Saint Patrick’s Day is this weekend, and it’s got me reminiscing about last year. My boyfriend and I took a road trip to Savannah, Georgia to celebrate this high-spirited holiday, ran into some college friends, and lived it up!
Savannah has been ranked as one of the best places to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day because of how big the celebrations are so we decided to see for ourselves. It was an exhausting weekend of nonstop activity, but we survived. Here are some must-dos if you’re planning a trip down this year.
- Watch the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The parade runs through the city from 10:15 a.m.-2 p.m., but people start celebrating a lot earlier than that. Drunken college students, locals, and tourists all stake out their spots in the beautiful squares before the sun rises. If you’re not looking to tailgate all day, you can still enjoy the parade. Most hotels and shops will have maps with a highlighted route of the parade. I recommend grabbing a drink (alcoholic or not) and walking the route about an hour before it starts. Bring a lawn chair with you and find a spot or just climb up on a bench to view the action from above. You don’t want to miss this massive display of marching bands, floats, Military Service members, cannons, and much more.
- Visit River Street
The cobblestone walkway along the Savannah River is lovely most days. On Saint Patrick’s Day, it’s insane. I recommend enjoying the quiet before the parade first. Stop by Vic’s Coffee Bar for an unbelievably delicious frozen Irish coffee before walking the parade route. Then after the parade (and a nap), visit the crowded street to see what a difference a few hours makes. Be careful walking through the sea of green. To save a little money, go into one of the bars and grab a drink there—you can take it outside after to walk around—instead of spending $10 on a Bud Light at one of the pop-up trucks.
- Do something touristy
Visiting Savannah for Saint Patrick’s Day is the perfect excuse for a long weekend getaway. Take the Friday before or Monday after off work to spend some time enjoying the city. Take a trolley tour through the city. Though cheesy, Old Savannah Tours takes you to the most popular parts of the city and teaches you a little about them with actors who portray Forrest Gump, Juliette Gordon Lowe, Rosie the Riveter, and more. Because a lot of the city is blocked off for Saint Patrick’s Day festivities, you can’t take the whole tour, but that makes it cheaper and shorter! Hop on and off the bus at Forsyth Park, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, or The Pirates’ House to explore the sites.
- Learn a little history
A tour is a great way to learn a little about the history of Savannah, but there are other options as well. Historic plaques and markers litter the city. Take a minute to read about the Battle of Savannah or the history of the 22 historic squares as you walk around. It’s a great city to just wander through, and the weather isn’t too shabby in March.
- Check out the architecture
Among the Spanish moss and elegant fountains spouting dyed-green water for the holiday, you’ll find some unique architectural wonders. Check out the grand cathedrals, old mansions, and other hidden gems throughout the city. The contrasting styles of the Telfair Museum of Art, the Mercer Williams House, and The Olde Pink House Restaurant shouldn’t go together, but they totally do.
- Eat something delicious
There are so many places to get good food in Savannah. You can try to get into Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room or Paula Dean’s The Lady & Sons. I’ve heard good things about both. On our trip, we ventured off the beaten path a little and found a lovely little spot called Cotton & Rye with a quiet outdoor patio and some really good pork shank. Oh, and before you leave, be sure to get some Guinness ice cream at Leopold’s Ice Cream—it’s worth waiting in line.
- Go ghost hunting
Savannah is known as being one of the most haunted cities in America with ghosts from battles, fires, duels, disease, slavery, and more all haunting hotels, houses, cemeteries, squares, restaurants, and bars alike. It only makes sense to take advantage of this doorway to the paranormal by participating in some kind of haunted tour. The more devoted can take a tour of the Sorrel-Weed House. You’ll receive your own EMF detector that should light up around paranormal activity and are encouraged to take photos with the hopes that something otherworldly will be in them. I found the history more interesting than the videos of past encounters, but it was pretty freaky when my detector lit up in dark corners.For those not interested in catching a ghost, I recommend a haunted pub crawl. A friendly guide will walk you around to some of the more haunted bars in the area, telling ghost stories about houses, squares, and other buildings you pass on the way. If you don’t get enough, ask your guide about other haunted bars in the area and visit them once the tour is over. You may not see any ghosts, but the drinks and stories are enough to keep you entertained.
- Admire the art
Savannah is home to SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design. You can visit the SCAD Museum of Art, but if you don’t have time or don’t love art that much, swing by shopSCAD instead. This little shop sells pieces of art made by students at the college. Find jewelry, ornaments, or quirky postcards and prints to bring home as souvenirs.
- Visit the dead
Savannah wouldn’t be Savannah without its extravagant cemeteries. Bonaventure Cemetery is the most famous with the tomb of Johnny Mercer, but I enjoyed the walk through Colonial Park. You can enter the gates during the day and explore this quirky cemetery. Look at the broken and misplaced grave markers at the back of the cemetery or try to find ones vandalized by Civil War soldiers. Some notable graves to look for include George Washington’s second in command, Nathanial Greene, who has a plot in the cemetery but isn’t lying under it, and Button Gwinnett, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
- Take care of yourself
Weekend getaways are a great way to get out of your head and your comfort zone. They can help you forget about your depression and anxiety, but they can also make these conditions worse. Make sure to incorporate time to rest or be alone if needed during your vacation. If you want to stay immersed in the city, read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil or listen to a podcast about Savannah lore. You don’t need to do everything in the two or three days you have. You can always go back!
Now go out and have fun this Saint Patrick’s Day! Protect yourself from alcohol poisoning and poltergeists, and message me on Instagram for more insider tips.
Anxious Abroad 