary landscape. Beyond The Crab Shack I mentioned earlier, Sundae Café surprised us with sophisticated seafood dishes that would be at home in any metropolitan restaurant. Despite its unassuming strip mall location, their shrimp and grits rival any I've tasted across the South.

For the budget-conscious traveler, North Beach Bar and Grill serves Caribbean-influenced seafood in a casual setting near the lighthouse. Their jerk-spiced fish tacos paired perfectly with a local Georgia craft beer as the sun set over the dunes.

One essential culinary experience bridges both destinations: Leopold's Ice Cream. Founded in 1919, this Savannah institution now has a seasonal outpost on Tybee. Their Tutti Frutti flavor—a rum-based ice cream with candied fruits—has remained unchanged for over a century, and for good reason.

For those who enjoy cooking, the Forsyth Farmers' Market (Saturday mornings in Savannah) offers local produce and artisanal products. We stocked our Tybee kitchen with fresh Georgia peaches and handmade pasta that elevated our beach house meals beyond typical vacation fare. I also recommend picking up a bottle of local olive oil as both a practical vacation purchase and a distinctive souvenir.