Back to School - The SCAD Guide to Savannah

Starting a new school year at SCAD means settling back into the rhythm of studio time, coffee runs, critiques, late nights and exploring everything Savannah has to offer. Whether you’re a first-year student finding your favorite corners of the city or a returning student looking for a fresh routine, these local spots make getting back into the swing of things a little more fun.

First up: finding your new study spot. Foxy Loxy Cafe has long been a favorite among Savannah’s creative crowd, and it’s easy to see why. The Starland café combines coffee, baked goods and Tex-Mex-inspired food with plenty of places to settle in with your laptop, sketchbook or reading list. It’s the kind of place where one quick coffee can easily turn into a few hours of getting things done.

Of course, every student needs a bag that can keep up with the school year. Satchel is a Savannah-made leather goods shop that makes a strong stop for upgrading your everyday carry. Founded by SCAD fashion design graduate Elizabeth Seeger, the shop creates leather bags and accessories with an emphasis on craftsmanship and functionality. Think a bag that can carry your laptop, notebook, chargers and all the little things you inevitably collect throughout a day on campus.

For the reading list, skip the generic bookstore run and spend an afternoon browsing E. Shaver Booksellers. The independent bookstore has been a Savannah fixture for decades, with a thoughtfully curated selection that spans fiction, nonfiction, art, Southern literature and regional titles. It’s also a place to discover something you weren’t necessarily assigned to read. The Starland location next to Foxy Loxy adds another option for students, with book clubs and author events happening throughout the year.

When you need a break from the studio, turn the afternoon into a museum day. Telfair Museums offers three different Savannah destinations to explore: the Telfair Academy, Jepson Center and Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters. For SCAD students, it’s an easy way to step away from your own projects and spend some time looking at the work, architecture and history around you. Make a habit of visiting throughout the semester rather than trying to see everything in one afternoon.

When the schedule gets packed and lunch needs to happen quickly, head to Kayak Kafé Broughton. Located downtown, the casual restaurant serves everything from salads and sandwiches to tacos, burritos, smoothies and other fresh options, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices available. It’s an easy option for grabbing something between classes, errands or an afternoon of exploring without turning lunch into a major production.

Back-to-school season also calls for a wardrobe reset. Delaney Rose Boutique in Starland is a local stop for putting together outfits that feel a little more personal than the typical back-to-school haul. The women’s boutique carries clothing and accessories with a modern, bohemian-inspired style and a focus on inclusive sizing. Whether you’re looking for something for the first week of classes, a gallery opening or a night downtown, it’s worth browsing before filling your closet with the same basics.

And once the assignments are submitted, give yourself permission to have a night that has nothing to do with school. Broughton Street Bowl and Brew brings duckpin bowling, drinks, food, games and live entertainment together downtown, making it an easy place to meet up with friends after a long week. It’s a change of pace from the usual coffee shop hangout and a reminder that being a student in Savannah is about more than just getting through your workload.

A new school year is the perfect excuse to build a Savannah routine of your own. Find the café where you can actually focus, the bookstore where you lose track of time, the museum you keep returning to, the lunch spot that saves you between classes and the places that make you want to put your laptop away. Before long, they’ll become part of your own SCAD experience.