|
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah River Bridge, photo
courtesy Georgia
Department of Economic
Development
Getting Around
Savannah, Georgia is located in the
southeastern U.S., close to I-95 and I-16.
It’s about 4˝ hours by car from Atlanta and
approximately 45 minutes by car from Hilton
Head Island, SC. A number of airlines fly to
the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport, located
off I-95, close to town.
A perfect city for strolling, Savannah’s
Historic District has two square miles of
beautiful squares, parks, and tree-lined
streets with historic homes. Parking is
extremely limited, so ask your innkeeper for
details, then plan to walk or take advantage
of the free
CAT shuttle trolley
with over 30 stops in the historic
area. Beautiful Forsyth Park, with its
famous fountain, is one mile around (great
for walking/jogging) and marks the southern
end of the historic district.
Note: As in any city, some areas are safer
than others; ask your innkeeper for details,
and be extremely cautious about night-time
strolls.
When
to Go
From October
through May, daytime temperatures are
generally mild and pleasant. March, April
and May are the most popular months to
visit, when everything is in bloom, but fall
and winter weather can be just as nice, with
fewer crowds and lower prices. If you visit
during the hot and humid summer months,
avoiding top-floor guest rooms may be
advisable.
Savannah
also offers wonderful festivals, from the
Christmas events in early December, when the
city is beautifully decorated for the
season, to the
River Festival and
Tour of Homes and Gardens in late
March and early April. If your visit
coincides with March 17th, be
aware that Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day
parade is second in size only to New York
City, and that “frolicking green madness”
goes all week. Advance reservations for
lodging and dining are essential.
Sights
& Activities
Inspired by residential areas of 17th
century London, founder James Oglethorpe
laid out the city of Savannah with squares,
gardens, and broad avenues. The city
prospered, and religious tolerance made it
home not only to English Protestants but
also to Spanish Jews and Irish Catholics
seeking refuge. The world’s largest cotton
port at the start of the Civil War, Savannah
slid into a steep decline by the 1920s, not
reversed until the Historic Savannah
Foundation spearheaded its renovation,
starting in 1955, when seven grande dames
adamantly refused to leave when
the bulldozers came to demolish the historic
Davenport House. Now over two square miles
of the city are listed on the National
Historic Register, the largest urban
historic district in the U.S.
Make
the Visitor's Center your first stop in
Savannah; you’ll find lots of useful
information and discount coupons. Take the
Trolley Tour which originates here, with
flexible stops at the
City Market; River Street with its
cobblestone walkways, delightful shops and
restaurants; the Cotton Exchange; Forsyth
Park, and several historic homes and places
of worship.
Carriage rides, walking tours, and ghost
tours, and other special-interest tours
are also fun.
Savannah is also known for its house museums
throughout the city and surrounding area.
Among the best know are the Green-Meldrim
House, which served as General Sherman’s
headquarters during the Federal occupation
of Savannah; the Andrew Low House, later
home to Juliette Low, founder of the Girl
Scouts; and Isaiah Davenport Houses. The
Telfair Museum of Art founded in 1886,
comprise the original building; the
Owens-Thomas House; plus the 64,000 sq. ft.
Jepson Center for the Arts, opening in late
2005.
Details here…
Restaurants:
Among Savannah’s many fine restaurants, we
enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the historic
(and supposedly haunted) 17 Hundred 90. Il
Pasticcio is a jazzy kind of place, popular
for its good food and appealing atmosphere.
Savannah’s oldest restaurant in continuous
operation, Johnny Harris, is well known for
its Southern food and barbecue. The Boar’s
Head Restaurant on River Street has
wonderful water views of river and is
located in an old cotton warehouse. Other
recommendations include The Lady & Sons, and
Mrs. Wilkes’ Boarding House, an old-time
classic where communal dining takes place
(lunch only), with platters heaped with
vegetables and meats; expect long lines at
either. Belfords is a good choice in the
City Market, and the Soho South Café is
popular with locals for lunch. Leopold’s Ice
Cream Shoppe on Broughton Street is perfect
for an afternoon stop or after a performance
at the nearby Lucas Theater.
More
info…
B&Bs
and Inns
Foley House
Inn, Savannah
A beautifully restored mansion with the feel
of a small boutique hotel,
The Ballastone combines luxurious,
well-equipped accommodations with the warm
hospitality of owners Jennifer and Jim
Salandi and their staff. The inn’s chef
prepares full breakfasts, afternoon
tea, and evening hors d’oeuvres.
/Thoughtful touches here include evening
turndown with a brandy night-cap,
off-street parking, complimentary clothes
pressing, and a small elevator. We stayed
in the China Trade suite elegantly decorated
with Oriental artifacts, including a
beautiful antique kimono and a king-size
plantation four-poster bed.
Comprised of two Victorian townhouses,
Foley House is located in the
historic district overlooking Chippewa
Square. Innkeepers Beryl and Don Zerwer and
their staff are always available to assist
with guests’ needs. Depending on the
weather, you can relax in one of the
inviting guest parlors or the garden
courtyards. Rates include a full breakfast,
different each day, afternoon tea and
cookies, evening hors d’oeuvres, and bedtime
sherry and port.
An Italianate mansion with a wonderful
gallery (veranda) for relaxing, the
Dresser Palmer House offers comfortable
accommodations, affordable rates, full
breakfasts, evening wine and cheese, an
excellent location, and convenient parking.
Overlooking beautiful
Lafayette Square, the
Hamilton-Turner Inn
was
built in 1873, and offers antique-filled
rooms, full breakfasts served at private
tables, and afternoon wine.
Families are welcomed in the carriage house,
with special treats for younger guests.
Overlooking Forsyth Park, the
Magnolia Place Inn is a gracious
Victorian mansion, with spacious guest rooms
and a striking staircase accented with
antique Japanese kimonos. In good weather,
guests enjoy breakfast on the veranda,
overlooking the park.
Among Savannah’s finest mansions is the
Kehoe House, recently restored to
first-rate status with wonderful breakfasts,
afternoon wine reception, evening turndown,
off-street parking, and more.
Conveniently located across from Savannah’s
Civic Center is the
owner-operated
Stephen Williams House combining
an intimate atmosphere with exquisite décor.
A full breakfast is served in the formal
Southern-style dining room,
while evening wine and hors d’oeuvres are
offered in the parlor.
Special thanks to Maxine
Pinson of the
Innside Scoop for assistance with this
issue.
More Savannah B&Bs…
Tybee Island B&Bs…
|
