Independence Day: Things to do in Savannah on July 4th
Published Jun 28, 2017
Looking for things to do in Savannah this July 4th?
Celebrating Independence Day in the “Hostess City” as Savannah is known, is fun, and can be as wild or mild as you want!
FIREWORKS ON RIVER STREET
Every July 4th, River Street is the place to be. You’ll see jubilant crowds strolling up and down the Savannah River, to-go cups in hand, bar hopping, eating, and shopping. Everyone will be partying in anticipation of the huge Independence Day fireworks show, and it gets bigger and better every year!
Show your patriotism, and enjoy the biggest fireworks show of the year at the River Street 4th of July Celebration!
Hear live music at the Rousakis Plaza Arbor Stage on the river, take the kids to hang out at the kid’s zone, or buy a drink at the first bar you see, grab a to-go cup and get walking. The fireworks start at 9:30 pm on Tuesday July 4th, rain or shine.
You’ll have a good view of the fireworks show from anywhere on River Street, but be warned, the City of Savannah prohibits viewing the show from city-owned parking garages.
The festivities “officially” start Monday July 3rd, but Savannah gets excited about any excuse to party. In reality, the party starts Fridaynight and runs until the end of the night on the 4th.
Head to River Street, Broughton Street, or City Market, and you’ll find a bar, club, or restaurant to suit your mood. Most bars will serve alcohol until 3am, which is the final cut-off per city ordinance.
CITY MARKET
City Market bills itself “the Art and Soul of Savannah”.
Located inside the Historic District, between historic Franklin and Ellis squares, City Market is packed with bars, restaurants, and art galleries. You’ll hear live music every night in the open air of the shaded courtyard, sometimes from local performers, sometimes from big names.
There’s never a slow night at City Market, but it will be positively packed with revelers in the days leading up to July 4th.
Wet Willie’s
(Closes at 2am FRI & SAT, Closes at 1am SUN – THURS)
Enjoy nearly 20 flavors of frozen drinks, or make up your own at Wet Willie’s. Grab one to go, or hang out in the lounge. But be careful – the drinks here are STRONG!
Wild Wing Cafe
Featuring buffalo wings from mild to “Chernobyl” and even hotter, somehow, Wild Wing Cafe in City Market is a bar, restaurant and a party. Live music all day July 4th, featuring Liquid Ginger!
Vinnie Van Go-Go’s
(CASH ONLY! Closes at midnight FRI & SAT, 11:30 SUN – THURS)
Started by college friends who wanted a place to drink and hangout, Vinnie’s has become a Savannah landmark. Selling pizza by the slice or the pie, draught beer, and facing a square, Vinnie’s is where the locals come to eat pizza.
Belford’s Savannah
(Closes at 10pm)
At the complete opposite end of the dining spectrum, but just across the courtyard you’ll find Belford’s. A fine dining experience featured by Bon Appetit and The New York Times, Belford’s has an amazing menu, craft beers, and rare wines.
SHOPPING AND ART
There are also 14 stores for shopping tucked into the storefronts and warehouses that make up Savannah’s City Market, and five art galleries including the Thomas Kinkade Gallery.
Don’t miss the Art Center which features local artists, where you can meet the artists and watch them work!
BROUGHTON STREET
Downtown Savannah’s premiere shopping district is definitely Broughton Street. The mile-long street has recently undergone a $75 million renovation, which attracted big brand retailers to the landmark street.
You’ll find Savannah’s only H&M, as well as GAP, Banana Republic, Club Monaco, Kate Spade New York, MAC, Michael Kors, Sperry, Urban Outfitters, and Vineyard Vines, just to name a few.
If it’s a drink you seek, check out World of Beers, or the Savannah Tap House. Restaurants are a plenty.
LOCAL SHOPPING
Visitors to Savannah wishing to “shop local” have plenty of opportunities to find new brands on Broughton St.
24e Design Co.
(Closes at 6pm everyday but Sunday at 5pm)
Owned by local celebrity Ruel Joyner, 24e is named for it’s address: 24 E Broughton. Located right in the geographic center of Broughton, it isn’t hard to find. In fact it’s impossible to miss.
You can’t pass by without looking in at displays of the finest, modernest, or just plain craziest furniture you’ve likely ever seen!
An engine from a decommissioned private jet? Yep. That’s a coffee table now. Or a dining table that was once the door of an airplane!
24e is so unique, that many big name retailers have tried to buy, license, or invest. But Ruel has always turned them down, and here’s hoping he always does!
Savannah Bee Company
104 W Broughton St (Closes at 8 everyday except Sunday at 5)
Headquarted in Savannah, this fast growing company is home to the world’s finest honey.
Opened in 2009, its flagship store on Broughton Street is where you’ll find a honey tasting bar, beverages sweetened with honey, natural health and beauty products, and tons of bee related gifts.
Be sure to try the Mead bar. Mead is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey and water, with fruits, spices or hops. Mead is tasty, and can be weak, or up to 20% alcohol by volume!
Planet Fun
127 E Broughton St (Closes at 7pm Mon – Thurs, 9pm Fri & Sat, Sun 6pm)
Oh, the 80’s and 90’s! A magical time that is still alive at Planet Fun.
Come inside Planet Fun, and you’ll be surrounded with toys and “ancient” artifacts going all the way back to the late 1970’s.
On display (and for sale) are working Nintendo’s, Atari’s, Sega, Playstation, and rare video games! They sell (and buy) Star Wars ships and figurines, Star Trek memorabilia, pokemon, My Little Pony, He-Man, GI Joe, Care Bears, and basically anything of the like.
The people that run Planet Fun, are, well, fun. Stop in and check it all out!
RIVER STREET
River Street is the heart of Savannah’s Independence Day Celebrations. If you can’t find something to do on River Street, then go back home and yell at the cat while you watch Matlock.
Chuck’s Bar
301 W River Street (Closes at 2:30am)
Stop in and grab a drink at everyone’s favorite dive bar, Chuck’s Bar. Housed in an old warehouse facing the river, Chuck’s is the “Cheer’s” of River Street.
The drinks and atmosphere attract all the local food and beverage workers from the area when they need to unwind. Come at the right time, and you can get the inside scoop from the local service workers about what’s happening in town Right now!
When the karaoke starts, stay for the fun, or step out onto the 200 year old cobblestones, and make your way down the river.
Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub
117 W River Street (Closes at 3am)
This two story pub has live music every night, waterfront views, and serves up real Irish food.
Locals can’t even remember a time before Kevin Barry’s existed on River Street (we drink a lot, and 1980 was a long, long time ago). The bar is dark, cool and inviting, the building is old as hell, and the feeling is authentic.
In fact, the Irish Pubs Global Federation named Kevin Barry’s the “Most Authentic Irish Pub” in the world for 2016!
Wander in to Kevin Barry’s on River Street and enjoy a pint in the most authentic Irish pub on the planet. You’ll be glad you did!
RED, WHITE, AND BREWS BAR CRAWL
On Saturday July 1st, visitors 21 and up, won’t want to miss the chance to be patriotic AND sample Savannah’s plethora of watering holes.
The bar crawl takes you to 12 bars in Savannah, is at your own pace, requires you wear patriotic attire, and benefits charity. The fun starts at 4pm Saturday, and ends at 10pm.
To register, simply show up at Pour Larry’s around 4pm, wear your red, white, and blue, bring your ID and some cash! Or register now for a discount on the event page.
Have fun and drink responsibly!
FOURTH OF JULY RIVER CRUISE
If you spend any time at all on River Street, you’ll see the “Georgia Queen” riverboat paddling up and down the Savannah River. The 1,000 passenger vessel has a 15,000 square foot ballroom, 3 story kitchen and 5 star dining with plenty of views.
Visit Savannah this July 4th, and book a cruise with Savannah Riverboat Cruises.
You can choose the Dinner and Fireworks package, or skip dinner, and just select the Fireworks Cruise.
Dinner and Fireworks starts boarding at 6:00pm and leaves at 7:00pm.
The Fireworks Cruise begins boarding at 8:00pm and leaves at 9:00pm.
To make reservations go to savannahriverboat.com.
