Savannah, GA - what to do on Vacation?

[wade moore]

So, I unexpectedly will be making a short vacation to Savannah, GA next weekend (long story short, it was supposed to be my fiance and her mother going, but now it is my fiance and me).

Because of that, we have to throw some quick plans together. I know that she wants to do a Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil tour, so we'll do that... outside of that we're pretty open.. we just went to the bookstore and bought some travel books that we'll peruse...

We will be there from the evening of Saturday, March 31st until the morning of Tuesday, April 3rd. So - like I said, short trip. We will be staying somewhere downtown (there's a reservation, I just have to find out where) and do not intend to have a rental car, so we're really looking for things downtown that you don't have to travel to.

So - any suggestions would be appreciated. Generally when we do a short city trip like this, we try to do a bus/trolley tour the first morning (which it appears Savannah has) to get ideas of where we'd like to go - but anyone that has ideas for us to keep in mind would be appreciated.

[KWhit]

My wife and I did a nice ghost walking tour one evening. I don't believe in any of that stuff, but we got a kick out of hearing about all the supposed haunted houses.

We ate at the Chart House - a quite good seafood place (but it is a chain, if that changes your mind).

You can walk all over the city pretty easily. It's nice to just walk and look at the unique architecture.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by KWhit

My wife and I did a nice ghost walking tour one evening. I don't believe in any of that stuff, but we got a kick out of hearing about all the supposed haunted houses.

We ate at the Chart House - a quite good seafood place (but it is a chain, if that changes your mind).

You can walk all over the city pretty easily. It's nice to just walk and look at the unique architecture.

Ghost Tours are fun to me (they're popular here in Williamsburg) for the same reasons as you, so I'd definitely consider that..

Chart House has the disadvantage for me of having a chain where I grew up, so it interests me less - I think getting at least one meal of "local" cuisine intrigues me a lot, so any recommendations there would be good..

Definitely plan on walking - we did that in San Francisco and really enjoyed it.

Edit - she also is considering going to Paula Dean's restaurant, so if anyone has any recommendations there I'm all ears.... Food is a big part of travel for me .

[JonInMiddleGA]

I hope you enjoy historic house tours, because that's the bulk of what I recall to do in Savannah. Well, that & eat.

Among the museums is the Juliette Gordon Low (founder of the Girl Scouts) residence. And, although it might seem redundant if you do the morning trolley tour you mentioned, it's actual one of the better carriage tours at night that I recall doing.

[henry296]

My wife wants to go to Savannah for the sole purpose of eating at Paula Deen's restaurant.

[Z²+]

I spent this past summer in Savannah, and it's a fun place to visit. Everything "downtown" is easily within walking distance, and the whole downtown district is set up as a series of town squares, with Spanish Moss growing everywhere-- you could easily spend an entire day walking through the squares and viewing all the statues and fountains.

City Market is a great spot, 2 blocks of stores and restaurants and art galleries. I highly recommend Vinnie's pizza in City Market -- not upscale dining by any sense of the term, but its some of the best pizza I've ever had (only opens after 4:00 pm, except on weekends it opens slightly earlier i believe). There are also several fancy sit-down restaurants in City Market as well that look pretty good. Paula Dean's place, The Lady and Sons, is only a block away from City Market, but there is always a huge line waiting to be seated, and to be honest, I've heard from friends down there that it's nothing special -- more of a touristy place, but not really worth the hype.

I would also recommend a walk on River Street -- several blocks of stores, shops, and restaurants along the scenic Savannah River. From City Market, River Street is only about a 5 minute walk.

Enjoy your trip...

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I hope you enjoy historic house tours, because that's the bulk of what I recall to do in Savannah. Well, that & eat.

Among the museums is the Juliette Gordon Low (founder of the Girl Scouts) residence. And, although it might seem redundant if you do the morning trolley tour you mentioned, it's actual one of the better carriage tours at night that I recall doing.

My future mother-in-law LOVES historic house tours - part of why this trip was scheduled in the first place . I figure we'll go on maybe one and spend other time just walking around and enjoying the sites. Anything that gets her away from the 20 5 year-olds she deals with on a daily basis is a good thing.

I've read about the carriage tours and my fiance isn't that keen on them at the moment, but that's because I think she is picturing the rip-off carriage rides through Colonial Williamsburg. We'll see how that goes.

Originally Posted by Z²+

City Market is a great spot, 2 blocks of stores and restaurants and art galleries. I highly recommend Vinnie's pizza in City Market -- not upscale dining by any sense of the term, but its some of the best pizza I've ever had (only opens after 4:00 pm, except on weekends it opens slightly earlier i believe). There are also several fancy sit-down restaurants in City Market as well that look pretty good. Paula Dean's place, The Lady and Sons, is only a block away from City Market, but there is always a huge line waiting to be seated, and to be honest, I've heard from friends down there that it's nothing special -- more of a touristy place, but not really worth the hype.

I read something somewhat similar in one of my books about her restaurant - part of what makes me wary. I'd rather get some true Savannah food at a hole-in-the wall if I have my choice, and I think my fiance is leaning that way also.


So - what is the "must-eat" in Savannah? Is it Lowcountry shrimp?

[MrIllini]

you know what's fun to do in Savannah?


















pack up your shit and get the fuck out

(with credit to Dave Attell)

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by wade moore

My future mother-in-law LOVES historic house tours - part of why this trip was scheduled in the first place . I figure we'll go on maybe one and spend other time just walking around and enjoying the sites. Anything that gets her away from the 20 5 year-olds she deals with on a daily basis is a good thing.

I've read about the carriage tours and my fiance isn't that keen on them at the moment, but that's because I think she is picturing the rip-off carriage rides through Colonial Williamsburg. We'll see how that goes.



I read something somewhat similar in one of my books about her restaurant - part of what makes me wary. I'd rather get some true Savannah food at a hole-in-the wall if I have my choice, and I think my fiance is leaning that way also.


So - what is the "must-eat" in Savannah? Is it Lowcountry shrimp?

My wife and I when we were dating in college actually took a roadtrip of the South during my senior spring break week and one of the places (along with NO and Charleston) was Savannah. Did a lot of walking and looking around in two days and stayed at a nice little BnB. I know there is one really good restaurant that almost literally fills your "hole-in-the-wall" definition, but for the life of me I cannot remember the name of it or where it is (it's been almost 10 years now). I think it's a first name-named restaurant that barely has any room for more than a couple of tables and serves only during lunch, but it's got Southern food down pat. Only other places I remember very well at this point were the waterfront area and this one antique map shop that gave me a kid-in-a-candy-store-type enjoyment to browse through. Also remembered it being pretty cold, but this was because it was early March and might've been unseasonably so at that point.

[Pyser]

if you get bored in savannah, you could always take a trip over to hilton head, sc. less than an hour, i think.

good food in savannah, though, i remember.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Pyser

if you get bored in savannah, you could always take a trip over to hilton head, sc. less than an hour, i think.

good food in savannah, though, i remember.

Again - no intention to have a rental car. And we're only there for 2 days/3 nights.

[Pyser]

like i have time to read the details of every post!

[B & B]

Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room

107 W. Jones St., Savannah, GA, USA
912/232-5997


Wade, this is where you want to go. Family style seating, southern cooking. Thank me when you get back, err, how about we call it even with that gmail invite. Almost forgot, this place is breakfeast and lurnch only, but bring your appetite.

[B & B]

Dola.

Its inexpensive but cash only.

[MrIllini]

Originally Posted by B & B

Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room

107 W. Jones St., Savannah, GA, USA
912/232-5997


Wade, this is where you want to go. Family style seating, southern cooking. Thank me when you get back, err, how about we call it even with that gmail invite. Almost forgot, this place is breakfeast and lurnch only, but bring your appetite.

I'd give you a gmail invite, but what the hell is lurnch?

[wade moore]

Bumping as we're trying to finalize some plans.

[Wolfy]

The main visitor center is on M.L.K. just north of Olgelthorp, that a great place to start for ideas and or tours.

Walking is the activity I would advise. You have 21 squares plus Forsyth Park to explore.

Tours of all sorts are options but they tend to be on the cheesy side once you really know the city and its history. There are some boat tours which are intersting, they can even go out to Tybee Island which makes for a nice day.

River Street is good for a few bars, food and limited shopping. The main shopping area is up on Broughton which has some nice local designer items now. Little interesting shop can be found all over though so keep your eyes open as you walk around.

City Market is always active and has good dinning and some bars/shops. It is up near Congress St.

Hope that helps.

[wade moore]

We're interested in maybe going to Tybee Island.. Does anyone know if there are shuttles or anything so that I wouldn't have to rent a car?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by wade moore

We're interested in maybe going to Tybee Island.. Does anyone know if there are shuttles or anything so that I wouldn't have to rent a car?

Scroll down this page a bit & you should find info
http://www.tybeevisit.com/directions.php

Savannah to Tybee Shuttle - Offered by Old Savannah Tours
Save parking fees and ride the Beach shuttle. The shuttle operates 7 days a week. There are 7 pickup/dropoff locations in Historic Savannah and 7 on Tybee.

$10.00 per Adult Round Trip.
Children under 12 always ride Free.

Call for more info:
912-234-8128
800-517-9007

Pick Ups on Tybee
1. Tybee Visitor Center
2. Dunes Inn/Howard Johnson's
3. Tybrisa Street
4. Ocean Plaza Beach Resort
5. Beachside Colony
6. Tybee Lighthouse
7. Rivers End Campground


Pick Ups in Savannah
1. Old Savannah Tours Visitor Depot
2. Hampton Inn & Suites
3. Desoto Hilton
4. Pirates House
5. Hampton Inn on Bay Street
6. Hyatt
7. Double Tree/ Garden Hotel
• http://www.oldsavannahtours.com

[wade moore]

Thank you!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Thank you!

You're welcome. Just be sure to call them first before counting on it. After posting the link I checked the shuttle/tour service's website & couldn't find a reference to the Tybee shuttle anywhere. The first link is from the Tybee Chamber of Commerce, so you'd think it'd have accurate info but ... y'never know.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

You're welcome. Just be sure to call them first before counting on it. After posting the link I checked the shuttle/tour service's website & couldn't find a reference to the Tybee shuttle anywhere. The first link is from the Tybee Chamber of Commerce, so you'd think it'd have accurate info but ... y'never know.

hah, good point. I'm still not totally against renting a car - and for two of us, the cost wouldn't be THAT far off and we'd have some more freedom. Good to know that this is an option though.

[Z²+]

Originally Posted by wade moore

hah, good point. I'm still not totally against renting a car - and for two of us, the cost wouldn't be THAT far off and we'd have some more freedom. Good to know that this is an option though.

If you do end up renting a car, I would reaffirm what somebody mentioned above and recommend a trip to Hilton Head Island, SC. From Savannah proper, it's about 20-30 minutes longer each way, but from my own personal experience, I just think Hilton Head has a much "nicer" and "classier" feel than Tybee, in terms of beach experience, shopping and dining, and tourist oppurtunities. Definitely worth a trip, if you decide to splurge for a car.

[wade moore]

Fun trip so far...

We've done the trolley, TONS of walking (i've probably walked 6 or 7 miles the last two days).. Tonight I get m Low-Country Boil that I've heard so much about..

We'll see how it goes..

[wade moore]

Dola: We decided it wasn't worth the money to get out to Tybee just to go to a restaurant.