TRAV EL + LE I S U R E
CITY GUIDE
A weekend in the ‘Hostess City of the South’ E MI LY WO O DS Georgia ’20
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1: Savannah skyline. 2: Sunset over the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.
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STOP AND SMELL THE AZALEAS
Spending a weekend in Savannah, Georgia, aka the Hostess City? Dubbed the oldest city in the state, there is no shortage of activities for foodies, history buffs, nature lovers and retail junkies.
Start off with drinks and appetizers at P E R E G R I N , a rooftop bar at P E R R Y L A N E H O T E L . Enjoy a swanky atmosphere, creative drinks and the best view of the city. When the sun sets, stroll over to G A R I B A L D I on Congress Street. A favorite of locals and tourists alike, Garibaldi offers seafood and Italian dishes with a southern flair. If you’re looking for a traditional southern lodging experience, lay your head at T H E M A R S H A L L H O U S E . Built in 1851, The Marshall House
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VOLUME 3 NUMBER 4
TRAV E L + L EISUR E
PRO TIP: My favorite
is an historic landmark nestled within walking distance of all of the city’s best attractions. For a more upscale and modern feel, try out a corner suite at the B O H E M I A N H O T E L S AVA N N A H R I V E R F R O N T . Head up to the hotel’s rooftop bar, Rocks on the Roof, to enjoy live music and an excellent view of the Savannah River.
time of year to be out and about in Savannah is the fall and winter months. The weather is lovely, and you can avoid the summer crowds.
Grab brunch at H U E Y ’ S O N T H E R I V E R to fuel your day. Eat beignets and sip coffee while watching the ships roll by. After breakfast, take a 20-minute drive to Savannah’s beach, T Y B E E I S L A N D . With winter time average highs in the 60s and summer time averages in the 80s, Tybee Island is a great place for a stroll in the sand year-round.
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On your way back to the city, stop at W O R M S L O E H I S T O R I C S I T E . Wormsloe is a Georgia state park filled with miles of oak trees and moss line trails, marsh views and colonial tabby ruins. This state park is a great place to soak in some history, enjoy the beauty of coastal Georgia and walk off that breakfast. If you are lucky enough to be in Savannah when the azaleas are blooming, drive to B O N AV E N T U R E C E M E T E R Y for breathtaking views of azaleas, live oaks, moss and marsh views. Head back into town for some afternoon shopping and a bite for lunch. B R O U G H T O N S T R E E T is full of national retailers as well as shops unique to the city. Stop by T H E PA R I S M A R K E T and B R O C A N T E for unique gifts, furniture, candles and vintage jewelry. Hit C I V V I E S for unique consignment and vintage clothing, or try C O P P E R P E N N Y for higher-end women’s clothing. Take the long way back to your hotel with a walk through some of Savannah’s famous squares. If you’re a movie buff, visit C H I P P E WA S Q U A R E , which was used as a filming location for “Forrest Gump.” Other squares are littered with beautiful oaks and historic monuments, and they are all within walking distance of each other. For dinner on night No. 2, head to River Street for a candlelit dinner at O LY M P I A C A F É . Tucked in a small space next to the Hyatt, Olympia Café is a local favorite. Some of its fresh seafood dishes include scored flounder and stuffed grouper. All of their fish is
APRIL 2019
locally sourced and caught daily. For a family-friendly atmosphere, walk the plank to T H E P I R AT E S ’ H O U S E . Just as much a museum as it is a restaurant, learn about Savannah’s rich history associated with coastal trade. Try their famous pecan fried chicken while listening to pirate myths and legends. On your way out of town, try out B . M AT T H E W ’ S E AT E R Y on Bay Street for one last meal in the Historic District. Try one of their many varieties of eggs benedict while being surrounded by exposed brick and mahogany. #
6 3: Emily and her fiancé at Tybee Island in Christmas 2018. 4: Marshes of Wilmington River in Savannah, Georgia. 5: Scored flounder at Olympia Café. 6: Sunset over the Wilmington River. Photos 2–6 submitted by Emily Woods.
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