Savannah, Georgia on Your Mind

Best For:  Charm, Culture, Shopping, Nightlife, and Culinary Scene

Best Time to Visit:  March through July

To me, Savannah seemed a place of interesting contrasts.  It offered most of what I expected from a Southern city (hospitality, a slow pace, and huge helpings of food). But instead of pastel and seersucker, I got thick-framed glasses and pageboy hats. The dive bars radiated sounds of heavy metal, rather than the expected country western. It was like a warmer and more charming slice of Brooklyn. Savannah is the South, but with an edge. If you’ve seen Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, you know what I’m talking about.

The Forsyth Park Fountain

Charm:  Nicknamed the “Hostess City,” Savannah welcomes you warmly, but with a mischievous gleam in its eye.  Its people are just as charming as its antebellum architecture, both of which will take you back in time to the pre-Civil War era.  Twenty-two city squares, dripping with Spanish moss and dotted with statues, fountains, and gardens are scattered throughout the historic district. But at night, the city has a much more eerie feel; take a stroll through Bonaventure Cemetery, or go on a ghost tour, if you dare.

Culture:  Each of Savannah’s squares has its own story, and many are home to notable historic buildings. Tour the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (founder of the Girl Scouts), or check out the Owens-Thomas house, widely considered to be the best example of Regency architecture in the U.S. The city also contains one of the country’s most popular art colleges, the Savannah College of Art and Design. SCAD is extremely influential within the community; performing arts productions are held in downtown’s Lucas Theatre, and student artwork can be found for sale in city shops.

SCAD Sidewalk Art

Shopping:  Due to its strong link with the art world, visitors can find unique, locally made creations in Savannah’s stores. Downtown’s City Market contains the Art Center, which houses studios and showrooms for local artists. Boutiques range from high-end to vintage to slightly kitschy. Antiques shopping is also very popular here.

Nightlife:  You might think that a town with a “to-go cup” policy (bar customers can literally take their drinks to the streets at the end of the night) would take its partying seriously – and it does, but not in a flashy way. The nightlife scene here is laidback and slow but somehow very alive… much like the city itself.  Atmospheric bars can be found throughout the city, but to take in Savannah’s popular live music scene, head to Congress or River Street. The party explodes for a few days in mid-March; Savannah is home to the second largest St. Patty’s Day party in the country and celebrates with a huge parade and by dying the water of the famous Forsyth Park Fountain green.

House Featured in 
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Culinary Scene:  Though the food scene in Savannah has become more eclectic over the past few years, fried chicken and barbecue are still the kings of this city.  Get ready to loosen your belt buckle – the portions are huge and the temptations plentiful, which are to be expected from the city where Paula Deen has chosen to set up shop.  Visit her Lady and Sons restaurant for some fanfare, or dine in a more dignified style at The Olde Pink House or Elizabeth on 37^th.  Locals know that Wiley’s Championship BBQ has the best brisket in town.  Those with a sweet tooth will want to try the famous pralines at River Street Sweets.   

If you are looking to extend you trip, drive 2 hours north to Charleston, South Carolina.  It’s the more refined version of Savannah.