A Delightful Stopover on the Georgia Coast
Savannah, Georgia – just the name brings images of a southern city on the bluffs of the Savannah River boasting 300 years of history, scenic town squares, large oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and cobblestone roads. An enchanting city that’s pedestrian-friendly Historic District brings wander and intrigue at every corner. For many a visit to Savannah is a destination or one time vacation excursion to spend days exploring the art, touring historical homes, shopping trendy boutiques, taking guided tours, and tasting the city’s coastal cuisine. Savannah truly offers a wealth of activities.
Initially for us, Savannah is a destination vacation to take-in all its rich history. So we’ve done the tours and got the T-shirt. Today Savannah is cozy stopover on trips along I-95 as we head to North Carolina to visit family or for a mountain getaway. Depending on our desires, our Savannah escapes are usually one or two nights allowing us to explore, visit, and take in the uniqueness of Savannah.
Accommodations
It’s exciting to stay in different accommodations from Bed & Breakfasts to hotel chains on our stopovers. Each accommodation has its own attraction and benefits. Former visits to Savannah have included stays at Hotel Indigo, Andaz Hotel Savannah, Hampton Inn Savannah Historic District, Marriott Courtyard, Hilton Garden Inn, Forsyth Park Inn and others. It has been a few years since we stayed in a B&B and we are excited to return to the Forsyth Park Inn. This cozy B&B is located across the street from Savannah’s famous Forsyth Park. Staying at a B&B provides a much different experience of Savannah than in a chain hotel downtown. First there is no parking fee – as street parking is available. Then the location across from Forsyth Park is terrific! A hot homemade breakfast is served each morning on the veranda. In the evening there is a complimentary wine & cheese hour and later tasty desserts.
On our visits we stay in Room 4 that is on the main floor. It is a spacious bedroom with a separate cozy sitting room. The sitting room is great for relaxing, reading or perusing our iPads. The Inn is an easy walk to major attractions in Savannah’s Historic District. Plus the it is a short stroll to some unique local restaurants. To us the Inn adds Southern charm, comfort, and a cozy welcome to the city.
A FEW ACTIVITIES
On any visit to Savannah’s Historic District a must is a walk to, through or around Forsyth Park. Taking an early morning walk around this HUGE Park before breakfast is invigorating. The old oak trees shade the walkways while the Forsyth Park Fountain is a major attraction of the Park and Savannah. A must see! Take your camera, as Forsyth Park offers opportunities for taking scenic pictures from the Fountain to the Spanish moss covered trees. Today as we stroll the perimeter of the Park, we spot a class of mother’s working out with their child in a stroller. We learn this is the Stroller Strong Moms of Savannah. Go Ladies!
Georgia State Railroad Museum
Having a full day to do a bit more exploring, we elect to visit the Georgia State Railroad Museum. This historic site features the most complete antebellum railroad of its kind. It’s close to downtown Savannah with its location at the old Central of Georgia Savannah Shops and Railway Terminal Facilities. For a fee, we take a tour that proves to be interactive. Our guide is a Volunteer and a former railroad worker who has a passion for sharing the history of the Georgia State Railroad. Beginning with an Orientation Film, we learn the sites history and the importance of the Central of Georgia Railway to the continued growth and success of Savannah. After taking an up-close look at the locomotives, the tour continues the luxurious restored private railway cars of former presidents of the railway. As we approach the roundhouse, we learn how trains are turned and see the shops for restoration of locomotives and other train cars.
We didn’t get to experience the Handcar Activity but it looks like a fun activity of “pumping a handcar” down a railroad track. Standing in a Freight Railcar our guide explains the details of how different cars are designed depending on what it will transport. Now, we have a better appreciation of the challenges of providing refrigeration to “cold” railcars. This is an informative tour and education on the significance of the railroad to Savannah. We recommend the tour for adults and children.
Drinking & Dining – A Savannah Tradition
Many years ago, I was talking with a client who had worked in Savannah. As a fan of Savannah and its rich Southern history, I ask: “What did you like most about Savannah?” His immediate response, “I learned to drink!” He explains drinking in Savannah is a major pastime. On our visits to Savannah we find numerous opportunities to delve into Savannah’s culinary scene, as well as, the many historic and unique bars.
After a walk from the Inn on Forsyth into Historic downtown Savannah, we stroll the City Market checking out the shops upstairs and various eateries. Then as we window shop the numerous stores on Broughton Street we pass by The Ordinary Pub. The door is open so it’s an invitation to partake of an afternoon libation. Located in the basement the Pub is spacious, quiet, and it’s Happy Hour. A perfect respite for an afternoon glass of wine and a beer, as we plan our activities for this visit. Now we continue on to River Street with its scenic views of the Savannah River and many warehouses converted to shops and restaurants. For dinner this evening, we opt for a light meal on the Patio at Vic’s on the River. Our timing is good as we are quickly seated on the outside patio off Bay Street. Cheers to a delicious dinner of Roasted Pear Salad and their “Awarding Winning Crawfish Beignets.”
As the sun is slowly setting, we are off to explore a new bar in Savannah. With its continued growth along the Riverfront, the newest hotel, the Alida Hotel, features a notable rooftop bar – The Lost Square. Taking the elevator to the rooftop, we find an upscale modern outdoor bar with great views of the historic city, the Savannah River and the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. With a variety of seating options from the bar to tables to couches it is busy but not crowded this late afternoon. We enjoy our libations as we watch the sunset.
On our second day in the city our dining include two new restaurants. Savannah’s Starland District is latest up and coming location for food, drink, and more. It’s a short drive to The Vault Kitchen and Market. This unique upscale restaurant is in a former bank. Wow, a group is actually dining in the bank vault known as The Vault Room. Seated in the covered outdoor area, the menu has an Asian flare with a variety of dishes. On recommendations from our waiter, we start with an appetizer of Duck Dumplings followed by the fantastic Pear Salad. For entrees the Midi Salmon is excellent. Then a unique and tasteful dish is “The Traveler” a fried large sushi roll combining salmon, cream cheese, asparagus and rice. A truly special chic restaurant.
For dinner it is an easy walk from the Inn to Local 11 Ten an upscale restaurant just south of Forsyth Park on Bull Street. The modern décor provides a clean fresh venue. From their Main Dish Menu, Richard opts for the Quail while I select an ala carte meal of Seared Sea Scallops and roasted sweet potatoes. Each dish is perfectly prepared and this evening it is quiet making for a relaxing dinner.
As we saunter back to the Inn, a nightcap sounds great. The Mansion on Forsyth Park is just across the Park from the Inn so we stroll over to Casamir’s Lounge for relaxing after dinner drinks. Cheers to a wonderful Savannah Stopover.
Note: Savannah offers plenty to do from its Historic District to it Historical Forts to its exciting beach on Tybee Island. Once you’ve seen downtown check out these other areas at Tybee Island.