From Tantalizing Tastes to a Historical Stroll to a Zany Trolley Tour
Perched on the Savannah River on the Georgia coast sits sensational Savannah. Steeped with history as welcoming as its southern charm, visitors will find a variety of activities in this savvy city. For us Savannah is both an enjoyable overnight stop on trips along I-95 and a great destination to delve more into this intriguing city. Having visited Savannah numerous times, we have a few favorite spots but are always seeking a new experience. Sometimes just strolling the relaxing and welcoming squares is the attraction while on other visits we explore new sites and attractions. On this visit, we are ready to get reacquainted with one of our favorite cities by taking a few tours. In the past we’ve done the Hop on Hop Off Trolley Tour, the Gray Line Savannah Tour, The Book Tour (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), the Georgia State Railroad Museum Tour, and Savannah Riverboat Cruises. Now we are ready to get a taste of Savannah on a food tour, stroll the squares on a walking history tour, and enjoy the antics of the Moron Tour.
Tasty Food with a Splash of History
Cultural Walking and Food Tour Savannah meets at the Andaz Hotel Savannah, we are excited to experience the tastes of Savannah. Our tour guide, Sally, greets us and begins with giving an overview of Savannah’s history. She quickly educates us on James Oglethorpe, the founder of Savannah. His idea was to establish a colony between South Carolina and Florida, along with having the prisoners from the Debtors Prisons initially being the primary inhabitants. Additionally, Oglethorpe carefully mapped out the design for the town incorporating squares for which Savannah is now know. As we savor the hot fresh biscuits with fried green tomato and Pimento Cheese from RISE, we get both the taste of this southern treat and our history lesson on Savannah. YUMMY!
Seated at 22 Square Restaurant and Bar inside the Andaz Hotel Savannah, Sally explains the uniqueness of Savannah’s Squares. The Squares were designed to have a central square with Trusts Lots on either end of the center square. These were for public buildings such as churches, schools or banks. The other areas were called “Tythings” where residences would be built. Initially, 24 squares were planned and built. Today there are 22 squares. In fact, 22 Square Restaurant and Bar is named for the Squares of Savannah. The restaurant features southern inspired cuisine. Here we enjoy a savory sampling of a favorite Savannah dish, Shrimp and Grits.
Sally continues with our walking food and history tour as we stroll along to the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District. After a quick peek at the impressive Kessler Collection Hotel, we are seated at Rhett across the street in the Alida, Savannah, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel Savannah, of JW Marriott. Featuring Coastal Cuisine with the bounty of Low Country. Yes! Savannah is famous for its She Crab Soup! Rhett’s tantalizing us with this amazing soup. More food and history awaits as we continue our stroll through Savannah. It’s a spicy sausage pie with a wonderful flaky crust at The Crown Pie Society.
Strolling into downtown, we find a different twist. It’s Mint to Be Mojitos is fun. The Empanada is delicious but the Mojita is TERRIFIC! Lots of fresh fruit in this enchanting cocktail. We even sneak in the back to the “hidden Speakeasy!” Honey! Honey! The finale for our Food Tour is Savannah Bee. Amazing! We sample the Tupelo honey which is so SMOOTH. Comparing it to the samplings of Acacia Honey and then Wildflower Honey, we quickly see the difference in each’s unique flavor. We thoroughly enjoy the tour, the foods and learning more of the history of Savannah. A terrific way to sample some special and unique dishes, visit specialty restaurants, and gain insight into Savannah’s intriguing history.
Stroll the Squares of Savannah on a FREE History Tour
Savannah has a FREE walking tour! We quickly sign up to partake in this walking history tour of Savannah. Arriving at Johnson Square early for the 10:30 AM tour, Joe, our guide, welcomes us. As a Savannah native, Joe has plenty of local stories and tales to share as we stroll along the Squares of Savannah on Bull Street. Providing the initial history of Savannah’s founding under James Oglethorpe, Joe shares that Oglethorpe initially had four rules for the new colony. No Rum, No Slaves, No Lawyers, and No Papists. While some of these rules were enforced initially, each fell by the wayside as the colony grew. Starting at Johnson Square, the oldest square it also is the highest square at 43 feet above sea level. From here we have great views of the gold dome of Savannah’s City Hall. Joe provides a lot of depth and knowledge of Savannah along with the history and uniqueness of each of the squares we visit.
Stopping at Wright Square, Joe explains this initially was the “hanging square” as it was adjacent to the Courthouse and Jail. We gather to look at a large granite stone dedicated to Tomo-Chi-Chi, the head chief of a Yamacraw town, now present day Savannah. Tomo-Chi-Chi was a prominent historical figure in early Georgia history. Joe shares an intriguing and somewhat convoluted story of how this granite rock came to be dedicated to Tomo-Chi-Chi at Wright Square. The fun part of Joe’s tale, is as a child, his grandmother told him if he ran around the rock shouting “Tomo-Chi-Chi” he’d get his wish. So Joe ran around the rock many times hoping to get his wish. Yes, there is a path around the rock where children continue to run around yelling “Tomo-Chi-Chi!”
At Chippewa Square, we see the massive statue dedicated to James Oglethorpe, the founder of Savannah. Yes, most of us have memories of Chippewa Square from the movie, Forest Gump, with Tom Hanks. Here is where Forest sat on the bench with his box of chocolates. Sadly, the bench has been removed due to tourists defacing it or attempting to chip pieces off it. Joe provides a lot of details about how Oglethorpe came to start the colony of Georgia and town of Savannah. Oglethorpe’s idea was to provide an opportunity for individuals in Debtors Prisons in England to be the primary inhabitants. The Debtors of single poor men would have a two-year contract to work for the city/colony and then would receive 50 acres. This was an impressive amount to allow them to get out of prison.
Additionally, we see Sherman’s Headquarters at the Green-Meldrim Mansion. Sherman is known for burning a 42-mile wide swath from Atlanta to the Sea. His goal was to “demoralize the people of the South.” Joe provides a lot of details and insight as to how and why Savannah was saved. Our Tour finishes at Monterey Square with the Statue of Casimir Pulaski, a Polish General, a hero who fought for independence and freedom in Poland and the United States. Again, Joe enlightens us about Pulaski and his impact in Savannah. The walking tour is terrific. Joe provides both in-depth knowledge of Savannah and some exciting tales of living in this fascinating city. Sign up on their website and pay a minimal fee (taxes) then you decide how much to tip your guide.
Take a Zany and Silly Tour of Savannah
All aboard the Moron Tour! Hopping on the trolley, we are greeted by Two Girls in Rompers! Introducing themselves as Dannie and Danny, we begin a crazy and zany tour of Savannah. Having had two more traditional tours of Savannah on this trip, we do chuckle at the antics and larks of these two ladies as they share “their version” of Savannah’s history. They keep us laughing. They explain that Savannah was started with “debtors” and it is still a “debtors” city with all the SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) students’ college debts.
Our tour is a bit unusual as the sound system is not working so Dannie and Danny have to do a LOT of improvising. Their energy and enthusiasm is amazing. We laugh at their pranks as they share funny stories about Savannah. They bring a fun side to Savannah’s history old and new. From jumping off the trolley waving the feather from the movie, Forest Gump, and jumping on the bus as Julia Roberts. There are tales of Savannah as the “most haunted city,” stories of the various fires in Savannah, and more. Midway through the tour, we belly up to the bar at McDonough’s Restaurant and Bar for some refreshments. A neighborhood bar, McDonough’s is the headquarters for the famous Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Festival. Our Moron Tour winds us through the streets of Savannah while Danny and Dannie continue to share tales and do many antics along the way.
Feel the ENERGY created at the new JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District
On our last visit to Savannah, we visited the new Alida, Savannah, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel Savannah, of JW Marriott. From there we had views of the former power plant that was being renovated. Now, we are thrilled to see the massive transformation of this former power along the Savannah River. Outside we admire the exterior of the original 1912 power plant with its iconic twin smokestacks that now is transformed to a mixed-use space, hotel rooms, restaurants, dining, and high-end shops. This repurposed historic facility today is a vibrant luxury hotel along the riverfront of the Kessler Collection of JW Marriott. As we enter the Savannah Plant Riverside District building, we are immediately stunned by both its massiveness and the success of keeping so much of the historical power plant intact. A huge dinosaur is suspended from the roof of the huge Generator Hall. The power plant is the central area with hotels on either side. We enjoy strolling through the main facility, seeing all the magnificent geodes from all over the world. We delight in also seeing the walls with dials and details of the former power plant. IMPRESSIVE!
Stepping outside we find a beautiful Riverwalk area with outdoor bars and dining. In the Atlantic Hotel, we are impressed with the fabulous collection of Guitars and details of guitar history. There is also the Three Muses hotel on the other side of the Power Plant. These are each the ost amazing facilities and hotels. A must see to visitors of Savannah. After this visit, we learn there is a one-hour interactive tour for the Plant Riverside District. Definitely on our “to do list” on our next visit to Savannah.
Savannah was a very nice 2 day 3-night stopover on our way to North Carolina for Thanksgiving. We were there from Sunday to Wednesday of Thanksgiving week. Many places were decorated for Christmas adding to the holiday spirit of the city. We enjoyed our fun few days touring Savannah. The tours were varied from the Food Tour to the Walking History Tour to the Moron Tour. We recommend visitors select tours that best meet their interest on any visit to Savannah. It is an impressive and exciting southern city, that welcome visits to learn its rich history and also enjoy it’s vibrant vibe.
If you go:
We recommend signing up early for tours especially near holidays and weekends. On this visit we stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites on Martin Luther King Blvd. It is conveniently located a couple of blocks from the Savannah Visitors Center and Market Square. With Savannah being a walking city, we didn’t need to move our car once we were parked. Parking in Savannah can be a bit of a challenge. Most hotels have a parking lot or garage but these can be a bit pricey. The Hampton Inn and Suites was $30 a day. We opted to utilize the Robinson Parking Lot just .2 miles from the hotel. Parking in public lots is only $7.50 a day.