<p>Don’t know if this is too late to help, but if you have time, read “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” by John Berendt, before you go to Savannah. Read it even if you don’t have time before you go. It is a fantastic book. My wife and I openly belly laughed numerous times while reading that book. Based on true events too. I am from Charleston and we’ve been down to Savannah several times with kids soccer, or at the airport, etc. Great city. We love it. Charleston and Savannah are called the “Sister Cities” with good reason. Both cities are very similar. If you have time, or want another alternative stay, go and stay in Beaufort, SC. just across the Savannah river. Another great town on a smaller level than Charleston and Savannah.</p>
<p>Cathmee—so sorry to hear about your mother. Maybe you can splurge and hire someone to look after your mother so that you can give yourself some down time. After dealing with her until then, and the end of the summer flurry, you deserve some time. (coming from dealing with my mother-in-law, who lives in an assisted living home near us now, for the past 2 years…)</p>
<p>I’ve always wanted to go to Savannah. Especially after I read “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” It sounds really cool, from all the travel stuff I read about it. It’s been on my “to do” list since we moved to Charlotte 3 yrs ago, but we haven’t made it there yet. Good luck!</p>
<p>LOL–I cross-posted with Lukester! Great CC minds think alike, in terms of reading recommendations!!</p>
<p>jym, is the Crab Shack the restaurant you are thinking of? <a href=“http://www.thecrabshack.com/[/url]”>http://www.thecrabshack.com/</a></p>
<p>The Crab Shack should be the restaurant jym is thinking of - where the elite eat in their bare feet! It is a fun place, but hot!</p>
<p>Yes “THE BOOK” as we refer to it here. There are tours built around the book (I am not kidding). It was very well done and he spent a lot of time here doing research. It really revitalized the tourist industry. The book is much better than the movie. Also, “Forest Gump” was filmed here. They had to put the bench in the History Museum so many people look for it. (Although there are benches in the square, that particular bench was placed there for the movie.)</p>
<p>lol, jym I have never heard that about Panama City. I have always assumed the remark related to the crowds that populate the beach at Tybee.</p>
<p>Mrs. Wilkes is my favorite place!!! Get in line for lunch early (around 11:00 AM). Remember it isn’t open on weekends, only M-F.</p>
<p>We enjoy renting a condo on Tybee the most. We’ve stayed at several different locations over the years, and we found Tybee the most fun and comfortable. It’s close enough to Savannah to shop & eat.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t bother with eating at The Lady & Sons…not worth it, but her son’s place, Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House was pretty tasty with a nice water view.</p>
<p>Have a wonderful trip!!!</p>
<p>Thatmom & moominmama,
That must be it- especially if it’s been around for awhile. What’s the scoop on “George’s on Tybee”? Good? Not so good? Overpriced? Reasonable? Worth it or not?</p>
<p>astrophysicsmom-
Thanks for the "mom"advice…My mother already has p/t help,but unfortunately I am w/o siblings and are the responsible party…next step is assisted living for sure…
Mooninmama…I took a look at your SCAD review just for curiosity.You write a great review!!!Very detailed,much great info! If I was interested in that school, I would have a great and very complete picture of what they offer.
I’ve been looking over Tybee for a few years now,even before S decided to go “south” for college.I wish I had the time period to spend there the condos want.The Crabshack is precisely the kind of place I like when at a beach vacation, and funky type bars too.Just for comparision,I found Hilton Head too developed and too formal for my tastes, even though we stayed at a condo there.I like to take my shoes off and not put them on again for a week if possible .Although the beach was beautiful…the sand base is harder packed then my local beaches here on Long Island and I like that.Also the water is warmer.
I used to like Paula Deens shows on Food Network but I think the “franchise” has gotten a little out of hand.I cant stand the newest show “Paula’s Party” is the name I think???Give me a cooking host who stands there and cooks…her “Saturday Night Vidalia Onions” are a staple on my grill.I’m not prepared to stand on any lines for food in 90+ heat, thanks very much.Reminds me of Disneyworld.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed about last minute arrangements,though I have to arrange my one way back to NY air since we’re leaving the car down at USC with S.</p>
<p>Jym - I will check around about George’s and let you know. It must be good because I’ve heard of it, off the top of my head, I’ve never really heard of any of the Tybee restaurants being overpriced. </p>
<p>Fannie’s on the Beach, which is on the beach (lol), is good with basic hamburger, etc and bare feet is fine. Also, at Spanky’s. Also, the Breakfast Place (not on the beach, but within walking distance). George’s is a little “dressier”.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I don’t tolerate heat well, so I either go in the off-season or rely on my daughter and friends for information.</p>
<p>Thanks, thatmom!
Looking forward to a review!</p>
<p>Thanks, cathymee!</p>
<p>If my daughter does end up at SCAD, I’ll definitely make it to the Crab Shack, it sounds great.</p>
<p>Watch out for the hundreds of Girl Scouts making the pilgrimage.</p>
<p>fireflyscout-
For a split second, before I realized you were talking about Savannah being the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low’s girl scouts <a href=“http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/birthplace/[/url]”>http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/birthplace/</a> I thought you wer saying hte girl scouts were going to make a pilgrimage to the Crab Shack :eek: HAHAHAHA</p>
<p>We go to Savannah each year for All-State. </p>
<p>I second the recommendation for the Westin - it’s very peaceful - but away from the historic district - across the river - it can take quite a while to use the ferry and many don’t like the “separation”. They Hyatt is right on River Street in the midst of the shopping/restaurants. It just went through an extensive renovation - but I haven’t checked it out. All the “chains” are in the historic district - Marriott, Hilton, Marriott Courtyard, etc. Lots of B&B’s.</p>
<p>I just returned today from a stay on Tybee Island.</p>
<p>I drove through Panama City last year and would not in any way compare it to Tybee.</p>
<p>Panama City seems “ruined” with high rise hotels and condos. Tybee is still very much a local beach destination with old time residential neighborhoods, cute cottages, palmettos and the like.</p>
<p>We rented a cottage, and there appear to be plenty of rental properties available (we stayed at <a href=“http://www.fishcampcottage.com)%5B/url%5D”>www.fishcampcottage.com)</a>. </p>
<p>So, if you are looking for funky and a nice beach, I would recommend it – and, it is only about a 25 - 30 minute drive from Savannah.</p>
<p>fendrock
that cottage looks so cute and I wish I had the right period of time for a cottage…they all seem to want more days than I can spare.
Thanks one and all for the advice on Savannah/Tybee…I’m making my mind up shortly about whether I can extend the move in from USC for a few vacation days.
Has anyone stayed at a hotel/motel on Tybee? The choices don’t seem too appetizing LOL…</p>
<p>I stayed in Ocean’s Plaza years ago. It used to be locally owned - and still is, I believe. It’s OK. No great deluxe hotel, but pleasant and right on the beach.</p>
<p>For the most part, Tybee lives and dies by the summer months and in the last five years they have had three bad years, so they are always willing to do what they need to do to make you happy (except for the people that own the condos/cottages because they have other means of support). I have not heard anybody complain that they have had a bad experience at the beach. </p>
<p>Looking in the phone book I found - Sea Breeze Inn (800.598.8373) or(<a href=“http://www.seabreezeinntybee.com%5B/url%5D”>www.seabreezeinntybee.com</a>) and the 17th Street Inn (912.786.0607) and Tybrisa at the Beach (912.447.5080). I have no experience with these places, but I believe they are local.</p>
<p>cathymee, I saw so many rentals advertised that it seems to me very likely you could find a place for just a few nights – we stayed only four nights. Check out <a href=“http://www.tybeevacationrentals.com%5B/url%5D”>www.tybeevacationrentals.com</a> and give them a call.</p>
<p>And I do agree that the hotel/motels do not look very appealing - much more appealing if you are going to stay in a hotel to do so in Savannah.</p>
<p>P.S. I couldn’t resist – here’s another cottage rehabbed by Jane Coslick for rent <a href=“http://www.tybeecottages.com/viewproperty.aspx?PropertyID=9995[/url]”>www.tybeecottages.com/viewproperty.aspx?PropertyID=9995</a></p>
<p>fendrock
THANK YOU!!! the site you gave me is advertising 3 night minimums as a summer special ( everything I read up until now was Sun-Thurs). 3 nights we may just be able to do!
And you have to stop teasing me with those oh so cute cottages…they remind me of childhood stays (mid to late 1950’s)with my Grandmother at Rockaway Beach here in NY…she had one of those funky beachside cottages…probably why I love them so…if I just had a summer to plop down in one…
ThatMom…thanks for the Seabreeze link…that might just do the trick…</p>
<p>Gosh, that Jane Coslick cottage is adorable!</p>