Stock Your Stay: A Local's Guide to Savannah Markets & Essentials
Where to shop, stock your rental, and find what you need while visiting Savannah
One of the things we love most about Savannah is that there is always something to see, taste, or explore, while the city still holds onto its relaxed, small-town Southern feel.
That charm is part of what makes Savannah so special, but it also means visitors should plan a little differently than they might in a larger city. Most of Savannah’s big-box stores, including Target and Walmart, are outside the Historic District and generally require a car or rideshare.
Thankfully, you can find almost everything you need much closer to downtown and several of our favorite options are local businesses we visit frequently as locals.
Most of our Hosting Savannah properties include a full kitchen stocked with everything needed or a kitchenette with, convenient appliances for preparing snacks, coffee, and simple meals. Stocking your rental with a few local ingredients is a wonderful way to slow down and settle into Savannah.
We are sharing tips on whereto to pick up pastries and fruit for a quiet breakfast, create a cheese board to enjoy in the courtyard, or pack a picnic to take to one of Savannah’s beautiful squares. Below you can find some of our favorite places to shop, gather provisions, and find everyday necessities during your stay.
Groceries and Local Markets
Kroger Downtown Savannah
For a traditional grocery-shopping experience, the downtown Kroger is located at 311 East Gwinnett Street.
It is within walking distance or a short drive of many of our properties and is generally the easiest place to purchase groceries, drinks, household basics, toiletries, and other everyday essentials.
The store also has a pharmacy, making it a helpful place to know about if you need basic health or medical supplies during your visit.
Forsyth Farmers’ Market
A Saturday morning visit to the Forsyth Farmers’ Market is one of our favorite ways to experience Savannah like a local.
The market takes place beneath the oak trees at Forsyth Park and features farmers, makers, and food producers from throughout Georgia and the surrounding Lowcountry.
Depending on the season, you may find fresh produce, meat, seafood, cheese, bread, flowers, honey, specialty foods, and locally made goods.
Our summer picnic suggestion: Pick up fresh tomatoes or Georgia peaches, goat cheese, greens, and a jar of local honey. Add a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine, and you have everything you need for an easy picnic in the park or one of Savannah’s squares.
Brighter Day Natural Foods Market
Located at the southern end of Forsyth Park, Brighter Day Natural Foods Market is Savannah’s longtime neighborhood health-food store.
Brighter Day is smaller and more personal than a traditional grocery store, with a thoughtful selection of natural foods, wellness products, vitamins, supplements, fresh produce, and specialty ingredients.
Their sandwich and smoothie counter is also one of our favorite casual lunch stops.
Grab a sandwich, walk through Forsyth Park, and find a shaded bench for a little people-watching. It is a simple Savannah afternoon that never gets old.
Fancy Parker’s
We always get a little excited when we introduce guests to Fancy Parker’s.
Yes, that is really what everyone calls it.
Parker’s is a Southern convenience-store chain, but its downtown Savannah location is unlike your typical gas station. Inside, you will find a large drink and sweet-tea selection, prepared foods, snacks, wine, cheese, gifts, and even a small home and garden section.
Locals and frequent Savannah visitors know that Fancy Parker’s is an experience of its own.
It is a convenient place to stop for a cold drink while exploring downtown, grab a quick snack, or pick up wine and a few provisions to enjoy back at your rental.
Provisions
There is a special place in our hearts for Provisions.
This beautiful neighborhood market offers a curated selection of wine, cheese, bread, crackers, pantry items, flowers, produce, and all the little things that make an ordinary evening feel special.
Locals stop by for wine recommendations, hostess gifts, picnic ingredients, and high-quality provisions for dinners and celebrations.
It is one of our favorite places to gather everything you need for a picnic in a Savannah square, a courtyard happy hour, or an easy cheese and charcuterie board at your rental.
You may even find a little something to bring home with you.
Where to Buy Beer, Wine and Liquor
For wine, we love browsing the selections at Provisions and Fancy Parker’s.
For a more traditional liquor store or a larger selection of beer, wine, and spirits, local options include:
Johnnie Ganem’s is especially well known locally and has been part of Savannah for generations.
Please remember that alcohol purchases are limited to guests age 21 and older.
Explore Savannah’ Open Container District
One of our favorite things about Savannah is that you can enjoy a cocktail while exploring much of the Historic District. It's one of those little things that makes the city feel so relaxed and unique.
Guests 21 and older are welcome to enjoy alcoholic beverages within Savannah's designated Open Container District, as long as drinks are in an approved plastic or aluminum to-go cup (16 ounces or smaller). Glass containers are not permitted.
You can purchase a cup here.
We love grabbing a drink from one of our favorite local spots and taking a leisurely stroll beneath the moss-draped oak trees, wandering through the historic squares, or making our way to dinner. It's such a fun way to experience Savannah at a slower pace.
The Open Container District includes River Street, all 22 historic squares, Forsyth Park, and generally stretches from River Street to Jones Street and from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to East Broad Street. Hutchinson Island is also included.
Before you head out, we recommend taking a quick look at the official Open Container District map so you know where you can sip and stroll. And if you ever have questions or need a recommendation for the perfect cocktail stop, we're always happy to help!
Pharmacies, Toiletries and Everyday Necessities
Travel rarely goes exactly as planned. Whether you forgot a toothbrush, need cold medicine, or realize you left an important item at home, there are several convenient options downtown.
For groceries, personal-care products, and basic medical necessities, the downtown Kroger is usually the most complete option.
You can also visit CVS Pharmacy at 119 Bull Street, which is conveniently located near many Historic District attractions and Hosting Savannah properties.
Savannah also has a Walgreens on West Broughton Street. It is convenient for snacks, toiletries, and basic necessities, but guests should be aware that this particular location does not have a full pharmacy.
Planning ahead is especially important if you take prescription medication. We recommend traveling with enough medication for your entire stay whenever possible.
Urgent Care and Medical Assistance
For non-emergency medical care, ExperCARE Downtown Savannah is one of the closest urgent-care options to the Historic District.
Urgent-care clinics may be appropriate for illnesses or injuries that need prompt attention but are not life-threatening.
For any serious or life-threatening emergency, always call 911 immediately.
We are also available to help point our guests toward nearby resources, pharmacies, urgent-care clinics, transportation, or other local services whenever needed.
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
Downtown Savannah may not have a Target or Walmart around every corner, but that is part of its charm.
Instead, you will find neighborhood markets, longtime local businesses, farmers selling fresh produce beneath the oak trees, and small shops where the owners may help you choose the perfect bottle of wine.
Stock your kitchen, make yourself a picnic, pour a glass of something good, and enjoy settling into Savannah at a slower pace.
Until the next check-in—
Alyssa
