Vacation in Savannah, GA?

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DeadHorse

1,000+ Posts
I've been to Charleston quite a bit but never to Savannah. The Mrs. and I were thinking of taking a 5-7 day trip there and to the surrounding area. (We'd probably spend 1/2 in Savannah and the other half at Daufuskie Island where we spent part of our honeymoon.)

Anyway, what can anyone tell me about Savannah? Good restaurants? Places to see? Where to stay? How does it compare to Charleston?

Thanks for any advice....
 
I spent the better part of a week in Savannah in 1995, and I thought it was fantastic. You have to stay in the old part of town. It's arranged around an array of small parks -- something like 22 of them -- and you pretty much walk or pedicab everywhere. It's like going back in time. Spanish moss in the trees, federal-era buildings, very little traffic.

It's bounded on one end by a riverwalk of sorts, which is pretty tourist-y, but still fun.

I thought Savannah was much more enjoyable than Charleston. The architecture is quite different, and it's so much quieter. Charleston is really a pretty hoppin' town.
 
Savannah is awesome! My wife and I spent a week there last March and it was a great vacation. There is so much history in Savannah and the surrounding area, and some great food to boot.

Restaurants - The Lady & Sons is Paula Deen's restaurant and is great, but be prepared to wait in line. The Olde Pink House is an old, haunted mansion from the 1700's that's haunted and is a nice, upscale meal. There's a brewery on Bay Street that has good food/beer. There are a lot of other good restaurants as well, but these are the ones I remember off the top of my head. Low Country food is incredible.

Sights - lots of stuff to do there. Forsythe Park (Forrest Gump bench), Mercer House (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), Fort Pulaski (Confederate fort at the mouth of the Savannah River), Wormslow plantation (mainly ruins now from Oglethorpe's 1700ish plantation , but there is a 1/2 mile long entrance with framed mossy oaks on each side that's picturesque), the plantations on the Ashley River (closer to Charleston, but still within driving distance), Bonaventure Cemetary (old, old cemetary with mossy oaks and famous Georgians), ghost tours (lots of weird stuff happened there back in the day).

There's lots of shopping and antiques as well and everything in the Historic District is within walking distance.
 
The restaurant on Broughton near the Marshall House is FANTASTIC. Can't remember the name but they have a cool courtyard and fantastic oval bar that is worth having a drink at.

We have stayed at several BnBs there and have liked all of them. The Catherine Ward house is really nice, and a block off of Forsyth Park. The exact surroundings aren't that nice but the place is cool, and has a great story. The guy who runs it is really cool and can help you with all of the best places to eat. I will see if I can find the names of the others. I have always wanted to stay at the Marshall House (more like an old style hotel) but it has always been full when we wanted to go.

There are a couple of regular hotels near the river walk area. They are OK but they are heavily occupied by family reunions and party folks. Whereever you decide to stay, it is worth the money to stay in the garden district or river walk area so you can walk everywhere. It is a great walking town, with lots of small art galleries and shops.

If b&b's are your thing, use this list. All are nice and most are right on a square or park.

I generally don't like guided tours, but Savannah is one place they are worth it if you have never been.

Do not venture outside of the garden district or Riverwalk area. It is a nasty and mean area surrounding the garden district.

Savannah School of Arts and Design (SCAD) has done a great job of saving that town. One of the coolest things I have ever seen was during the spring they have a Sidewalk Art contest and all of the sidewalks in the parks are used as a canvas for both students and professionals. I would have paid a lot of money to see it and it was free.

edited to add following:
Other Restaurants:
The Pirate's House has good food in kind of a different atmosphere.
The Link

Clary's Restaurant at 404 Abercorn is fantastic for brunch and is a must. Usually crowded because it was mentioned in that book about Savannah.

Stay away from the Mediterranean/belly dancing place downtown. Maybe on Broughton or State St, ....but not worth the hassle.

The Chart House on Bay Street is supposedly good. I was really wasted the last time I went, so I don't remember much about the food. There are several good places on that river walk area, but for a nicer meal away from the drunk ******** (like I was that night) it is better to get away from the water front.

Uncle Bubba's Oyster House on the road out to Tybee Island is also very good. I think they may be associated with Paula Dean. Speaking of her, that line to get into her place for lunch starts early in the morning. It wrapped completely around the block when rode by there about 10:30. Only way I would wait in that line is if she was rolling Giada De Laurentis in butter and serving her on the half shell.
 
I'll be in Savannah in a couple weeks while making my way up the east coast. I want to go to The Lady & Sons. Anyone has suggestions on the best way to get a table at the restaurant? Do they accept reservations?
 
Jimmyjazz, thanks for the info!

DeadHorse, I'm not sure when you are planning to go to Savannah, but if I'm able to hit up any great spots, I'll be sure to post. I leave the first week in May.
 
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