By Nancy Hornak, Education Guide
Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia, established in 1733. As well as being the first state capital, it was a strategic port city during both the American Revolution and the Civil War. Its founder, James Edward Oglethorpe, used the Renaissance idea of placing an encampment around a central gathering place or square. This long-ago urban plan shapes the city to this day, filling it with more than twenty handsomely landscaped squares. These statue and fountain–filled plazas remain surrounded by cobblestone streets and vintage structures. Since 1955, Savannah has carefully restored and maintained its stunning architecture. Civic pride abounds in this charming city of 126,000 Southerners.
As we all know a docent can make or break an experience, so start your trip to Savannah with a tour guided by Jonathan Stalcup. His walking tours are an outstanding combination of both Savannah’s role in history, as well as the city’s architecture. Click here for more information. And to learn more about each of the recommendations, click on the title.
SITES TO SEE:
Davenport House Museum – In 1955, this structure was scheduled to be another tear down, but people banded together to stop the demolition. This served as a catalyst to organize a preservation movement for Savannah. The home was completed circa 1820 by Isaiah Davenport, a master builder/developer in the city.
Owens Thomas House – A National Historic Landmark, this English Regency home was completed in 1819 and occupied by the same family for 121 years. The tour includes the adjacent slave quarters and gardens.
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum – This Greek Revival house, built in 1819, is one of the few surviving designs by William Jay. Check out the fabulous skylight!
Bonaventure Cemetery – A 160 acre cemetery begun in 1868 became famous when it was featured in the novel and movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Carnegie Colored Library (also known as the East Henry Street Library) – A tiny Prairie-Style public structure that was the local (segregated) library for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and James Alan McPherson, author and early winner of a MacArthur Fellowship.
Telfair Museum – The first museum in the Southern United States. Be sure to check the times for a docent-led tour of the structure to hear about the Telfair family and their historic dwelling.
FOOD:
Back in the Day Bakery was a 2015 James Beard semi-finalist—great for grab and go breakfast and lunch or, take a seat and enjoy homemade biscuits and/or pastries, but only Thursday through Sunday.
Foxy Loxy Coffee has quick service and good quiche—supported by the locals.
Local11ten has an outdoor rooftop cocktail area topping the first floor restaurant.
Mrs. Wilkes offers a communal lunch with a random group of 10-12 people. Half the fun is chatting with fellow tourists as you wait for a table. Enjoy real southern food, run by the offspring of the original Mrs. Wilkes. Only open for lunch, Monday through Friday. No reservations, cash only.
Kayak Kafe offers a quick casual lunch spot as you explore Broughton Street—delish tacos.
Leopold’s Ice Cream is Savannah’s go-to spot for all kinds of ice cream treats. The lines can be long, but they do move. Once again, chatting up folks while you wait is part of the charm.
The Grey occupies a 1938 Art Deco Greyhound bus station that was lovingly restored to the tune of two million dollars by a New York City couple. It features somewhat avant-garde cuisine, and is very trendy. The Eatery website rated it the 2017 Restaurant of the Year.
A long weekend is adequate time to enjoy Savannah. If time permits a more lengthy stay in the area, investigate the South Carolina cities of Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head.