Savannah Georgia - Walking Tour

[wdwmo]

Hi All!

Wasn't sure where to post this question - hope it's the good place.

We are driving the WDW and will be stopping in Savannah. I would love to take a walking tour and learn more about this beautiful city. Has anyone done this and which tour company did you use.

My husband and children will probably take a tour also but maybe a themed one - pirates or ghosts.

Awaiting your recommendations.

Thanks.

 

[bearzabout]

We bought a book that had many different walking tours and toured the city at our own pace.

You must make a reservation for lunch or dinner at Lady & Sons restaurant run by Paula Dean. The food was amazing.

 

[debbie655]

bearzabout-- I would love to stop off in Savannah and try Paula Deans restaurant. We are driving down from NY taking 95 all the way. Any idea how far off the interstate this will take us or how to find out?

 

[bearzabout]

If I remember correctly, it is about a 20 minute drive off of 95 to Savannah, and well worth the effort. You can drive around town a bit and see some of the beautiful architecture and city parks.

The website for Lady & Sons is:

http://www.ladyandsons.com/

The buffet is exceptional and provides a great chance to try many southern specialties. I also loved their crab cakes, fried green tomatos and chicken pot pie off the regular menu. Reservations are highly recommended since they book up completely days ahead of time occasionally.

The restaurant is located near the city market (and market parking structure). It is a short 3 block walk to the river from the restaurant.

Enjoy!

 

[debbie655]

bearzabout--Thanks so much for the information. Twenty minutes is not bad at all. Would love to try to eat here, most likely it would be on our return trip rather than on our way down since we'll probably be tired and just want to get to Orlando.

 

[wdwmo]

Thanks for the info bearsabout - i found the website for the food.

For the walking tour, I have limited time. My family would like to go on a pirate or ghost tour and myself to hear about the buildings etc.

Has anyone taken a tour like this in Savannah?


Thanks

 

[maggiew]

Warning! We did the same thing. We stopped at Savannah for the night on our way to Disney. We ended up staying there an extra night because we were having so much fun!!!!!

We did a trolley tour, not a walking one, so can't help you there. Although our tour was really fun.

Maggie

 

[Figment22]

Savannah Walks is generally considered to be the best of the walking tours. They offer seven different walking tours based on your interest. Info can be found here:

Savannah Walks Info

If you've never read "The Book" as it's known in Savannah, consider reading "Midnight In The Garden Of Good and Evil" by John Berendt. It's a great read and there are tours which highlight sites found in the book.

Another vote here for The Lady and Sons. If you're not familiar with Paula Dean, she has a regular Food Network cooking show called Paula's Home Cooking. Check it out before you hit Savannah. Here's the Food Network link to Paula's show:

Paula's Home Cooking

Enjoy your time in Savannah.

 

[2Disneybuggs]

We were in Savannah one day last week. I wish I had know Paula Dean's restaurant was there. We did our own driving tour given by my FIL's friend.The trolley tours looked nice but we were time limited. You will have a great time it is a beautiful city.

 

[LKS]

Be warned that lines for the Lady and Sons can be staggering (literally - in the summer heat.) If you want to do it, find out what time they open and line up ahead....

Another fun option is Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. I have walked in when they were opening with no wait. The service is famly style at big tables that seat about 10 people each. Fried Chicken, Pot Roast, Ham and a zillion salads, veggie and sides. Usually 2 desserts to choose between - get the banana pudding.
Mrs. Wilkes died a year or so ago but her family has reopened the restaurant.

In March they have the Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens which is run by the Episcopal church and their weekend garden tours used to include lunch at Mrs. Wilkes. Fun self-guided tours of private gardens and good food. It was great.

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by LKS
Mrs. Wilkes died a year or so ago but her family has reopened the restaurant.

When did they re-open the restaurant? I know it was closed for quite some time after Mrs. Wilkes passed. I checked a couple of times and it was still closed. This is good news to hear. I just love eating at Mrs. Wilkes'. They have positively the BEST fried chicken imaginable. And you're right about the banana pudding.
YUMMY!

 

[dinks]

Just got back. Waited in line for 2 hours for Lady and Sons! It was worth it but 100 degrees. You can't make reservations any longer. Also, they close at 3 and reopen at 5. If it's a busy day they stop taking names for the list at about 1:30 so go early.

A great thing to do, if you haven't read it, is get Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil on tape or CD and listen on the way. It's very cool to see the sights of the book as pointed out earlier. However, I don't have children (as mentioned with the board name) but I would think it's not appropriate for small children.

I didn't do the walking tour either. I took a trolley tour as well. It was wonderfull.

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by dinks
A great thing to do, if you haven't read it, is get Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil on tape or CD and listen on the way. It's very cool to see the sights of the book as pointed out earlier. However, I don't have children (as mentioned with the board name) but I would think it's not appropriate for small children.

The only "problem" with the tape or CD version is that it's abridged and concentrates mainly on the murder trial. While that is the main focus of the book, you don't get all the wonderful background Savannah information. If you haven't read the full book, try to do so. Or try to find an unabridged CD; it's worth it.

BTW, I agree, it's inappropriate for younger children.

 

[dg39]

We drive down to dw from nj and always stop at ga. When we first stopped there, we only did so to stay overnight and then continue on the disney the next morn. I just love ga. Now whenever we go to disney, we stop over for 2 nites. The history of the place, the food, and especially the pralines can't be beat. I read the book and took more interest in Savannah after reading it. We drove around ourselves and didn't go on any tours. My kids aren't into Savannah's history as I am, so a tour would be out of the question for us. But if you have a sweet tooth, try their pralines. Boy are they good.

 

[LKS]

I haven't been back since she died, I just read in the Savannah paper that her family decided to renovate the kitchen and reopen. I think they were only closed for something like 6 months. You can find the phone number on the web and double check, and remember, they are only open M-F for Breakfast and Lunch. No weekends.

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by LKS
You can find the phone number on the web and double check, and remember, they are only open M-F for Breakfast and Lunch. No weekends.

Apparantly, they are no longer open for breakfast, lunch only. I was only interested in lunch anyway. They don't serve the fried chicken at breakfast!

From the Website:

LOCATION:
107 W. Jones St.
(Historic District)
Savannah, GA 31401


OPEN:
Mon.- Fri.
Lunch: 11am-2pm


Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room