If you’ve done any research about Savannah, you’ve probably heard about the new Plant Riverside District. It’s the city’s current hotspot, so it’s getting plenty of press. But is it really worth visiting?
There’s a lot to cover in the area, from the JW Marriott Plant Riverside hotel to District Live to the many shops, bars, and restaurants that fill Savannah’s “Entertainment District”.
I’m going to give you the scoop on all of it, including a few reviews from tourists who have recently visited the area for the first time. That way, when you’re trying to decide where to stay in Savannah, you can make an informed decision!
Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners.
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Where is the Plant Riverside District?
Plant Riverside is located on the far west end of River Street. If you’re walking along River Street and head west towards the Talmadge Bridge, you’ll run right into it.
Just look for the two brightly lit smokestacks illuminating the sky on top of the JW Marriott Plant Riverside. They’re very hard to miss — especially at night.
What is Savannah’s “Entertainment District”?
The marketing team at Plant Riverside has dubbed the area an Entertainment District because it’s considered a hub for live music, performances, bars, and restaurants. The terms “Plant Riverside District” and “Entertainment District” are often used interchangeably.
Plant Riverside doesn’t have a lock on entertainment in Savannah, though!
A few other areas known as entertainment zones in Savannah include the entire length of River Street, plus much of Bay Street, City Market, W. Congress Street, parts of Broughton Street, and a few pockets along Bull Street in the Starland District.
I freely admit that Plant Riverside isn’t my favorite section of the city, so I feel it’s only fair to admit my bias from the start. New and shiny isn’t my thing; I prefer Savannah a little rough around the edges.
However, I always do my best to discover gems in the area that are worth seeing, so that’s what I’m going to cover in this post.
Ready? Let’s get into it!
Things To Do in the Entertainment District
True to its “Entertainment District” nickname, there’s almost always something going on at Plant Riverside.
Here are a few things to check out if you decide to investigate the area…
Explore the Lobby of the JW Marriott Plant Riverside
First things first, you’re going to want to explore the lobby of the JW Marriott Plant Riverside! It’s not just any old hotel lobby; the JW is set up like a combination of a natural history museum, an art gallery, and a rare gemstones exhibit.
You can wander through the lobby on your own or opt for a guided, interactive experience.
Is the lobby worth seeing? I’d say it’s worth stopping by once while you’re in Savannah.
While I wouldn’t prioritize it over the city’s incredible historic landmarks, it’s a unique place to spend some time.
The building itself is historic, and the renovation was incredibly well done. I recommend it as a nice — and free — indoor activity on a rainy day.
A few neat things to note inside the building include a massive 45-ton crane and its system of pulleys that hang from the ceiling (they were in use when the property originally operated as a power plant), the old signage on the doors to the smokestacks, and the power plant’s original flipboard station, which is located in the lobby near the check-in desk.
You’ll also find plenty of unique art scattered throughout the lobby, as well as a large collection of gemstones, geodes, and fossils. Plant Riverside is a sparkly place!
The lobby itself holds an odd assortment of items, and sometimes I tell people it’s perfectly suited for anyone with a short attention span who likes to flit from one shiny object to the next.
See the Plant Riverside District Dinosaur
Make sure to look up while you’re in the lobby, since many of the coolest features are overhead!
In addition to the massive crane hanging from the ceiling, the JW Marriott’s lobby features a chrome dinosaur skeleton measuring in at 135 feet long. It’s an impressive sight for kids and adults.
The scientific name for this dino is Amphicoelias Fragillimus, but the main thing to know is that it’s the largest dinosaur ever discovered.
Pretty cool, right?
You’ll also spot numerous giant pterodactyls flying overhead.
If you’re traveling with kids, they can learn all kinds of neat facts about dinosaurs via a fun scavenger hunt through Generator Hall.
Watch the Cargo Ships Sail into Port
One of the coolest things you can do in Savannah is to watch the massive cargo ships come into the port.
I go for walks along River Street pretty frequently, and I still stop to gawk whenever I see one! (What can I say? I’ll always be a kid at heart.)
Savannah is one of the largest ports on the East Coast, so the ships that come in aren’t just your average ships. These are massive container ships that are sometimes taller than the buildings themselves.
When I say impressive, I mean jaw-droppingly impressive.
It’s fun to just hang out along the riverfront to see what comes by. (By the way, you can do this anywhere along River Street, you don’t have to visit Plant Riverside specifically to see the cargo ships.)
If you’re on a tight schedule and want to make sure you see a ship, you can check the port of Savannah on the marine traffic website to see all the ships currently in the area and their arrival/departure times.
Related Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Watching the Cargo Ships on River Street
Go Shopping in the Plant Riverside District
Plant Riverside is so small that it’s easy to wander around and check out all the stores in a few hours (or less). Here are a few of my personal favorites…
If you’ve hung around this site for any length of time at all, then you know how much I love the cookie selection at Byrd’s! They have a tasting section in the store where you can stop in to sample every flavor they sell.
My favorites change frequently based on my mood, but the Key Lime Cooler, Georgia Peach, and Salted Caramel flavors consistently rank in my top five.
Byrd’s Cookie Co. was founded right here in Savannah, GA, and it’s still run by members of the Byrd family. Support Local!
Nourish has long been my favorite shop in Savannah for natural soap and bath fizzy products. Their little 6-pack collection of bath fizzies makes a great souvenir or gift!
Urban Poppy is a floral shop, and they create arrangements for weddings and photo shoots. They also have a selection of succulents, plants, and gift items in the store that are available for sale.
During the holiday season, you’ll find the festive Savannah Christmas Market set up on the grounds of the Plant Riverside District.
Browse the Art Galleries
Plant Riverside’s founder, Richard Kessler, is quite an art aficionado, so there are a few art galleries located within the property’s boundaries. Here are the three primary art stores:
- Grand Bohemian Gallery
- 18Loves Art
- Savion Gallery
These three galleries couldn’t be more different if they tried.
Grand Bohemian contains an eclectic mix of art and art services and is located inside the JW Marriott. Some of the artwork in the gallery is created by locals.
18Loves’ talented artist/owner, Amelia Jamerson, can usually be found on-site in her little glass-enclosed jewel-box of a shop. Amelia calls herself a “heart-ist” and focuses on spreading positivity through her designs.
Her work is playful and always makes me smile, so her shop gets my pick as the one worth seeing.
Savion is classified as a fine art gallery, and it features a wide variety of artists and mediums. You’ll find everything from photography to sculpture to a unique “fire and smoke” style of creation.
Check out the Unique Sculptures
You’ll also find art scattered throughout the grounds of the Plant Riverside District, including a rather large collection of unique sculptures.
The top photo is of “The Immortal,” a piece honoring Ludwig van Beethoven. It’s located inside the JW Marriott Plant Riverside, and the artist is an Italian sculptor named Franco Castelluccio.
The piece in the second photo faces the Savannah River. I’m not sure of the artist, but it looks like the Rolls Royce hood emblem, “The Spirit of Ecstasy” to my (untrained) eyes.
Restaurants in the Plant Riverside District
The restaurants in the Plant Riverside District are plentiful, but I admit I haven’t tried any of them. Like many locals, I often avoid restaurants along the riverfront because there are so many excellent ones closer to my house — where I can avoid parking fees.
Here are Plant Riverside’s restaurant options:
- Stone & Webster Chophouse
- District Smokehouse
- District Seafood
- Riverside Sushi
- Graffito Pizza
Members in my Savannah Facebook group have visited Stone & Webster and absolutely raved about it, so that might be a good one to try first.
It’s more of an upscale spot, so it would be ideal for a steak and seafood date night or client meals.
Insider Tip: Two incredible alternatives I’ll toss out there are Common Thread and Husk. They’re located inside beautifully restored historic Savannah homes, and they each serve tender and cooked-to-perfection steaks.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can dine inside one of the smokestacks at Stone & Webster. The space holds less than 20 people, so it’s meant for intimate and upscale occasions.
If you’ve ever been to Hotel Emma in San Antonio, it’s similar to that experience.
Speaking of Hotel Emma, that’s how I wish Plant Riverside had been developed!! Both hotels are housed inside beautiful historic buildings (Hotel Emma was originally Pearl Brewery, while Plant Riverside formerly operated as the Riverside Station — Savannah’s primary electric power plant during the early 1900s), but that’s where the comparison ends.
Hotel Emma exudes class and luxury, with comfortably worn leather seating strategically placed throughout the lobby to inspire intimate conversations, warm-toned lighting, and a collection of rare local books that would make any bibliophile feel as if they’d entered literary heaven.
On the flip side, the JW Marriott Plant Riverside feels a bit garish to me with its neon lighting and Jurassic Park-themed lobby — not to mention its controversial MLK statue and African-inspired trophy lounge.
That’s just my opinion, though! The hotel draws crowds on a regular basis, and many of the members in my private Facebook group rave about the property. Differing viewpoints make life interesting, right?
Savannah has a little something for everyone!
Nightlife in the Plant Riverside District
There are a couple bar options in the Plant Riverside District.
First up is Myrtle & Rose. It’s a rooftop garden bar with a relaxed vibe, botanical-inspired cocktails, and a range of small plate options. They also serve brunch.
Myrtle & Rose offers live music and has a relaxed, laid-back vibe. Make note that you must be 21+ to enter.
If you’re looking for less relaxation and more energy, then be sure to check out Electric Moon. It’s the spot for bachelorette parties and celebrations, and not the place for quiet, intimate drinks.
They have a nice outdoor seating area that includes a slide on the roof. (Yes, an actual slide!)
Electric Moon is 21+ after 6pm, but families with kids are welcome during the daytime hours. They have a small menu of shareables, plus a large drink selection.
Enjoy the Music at District Live
If live music is your thing, then make sure you check the schedule for District Live. The indoor venue brings regional musicians and national artists to Savannah.
District Live is standing room only, so it provides somewhat of an intimate setting. Capacity for the building is only 440 people, so larger events are held at the new Enmark Arena.
Insider Tip: Victory North and Starland Yard, both in the Starland District, are popular alternative spots for live music. Wormhole is another small option in Starland.
Visit Gretsch Museum
The Gretsch Museum in the lobby area of District Live is worth checking out if you’re in the area and have any interest in music. It’s free to the public!
You’ll find glass display cases featuring a variety of instruments and a vertical display area along the ceiling featuring a collection of about 50 famous guitars.
Make note that the guitar display is so high up that you can’t really see many details on the guitars.
However, there are multiple display cases at eye-level that cover 135+ years of the Gretsch family’s impact on the music industry.
Check out the Model Ship Displays
If you wander through the section of District Live’s lobby that faces the waterfront you’ll find pirate-themed art and an impressive collection of model ships in glass display cases.
The area is small, but most kids — and many adults — enjoy looking at model ships, so I wanted to mention that they are there.
If you decide you want to see more model displays, I highly recommend a visit to Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. It’s located on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and is within a 10-minute walk.
Watch the Riverside Fireworks
If you want to see fireworks over the river, check out Plant Riverside District during the holiday season, on the 4th of July, and a few other random days throughout the year.
It’s always pretty to see fireworks displays reflected in the water!
Make note that the rooftop bars typically charge an additional cover fee on fireworks nights, and you need to book your reservations at least a month in advance for NYE in Savannah and the 4th of July.
The view is just as nice (and free) along the riverwalk.
Insider Tip: You might want to stake out your spot early, since firework events tend to draw a crowd! You can also watch from across the river on Hutchinson Island.
Hotels in the Plant Riverside District
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Savannah and are considering the Plant Riverside District, there are a few hotels worth mentioning.
The JW Marriott Plant Riverside is the most expensive option, but it’s the anchor hotel in the Plant Riverside District. It’s the one with the cool lobby that includes the chrome dinosaur and all the gemstones.
My personal favorite is The Alida. The classic decor, cozy bar spaces, and extra perks they offer (free breakfast, free bike rentals, evening wine reception for guests) are all welcome touches.
The DoubleTree by Hilton gets my vote as the best bargain option in the Plant Riverside area. It’s located along busy Bay Street, but the rates are reasonable and it has a pool.
I’ve written a very in-depth post about the various districts in Savannah — including the Plant Riverside District. You can read it here: Where to Stay in Savannah, Georgia.
It breaks down the pros and cons of staying in each district.
Savannah Travel Blog
If you’re ready to start planning a trip to Savannah, I’ve created a few resources that will help you out.
- Savannah Georgia Vacation Guide: This is the place to start if you don’t know much about Savannah and want a brief overview of the city.
- Savannah First-Timer’s Guide: If you’re the type of traveler who wants all of your information in one handy guide, my ebook is the best way to go. It’s the easiest way to start planning your trip!
If you have any questions about the Plant Riverside District, please let me know in the comments below.
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Erin authored the Savannah First-Timer's Guide and loves helping first-time visitors plan their trips. She lives in the artsy Starland District and enjoys exploring Savannah's hidden gems, as well as the surrounding Lowcountry.
Did you ever check out the “taking flight” >as I call it< statue on the waterside of the last Plant Riverside Entertainment building. I couldn't get close enough to the black base for any inscription, but photographed the statue from various angles, day and night. Showed my photos to a restaurant manager here in NYC on the Upper West Side and he immediately recognized it as the Rolls Royce emblem, hood sculpture. We explored. How did Richard Kessler hit upon this one for this site. Will write to them. Heike Schilling in NYC and just again returned from my birthday trip to SAV (7/07).
Yes, there’s an image of the “taking flight” lady in the post above. I have a few shots of her taken from below (I might’ve posted them on social media?) where it looks like she’s kissing the Talmadge Bridge. Perhaps Kessler is trying to say his hotel is the Rolls Royce of Savannah hotels?
Thank you for such a great website! will be visiting your beautiful city in the spring from Saskatchewan Canada and this site was full of great choices.
I’m glad it was helpful! Hopefully you’ll get a nice break from the cold during your visit and will be able to see some pretty flowers. The azaleas are already starting to bloom (third week in February) and the tulip trees are fully in bloom.
Where do you park to enjoy Plant Riverside with a couple of little who can’t walk far?
There’s a parking garage in the Plant Riverside District located at 500 W River Street.