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Day 1: I searched for an airport hotel with a shuttle and decent reviews. We wanted to stay at a small historic property in or near the historic district, but late night arrivals can be problematic. I didn’t want to mess with that. We booked a night at the Fairfield. The shuttle had to be reserved and ended at 11PM. We boarded the shuttle at 10:40. The pickup area for shuttles was congested with all manner of vehicles, even that late at night, making it somewhat challenging to locate the shuttle. Other people were having problems, too. (I like airports with separate hotel shuttle lots.) Our shuttle was about 15 minutes late. The Fairfield was clean, mattress was comfy, area was safe, employees were friendly and the free breakfast was sufficient. In the morning, we took the shuttle to the rental car agency at the airport. The morning driver was SUPER friendly and very punctual. There was no line for the rental cars at 9AM. Getting downtown was pretty easy. We drove straight to the Savannah Visitors’ Center and boarded the Old Town hop on/off trolley tour. We decided to stay on for the entire 90 minute tour, as we have had experiences with similar trolleys where you get off and can’t get back on again due to full trolleys. We saw this happen with a group at one of the stops. Our trolley was full on a Friday morning in January. Our guide was jovial and was an expert at maneuvering through the narrow streets. The tour was an excellent orientation, or a “Savannah 101.” We would recommend starting at stop #1 because there is abundant parking there, plus you have to get off at stop #1 regardless of where you start your tour. After our tour, we drove to the Catherine Ward House Inn, located about a block from Forsyth Park. We chose this inn because it had good (free) parking options, good reviews and a more forgiving cancellation policy than most of the similar properties. It’s also two blocks from a Kroger, which came in handy. It is a longer walk to the river, though. They allow check-ins as early as 11, so we dropped off our bags and walked to Collins Quarter in Forsyth for lunch. We had a long wait for our food. Our server was friendly and kept apologizing (not his fault). I had probably the best Caesar salad I have ever had. We did the obligatory fountain photos, then walked through all the squares on Bull St., with detours down Jones St. (gorgeous) all the way to the river. Loved the squares. We liked the historic caves/arches below City Hall. We then walked down River St. as far as the Waving Girl statue, pausing to photograph the paddle boat. We walked back to our lodging, stopping at Kroeger to pick up picnic lunch items. Freshened up and drove the car to our reservation at Olde Pink House. Easily parked in a garage a block away. Our server was very knowledgeable and our food was very flavorful. The manager was attentive. The ambience was intimate. Definitely more for adults. After an amazing meal, we returned to our lodging and called it a night. We did a lot of walking, but the cooler temperatures (50s) made it comfortable.

Answer

It sounds like your first day in Savannah went smoothly, despite a few minor hiccups! Here are some additional suggestions and observations based on your experience, which might help future visitors or enhance your own trip:

Airport Hotel and Shuttle Experience:

The Fairfield Inn sounds like a great option for the first night, especially given the convenience of the shuttle. I agree that an organized shuttle lot would be much easier to navigate, but it’s great that the shuttle service was still punctual despite the late arrival. For future reference, hotels like the Holiday Inn Express Savannah - Historic District or the Hyatt Place Savannah Airport offer similarly convenient airport shuttle services and might also be worth checking out for future stays.

Rental Car and Getting Downtown:

The ease of picking up your rental car at the airport was a major plus! It seems like you had a smooth start with minimal hassle, which is often not the case. Since you had good luck with the rental process, I'd suggest checking out Hertz or Enterprise if you're booking again, as both have a solid reputation for ease of access and good customer service. Your advice on driving straight to the Savannah Visitors’ Center for the hop-on/hop-off trolley is spot on—it’s a great place to begin exploring Savannah.

Old Town Trolley Tour:

The 90-minute trolley tour sounds like a perfect introduction to the city. As you mentioned, staying on for the full tour was a great decision, especially when there are challenges getting back on due to full trolleys. One suggestion for others considering this tour is to plan a bit of flexibility in case the tours fill up quickly, which seems to be a common issue during peak tourist times.

Lunch at Collins Quarter:

Collins Quarter is a fantastic spot, and it's good to hear you enjoyed the Caesar salad—such a simple dish, but when done right, it really stands out! The wait for food is always frustrating, but it sounds like the atmosphere and your server helped make up for it. For a quicker lunch option, those interested might also enjoy The Grey, a trendy spot housed in a restored 1938 Greyhound bus station, serving Southern-inspired dishes. It's a little pricier, but the food is exceptional.

Walking Savannah:

What an amazing way to see the city! Walking through the squares is truly one of Savannah’s best experiences. Your visit to City Hall and the arches beneath it is a great example of hidden gems that most tourists might overlook. For anyone visiting, I also recommend a stroll through Washington Square and Johnson Square—both are charming and rich in history.

River Street and Waving Girl Statue:

The Waving Girl statue is a lovely spot to pause during your River Street walk. You might also want to check out the Savannah History Museum and SCAD Museum of Art, which are both located along the riverfront and offer insight into Savannah's artistic and cultural heritage. The paddleboats are always great for photos too!

Dining at Olde Pink House:

It sounds like Olde Pink House was a wonderful dining experience, as it’s a true Savannah institution! The atmosphere there is hard to beat, and the food is equally impressive. For those seeking similar historic dining experiences, consider checking out The Grey for Southern cuisine with a modern twist or Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, known for its classic Southern comfort food served in a homey, communal setting. Both are must-try spots for those who want to dive into the city's rich culinary tradition.

Conclusion:

It sounds like you had a fantastic start to your trip! For the next few days, if you’re interested in seeing more of Savannah, I’d recommend exploring some of the beautiful parks such as Forsyth Park and Emmet Park, or taking a boat tour along the Savannah River. Also, a visit to Bonaventure Cemetery is an unforgettable experience if you’re interested in history and architecture. Keep up the great work exploring, and enjoy the rest of your stay!

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