Savannah, GA must-see's?

CJones

CJones

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uHaveNoIdea
Family will be going to Savannah this coming weekend (Sunday-Monday). We're staying on Tybee Island. Other than the obvious 'lay on the beach until lobster-fied', are there any other "must-see's" in the area? I think we're planning on doing lunch at Paula Dean's restaurant on Monday, but that is the only thing we have planned for the quick trip.
 
I ate at Paula Deans in Tunica, good stuff. I like the river walk area of Savannah, lots of history there so just park and walk around.

The Eighth Air Force museum is down that way in Pooler, Ga.
 
The Crab Shack on Tybee Island is fun, if the weather is nice. It is on a litle side road after Ft. Pulaski but before you reach the beach, look for the signs on 80. They are known for their low country boil. At least try the crayfish. If you don't like them pick around them for all the other yumminess.

Your kids might like one of the several "ghost walk" tours downtown after dinner. Definitely touristy, but hey, you're a tourist!

Check out Forsythe Park at the south end of the Historic District. Sa belle!
 
Two days? Pretty much just wander when you're not on the beach. You'll probably spend the days on the beach itself which doesn't leave much time for sightseeing. The horse drawn carriage tours are fun - so are the bus tours. River Walk has a candy factory. I want to do a ghost tour one day and with kids that would be fun.

If your wife likes to shop, Savannah has great downtown shopping. Broughton Street in particular IIRC. I like the eclectic clothing style especially after the DC area. Lots of fun little shops all over.


I try to visit the Savannah Bee Company each time I visit. Good gifts - good skin care products. The honey is out of this world.

http://www.savannahbee.com/

At the end of Forsyth Park is the Sentient Bean which has very good non-chain coffee and is just a funky coffee house. When I go just about anywhere I seek out the non-chain coffee shops. Gotta do what you can to keep them going. So much better than Starbucks.

Next door is an organic food store - Brighter Days.

http://www.sentientbean.com/

http://tinyurl.com/y6hb4d

If you like browsing books, check out E Shaver on Bull Street. It is a good place to find books of local interest as well as local cookbooks - if you like to cook by all means take home a few local cookbooks. I really like the ones written by the church ladies of the area. You know the kind I mean. It's a funky small bookstore - remember when there were lots of independent ones? This is a good one.

http://www.savannahoffthebeatenpath.com/Shops/shaver's.htm

Best advice for Paula Deen's is NOT to stand in line but rather show up at about 10-15 minutes before 11 AM. You will see a large crowd standing across the street from the reservation booth. Walk up to the booth and ask to be seated at the bar. Most likely you will be let in about 10 minutes after 11 AM (after the crowd of people who stood in line from 9 AM to be the first in at 11 AM), and the "bar" is the entire upstairs - you might actually sit at the bar itself but most likely you will just sit in the large dining room upstairs.

Another place I like to eat is Soho South on E Liberty Street.

http://www.sohosouthcafe.com/

http://www.savannahoffthebeatenpath.com/Food/soho_south_cafe.htm



Hope this all helps.
 
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Thanks for all of the suggestions, folks! There won't be any 'kids' along other than me, my dad, and my bro-in-law that like to act like we're 15 sometimes. ;)

This will be a quick trip, but since my wife and I live relatively close, it could be come a frequent stop for us on our weekend jaunts - so ALL recommendations are appreciated. Thanks for the tips on Paula Dean restaurant, I really don't like the idea of leaving the beach to stand in line for 2 hours!!!

I'm thinking of taking my kayak and trying some surf launches. Maybe even take a pole and try some sight fishing for some reds if I can sneak away for long enough. ;)
 
ScottM said:
Fort Pulaski
http://www.nps.gov/fopu/index.htm

You gotta go.
Click to expand...

Second that.
And Fort Clinch is 45 minutes down the road in Fernandina Beach, Fl. A 90% complete and original pre-War O' Northern Aggression Fort with a nice beach and park to boot!

http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/
Once, while I was standing on the rampart, I saw a nuclear sub go roaring by (the cut is right by the fort). Man, those things are fast!
It was cool to be standing on a Civil War Fort, watching a billion dollar sub go by. Most days, there are re-enactors there too.
 
Keith Lane said:
Second that.
And Fort Clinch is 45 minutes down the road in Fernandina Beach, Fl. A 90% complete and original pre-War O' Northern Aggression Fort with a nice beach and park to boot!

http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/
Once, while I was standing on the rampart, I saw a nuclear sub go roaring by (the cut is right by the fort). Man, those things are fast!
It was cool to be standing on a Civil War Fort, watching a billion dollar sub go by. Most days, there are re-enactors there too.
Click to expand...

Keith, I thought you'd send them to Folkston so they could watch the trains at the funnel. :D
 
OK, if you are going to be regulars - and no kids this time, I will think some more.

Bonaventure Cemetery looks quite atmospheric. I haven't gone yet - in part because I'd mostly go to take photos and I was told not to go alone and to mind your car. There are frequent breakins. People can hide behind big tombstones and rob you. No idea how often that is, but it didn't sound like I wanted to tempt fate alone. I have been warned by a number of locals that Savannah day time and night are two different places and to mind where you go after dark. The Bonaventure cemetery apparently is just deserted enough to be careful.

Wormsloe Plantation is kind of cool but I wouldn't bother on a first visit. There isn't much left there but the setting is pretty.

Farther afield don't forget Beaufort SC. That's perhaps a 45 minute drive north (give or take).
 
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