33 Best Places to Shop in Historic District, Savannah

Created to provide an elegant and approachable atmosphere for fine and custom jewelry, this store is both beautiful and welcoming. Jeweler Chad Crawford, who himself has created a collection for The Met, showcases his own designs from his Andrew Hamilton Crawford line as well as pieces from the studios of jewelry artists from around the world. The store recently opened a second location at Plant Riverside District on West River Street, so you can take a peek inside regardless of which side of town you're on.

Among the city’s most beloved bookshops, E. Shaver, Bookseller is the go-to spot for bibliophiles and book-clubbers, considering they have groups meeting monthly for fans of Jane Austen, social justice and culture reads, graphic novels, and much more. Among other services, staff can curate a book collection to fit the customer’s taste, ranging in size from a few feet of shelves to an entire library.

This artisanal-leather studio and shop is owned by Elizabeth Seeger, a New Orleans native and graduate of SCAD. The store specializes in custom leather clutches, handbags, travel bags, and accessories and offers a wide selection of leathers to choose from, including python and alligator. At lower price points are the sharp and handy beverage cozies, cuff bracelets, and wallets.

Ted Dennard's Savannah Bee Company has been featured in such national magazines as O, Vogue, InStyle, and Newsweek, and with good reason—the whimsical shop features locally cultivated honey and bath products that are simply wonderful. You can sample and buy multiple varieties of honey and even raw honeycombs, and there's an entire bar dedicated to mead, a delicate honey wine; enjoy a tasting for a sweet experience. Children enjoy the life-size beehive.

Inside historic Poetter Hall, the Savannah College of Art and Design's shop is filled with handcrafted items guaranteed to be one of a kind. Handmade and hand-dyed silk accessories are cutting-edge, as are original fashion pieces and experimental purses by design students. Just remember that these originals are often truly unique and may not come cheap.

Located on the garden level of a Liberty Street row house, the Book Lady stocks around 50,000 new, used, and vintage books spanning 40 genres. The friendly staff is always available for a lively literary discussion, and the shop hosts the occasional book signing by noted authors.

Savannah's "main street" has long served as an indicator of the city's changing economic and demographic trends. The first of Savannah's department stores, Adler's and Levy's, emerged on Broughton, followed by the post-WWII introduction of national chains Sears & Roebuck, JCPenney, and Kress. During the 1950s, ladies donning white gloves and heels did their shopping, while kids gathered at the soda counter or caught the matinee. Downtown's decline began in the late 1950s and continued through the '70s, when boarded-up storefronts were the norm rather than the exception. Today, Broughton is again thriving, not only with local boutiques and world-class shops, but with theaters, restaurants, and coffeehouses.

Local chocolatier Adam Turoni has two shops, but the biggest has a wide range of his delightful chocolates and many other treats for sale in the world's most delicious-looking living room, "where Marie Antoinette meets Alice in Wonderland." You'll find his creations at other coffee shops and upscale boutiques, but the widest selection can be found here.

Venture to this Broughton Street mainstay for women's clothing and footwear that is, as they say, "curated with the Southern eye." You'll find seasonal looks by Michael Stars, BB Dakota, and Citizens of Humanity, as well as shoes and accessories by Rebecca Minkoff, Vince Camuto, and Sam Edelman.

This quaint corner shop has stylish statement pieces that are locally and sustainably sourced and sure to turn heads. Clothing, shoes, jewelry and charming gifts and housewares can be found at the boutique, which has an eclectic, bohemian vibe.

Known for its array of fine antiques shops, galleries, lighting showrooms, and interior design boutiques, the Downtown Design District is worth a visit. Stop in some of Savannah's trendier fashion stores, many of them housed in charming historic storefronts. Nearby are the famed Mercer Williams House and the landmark Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, known for some of the area's best family-style Southern food. The picturesque surrounding neighborhoods are also enjoyable for a nice afternoon stroll.

Gallery Espresso is Savannah's oldest coffee shop and has a new show every couple of weeks focusing on work by local artists. The house-made desserts complement the heavy dose of caffeine and art. The location at the foot of lush Chippewa Square is ideal for enjoying your beverage on the brick sidewalk and watching the world go by under the live oak canopy.

Hands down Savannah's best shoe store, Globe has served both well-heeled women and well-soled men since 1892. There's an expansive storefront display, so it's easy to window shop for the perfect pair. It features footwear and accessories by Stuart Weitzman, Donald Pliner, Cole Haan, Sam Edelman, VanElli, Thierry Rabotin, Gentle Souls, and Jeffrey Campbell, to name a few.

Harper Boutique is a bright storefront overlooking Wright Square, offering a well-curated selection of ladies' fashion and accessories. Its elegant window displays will draw any shopper to peruse the shop's casual but sophisticated collection of dresses, tops, bottoms, jewelry, and bags by such brands as FRNCH and Hutch.

This is where savvy Savannah gentlemen have been suiting up since 1972. Look for outerwear, sportswear, and dresswear by top men's designers like Filson, Southern Tide, High Cotton, and Mountain Khakis. If you need a seersucker suit on short notice, this is your best bet.

Tucked in a storefront in the Historic District, this shop has brought a touch of glamour to the city. Featured here is apparel designed by James Hogan himself, as well as upscale women's fashions from well-regarded American and European designers.

Between the bustling hubs of Broughton Street and City Market sits the city's foremost cooperative art gallery. Near Ellis Square, the tasteful space is teeming with fine art across countless mediums. Noteworthy are industrial-style jewelry by Danielle Hughes Rose, the colorful landscapes of Dana Richardson, and Dicky Stone's intricate woodworking.

This is a long-cherished establishment for Savannah's wine aficionados. With a devoted following, proprietor Christian Depken has a trained palate for old-world wines—trust him to recommend the perfect accompaniment to any dish. Plus, its temperature- and humidity-controlled environment is the only one of its kind in Georgia.

You'll discover an array of unique local shops nestled around historic Madison Square. Grab lunch on the rooftop of The Public Kitchen and Bar before stopping in longtime favorites like Saints & Shamrocks and E. Shaver, Bookseller. ShopSCAD offers some of the finest gifts, clothing, and home decor items designed and produced by students of the highly regarded Savannah College of Art and Design. Take afternoon tea at the college's Gryphon Tea Room, located inside a remodeled old-time pharmacy. For something a little stronger, head to Artillery, a speakeasy-inspired bar housed in a restored cavalry artillery; the bartenders make some of the city's best handcrafted cocktails.

Whimsically named for the classic Dr. Seuss book, One Fish Two Fish is a high-end home decor shop located in the Downtown Design District. Look for contemporary furnishings, fine linens, and bedroom and bathroom accessories. Every corner of the store has something charming to offer, including elegant handbags and jewelry and colorful modern lighting fixtures. For fine wearables, cross over Whitaker Street to visit the Annex, its sister store.

The "First Lady of Southern Cooking" sells her wares at this shop on Congress Street. You can find some very Southern spices and sauces, such as a smokin' barbecue sauce, and salad dressings—like peach pecan and blueberry walnut—that are so sweet they could double as dessert toppings. Two full floors of Paula's own label of cooking goodies and gadgets are cleverly displayed against bare brick walls. The shop is adjacent to Deen's famous Southern-style restaurant, The Lady and Sons.

Ray Ellis Gallery/Compass Prints sells original artwork, prints, and books by acclaimed landscape artist Ray Ellis, whose scenic landscapes are included in permanent collections of the White House.

This is the place to be if you want fashionable and affordable apparel, shoes, and handbags. It features sharp looks from up-and-coming designers, all at under $100. It's also a great place to search for unique jewelry.

Though it's often crowded and a little rowdy after dark, no visit to Savannah would be complete without a stroll through Riverfront/Factors Walk. These nine blocks of renovated waterfront warehouses were once the city's Cotton Exchange. Today, you'll discover more than 75 boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and pubs, as well as a spectacular view of the Savannah River. Glimpse impressive cargo ships as they head to port while you shop for souvenirs, specialty treats, and local art. Tired of shopping? Catch a dolphin tour or dinner boat and see the waterfront from a different perspective. River Street's cobblestones and Factors Walk's steep stairwells can be rough, so be sure to wear comfortable footwear.

In a neo-Gothic storefront rich with architectural detail, Saints & Shamrocks features hand-smocked children's clothing, Irish imports, and religious gifts. The gift selection embraces Irish and Southern heritage in the form of jewelry, bath products, and seasonal items.

More than 200 flavors of salts are on offer here, as well as specialty sugars, peppers, and teas. Noteworthy are the popular black truffle, smoked bacon, and ghost pepper sea salts. Gourmands should not miss the Himalayan pink salt plates. These solid salt bricks or slabs come in various sizes and can be used as cutting boards for preparing meats, vegetables, seafood, or even cheeses. They can also be placed directly on the stovetop, adding flavor to every dish.