Info needed about Savannah, GA.

[Karnak]

I am planning a brief vacation to Savannah, Georgia, and we have never been there before. Any recommendations on hotels, places to shop, historical sites to visit, entertainment and restaurants you've visited would sure be appreciated.

We would like to stay at a hotel or inn located near the best places to shop, but we are not interested in staying at a "bed and breakfast" home.

Also would like to stay close enough to attractions so that I can park the car and not use it while we are there.

Will be an October visit, for three nights. Two adults, no children.

Thanks for any ideas you may have.

 

[jcsbama]

You have to go to Paula Deen's Restaurant, The Lady and Sons. My parents went to Savannah last year for their 40th anniversary and ate there. They said it was wonderful!

ETA: Here's a link to her restaurant. www.ladyandsons.com

 

[nursetink]

I would recommend the Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah, since htere will be no children. I have included their website link.

http://www.mansiononforsythpark.com/

 

[Wonderlandmom]

We enjoy staying here on Riverstreet:
http://savannah.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

We took a trolley tour the last visit and enjoyed that!

 

[CheshireVal]

We've also got a trip booked for the end of the month, so I'm interested in hearing the responses. We are staying at the Marriott Riverfront, which looks nice but I don't know much about it.

I went to a conference in Savannah and stayed at the Hampton Inn (Historic District) which was an awesome location.

I have heard good things about Lady and Sons but don't feel like waiting in line 2 hours to get in.

 

[Karnak]

Looking at a Savannah map it appears that Forsyth Park is far beyond the main shoping and entertainment part of town. And, according to others I've heard from, parking is very difficult in downtown Savannah. We would like to park the car, and not have to use it while in town.

But the hotel you recommend really looks good. Just don't care for the location.

Thanks.

 

[Towncrier]

You might want to plan a trip to Love's Seafood Restaurant. It was used as a location for one of the scenes in Forrest Gump. And the food was pretty good too.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

The Hyatt has a parking garage and valet parking if desired (we did use this). We only took our car out of the garage once during our stay.

 

[nursetink]

Good luck looking for hotels in Savannah. I would do a lot of research since many of the hotels are in a Historic district, but a mere 2 blocks from public housing and/or the Union Rescue Mission.

 

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Go see Lady Chablis!!

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

Looking at a Savannah map it appears that Forsyth Park is far beyond the main shoping and entertainment part of town. And, according to others I've heard from, parking is very difficult in downtown Savannah. We would like to park the car, and not have to use it while in town.

But the hotel you recommend really looks good. Just don't care for the location.

Thanks.

Forsyth Park is on the northern end of "downtown" but still within comfortable walking distance of River Street and other attractions. We lived one block from Forsyth Park for three years, and we walked all over downtown, all the time. IMHO, Lady and Sons is a waste of time. If you are accustomed to good, downhome southern food, you will likely not be impressed. Love's Seafood is good, but it is quite a ways from town. Stay away from the Pirate's House. VERY touristy, food is only so-so. We have been gone for 6 years, so I know there are lots of restaurant changes since then. But Mrs. Wilkes' Boardinghouse is wonderful for breakfast. It is on Jones Street. Many of the downtown churches/cathedrals/synagogues have tours, if you are interested in that sort of thing. There are also several "ghost" tours available.

Please note that Savannah is not the safest of towns. Especially at night. Muggings are common. Use good judgement and be aware.

Have a good trip!

 

[Cosmic_Charlie]

The Pink house is my favorite spot to eat. Do locals dig the pink house?

 

[Wonderlandmom]

The nice thing about the Hyatt is that you go down to the bottom level and go through a door and you are on River street! You do need a key to get in this door when you return. The Marriott looked nice too, it is a hike down River street though. The Westin is across the river and you would need to ride a water taxi to River street.

We went without our kids last fall and it was great to be able to pop down to River street for dinner, drinks, the candy shops . http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com/ The trolley we took started on River street too. We had on/off privileges.

We took our car out once, and that was to go to a seafood place we used to go to many years ago. The name of the restaurant had changed, but it was the same owner/menu.

 

[jonestavern]

We only toured Savannah for a day while at HHI this past March.
We loved Savannah!

There are plenty of trolley & carriage tours. You can hop on & off the trolley tours~most of the guides are fonts of local lore & knowledge & you'll get a good feel for the city~
The new art museum is open now.

There is a line for Mrs. Wilkes', also, so be prepared.
Speaking of mottoes--
Juliette Gordon Low's (Girl Scouts) house is open to tours.

the Historic District is absolutely gorgeous, but OP are correct, is close to some marginal spots. Like in every city, you have to keep a weather eye out.

We were just awed by the charm & architecture, the friendliness

Enjoy!
Jean

 

[shep]

We just got back from Tybee Island and we drove into Savannah several times...
I liked some of the shops on River Street...
Paula Deen's restaurant was nice too!
DW got her desserts(sp?) cookbook...