3-Day Sublime Savannah Music Getaway
The “Hostess City of the South,” Savannah is widely recognized for its rich history and architecture, as well as that Southern charm that ensures your drink never runs dry. Savannah embraces music and the arts. A melting pot of musical creativity, the city is home to the Savannah Philharmonic, the Coastal Jazz Association, the Savannah Folk Music Society, and bands in all genres.
Savannah also hosts more festivals than anywhere else in the state. The 17-day Savannah Music Festival, Georgia's largest musical arts event, creates timeless and adventurous productions. The Savannah Jazz Festival celebrates the uniquely American art form, the Savannah Folk Festival immerses visitors in folk music and dance traditions, and the Savannah VOICE Festival focuses on opera, classical music, and musical theatre.
Street artists and buskers playing in the parks and squares add to the soul, charm, and character of the world-renowned historic district. No matter where Savannah’s famed cobblestones lead you — to restaurants, nightclubs, art galleries, museums, churches, or theatres — you’re likely to encounter music that is anything but ordinary … just like Savannah.
Spend your weekend experiencing Savannah’s endless music and arts opportunities. During your own Savannah stopover, listen to music by local artists in the "Our Savannah Picks" playlist.
Friday
Start with food, music, beer, bourbon, repeat
In Savannah, it’s go big or go home, so start at Congress Street Social Club with large outdoor seating, bourbon-to-the-brim cocktails, a lively crowd, live music, and a late night. There is also a full menu of barbecue, tacos, and burgers (and a late-night patio grill). At least four nights a week, Congress Street Social Club presents DJs and bands.
Marvel at the outdoors
Make one of your first visits to Forsyth Park. Savannah was never designed to be experienced indoors, and the draping splendor of Forsyth Park is a testament to that. The park hosts large and small-scale events year-round. Among its grasslands, historical monuments, statues, and the dazzling fountain built in 1858, the historic district’s bustling 30-acre Forsyth Park now includes an amphitheater, which features concerts and serves as home base for the Savannah Jazz Festival.
Saturday
Shop with live music at the market
In the early 1700s, farmers and fishermen brought seafood, tobacco, okra, watermelon, and other goods to the city’s social and commercial center, Savannah City Market (corner of Jefferson and West St. Julian Street). As the modern-day “art and soul of Savannah,” the open-air marketplace, lined with galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars, still draws crowds, and live music is a staple, indoors and outdoors. Standard hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Hours vary according to seasons and individual businesses, with the market home to multiple late-night entertainment spots.
Say hello to Johnny
The life-size bronze statue of larger-than-life lyricist and composer Johnny Mercer stands in Ellis Square. It was unveiled in 2009 as part of the worldwide centennial celebration of the Savannah native’s birthday. Mercer wrote the song “Moon River” and nearly 1,400 others, co-founded Capitol Records, Inc., was founding president of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was nominated for 18 Academy Awards for best song, of which he won four. Mercer is buried in Savannah’s hauntingly beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery, which was featured in the 1994 novel "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."
Dig up vinyl rarities and more
A curiosity in and of itself, Graveface Records & Curiosities popped up 12 years after owner and musician Ryan Graveface moved to Savannah and started an independent record label. The shop deals in new and used vinyl, taxidermy, and other curiosities and even includes a VHS rental store in the back.
Go on island time
Tucked away on Savannah’s Wilmington Island, you can feel the sea breeze and sample island fare while enjoying live music every Saturday night at Molly McGuire’s Tavern. Molly McGuire’s is also known to be local musicians’ favorite neighborhood bar, just far enough away from main street with an ultra-relaxed “island time” vibe.
Sunday
Sing along to familiar tunes
Catch a Sunday show of all-ages fun at the Historic Savannah Theatre. Shows range from jazz, Broadway, Motown, disco, country, and the fabulous '50s. The two-hour musical comedy productions have audiences laughing, singing, and toe-tapping to the melodies of familiar songs of the past and current hits, performed by talented, local stars.
