Savannah, Ga

[rjn5656]

Thinking of going to Savanah for a couple of days. Which area should we stay, historic or riverfront? What a few fun things to do?

[Jimturner]

They have a nice cobblestone street on the waterfront that is great eating and dinning. I did not try the accomidations
for rooms.

[Chatbrat]

Get a good B&B in the historic section--get to the great restaurants there--the food will blow you away. enjoy

[Jimturner]

Paula Dean has a restaurant there, but since someone decided she was racist, not sure if she is still open.

[Wiserbud47]

Be sure to include a trolley tour. We found Old Town Trolley Tours to be very good. It allows you to get on and off at various "trolley stops" throughout the city.

[Chi-Town]

The Hampton on the Waterfront is a great location. You can catch a trolley tour of the Historic section and then hop off anywhere.

[Jimturner]

We did the trolley tour and enjoyed it very much. Wonderful Annabella homes.

[Carl in Tampa]

For great food go to Johnny Harris' restaurant. Billed as a BBQ place, it actually has a wide menu of Southern style cooking. It is a multi-generational place; I was taken there as a teenager in the 1950's by my dad. Johnny Harris Restaurant & Barbecue Sauce Co � Savannah GA (http://johnnyharris.com/)

If you have the interest and the stamina, visit Ft. Pulaski, a nearby Civil War fort that was originally constructed under the oversight of Robert E. Lee as a federal fort. It fell to an assault by Union forces when under siege by the first use of rifled cannon in the war. Some cannonballs can still be seen embedded in the walls. Fort Pulaski National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (http://www.nps.gov/fopu/index.htm)

[Sandtrap328]

I like staying at the Marriott Riverfront. Get a riverfront room. I agree on seeing Fort Pulaski. Take a sightseeing river cruise. Take the Trolley Tour.

[Doro22]

Paula Dean has a restaurant there, but since someone decided she was racist, not sure if she is still open.

It's still open & doing well. Love Savannah! Don't miss the trolley tour, and the house from Midnight In The Garden of Good & Evil. Stay near the waterfront.

[John_W]

I lived in Savannah from 1972 to '73 while I was in the Army and then again from 1982 to 1988 when I was a business owner. It was a fun town, the cobblestone street at the waterfront is called 'River Street'. The Savannah River is on one side of River Street and the other side there are 4 story buildings that are set into the hillside. They were cotton warehouses in the 1800's. They have all be refurnished and the top floor face away from the water and are on 'Bay Street' and are filled with offices such as lawyers, insurance companies, ship operators, etc. The basement floor face the river and have mostly bars, restaurants and gift shops. When I got out of the Army, my first job was as a switchman with Southern Railroad. We would sometimes bring trains right now the middle of River St. and if a car was parked on the tracks we would have to go into the bars to find the owner. It looks like this.

http://beaufortcountynow.com/uploads/travel/savannah_georgia/savannah_050209_7.16_pm_620_pxlw.jpg

If I were going, I would stay at the Hyatt Regency. It's right on River Street with the entrance on Bay Street. Savannah is much like New Orleans. It's historic but don't forget there are criminals who prey on tourist. When I was younger I would travel all over downtown Savannah by myself at night. Here's a photo of the hotel, it's about $150 to $200 per night, but it's very nice. That's the Talmadge Bridge in the background. It will take you to South Carolina and Hilton Head is not far. There is also an island in the middle of the Savannah River that has a golf course and a big resort. When I lived there it wasn't even developed yet.

http://savannah.hyatt.com/content/dam/PropertyWebsites/regency/savrs/Media/All/Hyatt-Regency-Savannah-Exterior.jpg

Savannah has the biggest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the south, they say only Boston is bigger. They'll be 300,000 people in that River St/Bay St area on that day, and Savannah only has a population of about 150,000. It's neat to be there at least once for that, a lot of green beer will be flowing and a nice parade. I remember being in the Hilton Hotel once on St. Patrick's Day and ran into a bunch of actors who were in town filming a movie. I would say Savannah is my second favorite town only to Pensacola. I had lived in Pensacola from 1976 to 1982 and that's my favorite town.

[Carla B]

Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House for lunch - fabulous home style food! They don't take reservations, people just line up at the door. It's on the trolley line, at least the hop on, hop off line.

[wmkhut]

Mrs. Wilkes I second this place, I never go to Savanna without going there get there around 11:00 AM and skip Breakfast that morning, Get in line they stat seating at 11:30 closed on Mondays. You will be Glad you wen there!

[2newyorkers]

The Hampton on the Waterfront is a great location. You can catch a trolley tour of the Historic section and then hop off anywhere.

I agree with the hotel and hoho trolley. Savannah is a great trip.

[villager]

If you are interested in a walking tour, Savannah Dan is amazing! He gets top ratings on trip advisor. We went on one of his tours and was quite pleased.

[theorem painter]

If you are going in the middle of the week for 2 nights this is the best way to get a great rate on a hotel. Go to the Tourist Info Center on I 95. They have a listing of all available hotel rooms at up to 50% off. We have done this 2 or 3 times in Savannah and also in Charleston. This won't work on a weekend. For a backup you can always make a reservation you can cancel for a backup. We travel like this all the time and have gotten some amazing deals. I also recommend the trolley and Bonaparte Cemetary.

[villagerjack]

I still have a cookbook signed by Mrs Wilkes before she passed. She was getting up in years and she signed the cookbook "Best Wilkes, Mrs. Wishes"

Savannah is great take the bus tour, definitely. Remember, you are not too far from Hilton Head Island. Worth the trip. 30 miles on the way to HHI is Old Towne Bluffton, quaint. Shoppes and restaurants. two outlet stores along 278. May River is exceptional if you can arrange a tour. SAV. is About 45 to middle of HHI. Savannah can be done in one or two days depending on your interest.

In the other direction is Tybee Island. Nice beach.

[Carla B]

And Savannah's not too far from Beaufort, SC (pronounced Bew'fort), either. A picturesque town to visit on the ICW. We drove from our anchorage in Beaufort especially to eat at Mrs. Wilkes, only to find she'd just passed and the restaurant was closed (temporarily).

[rfentress1]

Savannah is great for walking around N to S, E to W it is about a sq mile. a lot (22) of little parks in that area of space. Many movies have been shot around the OLD District. When we were there we stayed in the old district, down by the Old Railroad museum. Good micro brewery across the street

[Deb01]

Cotton Sail Hotel
3.5 of 5 Hotel | 126 West Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401 (Downtown) | Hotel website | (912) 200-3700 | E-mail hotel | Hotel amenities

And definitely Huey's for Beignets 115 East River Street Savannah, GA (912) 234-7385

[jpvillager]

Fell in love with Savannah many years ago. If you wait for college to let out the mimes will be at the river front. High school prom night on the river front is amazing. River front lodging is a lot of fun but expensive. Staying out toward the air base is less expensive and you will be driving around the parks anyway. We take 301 and keep going straight under 10. It cuts diagonally over to 95 on A1A and misses 10, 295 and 95 at Jacksonville. Enjoy your trip.

[Phanatic Luvr]

Savannah is charming. You will definitely do a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are a must. We stayed at the East Bay Inn on Bay Street, breakfast was included. Great location, small parking lot, only holds about 10 cars. We got a space when we arrived and never moved the car, as you walk everywhere. There was also the Hamilton Turner Inn which is beautiful. Both B&B's which make you feel like you are living in old Savannah vs a newer hotel. Google both, they are both good choices. Pace yourself eating, there are a ton of really good restaurants.