Savannah Georgia
Head to historic Savannah, Georgia and experience southern charm amidst giant oak trees, Spanish moss, and beautiful Victorian homes. Shop along the river, sip a mint julep, and watch the freighters pass by. Visit historic forts, kayak along coastal waterways, or climb to the top of the Tybee Lighthouse. Relax on one of the five beaches at Tybee Island where you can also bike, surf, jet ski, shop, and sample tantalizing seafood. Head back to Savannah that evening for a haunted tour of ghostly cemeteries. Savannah is an excellent destination for a romantic getaway, a girl’s trip, or a couples weekend. Or make Tybee Island your home base for a family vacation. From there it is only 30 minutes to the Savannah Historic District.
The Historic District is the center of Savannah’s southern charm. This is where you want to stay, eat, shop, and sightsee. The Historic District of Savannah includes River Street, Jones Street, Broughton Street, City Market, Forsyth Park, 22 historic squares, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, museums, haunted tours, downtown Savannah, and much more.
River Street
The Historic District is includes River Street running along the Savannah River. Old Cobblestone Streets take you by historic buildings, boutiques, galleries, shops, artists’s studios, and restaurants. Check out the Waving Girl Statue and the Olympic Yachting Cauldron. Sit on a bench and watch giant container ships, tugboats, ferries, and riverboats go by. Or go floating down the river on a riverboat. Savannah Riverboat Cruises offers a variety of cruises including a sightseeing cruise, a dinner cruise, and a beautiful sunset and moonlight entertainment cruise. The Savannah Belles Ferry connects River Street with Hutchinson Island. This is an opportunity to see Savannah from the river at no cost. It’s an enjoyable ride on the river, but catch the next ferry back because is nothing to do on the island.
Forsyth Park
Spanning more than 30 acres, Forsyth Park is Savannah’s largest and oldest public park. The park’s famous fountain was installed in 1858 and is one of the most-photographed places in Savannah. While you are there you be sure and visit the Fragrant Garden, the many walking trails, and the quaint cafe.
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
View the majestic spires that point to the sky along with the eighty-one stained glass windows. Its may be the most photographed landmark in Savannah.
Jones Street (the most beautiful street in North America)
Jones Street was voted one of the most beautiful streets in North America by Southern Living Magazine. Take a stroll along this quaint tree-lined road with beautiful Victorian homes. While you are in then neighborhood consider at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, a place to experience fine authentic southern cooking. The menu changes every day, but fried chicken, sweet potatoes, okra, gumbo, cornbread, and biscuits are frequently on the menu. Cash only.
Visit Historic Squares
There are 22 historic squares (mini-parks) scattered throughout the Historic District of Savannah. They are little pockets of greenery amidst streets lined with businesses and historic homes. Each one is unique and charming, but the most famous one is Chippewa Square because that is where the bench scene in “Forest Gump” was filmed. The Historic District is so easily walkable that you could visit all twenty-two squares in one day on foot.
Take a Ghost Tour
Savannah is one of the most ghost-filled cities in America. Paranormal activities are so common here that locals take it quite lightly. In Savannah you can find haunted graveyards, haunted homes, haunted pubs, and haunted cemeteries. Popular ghostly sites include the Pirate’s House, Bonaventure Cemetery, Sorrel-Weed House, Colonial Park Cemetery, and Madison Square. Check them out on your own or take a ghost tour if you dare.
Check out Local Brews and Spirits
Sample some hometown brews for some local flavor. Service Brewing Co. and Moon River Brewing Co. offer guests a tour to see how the beer is made on a tour of their facility. Then sample the finished product. Not a beer person? Try a tour at Ghost Coast Distillery. Savannah’s first operational distillery since before prohibition. Tour their their facility and sample their vodka.
American Prohibition Museum
American Prohibition Museum is the first and only museum in the United State dedicated to the history of prohibition. Guests will travel back in time to the early 1900’s as anti-alcohol rallies swept the nation and alcohol consumption swept to the forefront of American politics.
Shop Broughton Street and City Market
You’ll love all of the shops and restaurants on River Street, but make sure you check out Brougton Street and City Market for more shopping fun. Full of interesting shops and restaurants, you‘ll enjoy visiting both of these locations. While you are on Brougton Street be sure and sample the tasty ice cream treats at Leopold’s and sample some honey at Savannah Bee Company.
Georgia State Railroad Museum
Georgia State Railroad Museum is a National Historic Landmark located at the old Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Shops and Terminal Facility. Explore historic rail cars, experience the handcar, check out the fully operational turntable, and go on a guided tour. Book a site tour on a historic steam or diesel driven locomotive.
Historic Home Tours
There are several beautiful and historic homes tours in Savannah. The following is a list of homes available to tour:
-Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters
-Sorrel-Weed Mansion (haunted)
-Mercer-Willams House (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil)
-Juliette Low Birthplace, a National Historic Landmark (founder of Girl Scouts)
-Andrew Low House
Savannah Nightlife
There are plenty of things to do in Savannah after dark. Grab a plastic “to-go” cup and carry your drink from bar to bar in downtown Savannah and on River Street. You’ll find dance clubs, bars, pubs, live music, outdoor concerts, and late-night hotspots all in the 2 square mile Savannah Historic District.
Movie Locations
MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL
You might want to read the book before you visit Savannah. It’s a true story. If you don’t have time to read the book, you should at least watch the movie. Consider a tour which highlights the landmarks or go see them yourself. You can see the Mercer-Williams House, Bonaventure Cemetery, The Bird Girl (now in Telfair Academy Art Museum), Clary’s Cafe ( still open for breakfast and lunch), Club One (still doing shows), and Churchill’s Pub (in film version).
FOREST GUMP
Although most of the movie was filmed in South Carolina, some key scenes were filmed in Savannah. The opening scene was filmed in Madison Square and immediately cut away to Chippewa Square. On the bench In Chippewa Square, Forest Gump narrated his story. The bench is now at the Savannah History Museum. The diner where Jenny works is Debi’s Restaurant is northwest of Wright Square. Additional scenes were filmed onWest Bay Street, at Love’s Restaurant near Richmond Hill, and at the bridge over the Ogeechee River.
Take a Short Drive to Bonaventure Cemetery
This traditional Victorian cemetery built on 100 acres is just a fifteen minute drive from the Historic District. Curving pathways lead to statues, monuments and gravestones framed by enormous oak trees and hanging Spanish moss. Mysterious and haunting shadows lurk around every corner. How about a little ghost hunting after dark? What was that sound?
Take Another Short Drive to Wormsloe Historic Site
Here’s the perfect spot for a epic southern photo with mossy oak trees hanging over beautiful lane. This beautiful road leads to the ruins of Wormsloe, a colonial estate which is the oldest standing structure in Savannah.
Get Back to Nature at Skidaway Island State Park
Kayak in the stunning marshes and rivers of Savannah’s Lowcountry. Moonriver Kayak Tours will guide through the protected waters of Skidaway Narrows. Skidaway Narrows is an intercoastal waterway within the park where you can paddle along winding canals and through forested brooks. Watch carefully You might see dolphins swimming alongside. You might also see bald eagles, ospreys, and pelicans. Skidaway Island State Park is also a perfect place for biking, hiking, and birding.
Tour Historic Forts
There are three forts within a short distance of the Savanah Historic District.
OLD FORT JACKSON HISTORIC SITE
Old Fort Jackson is the oldest standing brick fort within Georgia. It was built in 1808 with earth faced with brick and topped with a wooden platform. Additions were made to the fort during the War of 1812 and the fort looks much the same as it did that time. Self-guided tours are available.
FORT PULASKI NATIONAL MONUMENT
Fort Pulaski was built in the 1800’s on an island in the river between Savannah and Tybee Island. It was the first Confederate masonry fort to fall under Union cannon fire. There are trails which go through the original construction building and past a 19th century battery. There’s a lighthouse, a historic dike system, bikes paths, and more.
FORT McALISTER STATE PARK
Located close to I-95 about 40 minutes south of the Historic District on the banks of the Ogeechee River is the best preserved earthwork fortification of the Confederacy. Situated among giant live oaks, Spanish moss, and a salt marsh, this is an ideal location for camping, fishing, boating and picnicking.
Enjoy a Beach Day on Tybee Island
Rest and relaxation on Tybee Island is only 30 minutes away from Savannah’s Historic District. Unwind by the ocean on one of several beaches: South Beach (downtown district of the island), North Beach (Tybee’s premier shopping destination), Little Tybee Island (only accessible by boat), and Back River Beach (escape the crowds). However, there is more to Tybee Island than just sandy beaches. Head to Tybee Island for shopping, surfing, paddle boarding, birding, biking, jet skiing, and dolphin watching. Be sure and visit Tybee Island Lighthouse. Climb to the top and take in views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Savannah River. You can get away from the crowds with a boat tour through Tybee’s back river channels and tidal marshes, and while you are on the island be sure and try some amazing seafood.
