Enjoy the riverboats at Riverfront, explore antebellum buildings in the Historic District, and escape from the city to the beaches at Tybee Island. Whichever activities you choose during your visit to Savannah, you’re sure to fall in love with the city’s charm and festive, casual environment. There are many B&Bs, business and luxury hotels, as well as inns to make your stay even more pleasant, not to mention the delicious food around every corner. Take advantage of the museums, architecture, and beaches while in Savannah, and enjoy the other tourists and locals who are usually more than welcome to strike up a conversation.
Usually one of the top priorities for visitors is to stroll along these cobblestone streets that offer plenty of opportunities for shopping, dining, and people-watching. There are also plenty of riverboats to take advantage of here. River Street covers about 9 blocks and most people park in a deck or along the street. Also, River Street is reported to have two resident ghosts so keep your eye out for strange occurrences. This area is home to a number of festivals and is especially known for its St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
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The oldest art museum in the South, Telfair is considered by architectural historians to be one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America. The museum often hosts lectures by nationally and internationally prominent scholars and artists, a lunchtime lecture and film series, as well as daily guided tours. This is also where you’ll find the famous “Bird Girl” statue featured on the cover of John Berendt’s novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Telfair boasts 4,500 pieces of art that fall into the categories of historic buildings, fine arts, and decorative arts, from the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
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This barbecue haven might be described as an easily passed over hole-in-the-wall. You have to be a little of a sleuth to find the place, as its white exterior blends in with the other buildings, but the eating’s well worth the search. Just let your nose point you in the right direction. There are ribs, chicken, red rice, coleslaw, potato salad, devil crab, and sweet potato pie to choose from. Also, if you take the food to go, there are nice places such as Greene Square for a picnic lunch.
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Not only is Tybee Island known for its beaches, it’s also home to one of the most beautifully renovated lighthouses in the U.S. Stretching 154 feet upwards, this lighthouse is the oldest and tallest active lighthouse in Georgia. Visitors can climb a spiral staircase to the top and enjoy an impressive view. Tours are self-guided and there are volunteers at the lighthouse and the Head Keeper’s Cottage to answer questions. It’s open everyday except Tuesday from 9am-5:30pm, but they stop selling tickets at 4:30pm. And be aware that they are closed on St. Patrick’s Day!
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For a true locals’ event, try watching the Class A Sand Gnats. They are in the South Atlantic baseball league and play teams from Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and West Virginia. Since their name change in 1996, the Sand Gnats have had 31 players reach the Major Leagues. This is a great place to see small-town life in action, complete with beer, pizza, and boiled peanuts. Home games are held at Grayson Stadium, one of the oldest baseball fields still in use.
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There is live entertainment here six nights a week, donations excepted. Besides tea and coffee, Sentient Bean also serves quiche, panini sandwiches, and stuffed potatoes, using healthy ingredients and organic produce. Call to hear about their daily specials. They’ve changed their hours slightly, so they’re open until 10pm during the week and 11pm on the weekends. It’s located at the south end of Forsythe Park in the Historic District, so it’s great for taking a break from touring.
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Five miles east of Savannah off Islands Expressway, this “zoo” is situated on a marsh island. There’s a 2-mile nature trail where you can see alligators, Florida panthers, and Eastern timber wolves. There are also bears, bison, raptors, herons, and hawks along the way. It’s open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm and most Saturdays from 10am-4pm, and they host a variety of special events, which they update on their website. This is a great place to see what local Savannahans do in their spare time.
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You can explore this river town by taking the Savannah River Queen or the Georgia Queen, both triple-decker vessels with climate control for year-round cruising. The River Street Riverboat Company offers a variety of entertainment on the trips, ranging from the most popular “Narrated Sightseeing Cruise” to the “Murder Afloat Cruise,” a classic “who-done-it” with live actors. They offer public, educational, and corporate cruises for your individual (or group) needs.
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Ghosts haunt the streets of historic Savannah, or so legend has it. Starting at Jackson Square, this 90 minute walking tour with frequent stops will reveal streets where pirates still roam, where the first woman in Georgia was hanged, and various other wild tales. The guides are said to be animated, friendly, entertaining, and informative. Reservations are required and you can save money by purchasing online.
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B. Matthew’s Eatery, Savannah, has taken Southern food to the next level, offering a gourmet menu featuring items like pecan crusted chicken with spinach ravioli and chive tomato butter. This restaurant serves up succulent dishes all day, but their dinner menu is not to be missed. And if you breakfast there, this place is said to have the best cinnamon buns in Savannah!
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One-Eyed Lizzy’s, Savannah, This River Street favorite serves everything from crab cakes to steak & shrimp. This is a restaurant with a Southwestern flair and bends toward Tex-Mex. Their best-seller is the corn and crab chowder and you’ll want to try their margaritas.
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The Lady & Sons, Savannah, specializes in down-home Southern cuisine and is a magnet for visitors. This restaurant has a rich and lively history and the food ranges from Fried Green Tomatoes to Shrimp & Grits. They even accept vegetarian requests.
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The Olde Pink House, Savannah, is where you can expect candlelit, linen-covered tables and supreme seafood including blue crab-stuffed grouper and she-crab soup. For lively music and lots of locals try the tavern downstairs.
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Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room, Savannah, serves Southern comfort food Monday through Friday with a select menu for each day of the week. Mrs. Wilkes’ is known for its casual attire and homey atmosphere and is only open for lunch. This is one of the few places left that doesn’t take credit, so come prepared.
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The Shrimp Factory, Savannah, is a self-proclaimed “casual, friendly, and fine-dining restaurant,” offering a full bar and beautiful tables for service. They serve lunch until 4pm and roll right into dinner. This River Street establishment provides a full menu with a nice selection of beer, wine, cocktails, and champagne. And don’t forget to ask about the ghost in the storage room upstairs.
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The Crystal Beer Parlor, Savannah, has a casual atmosphere and serves up fabulous steaks, burgers, hand-made onion rings, barbecue pork, and boasts the best crab stew around. This restaurant offers New Orleans Style Dixieland Jazz every Friday night.
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The Crab Shack, Savannah, is known as the best crab shack around. Family-owned and operated, this “shack” was once a fishing camp, with only the boat hoist still remaining so that customers can watch local fishermen launch their boats. This festive joint offers an ultra casual atmosphere and serves beer, specialty drinks, and wine. Outdoor dining here is a big attraction for locals and visitors.
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Clary’s Café, Savannah, opened its doors in 1903 and has kept a steady crowd of patrons ever since. This spot has a relaxed atmosphere and serves breakfast all day, lunch, and dinner. What they’re especially known for is their jumbo éclairs with real baked custard. They now have two locations in the Historic District.
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The City of Savannah is known to gain a significant amount of money from parking tickets. Bring lots of quarters for the meters as they require 4 quarters per hour Monday through Friday until 5pm. And don’t think that getting one ticket and leaving it on your car will prevent you from getting another. If you leave your car parked by an expired meter, the tickets will incrementally increase the longer you leave it there. You can try and find a pay lot, though they fill quickly, especially in the Historic District. For $8 you can buy a day pass from the city to avoid paying the meters.
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If you’re a visitor to the city and you’re out at night, the best places to venture are River Street, the Historic District, and City Market. These areas are patrolled by police regularly and there are plenty of crowds around. Some rough areas in the city appear to be along Montgomery Street, East Broad Street, and the neighborhoods southeast of Forsyth Park. The best advice is to stick with the crowds, stay with your group, and be aware of your surroundings.
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This club was once named Coyote Ugly. The name has changed, but the atmosphere hasn’t. The 2-story club stocks a full bar and provides tables on the first floor as well as a bar with dance space upstairs. Girls occasionally dance on the bar and things are known to get rowdy. If you’re feeling adventurous enough for this place, come early as lines form outside, especially on the weekends.
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Voted Savannah’s #1 dance club since 1997, Club One is also the gay club shown in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. And Lady Chablis usually makes appearance one a month. The DJs at Club One spin the best records in town and the crowd responds with lively dancing! Check the website for cabaret show times.
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