A friend suggested visiting Savannah while we were in the Atlanta area, which initially seemed impossible, but airline changes, due to traveling on points, gave us several extra days to explore.
If you plan a trip to Savannah, I strongly suggest conducting some preliminary research beforehand; we neglected to do so.
However, here is what we discovered
Our Savannah Adventures:
- We dined at Lady and Sons, Paul Deen’s establishment, sampling “southern cooking” by sharing a generous portion of shrimp and grits. We enjoyed a complimentary starter, a savory pancake alongside a fresh cheese biscuit, both unique and tasty; while we enjoyed the celebrated spot, an honest opinion suggests I wouldn't return for the cost—though the gift shop was charming!
Second, we wandered through lovely boutiques, including Anthropologie, discovering new shops like those on Darling Decatur; even without purchasing anything, viewing the attractive items and unique decor was enjoyable.
Third, we strolled through some of the 25 town squares, which resemble meticulously kept parks, admiring the moss-draped trees we had never seen before.
Fourth, we observed some of the most stunning architecture we have ever encountered.
The columns, brickwork, and sheer scale of these buildings were remarkable!
Fifth, we walked along streets lined with historic residences; we adored this part! The sidewalks featured a herringbone brick pattern, and the details of old southern homes were fascinating, especially the large outdoor porches with ceiling fans—perfect for enjoying sweet tea on a hot summer day!
Sixth, we enjoyed coffee on a park bench near the former Forest Gump Bench location (now in a museum); this moment was a personal highlight, as my husband and I cherish sipping coffee together after all these years!
Despite these experiences, there are
Some Insights We Wished We Knew Before Reaching Savannah.
Should you travel there, perhaps our lessons learned can aid your preparation!
- Savannah is very crowded! We anticipated a tranquil spot for a relaxing stroll, but instead faced sidewalks packed with people needing to exchange courtesies.
- The highly praised river walk was visited, but the extreme density of people there prompted us to quickly leave.
- Remember the 25 town squares? This creates a complex one-way street network; studying a map beforehand instead of relying solely on GPS addresses would have been beneficial.
- Do not trust your phone's GPS when navigating Savannah; it would repeatedly direct us in circles, whereas a physical map proved much more effective (we should have started with one).
- Street parking is free on weekends (during our visit), but circling endlessly to find a spot was exhausting; underground parkades with payment were a much easier solution.
- Scrutinize your lodging choice before arrival; our hotel claimed proximity to downtown Savannah, yet it required a 20-minute freeway drive, consuming valuable travel time.
This does not mean Savannah was a negative trip—we feel fortunate to have been there; however, it differed from our expectations, as my husband and I prefer quiet settings, while Savannah's lively, bustling atmosphere suits others; nevertheless, we found a place perfectly suited to *us*.
Tybee Island...
(More details are forthcoming...)
