Savannah, GA? About This Page:

[Pris]

DH & I are considering going to Savannah over Christmas. With DD & DS out of pocket, it is just us and I'm not sure I want to stay home. What can you tell me about Savannah? I know it is supposed to be gorgeous and, of course, very historical. How is it in the winter? What should we see and do?

[Lumieregirl]

The first time we went to Savannah, we took the trolley train tour first to get the lay of the land and decide which things we wanted to go back to. http://www.trolleytours.com/savannah/ I was skeptical about this tour, but it was very informative, funny, and relaxing. We rode one time the full route, noting which places we wanted to return to. Then, rode again stopping at these stops. (On this website, click on each stop to see the attractions, and then research which ones appeal to you). I just looked at the conductors on the website and we had many conductors as we got on and off but none of them came close to Cindy. She is a hoot!
We enjoyed exploring River Street (don't miss Savannah Candy Kitchen), visiting the park Squares, learning about films that were made in Savannah (Forrest Gump, Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil).
Because we had seen it on the Travel Channel with Samantha Brown, we stayed at Marshall House. It was lovely.
We had a nice dinner at Cotton Exchange on River Street. I've only been in summer but I'm sure Christmas would be over-the-top beautiful.

[ilovedisney247]

Savannah is a lovely city and has one of the cleanest airports I've ever seen! Walking along the waterfront is wonderful and there are great shops and such to browse and shop. I seem to remember some pretty interesting historical tour and s Southern history museum--maybe its a Civil War museum. I'm stretching my brain pretty far back. The old oak trees just covered in Spanish Moss are one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen!

[chezp]

We enjoyed taking a carriage tour and walking through some of the squares and along the waterfront. We were there in early November and it was a cold day - maybe in the 50s? The wind can be a bit bitter off the coast.

[Belle*]

I love Savannah! My parents live in Hilton Head, about 45 minutes away. The trolley tour is a great idea and a good way to see the city. We were there last in March and did the Historic Home & Garden Tour but there is also a Holiday Home Tour that I am dying to do. The tickets go on sale next month. Savannah is a great walking city - very flat and laid out in a grid so easy to find your way around!

The Lady & Sons (Paula Deen's restaurant) is a big tourist attraction and it is very tasy but most locals prefer Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. It is lunch only and served family style.

[DrDolphin]

We are about 2 hours south of Savannah and I was there for a week of training about a year and half ago. There are some wonderful old hotels on river street - as well as national chains (if that is the way you are inclined).

We enjoyed a trip out to Tybee Island and Ft. Pulaski - and we ate at the Crab Shack - WONDERFUL seafood. Tybee is a great little beach town with eclectic shops and restaurants and the Tybee Lighthouse - all about 20 minutes from Savannah.

Don't forget that the Girl Scouts were formed in Savannah and the founder, Juliet Gordon Lowe's home is a museum that you can visit.

Savannah is also home to the Savannah School of Art and Design - SCAD - they have remodeled many old run down bldgs throughout the city, and the historic and Victorian districts are lovely to visit.

I haven't been during the holidays - but would love to go - we even considered getting married there and are planning a bike riding trip in the spring.

Enjoy your trip!

[Carousel96]

We were in Savannah in May -- hot and muggy -- so I can't help you with the holidays thing.
We stayed at the Marriott on the river. It was built as the athletes village for the Atlanta Olympics (yachting events were held in Savannah).
We ate at Lady and Sons to say we did. But we liked the food better at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. DD says Mrs. Wilkes makes better fried chicken than Paula Deen!
The walk along the river is pretty.We saw dolphins right downtown. I would definately suggest a trolley tour. It's a good way to get oriented and get your bearings, then you can go back and see what you want to.
DD is a Girl Scout and I was as a child, so the Juliette Low birthplace, the Andrew Low house and the First Headquarters were all must-sees.
The squares are all different and beautiful.
We loved Leopold's Ice Cream -- went back there several times. If you stop by the old restored theater around the corner, read the donor bricks in the sidewalk. There are a couple of interesting celebrities listed.
Lots of beautifully restored houses; some sights from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
The ghost tours are fun. I don't remember the company we used. It featured costumed guides and was more history, building and stories rather than sensors and looking for orbs and paranormal fields.
If you stay downtown you won't need a car. Savannah is very walkable. DD and I rented a car and went to Tybee Island and Fort Pulaski.

[Ashli]

Originally Posted by Belle*

The Lady & Sons (Paula Deen's restaurant) is a big tourist attraction and it is very tasy but most locals prefer Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. It is lunch only and served family style.

I guess it depends on the local...but this local LOVES Lady and Sons!! Savannah is my favorite US city and I feel so lucky to live here now. It is beautiful at Christmas time, but can be quite chilly,so be prepared. (Although it probably depends where you are from as to what you consider chilly...I grew up in FL, so anything below 70 - I need a serious jacket.) We usually have sort of strange weather in Dec where it can be quite warm (70s to even 80) one week, then 50 the next so definitely keep your eye on the forecast when you are getting ready to pack.

As for what to do here, there are so many things. I think the suggestions you were given about the Trolley Tour is a good place to start. Like they said, this is a tour as well as a transportation service. You can get on and off at stops at your will and look more closely at what you want. A horse/carriage tour is always fun too. One of my favorite areas is City Market (River Street is beautiful and definitely deserves a walk, but I prefer the stores/restaurants closer to City Market). I think the Savannah Candy Kitchen is better there (although that one and the one on River St are owned by the same people so it's probably all in my head). Our fave pizza place ever is there - Vinnie Van Gogo's. If you are in a pizza mood, don't miss it!!! There is a fantastic breakfast/brunch place on Liberty St. called J. Christopher's. If you are interested in art, there is the Telfair museum. I'm not sure what exhibits they will have this Christmas, but right now they have a really cool Paris photography exhibit. Of course there are the squares. DH and I still love to go downtown and walk around the squares almost ever weekend. It never gets old. The squares are prettiest in the spring when the azaleas are blooming, but they are always nice. My favorite is Orleans Square. It has a beautiful fountain, and is usually a little quieter and less touristy than some of the others. Oooh, I thought of another good place to eat, ESPECIALLY when it's chilly. It's called B. Matthews and it's on Bay St. They have really delicious soups (my fave is the white bean/Italian sausage) that are really helpful to warm you up. Regardless of your religious beliefs, do not miss going in the cathedral of St. John the Baptist. It is BEAUTIFUL, with the most breathtaking stained glass I've seen outside of Europe. Oh, another restaurant idea...if you are interested in a very nice romantic dinner, go to the Pink House. DH and I love it, and it's in a beautiful historic building (that some say is haunted... ;-) Speaking of haunted...if you are interested in ghost tours all I can say is good luck. I've tried several (bus and walking) and have yet to find one that I think is interesting and not just cheesy. I went on a fantastic one in Charleston, SC and I wish that guy would come do one in Savannah. All I have to say is unless you are in it for a goofy bit of cheese, stay away from the Trolley Tour's Ghost and Gravestones tour. They do fantastic city tours, but the ghost tour is really dorky (IMO).

If you have any questions about things in Savannah please don't hesitate to PM me. I love this city and want people who visit here to love it as well.

Edited to add: I cannot believe I forgot to recommend my favorite place!!!! If you have a sweet tooth do NOT miss the Cupcake Emporium! It has the most delicious cupcakes baked fresh every day. There are always a bunch of different flavors to choose from. My favorite are red velvet, cherry, and orange.

[cubfancolleen]

We go to Hilton Head every summer and we love eating at Uncle Bubba's. This is another Paula Dean restaurant. We have done a carriage tour and did enjoy touring the Juliette Gordon Low house.

[karmic]

We just returned from a week in the low country last week- spent the night at the Avia Hotel which I highly recommend. Right across the street from the Lady and Sons and a short walk to the river front. We also enjoyed the carriage tour- don't both with the river boat as there is not much to see except for industrial stuff on the harbor