Explore with a Tour
Picturesque Savannah, Georgia, attracts millions of visitors each year, all eager to soak up the stories provided by enthusiastic tour guides. For that reason, visitors can easily choose from a variety of excursions to appeal to their particular interests.
For couples whose sights are set on romance, “Carriage Tours of Savannah,” offers horse-drawn carriage rides. A 50-minute tour takes visitors on a slow, scenic trip down the streets of Savannah, while a guide provides details on the history of the area amidst the hypnotic clip-clop of horse footfalls. Those interested in a more “spirited” ride may opt instead for a riveting ghost tour. Spending a spooky evening listening to tales of things that go bump in the night in an area that is known as one of the most haunted cities in the United States is a good excuse to cuddle closely with a partner.
For a more comprehensive overview of the region, “Old Savannah Tours” offers historic on/off tours where guests can glide through town on a trolley trip that can span 90 minutes, or the entire day. Stops along the way include restaurants, shops, boutiques and unique-to-Savannah destinations like the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, City Market and River Street. For additional details, visit http://www.oldsavannahtours.co…istoric-on-off-tour/
Personally, I prefer to start with a culinary tour to gain insight about local cuisine so I can map out a dining schedule during my vacation. It’s perfectly fine to learn about restaurants via the internet, but guides are more likely to know the inside scoop on the best places and are usually happy to offer recommendations to appeal to personal tastes and budgets.
Food tours provide visitors with a real taste of the area and an education on indigenous cuisine, usually combined with a smattering of history and architecture as well. For example, “The Savannah Culinary and Cultural Walking Tour” leads tourists on a leisurely three-hour tour traversing 1.5 miles beginning on River Street in Savannah’s historic district. Guests are offered tidbits from specialty food stores and eateries, while learning a little more about Savannah’s rich history along the way. To book a tour visit: https://www.viator.com/tours/S…ur/d5166-6260SQUARE/
Relax with Fine Food and Drink at Area Hotspots
No visit to Savannah is complete without a visit to The Olde Pink House. The pastel-colored Georgian Mansion, which dates back to 1771, was built for James Habersham, Jr. The wealthy cotton planter is fondly remembered as one of Savannah’s early founding family members who aided the colonies in their fight for independence.
Today, The Olde Pink House is a must-visit destination for those who yearn for a taste of Savannah’s classic fare like low-country She-crab soup, shrimp and grits, fried-green tomatoes, corn-bread fried oysters and deep-dish chicken pot pie.
A newer restaurant that has been earning rave reviews and culinary awards is “Circa 1875,” a gastropub with a French flair and an extensive wine selection. Located on Whitaker Street in Savannah’s historic district, the popular eatery has been receiving accolades from publications around the country since its opening in 2007. Popular entrees include a roasted rack of lamb with braised Belgian endive atop parsnip and goat cheese puree and a homey, stick-to-your ribs Cassoulet Maison with fresh sausage, white beans, onions, carrots, celery and confit duck leg, finished with natural au jus.
Another Savannah restaurant that’s making a big splash is The Grey, located at 109 Martin Luther King Boulevard in a renovated bus station, which dates back to 1938. The eatery, with its Art Deco/transportation industrial design, turns heads with its unique interior décor and interesting façade and its fare draws raves from customers and critics alike. The Grey was recognized in 2015 by Food and Wine as one of the best restaurants of the year.
To learn more about these restaurants, or to make reservations, visit their websites at:
http://www.plantersinnsavannah…the-olde-pink-house/
Take a Day Trip to Tybee Island
Tybee Island, located at the easternmost point in Georgia, is a haven for those who love to soak up the sun, swim and bike. “It’s a small, pretty beach in a nice location,” said Victor Miltiades, who grew up in Savannah. Miltiades recommends visiting The Crab Shack on the way to Tybee to feast on crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, crawfish and mussels. Kids and adults alike enjoying feeding the baby alligators that swim in a lagoon onsite, according to Miltiades.
An additional attraction on Tybee Island is the Tybee Light House and Museum where visitors can learn more about the area. Those who are willing to climb the stairs of the 1913 structure can capture breathtaking panoramic views during clear days.
To learn more about the Tybee Island Light House and Museum, visit their website at: http://www.tybeelighthouse.org/
Stroll through a Scenic Old Cemetery
The Bonaventure Cemetery, featured in the bestselling novel, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” is striking in its peaceful beauty. Spanish moss waves serenely among stately oaks and dramatic sculptures, adding to the picturesque landscape that serves as a final resting place to those who’ve gone before.
Poet Conrad Aiken, Academy award-winning songwriter Johnny Mercer and Georgia’s first governor are just a few of the many who have been laid to rest in this most scenic of cemeteries. The 100-acre area situated on a scenic bluff of the Wilmington River is open daily to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Bonaventure Historical Society maintains the cemetery and offers free, guided tours of the cemetery during the weekend of the second Sunday of every month. Tours are held at 2 p.m. on Saturday and at 2, 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Learn more by viewing the official website at: https://www.bonaventurehistorical.org/
For those seeking a scenic getaway that is rich in history, with plenty of dining opportunities, Savannah is certainly something to savor.
(Pictures courtesy of “Visit Savannah” )
That looks incredible!
On our way to St. Augustine we stopped overnight in Savannah for a Riverwalk stroll that included a sweet shop on the waterfront.