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River Street Sweets: The South’s Most Nostalgic Candy Shop

April 28, 2016 |

In my post, The Ultimate Guide to Visiting River Street in Savannah, GA, I mention that my first stop when visiting Savannah is always to River Street Sweets. In fact, in 20+ years of annual trips to Savannah growing up, I never once missed a visit to my favorite famous candy shop! It embodies Southern charm, and that's just one of the many reasons this little candy store is my top stop along the river.

River Street Sweets in Savannah is a must-see authentic old-timey candy shop! #savannah Click To Tweet
River Street Sweets Savannah GA: Visit them for a free sample of their world famous pralines, then watch candy being made from scratch inside the store.
An oversized antique candy display cabinet chock full of tempting sweets dominates the center of the store.
River Street Sweets Savannah GA: Visit them for a free sample of their world famous pralines, then watch candy being made from scratch inside the store.
Each section of the cabinet is devoted to a different type of treats, from the candy coated gummy fruit slices and rock candy seen above…
River Street Sweets Savannah GA: Visit them for a free sample of their world famous pralines, then watch candy being made from scratch inside the store.
…to a wide variety of truffles, Southern bear claws (pecans topped with caramel and chocolate — also known as turtles), pralines, fudge slices — and more.

Best known for serving Savannah's World Famous Pralines, the aroma of fresh baked pralines and fudge beckons visitors in from at least half a block away. Once you arrive under the red awning, you'll be lured inside by a greeter offering samples of warm pralines.

River Street's generously sized soft pralines contain the perfect combination of sugar mixed with a pinch of salt plus just the right amount of nuts. They're also slightly addicting (to put it mildly)!

I mentioned Southern charm, and this store is chock full of it. The staff is friendly and patient with tourists. They always seem to be in a good mood and willing to answer questions about the candy-making process.

Even though the store is highly trafficked and they probably repeat similar statements on a daily basis, they're very patient about answering the many questions thrown their way.

Salt Water Taffy

The store has an old-fashioned taffy machine that makes 50 different flavors of salt water taffy. If your visit coincides with a taffy-making session, you can observe and ask questions about the process. Be sure to stay until the end, because they're generous with the samples!

River Street Sweets Savannah GA: Visit them for a free sample of their world famous pralines, then watch candy being made from scratch inside the store. The old fashioned salt water taffy station where you can watch taffy being made, then sample it afterwards.
A peek at the taffy pulling station in the background and the wrapping machine in the foreground.
River Street Sweets Savannah GA: Visit them for a free sample of their world famous pralines, then watch candy being made from scratch inside the store. The almost 100-year-old machine used to individually wrap the salt water taffy.
I believe they mentioned this taffy wrapping machine was from the early 1900s and still going strong!

It's mesmerizing to watch taffy as it's pulled and wrapped and to see the collection of old fashioned candy machines throughout the store. Both children and the young-at-heart will enjoy observing the process!

River Street Sweets Savannah GA: Visit them for a free sample of their world famous pralines, then watch candy being made from scratch inside the store. They have an entire wall of individually wrapped salt water taffy candies.
You can purchase pre-packaged bags of saltwater taffy or mix-and-match your own favorite flavors.
River Street Sweets Savannah GA: Visit them for a free sample of their world famous pralines, then watch candy being made from scratch inside the store. These are individually wrapped salt water taffy candies.
River Street Sweets is a visual delight, with candy artfully displayed in beautiful antique bins.

An additional reason I love this store so much is because the smells take me back in time to my Nana’s kitchen. They bring back fond memories of her creating homemade pecan pies and baking chocolate chip cookies from scratch.

Opt-in image for Savannah First-Timer's Guide - charcoal grey background and white outlined sketch of a sparrow - with price displayed.

FUN FACT: Did you know the sense of smell has the ability to bring back memories — more so than any of the other senses?

Hard Candies

River Street Sweets Savannah GA: Visit them for a free sample of their world famous pralines, then watch candy being made from scratch inside the store.
If candy is more your style, the store has an entire wall filled with bins of every hard candy imaginable.

Ice Cream

The back end of the store is devoted to an old standby that most everyone seems to love: ICE CREAM! 🙂

River Street Sweets Savannah GA: Visit them for a free sample of their world famous pralines, then watch candy being made from scratch inside the store.
Mint Chocolate Chip for me, please!

Select from a variety of flavors and toppings. You can also opt for a milkshake or fresh squeezed lemonade to quench your thirst. (It's hot 6 months out of the year in Savannah, so sometimes a cold drink is just the ticket!) Even the Coke machine looks like it belongs in an old fountain shop:

River Street Sweets Savannah GA: Visit them for a free sample of their world famous pralines, then watch candy being made from scratch inside the store.

The store is committed to serving the finest chocolates, and the fudge doesn't disappoint! There are numerous varieties of fresh fudge and each is available for sampling prior to purchase. I promise you'll satisfy your sweet tooth prior to leaving the premises!

River Street Sweets Savannah GA is a Must-See for Tourists!

If you're traveling to Savannah anytime soon, I highly suggest including this on your “must do” list. I've only listed a small portion of what you can find in the store. They also have candy-coated apples, brittle, candied nuts, flavored popcorn, and the list goes on….

⭐ Insider Tip: River Street Sweets has an online store, so you're in luck if you need to send Christmas presents, teacher gifts, Mother's Day presents, or if you just want to sample some of the goodies I've mentioned here but are unable to make it to Savannah.

One final word of caution: If you bring your kids in this store you'll probably have a hard time getting them to leave!

If you have any questions, I answer fastest on my Instagram account.

Signature reading XOXO, Erin

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Filed Under: TRAVEL, UNITED STATES |

About ERIN

Erin Clarkson is an award-winning photographer, Savannah-based blogger, and author of the Savannah First-Timer's Guide. She spends her days exploring the Lowcountry and writing about its unique beauty. A true Southerner, she'll stop to chat with anyone, and that gift of gab has led to many off-the-beaten-path discoveries. Learn more and connect on Pinterest.

Comments

  1. RWW says

    September 7, 2016 at 11:27 AM

    I LOVE River Street Sweets!!! You can smell the freshly made candy from the street before you even get inside the store, and my mouth starts watering. I adore the pralines and the fudge and usually end up getting both because I can’t choose just one. Can’t wait to go back!

    • ERIN says

      July 1, 2017 at 12:40 PM

      Their pralines are incredible, aren’t they? River Street Sweets is quintessential Savannah

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