info on Savannah,anyone?

Parent Cafe
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<p>I just looked up this thread…I actually remembered it! Looks like I’m finally going to get my Savannah visit in! We are buying a car for D1 to have at college next year, and we found (and purchased) one in St. Augustine. H was going to fly down and drive it back here to Charlotte, but one thing led to another in his planning, and when he saw that his route back would take him near Savannah, he convinced me to go with him on this adventure. We’re taking Amtrak down there (leave late p.m., arrive at 8:00 am), and assuming the car is as advertised, are going to drive it back up.</p>

<p>I spent hours checking out B and B’s last night…trying to figure out how NOT to spend $600 for 2 nights. Found a couple in the more reasonable price range. </p>

<p>I assume we’d be better off to be a couple blocks north of Forsyth Park than just on the south end of it, right? I’ve looked at a map—which are the best streets for historic houses…and for antique stores…and for basic boutique/aka cutesie stores?</p>

<p>I’m going to dust off my Midnight… book and do a quick re-read so I’m ready! Any other last minute suggestions (leaving late Monday night)… I’m not a Paula Deam fan, so I’ll pass on her place, but Mrs. Wilkes’ sounds interesting…</p>

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<p>anyone? ? ?</p>

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<p>We just visited during spring break as we have family there and we were also picking up college age student to come home for a couple of days before heading back to school. Pass on Paula Dean restaurant! My mother was also with us and had lived in Savannah many years ago. We opted to take a trolley tour as she was not as able to walk around like she used to. It was great to see the imp sites since we were not there but for 3 days. Def reccommend the trolley tours if your time is somewhat limited as you can get off and on as you like. Another thing we did was visit some of the historical homes-they were fabulous. I would pass on the Midnight House as we were told that relatives still live in the house and that only the first floor is open for touring. Did not eat at Mrs. Wilkes, but def try to go per our relatives. We also ate at Pearl’s Saltwater grill–great seafood. River Street is doable in half a day–not much to see. We stayed at the Marriott Riverfront as parking is very much an issue, esp at B&B’s. If you have a car, and elect to stay at a B&B, I would highly rec that you inquire about the parking issue. Crime can also be a problem if parking on the street overnight. That is why we stayed at the Marriott, garage parking if even for a fee. Hope you enjoy your stay!</p>

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<p>I would not pass on PD’s place. The food is good, the prices OK, the people nice and it’s a national icon. You just have to go to the cattlecall to make the reservations. It’s really kind of fun and both her sons came around to say hello.</p>

<p>A good antique store</p>

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<p>Also Duncans antique maps at 12 east Taylor street is very cool.</p>

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<p>Have a great trip! I think you are right about being north of Forsyth Park. Let us know where you end up staying. Historic houses abound, just stroll from square to square. The museums are worth going to. For a very “locals only” meal, there was a coffee shop we found just off the courthouse square that funky, cheap, and good – cheese grits, housemade biscuits, etc. Sort of northwest of the courthouse, on the street running east and west. Gryphon Tearoom was good.</p>

<p>Have fun and tell us all about it when you get back!</p>

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<p>Just remembered that the Shrimp Factory, on the riverfront was good for dinner!</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the add’l info! Will finalize B&B tomorrow. I’ve printed out all kinds of “stuff”, and want to do the trolley tour…the other organized tours don’t look like our cup of tea, especially hubby’s… I mean, he’s already doing the B&B and will be putting up with my slow walking pace (I walk slow and I’m 5’4", he walks FAST and is 6’7"). Being on a bus with a chatty tour guide and a lot of blue-haired ladies would push him over the edge, I’m afraid.</p>

<p>barrons, any restaurant that is described with words such as “national icon” and “cattlecall” don’t do it for me…I’ve read lots that PD’s place is great, but since I don’t particularly like watching her on TV, I’ll save this one for sometime when I’m with someone who REALLY wants to go there.</p>

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<p>Just a little ways up the road from Hilton Head (same county) is Beaufort, SC - that’s Beaufort as in “Beautiful”, not the NC pronunciation.</p>

<p>It’s sort of like a mini Charleston with LOTS of incredibly beautiful antebellum mansions, an arsenal that dates to before the Revolution, a National Cemetery commissioned by Abraham Lincoln (think Arlington), a fabulous waterfront park, and lots of great restaurants, art galleries, & quaint shops lining its main drag downtown along the river.</p>

<p>Beaufort is also the filming location for The Big Chill, Forrest Gump, Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, and several more well-known films. Tons of picturesque scenery, as well as many historical locations. Most of it is intact because the Northern Army occupied it as a HQ during the War Between the States. Very easy to walk around (or take a carriage ride) and see all the noteworthy spots - and a spectacular, pristine beach (Hunting Island State Park) is just a short drive away. </p>

<p>If you’re in the area, Beautiful Beaufort is not to be missed - but be careful, lots of people who came for a visit have never left!</p>

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<p>Hiya—update from our little getaway in Savannah…</p>

<p>I LOVED Savannah. LOVED it. We stayed in a nice, very affordable B and B…I found all kinds listed online, many didn’t have availability (last minute)…we stayed at the Bed and Breakfast Inn on Gordon street. We booked via the “Managers Special”…you take what room they give you (no choice)…It was $129/night, and we ended up staying in one of their most expensive rooms (usually $199/night during the week). Cool!</p>

<p>I picked up a Frommer’s guide to Savannah, which H read on the train on our way to FL to pick up D1’s new car in St. Augustine. He found things he wanted to do…including going to Paula Deen’s Lady and Sons Restaurant! (I’ve been married to this guy for over 25 years, and he still comes up with surprises).</p>

<p>We did lots of walking, and took one of the trolley tours, which was a good overview and way to see a lot without breaking a sweat. After the tour, we headed over to City Market, probably around 11:15…we walked up to Lady and Sons, and at first they said that their reservations for lunch were full (said people start lining up at 8:00 a.m. to get on the list…they start taking names/making reservations at 9:30). We stood, trying to decide whether to make dinner reservations (they had 7:45 pm open)… Went back up to the place where they make the reservations, and the woman said—how many in your party? 2? You’re both here right now? Go ahead and go on in!!! We opted to order off the menu, and it was absolutely wonderful. Had fried green tomatoes for appetizer, and then H and I shared entrees of crab cake and chicken pot pie. The chicken pot pie was AWESOME (H liked the crab cake better than I did)… and of course we had cheese biscuits and hoecakes. </p>

<p>We also went to another place in the guidebook…Mrs. Wilkes’. It’s family-style serving…tables of 10 people. The spread was so awesome that we all took pictures before we started passing the dishes. Fried chicken, bbq pork, beef potroast/stew, and over 20 bowls of various Southern side dishes. Dessert was a choice between banana pudding and peach cobbler.<br>
Also well worth the approx 20-30 min in line.</p>

<p>We loved all the restored houses/mansions, and the city squares were beautiful. If you read “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” (highly recommended before you go), or know history, you know that Savannah was one of the only large city in the South NOT burned by Sherman in the “War of Northern Aggression”, and since the 50’s, it has enjoyed a significant rebuilding/rehabilitation of a good number of the old houses, and a very active Historic District/Committee. Most of the azaleas were past the blooming phase (next time I’ll plan to go there in March), but they smelled good, and sounded so peaceful, and the live oaks with the Spanish moss draped over the branches made the city squares very charming and beautiful! We noted that the birds chirped there well into the night, although the cynic in us wondered if that was piped in sounds just for the tourists! </p>

<p>If someone was deciding whether to go to Charleston or Savannah for a get-away, I’d highly recommend Savannah, moreso than Charleston. </p>

<p>Savannah College of Arts and Design was evident everywhere—several of their buildings are in restored historical buildings. I was surprised when the tour guide said they have 8,000 students. The art influence was everywhere, and added to the magic of the town.</p>

<p>Sign me up. We’ll go back (and probably take in Hilton Head and Beaufort while we’re nearby) when we have more time to spend there. Two thumbs up from me!!!</p>

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<p>Isn’t Savannah just wonderful? If you go in March, avoid St Patricks Day - too many drunks.</p>

<p>My favorite Savannah B&B is Hamilton Turner Inn.</p>

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<p>Ooooh, good point about St Patricks Day. That’s good reason to avoid several US locales, come to think of it!!!</p>

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<p>I’m so glad you enjoyed Savannah!</p>

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<p>My husband and I went there for our 20th anniversary. He wasn’t looking forward to going to Savannah, actually, but after we’d been there … he’s ready to go back. We stayed at the historical Marshall House, on Broughton St. We had a room on the front of the street, where you open the window and walk out through it onto the porch. (Apparently, it didn’t cost as much to put windows in as doors back in the day, so a lot of places did very high windows that you could walk out of like a door). Anyway, we truly enjoyed this place, and it was within walking distance of the river and several parks. We took the trolley tours and loved getting on and off to look at things. We also toured several historic homes, took the riverboat crusie (lovely day and loved the history), and spent a couple of days on Tybee island. Our favorite restaurant of the trip was there … The Crab Shack [The</a> Crab Shack “Where The Elite Eat In Their Bare Feet!”](<a href=“http://www.thecrabshack.com/]The”>http://www.thecrabshack.com/)</p>

<p>If you love seafood, enjoy dingy digs and getting messy with your hands, Yum!</p>

<p>It was truly a romantic, slow paced vacation … exactly perfect for a 20th anniversary. :)</p>

<p>zebes, ready to go back</p>

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<p>We didn’t make it to The Crab Shack last year, but it is definitely on my list for the SCAD drop-off visit in September!</p>

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<p>This is unrelated, but I have a mortal fear of cockroaches - the big ones thats prevalent in other parts of the world. Are big cockroaches common in the South ? I mean like in the homes, restaurants ?</p>

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<p>LOL there are mutant cockroaches on Hilton Head. Of course, being Hilton Head they don’t call them cockroaches, they call them Palmetto Bugs.</p>

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<p>I call them ugly! We have a BUG MAN who comes to visit regularly. When we first moved in, the house we purchased had been empty for several months…it only took seeing one of those bad boys for me to look up “exterminator” as soon as I could!</p>

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<p>googled it, its exactly the kind I have mortal fear on. I am still shaking from the screen image. Serious. I think I will remain in a cold climate. These bugs don’t survive the cold. Died if temp below 15 deg. The snow belt of the frozen north fits me fine. </p>

<p>I will have to travel to Atlanta frequently. Are these bugs out there ?</p>

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<p>Yup, same big ones. They usually can be kept outside but a few will get in. You get used to it.</p>

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<p>Gee thanks, now I am scare to go anywhere south of Pennsylvania.</p>