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Savannah Style: History, Food, Architecture And Even Ghosts
By Ann Augunas
Contributing Writer
It wasn’t easy trying to decide on a destination that could provide us with a full travel experience, one that included history, culture, fine dining and the like, when we would only have two days to enjoy it. But when we decided to make it Savannah we did just that. We were on our way to Hilton Head for business and Savannah was a place we had always hoped to revisit. We were there only once, many years before, while on a bus trip to other places. That three-hour stop afforded us only enough time to do a few touristy things. Now, with two days to spend at will, we looked forward to seeing how much we might accomplish in our allotted time, without pushing it.
Day one we arrived in town around 10 a.m., having spent the previous day in Florence, SC, to break up the long car ride from Philly. We got our bearings by stopping in at the CVB (101 E. Bay St.) in the center of town, and came away armed with only brochures that served our purpose. Then we headed straightaway to River Street, where a ramble along its cobbled thoroughfare is almost a requirement. A word of caution, if I may; “deep-six” the flip-flops in favor of good walking shoes!
Savannah is a vibrant, 18th century port city that is still flourishing but somewhat differently from when cotton was king. Back then, River Street was bustling with trade and its warehouses were filled, top-to-bottom with this “white gold” and other necessary imports. Today these buildings hold all manner of stores, funky shops, cafes and great restaurants standing chockablock along the street, seducing you, like a fortune teller, to come try her wares.
Another temptress, the sweet smell of fudge and pralines that will draw you into the River Street Sweets candy store. Try a free sample and see if you can walk out without buying!
As for restaurants, in a culinary mecca such as Savannah, picking the best from the rest isn’t easy. Knowing what you’re in the mood for helps. The Boar’s Head Grill & Tavern, for instance, serves lunch and dinner in an 18th century, restored cotton warehouse. Its menu features southern classics such as Savannah She-Crab Soup, Low Country Bouillabaisse, Grouper, and ends with others, such as Pecan Pie and Chocolate Bread Pudding. Or stop in at The Shrimp Factory, a former warehouse dating back to the early 1800’s, where you get to sip and savor while watching ships sail by on the busy Savannah River.
We had to pass on eating by the river, however, as plans included meeting a friend for lunch at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room, an institution since 1943. It’s a fun experience but queue up early as lines get quite long. Lunch is only served from 11 to 2, Monday though Friday, so folks flock there by the hundreds. Food is served family-style at tables seating 10-12 guests. Expect lively conversation from an international clientele as they wait for platters of fried chicken, steaming bowls of mashed potatoes, vegetables, homemade biscuits, desserts, and refills, to arrive at their tables. The cost, at $32 per couple, can’t be beat! (www.mrswilkes.com)
After lunch, we headed out to see the city’s other side, the one that speaks to its quiet gentility and is reflected in its grand, architectural heritage, its squares and green spaces. Savannah has an exciting history. It’s the largest, urban National Historic Land District in the country, comprising 2 1/2 square miles, including 22 of the original 24 squares dating back to 1733. General James Oglethorpe founded Georgia as one of Britain’s last colonies. Savannah is America’s first planned city and Oglethorpe envisioned it as a gracious one filled with parks and green spaces, using those of London as models.
The Victorian District showcases architecturally elegant homes and classic gardens. The Historic District also houses grand homes of famous people the likes of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, and James Habersham, one of the city’s most prominent citizens. The Olde Pink House, his former residence, is now inhabited by his ghost! The city has more than its share of them, by the way, and owners of many old houses lay claim to the fact they are still active, having been seen by locals and travelers alike. It’s must be why Savannah is considered “America’s Most Haunted City!” Architectural tours and ghostly tours are very popular with tourists.
Day two was spent taking up where we left off. There were more districts to see, more pictures to take, and more gardens to find. We were disappointed that most of the grand homes are closed to tourists but that didn’t deter us. We peeked in a few elegant restaurants that were formerly homes, and the Girl Scout headquarters. Mostly we enjoyed walking through the squares and taking in the scenery. Folks who have trouble walking might find a trolley ride or a carriage ride more to their liking.
We returned to Forsyth Park, famous for its elegant Fountain, its gorgeous southern magnolia trees, and the stately live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, a symbol of Savannah, actually, but found all over the south. We sat for a spell just people watching, happy with what we accomplished in a short time, yet knowing we hadn’t even scratched the surface, when suddenly we decided it might be fun to get in the car and explore some other neighborhoods before returning to our accommodations in nearby Tybee Island. And so we did. Next trip we hope to have time to visit a museum or two and to explore the city’s vibrant art scene. We can only hope!
There’s so much more you can say about Savannah but not enough room to say it. Visit www.visitsavannah.com for more information or call 1-877-Savannah. If you’ve only one place to visit down south, make it Savannah.
By Ann Augunas
Contributing Writer
It wasn’t easy trying to decide on a destination that could provide us with a full travel experience, one that included history, culture, fine dining and the like, when we would only have two days to enjoy it. But when we decided to make it Savannah we did just that. We were on our way to Hilton Head for business and Savannah was a place we had always hoped to revisit. We were there only once, many years before, while on a bus trip to other places. That three-hour stop afforded us only enough time to do a few touristy things. Now, with two days to spend at will, we looked forward to seeing how much we might accomplish in our allotted time, without pushing it.
Day one we arrived in town around 10 a.m., having spent the previous day in Florence, SC, to break up the long car ride from Philly. We got our bearings by stopping in at the CVB (101 E. Bay St.) in the center of town, and came away armed with only brochures that served our purpose. Then we headed straightaway to River Street, where a ramble along its cobbled thoroughfare is almost a requirement. A word of caution, if I may; “deep-six” the flip-flops in favor of good walking shoes!
Savannah is a vibrant, 18th century port city that is still flourishing but somewhat differently from when cotton was king. Back then, River Street was bustling with trade and its warehouses were filled, top-to-bottom with this “white gold” and other necessary imports. Today these buildings hold all manner of stores, funky shops, cafes and great restaurants standing chockablock along the street, seducing you, like a fortune teller, to come try her wares.
Another temptress, the sweet smell of fudge and pralines that will draw you into the River Street Sweets candy store. Try a free sample and see if you can walk out without buying!
As for restaurants, in a culinary mecca such as Savannah, picking the best from the rest isn’t easy. Knowing what you’re in the mood for helps. The Boar’s Head Grill & Tavern, for instance, serves lunch and dinner in an 18th century, restored cotton warehouse. Its menu features southern classics such as Savannah She-Crab Soup, Low Country Bouillabaisse, Grouper, and ends with others, such as Pecan Pie and Chocolate Bread Pudding. Or stop in at The Shrimp Factory, a former warehouse dating back to the early 1800’s, where you get to sip and savor while watching ships sail by on the busy Savannah River.
We had to pass on eating by the river, however, as plans included meeting a friend for lunch at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room, an institution since 1943. It’s a fun experience but queue up early as lines get quite long. Lunch is only served from 11 to 2, Monday though Friday, so folks flock there by the hundreds. Food is served family-style at tables seating 10-12 guests. Expect lively conversation from an international clientele as they wait for platters of fried chicken, steaming bowls of mashed potatoes, vegetables, homemade biscuits, desserts, and refills, to arrive at their tables. The cost, at $32 per couple, can’t be beat! (www.mrswilkes.com)
After lunch, we headed out to see the city’s other side, the one that speaks to its quiet gentility and is reflected in its grand, architectural heritage, its squares and green spaces. Savannah has an exciting history. It’s the largest, urban National Historic Land District in the country, comprising 2 1/2 square miles, including 22 of the original 24 squares dating back to 1733. General James Oglethorpe founded Georgia as one of Britain’s last colonies. Savannah is America’s first planned city and Oglethorpe envisioned it as a gracious one filled with parks and green spaces, using those of London as models.
The Victorian District showcases architecturally elegant homes and classic gardens. The Historic District also houses grand homes of famous people the likes of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, and James Habersham, one of the city’s most prominent citizens. The Olde Pink House, his former residence, is now inhabited by his ghost! The city has more than its share of them, by the way, and owners of many old houses lay claim to the fact they are still active, having been seen by locals and travelers alike. It’s must be why Savannah is considered “America’s Most Haunted City!” Architectural tours and ghostly tours are very popular with tourists.
Day two was spent taking up where we left off. There were more districts to see, more pictures to take, and more gardens to find. We were disappointed that most of the grand homes are closed to tourists but that didn’t deter us. We peeked in a few elegant restaurants that were formerly homes, and the Girl Scout headquarters. Mostly we enjoyed walking through the squares and taking in the scenery. Folks who have trouble walking might find a trolley ride or a carriage ride more to their liking.
We returned to Forsyth Park, famous for its elegant Fountain, its gorgeous southern magnolia trees, and the stately live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, a symbol of Savannah, actually, but found all over the south. We sat for a spell just people watching, happy with what we accomplished in a short time, yet knowing we hadn’t even scratched the surface, when suddenly we decided it might be fun to get in the car and explore some other neighborhoods before returning to our accommodations in nearby Tybee Island. And so we did. Next trip we hope to have time to visit a museum or two and to explore the city’s vibrant art scene. We can only hope!
There’s so much more you can say about Savannah but not enough room to say it. Visit www.visitsavannah.com for more information or call 1-877-Savannah. If you’ve only one place to visit down south, make it Savannah.