Savannah is a destination that should be on everyone’s list. This graceful city abounds in beautiful parks, squares, and architecture, as well as great restaurants, cafes and bars.
Savannah is one of my favorite places and I’ve even thought about it as a potential retirement home. This medium sized, very Southern City in the Low Country is similar to Charleston, but with a little more edge. It’s a mix of gracious boulevards draped in Spanish Moss, lined with Antebellum and Victorian homes, and large areas of industry including the massive Port of Savannah along the Savannah River. The early planned city established in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, is designed in a walkable grid fashion, with 22 interspersed squares, each with its own design and identity. The lively but compact downtown area hasn’t yet been overbuilt with high rises, and maintains a sense of human scale. The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has campus buildings scattered all throughout downtown and the Historic District, bringing a younger and progressive vibrancy to the city. Various tours and activities, such as ghost and history tours, trolley tours, cemetery tours, food tours, and riverboat cruises can be purchased at Booking.com and Viator. My favorite thing to do is just walk around the city enjoying its unique character, however, below are some of my favorite places that I’ve visited.
Recreation and Museums
The Squares – It’s easy to explore Savannah by foot, and even visiting each of the beautiful squares. Each square is unique in its design, landscaping, and surrounding architecture. For those who don’t wish to walk, there are various trolley tour operators that provide access to the squares.
Forsythe Park – This huge 30 acre park is Savannah’s Central Park, located between the City’s historic district to the north, and the Victorian District to the south. Its crown is the ornate fountain located closer to the northern edge of the park. The northern half of the park is more wooded, while the southern end has large lawns perfect for picnicking, as well as athletic courts. The park is a great place to spend an afternoon reading or people watching.
River Street Boardwalk – This wide brick promenade along the Savannah River and parallel to River Street is a great place to people watch, and view the barges carry their goods to and from the Port of Savannah. Many tourist oriented activities are along River Street, including dozens of restaurants and bars. River cruises can also be accessed here.
Mercer Williams House – This beautiful red bricked Italianate mansion on Monterrey Square, built in 1866, was made famous by the novel and movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”, where the eccentric antique collector Jim Mercer lived and committed murder. 429 Bull Street Street
Telfair Museums – This is a collection of three museums (Jepson Center, Telfair Academy, and Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters) that display art, history and architecture. One ticket allows entry to all three facilities.
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum – Housed in the elegant Scarbrough House, the museum has a huge collection of ship models, paintings and maritime antiques, focusing on the Atlantic trade during the 18th and 19th centuries. 41 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Bonaventure Cemetery – Also made famous from “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”, Savannah’s oldest cemetery houses ornate monuments, and is filled with beautiful landscaping including azaleas, and Oak trees covered in Spanish Moss. 330 Bonaventure Road
Wormsloe Historic Site – This is a historic site featuring the ruins of a colonial estate, and includes gardens and trails. The entrance to the site is a photographer’s dream, which includes an alley lined with huge moss covered Oak trees. 7601 Skidaway Road
Tybee Island – Located approximately 12 miles east of Savannah (Follow Route 80), this island is popular with locals for its beaches, laidback atmosphere, fishing pier and multiple seafood restaurants.
Restaurants
The Collins Quarters – Great place for brunch and includes outdoor seating. Both healthy and not so healthy selections. 151 Bull Street
The Little Crown by Pie Society – This British style pastry shop located on the west edge of downtown has all kinds of savory and sweet pies, including meat pies, pasties, fruit and custard pies, and very British selections such as the Banoffee pie and Victoria sponge cake. 19 Jefferson Street
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room – This very popular restaurant, housed serves famiy style platters of southern food, including fried chicken, meatloaf, cornbread, sweet potato souffle, and veggies. 107 W. Jones Street
Goose Feathers Café – Good brunch spot with waffles and lots of egg specialties. 39 Barnard Street
Treylor Park – Multiple locations, serving retro home style food. I enjoyed the Sloppy Joe sandwich.
Coffee
The Gallery Espresso – Quaint coffee shop filled with art, right on Chippewa Square. Good spot for sitting outside and people watching. 234 Bull Street
Art’s Cafe – Operated by SCAD students, this coffee house has a red British style double decker bus that you can sit in. 345 Bull Street
Bars
Rocks on the Roof – Located atop the Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront, this popular bar with an outdoor patio area provides a great view of the City and river below. 102 W. Bay Street
Peregrin Rooftop Lounge – Atop the Perry Lane Hotel, this contemporary but sophisticated roof top bar has cozy seating areas with fantastic views. Great cocktails and food selection. 256 E. Perry Street