Savannah Favorites

Favorite thing: I like that this beach is not overly developed. Mostly, it's residential with some hotels. Not at all like the NE coast or even down to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. You can kayak, watch dolphins, walk along the beach and I've never experienced crowds of people there. The lighthouse is nice, the restaurants are okay...they have good views:) But it's a nice getaway from the city, I suppose.

Favorite thing: Savannah
With its cobblestone streets, historic squares, opulent mansions, and spreading dripping with Spanish moss, Savannah is one of the most distinctive cities in the United States, ranking with New Orleans, San Francisco, and Charleston, South Carolina. The town has a lazy, genteel feel, accentuated by the humid southern climate and laid-back nature of its citizens. There is much to see and do in Savannah, and it serves as a good home base for excursions to other, wilder areas of the Georgia coast.



Officially, the district is defined by the Savannah River and Gaston Street (Forsyth Park) and bordered by East Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Victorian Historic District, which stretches south from Forsyth Park for approximately 1 square mile, is undergoing renovation and development that has already swept through the neighborhoods to the north. Some beautiful lodging and delicious dining are found in this area as well.

It is recommended that visitors start their sojourn in Savannah at the Savannah Visitors Center. From here, tourists can get oriented to the town's charms by taking a tour or picking up maps and helpful information. Annual events to be aware of start with St. Patrick's Day. For more than 160 years, this riotous event has celebrated the Irish heritage of the city. The St. Patrick's Day parade is the second largest in the U.S., behind New York, and the celebration is the third oldest, behind New York and Boston. Other events to look out for are annual tours of homes and gardens, which allow a peek into some of Savannah's finer homes that usually are closed to the public.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fondest memory: Touring Savannah
Savannah is ranked in the top 10 best walking cities in the U.S. by Walking Magazine. Most tourists sites are concentrated around River Street, City Market, and the Historic District. River Street and City Market are thriving tourist areas within walking distance of each other that feature a collection of restaurants, clubs, art galleries, and souvenir shops housed in the historic buildings of Savannah's waterfront and City Market.



Savannah Visitors Center/Savannah History Museum
Located in the 1860 Central of Georgia Railroad Building, visitors starting here can get information on lodging, restaurants, and attractions that make Savannah distinctive. Walking, driving, or carriage tours are booked here. The Savannah History Museum offers an excellent introduction to the area's history. Exhibits feature Forrest Gump's bench and the Bird Girl statue on the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, discuss the Siege of Savannah, Savannah-born songwriter Johnny Mercer, and Savannah's railroad history.

Directions: I-16 to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Exit 37A/167. At light, go left. Visitors Center is on left.
Activities: Historical touring.
Facilities: Restrooms, gift shop, snack bar.
Dates: Open 7 days a week, 9–5.
Fees: A small fee is charged for the museum.
For more information: Savannah Visitors Center/Savannah History Museum, 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31499. Visitors Center: Phone (912) 944-0455. History Museum: Phone (912) 238-1777

Favorite thing: Savannah's port has always been a significant part of the city's economy, transporting timber and other resources to England in its earliest days.
Savannah once served as a prime shipping avenue for New World goods bound for Europe.
Today, Savannah has the largest foreign commerce port on the South Atlantic Coast.

Favorite thing: The area from E.Broad Street to Martin Luher King Jr. Blvd. and from the Savannah River to Gastoon Street was officially designated a Historic Landmark District. Savannah's historic district is one of the largest such areas in the United States, with thousands of architecturally significant buildings in the 2.2 square mile area, including examples of Federal, Victorian, Regency and Italianate architecture.

Favorite thing: Savannah is rich in architectural splendor, natural beauty and old-fashioned Southern charm. The nation's most unique cities.

General Oglethorpe created a modern city in the heart of the Georgia wilderness.
Savannah unique city plan, features an ingenious system of squares, which are really miniature parks that serve as an organizing system for the historic district.
Houses, churches and business surround each square. Savannah has 23 district squares across the historic district, each of which has its own charm, style and personality.

Favorite thing: Owens-Thomsa House, located at 124 Abercom Street in Savannah is considered the finest example of English Regency architecture in the United States. It overlooks Oglethorpe Square.

For information phone:
912-233-9743
Or
912-644-5192

Favorite thing: This was the headquarters of Union General William Tecumsah Sherman in Savannah during the surrender.

In December 1864, Sherman sent the following telegram to President Abraham Lincoln:

"I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah..."

Fondest memory: Green Meldrin House is located at 14 West Macon Street in Savannah.

It became a National Historic Landmark in 1976. It is also known as St. John's Episcopal Church Parish House.

Favorite thing: This is the oldest standing fort in Georgia. Original begun in 1808 it was used during the War of 1812.

After being enlarged between 1845 and 1860 it served as headquarters for the Confederate river defenses during the Civil War.

Fondest memory: It is located at #1 Fort Jackson Road.

For group program information phone:
912-232-3945
Or FAX
912-236-5126

The photo is from a postcard.