This week, we're launching Gothamist's travel content, Gothamist Getaways. Four times a year, we'll have a week of posts featuring looks at travel, food, products and tips, near and far, for making your trips more pleasurable. So enjoy and let us know if you have any hints for us—email [email protected].
Savannah, Georgia boasts America's largest Historic District, a serious foodie scene, and nightly art and music happenings. And speaking of happenings, there are some of the spirited sort in Savannah as well: The city was once voted as the most haunted city by the American Institute of Parapsychology.
Truly, there's something for everyone here, but no matter what you're ordering, it's all served up with Southern hospitality, and often with some Southern Comfort too! As it turns out, the city has very liberal laws on cocktail consumption, indoors or on the street. Think about organizing a spring break, when temperatures are in the 70s, daily, and flowers are blooming!
GETTING THERE
There are lots of nonstop flights to Savannah from the New York area. A quick search online found a roundtrip, nonstop tickets for an April midweek trip priced at $195. Start reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil during the flight.
GETTING AROUND
Because we recommend staying in the Historic District (see below), there's no need to rent a car, but we encourage you to get one—it makes things much easier and is usually pretty affordable. It'll also make some attractions, like nearby Tybee Island, accessible.
WHERE TO STAY:
The 1895 Inn is, without a doubt, one of the very top places to stay in Savannah. This lovely B&B's room rates start at a reasonable $175. You can request reservations online—the innkeepers, Ed and Robert, will quickly get back to you. Amenities at the inn include amazing breakfasts with items like Blueberry Stuffed French Toast made fresh. There's also a wine and cheese hour, and chocolate cake served as a nighttime snack, plus a lounge filled with oldey-timey books for your perusal. Tasteful antique decoration and a central location make this our #1 Savannah accommodation pick.
The Mansion on Forsyth A bit "Victorian mansion," and a bit more "boutique hotel." The Mansion on Forsyth dates from the 1800's but manages to pull off a distinctly modern design sensibility, and do it well. Plus, it has all the amenities a present-day traveler could hope for, including a spa, pool, restaurant, and roof lounge. There's also a Cooking School on site (with classes starting at a reasonable $90). Note: The hotel is also quite large for the Historic District; it has about 100 rooms. Because there are so many, don't be shy about special requests when making your reservation, as we've heard the rooms can vary a bit in size and quality. One big tip: make sure you get a room on a higher floor (there are four), and try to get one that's not facing the street (it can be a bit loud). Rates start at $200/night but can go much higher.
WHAT TO DO:
Enjoy the Historic District: There are Civil War sites, museums (like the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences), the Colonial Park Cemetery and mansions galore.
Eat BBQ
: Wall's BaBQ, which is about as authentic as you can get. It's run by a family right out of the back of their house in a little alley off of Price St, just north of Oglethorpe Ave. The interior probably hasn't changed in thirty years. The homemade mac and cheese is amazing, so make sure you go early because they always run out of that first!
Drink Like a Native: Pinky Masters has been around for ages and is a notable dive bar in town.
Check Out the Art: The Savannah College of Art and Design 's SCAD Museum of Art has wonderful contemporary art. The Jepson Center also features new works—last fall, a group of monks did huge mandala paintings, then marched down to the river with it, hundreds of people in tow, and proceeded to dump it into the river. Art Rise Savannah puts on big events, Art March Savannah, on the first Friday of every month, with showings at numerous galleries. And Foxy Loxy is a popular hangout spot—it's 90% coffee house, 10% gallery.
Brunch: Jazz Sunday brunch at Aquastar Seafood in the Westin Hotel, right across the Savannah River, is amazing with tables piled high with boiled shrimp, etc. The Soho South Cafe has an Eggs Savannah with crab cake and cheddar grits.
Road Trip: Drive 20 minutes to the east and head to Tybee Island. On the main drag, there are people selling seafood out of coolers on the side of the road. You can buy fresh head-on shrimp just caught that day from them. You can also rent beach gear.
