Oh Savannah, I have fallen in love. Beautiful historic buildings, old-growth trees draped in Spanish Moss, and the quintessential southern charm is everywhere you look!
We made plans with friends to meet in Savannah for a long weekend. They would be flying as they are a bit further away, and we were driving. Kyle’s dad lives in SC so it was a nice way to break up the drive before continuing to GA the next day.
We were due to arrive in Savannah on Friday but our vehicle had a different idea for us! While this may completely change many people’s plans, I am lucky enough to have the best personal mechanic on the planet, Kyle! He can diagnose and fix things quickly. Thankfully, the suspension part that broke was something the local part store could find in record time! For a few hours, we weren’t sure that it would work out so well. Especially when it started snowing on us!
Somehow, after a 6-hour delay, we got on our way! It rained the entire 4-hour drive from Greenville to Savannah. We finally arrived… just in time for bed, ha!
This trip marked our first experience with Airbnb. I have previously avoided this method of rentals. I’m unsure why other than having heard about a few bad experiences that made me hesitant. We picked a highly-rated host with a home in a safe location and it worked out very well! I will certainly consider Airbnb again depending on the location of our travels in the future.
Saturday morning we hit the ground running! We got to the Wormsloe Historic site right after they opened. The entrance is just breathtaking. It is an iconic 1.5 mile-long avenue lined by hundreds of Live Oak trees. The Wormsloe Plantation was established by one of Georgia’s founders, Noble Jones. In 1736, he applied for a grant to obtain 500 acres of land on the Isle of Hope. He constructed a fortified house built of tabby, a type of concrete using oyster shells. You can walk right up to the ruins to see the remaining pieces of the building. After walking around the ruins, you can take a stroll along the edge of the marsh and discover the Colonial Life area. The site hosts many events throughout the year, bringing the exhibits to life with demonstrations, music, dancing and military drills! This historic site is a must-see if you are in Savannah.
After Wormsloe, we stopped by a nice coffee shop and planned out our next adventure! We have a friend and his family who live in Savannah, so we all got a chance to have lunch together downtown on River Street. The riverwalk is an eclectic array of shops and restaurants, some housed in old cotton warehouses. It is noted as one of the most haunted locations in Savannah. We had lunch at Spanky’s and stopped by the infamous Savannah Candy Kitchen afterward. We even got to see a large container ship pass closely by! After a warm sendoff from our friends and a few more recommendations, we stopped at Wet Willies. This is an interesting place to grab a boozy daiquiri with over a dozen flavors to choose from. They even have an alcohol-free flavor for kids to enjoy too.
The day was still young! Our Airbnb was located just a few blocks from Forsyth Park. There are two playgrounds located near the park’s well-known fountain. Our kids would have stayed there the entire weekend if they could have! After a long day of walking and playing, we called it a night and started making our plan for the next day.
Sunday’s weather was shaping up to be much nicer than Friday and Saturday. We walked to “Rise Savannah”, a delicious breakfast joint “serving the best dang biscuits and beyond”. Well, they weren’t kidding, it was SO good! We took a long stroll back, walking through all of the garden squares we could find. There are a variety of statues and monuments honoring the people and events that influenced Savannah’s history.
After a nice hearty chicken and biscuit breakfast, we drove to Fort Pulaski. After the War of 1812, President James Madison ordered a fort to be constructed to protect the port of Savannah at the mouth of the river. In April of 1862, though it was thought to be invincible, the fort was attacked by Union forces. After a lengthy battle, with a few surprise weapons and batteries, the south flank was heavily damaged. The fort was surrendered the next day. Until the war’s end, it was used by Federal troops to house political prisoners. After 1880, there were two occupants of the fort, a caretaker and a lighthouse keeper. Once the keepers abandon the fort, it continued to deteriorate and was eventually declared a National Monument in 1924. It was then passed to the National Park Service in 1933, where rehabilitation began. You can still see much of the damage and even a few cannonballs stuck in the wall. There are a few shore access points and a trail that you can take out to see the lighthouse in the water.
After a humbling tour of Fort Pulaski, we drove out to Tybee Island. On a recommendation, we had lunch at The Original Crab Shack. This place is not just a restaurant, it is an experience. They have a rescued exotic bird aviary in their gift shack and alligator lagoon. In the warmer months, the lagoon is filled with alligators. For a small fee, you can buy them pellets and feed them! I’d love to revisit when the alligators are back but of course, I’m staying away from the aviary! After lunch, we went to the beach to play in the sand and walk out to the end of the pier.
No stop in Savannah is complete without a trip to Leopold’s. They have been serving up ice cream for 100 years. Again, a must-see (and taste)! This place was the perfect end to a wonderful trip with our friends. The next morning we all packed up and headed home. Our time in this beautiful, mysterious city was short but we are already looking forward to our next visit!
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We have driven through Savannah SO many times, but rarely stop there for more than a quick meal. We have been to Tybee Island and my kids just loved it. One day, we’ll make it a point to visit Savannah and not just make it a stop through on another road trip.
Love the tree image! So beautiful! This looks like a great vacation!
Great post. We have been to all the places in the post and they are perfect for a quick trip!
I love old forts. We have a few on the different islands in Boston harbor and they are so fun to explore. What a fun time you had in this fabulous city. I want to go back.
Wow! You did such a great job on this post! I’m going to Charleston soon and can’t wait for my next weekend in Savannah! Thanks! 😀
I loved my visit to Savannah and I can’t wait to go back. Next time I want to check out Wormsloe and Tybee Island. Great post!
I’m glad you tried Airbnb for the first time. I always stay in at least one Airbnb when I travel. It’s just a different experience. Loved the stop at the beach with ice cream!
I’ve only been to Savannah once didn’t see as much as I would have liked. So glad the trip worked out despite the delay! I’ve always had great experiences with Airbnb also.
It looks like you had a fun adventure. The trees over the road look so cool.
We have driven through Savannah but never really spent time there. That fountain, and your picture of it, are awesome! You seem to have weathered the challenges in the trip well.
Georgia has a lot of gems in it
It sure seems like it! I have only been to Atlanta and Savannah so far! 🙂
It’s been about 30 years since I’ve been to Savannah and I still remember how much I loved that city. Time to go back!
Love Savannah too!! Both times I was there, it was only a couple hours, so I hardly got to see or do much. I really would like to go back!
I love some good ice cream. Never been to Savannah but will stop by Leopolds whenever we do go.
Savannah is one of my favorite places! It is such a beautiful city!
I would love to visit Savannah! You have some great pointers on what to do. I would go for crab, ice cream, and the candy kitchen. Why is it infamous? All of the historic places sound amazing!
I would like to visit the Wormsloe Historic site. The trees look so neet.
Looks like a perfect way to spend a day or two! I am always on the hunt for a good ice cream shop.
Savannah is high on my list. It looks beautiful and just as I pictured with all that southern charm.
I love Savannah! As a 30 year Georgia resident, we visited often, especially when my daughter’s family was stationed in Savannah for three years. You’ve got some great tips for visiting my favorite Georgia city!
It’s been so long since I’ve been to Savannah. My girls have never been. I need to change that, soon!
I have always wanted to go to Savanah. As a family that uses AirBnb door half of our hosing the past 3 1/2 years on 4 continents… I can tell you that it’s an awesome service and you should absolutely consider it but…of course do your research by reading reviews and making sure location and amenities will really work for you. That playground would be our toddlers home!
Wow, those trees at the Wormsloe Plantation look amazing! I keep telling my husband that I want to move to Georgia, and that would be part of the reason why 🙂
We are within day trip distance, I need to get there after reading this!!
So glad you enjoyed your time in Savannah! Your photos are beautiful! I hope we are able to meet up the next time you visit!
Amazing! I know nothing about traveling all over the country, what a wonderful looking place to explore.