Favorite things to do in Savannah?

[MickeyBA]

We are planning an extended road trip this summer and one of the places I would love to go is Savannah and maybe Tybee Island. I would love to know what the "must sees" are in these areas. Thanks!

 

[ksumn1]

I searched and saw you have 2 girls who are old enough to enjoy some of the historical sites. There are many house tours, one is the Juliette Gordon Lowe house tour (founder of the Girl Scouts). Last summer, DH and I toured the Isiah Davenport House and enjoyed it. But never found time to tour the Sorrel Weed House or the Owens Thomas House, the two I most wanted to see.

I really had the best time taking a self guided walking tour of all the Squares. Started from the Information/Tourist Center and ended up right beside River Street.

To me, Savannah is the antithesis of a WDW vacation. A place to really stroll around, relax and take time to enjoy the scenery.

Here's a link to a website that sells a discount card for Savannah dining locations. http://savannahmenu.com/vip-card.html

We only used it twice and it paid for itself. It can be used at many different places, from family BBQ places to fine dining. We used it at Vic's on the River. More upscale, great for an adults only dinner or for the lunch specials.

Hope ya'll have a great trip!!

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We like using the "trolley" to visit all the sites. The cost was reasonable and it was very low stress.

 

[platanito]

Agree with the last post, get on a trolley and just enjoy it... We did last summer and we enjoy it. GL...

 

[MickeyBA]

Thanks! I will definitely get that card. I do have the two girls, but this is going to be a honeymoon trip. I'm getting remarried in late May. This is going to be a kid free trip and I plan on it being extremely relaxing!!!!!

 

[OhMari]

Don't miss the River Front. Candy Stores, some upscale resturants and shopping.

 

[RedPanda]

We really enjoyed strolling along the riverfront and a horse-drawn carriage tour of some key points of interest -- that tour was worth it for the entertaining narration/commentary from the driver alone!

 

[disneybound31]

We are planning an extended road trip this summer and one of the places I would love to go is Savannah and maybe Tybee Island. I would love to know what the "must sees" are in these areas. Thanks!

Havn't done Savannah yet- but will be doing it on our return trip to Tybee Island in June- you will love Tybee...it is old-fashioned BEACH, no gocarts, putt putt, etc...and be sure to eat dinner at McElwe's...to die for hushpuppies!

 

[Leeanne]

If its an adult only trip, I so recommend the trolley tours! We try to go on those every time we go to a new city and they are wonderful! Also Tybee Island is amazing! The only thing is they have a very shelly beach so if you surf or body surf make sure you keep that in mind. Also, we did a haunted trolley tour and it was amazing!! We like that kind of thing though so....
My mom, sister, and I ate at Lady & Sons and it was good. Plain, old country cooking! And Pirate House restaurant is an awesome place to visit and very creepy! lol

 

[pls5286]

If you are into Civil War and/or Revolutionary War history, visit Fort Pulaski and Fort Jackson for Civil War and Fort Macalister is an earthern fort from the Revolutionary War. They are all three great places to visit.

 

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

I grew up in Savannah (and my parents now live on Tybee.) You've gotten some great advice. I would also add in to go to Fannie's on the Beach (Tybee.) They have outdoor seating above the restaurant that overlooks the beach. On Saturday nights they have a live band that is fun. Their jerk chicken wings are the best ever. AJ's Dockside (Tybee) is also great. It is right on the water and good food.

I agree with the trolley tour. I took my partner on a trolley tour on her first trip and even though I'd lived there for 20y, I learned a lot. There are also some boat tours that leave from Tybee that are fun (dolphin watching, jet skis, etc.) There are a lot of dolphins right off shore and you can get pretty close to them! (Just don't feed them!)

Have a great time!!!

 

[jacksmomma]

If you are a Food Network fan make sure to go to The Lady and Sons, which is Paula Deen's place. Get there early and be prepared to come back several hours later to eat. I have also hear good things about the food at "The Ol' Pink House." Make sure to get some parlines at The Savannah Candy Kitchen. There is one on River Street and one more toward the center of downtown.

Hilton Head is only about a 30 minute drive from Savannah. Lots of great places there and 2 huge outlet malls.

 

[Shmily1]

You do have some great advice so far! We live 50 miles from Savannah and go there almost every weekend. Here's my take on it all.

Fort Pulaski- I hate history stuff!! I loved Fort Pulaski!!! It was really interesting and just a nice place to go.

Tybee-It's an ok beach, but if you are looking for gulf coast kind of beach water, you won't find that in GA. There are some great places to go there and it's a fun place, but sometimes people come here expecting to find that clear blue water so I didn't want you to be disappointed.

Lady and Son's- a great experience. The food is good, but it's a little pricey for country food. Her store there is great though (and if you're looking for some great cookwear, her copper bottom set is the best I've found!).

Trolley tours-the way to see a lot and get a lot of information. These are just great!!

Ghost tour-The trolley one is very fun! The also have the drinking tours too if you are into that.

Carriage ride--very romantic and fun! DH and I love these!!

Savannahmenu website--sign up to for it early and they will send you emails every week to the friday gift card deals. I got one a while back for $80 (I think) worth at Ruth's Chris for $35.

Bonnaventure Cemetery--a great historic old cemetery if you like that kind of thing.

River Street-don't miss this! It is a great way to spend some time walking and holding hands! The candy store will lure you in for some great goodies. DH and I had a great time at the hat store too. They have too many different kinds! There are great restaurants there too.

City Market and Broughton Street-another great area with lots of shops and restaurants. Very hometown feel to both.

HTH. Have a great time!!

 

[MrsPete]

If you're going in the summer, you MUST stay downtown in the historic district. If you don't, you won't be able to find a parking space. I mean ANY parking space ANYWHERE. The city is so old that it wasn't built with the idea of cars. Last time I was there they were building a new parking facility near Lady & Sons, but it's just going to be a bandaid on the problem.

The Inn at Ellis Square is a good choice, as is the DoubleTree. Both include a breakfast.

Other people have given you good advice. You'll find plenty of ghost tours, carriage tours, good restaurants, and historic buildings in Savannah. You'll have a great time.

 

[disneybound31]

Vinnie's Pizza was really good on Tybee...AJ's Dockside was a good seafood meal with great sunset views on outdoor deck seating...we did a Dolphin Cruise one afternoon with Captain Mike's and it was really a highlight of our trip, we plan to do the sunset cruise this summer with them.

Also, going to take the kids to eat at The Crab Shack and feed the alligators after our dolphin cruise~ I know it's a tourist trap, but I think they will get a kick out of the little gators!

We stay at the Beach and Raquet Club...if you look over all the condo listings really well you can find one with a beautiful deck view (watch out for bad parking lot views!) and updated decor- some with flatscreens; they have 3 pools for the kids and it is quiet and gated. I recommend 2nd and 3rd floor only- stay away from 1st floor condos anywhere- they have no views...

 

[jrnunzio3]

Definitely do a ghost tour. When we were there a few years ago we also did a walking tour (with the same tour guide, we liked him so much we took the ghost tour the same night). Here is his information.

http://www.exploresavannah.com/

As other posters have said, River Street is fun. I suggested to my husband that we go back there this year.

Congratulations on the upcoming nuptuals and enjoy Savannah!

 

[Golf4food]

We stayed in Savannah for our anniversary this year. Great little town.

We stayed at the Avia, which is very nice, somewhat contemporary, in a fantastic location. We only used the car a few times during our stay and walked everywhere else.

Favorite places we ate:

The Olde Pink House by far our favorite. The Cheerwine BBQ Chicken Sliders on the appetizer menu is one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. Their Strawberries Romanov Chocolate Cake is amazing as well. Beautiful old house, great service. We ate their twice - once upstairs in the formal house and once downstairs in the old tavern setting - you swear Paul Revere and Ben Franklin could be over in a corner gossiping about the British.

Goose Feathers - a little cafe with great sandwiches and such on Broughton Street near Ellis Square.

Huey's on the River - biegnets for breakfast on the riverfront.

Wiley's Championship BBQ - south of town technically and a 20 minute or so drive, but the best beef brisket I've ever tasted - melt in your mouth - small place in a strip mall, but among the best BBQ I've had and I love my BBQ.



Walk around! Savannah is very, very walkable. Not once did we feel the need to take a trolley, but you can certainly do so. We walked almost everywhere. It's not as big as you may think. The whole town is full of amazing old mansions and houses and churches and squares and oak trees, etc.

Visit the old churches, museums, shops, etc. Tour some old houses (such as the house where Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil took place).

Walk through the cemeteries. Drive out to Bonaventure cemetery for a few hours and walk around - the place is huge.

Visit the Savannah Bee Company store if you like honey.

Leopold's Ice Cream shop is a well known little place on Broughton Street.

Plenty of options for Ghost Walks and Pub Crawls if you are into any of those things, too.



Here's a bunch of photos I took if you are interested:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/penglynns/sets/72157624763818978/

 

[MickeyBA]

Thanks for all of the help! I can't wait to pick through it all. I definitely want to stay in the Historic district. There is something about being walking distance to the action that makes a vacation feel special. Any tips for hotels?