The Charm of Savannah, Georgia
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Savannah, Georgia, is a city rich in history and culture, and this blog post can only touch on a small sector of the town’s attractions. We look forward to returning to Savannah soon to discover more of this beautiful city. I love it when we visit a city and find attractions and restaurants that we have not previously explored.
Savannah is the epitome of Southern culture and charm. From bed and breakfasts to historical monuments, there are attractions for everyone to enjoy. On a recent trip to Savannah, Sean, Jackson, Lucy, and I, along with friends, took an “off-the-beaten-path” approach to visit the city.
Savannah History
The Oglethorpe Influence
In February 1733, James Oglethorpe sailed across the Atlantic on a ship named Anne. Oglethorpe had received a charter for a colony in the new world. He called his new land Georgia in tribute to the reigning British king and the one who granted the charter, George II. The first city in Georgia was named Savannah. Savannah takes its namesake from the geographical word, savanna, meaning grassy plains in tropical and subtropical climates. The city was named due to the abundance of marshy wetlands along the river.
Georgia was considered a buffer colony, protecting the prized colony of South Carolina from the Spaniards in current day Florida. Who was supposed to buffer the South Carolinians? Debtors.
Oglethorpe had a dear friend die in prison. The friend contracted smallpox while jailed for owing a debt. In England during this era, you could go to jail for owing money. However, once a prisoner, there was no way to earn the money back to repay the debt. Oglethorpe thought this was a never-ending cycle, so he petitioned a charter to bring debtors to the new world in order to clear prisons in England and give the debtors a second chance at life in America.
Oglethorpe’s plan didn’t work out quite as planned. Rather than bringing debtors, he brought working poor. The change in colonists was due to economic and militaristic factors and circumstances.
Oglethorpe’s Vision
Oglethorpe served as governor of Georgia for 12 years. When the colony was in its infancy, Oglethorpe outlawed four things- Roman Catholicism, spirits (hard liquor), slavery, and lawyers.
Oglethorpe thought that Catholics would sympathize with the Spanish in Florida, so he outlawed the religion in fear that Catholics may actually be Spanish spies. He believed that banning spirits would keep unnecessary trouble away. However, prohibition just made the new settlers angry. Oglethorpe was an enlightened thinker, so he banned slavery. However, because Charleston to the north was fervent with the slave trade, the settlers revolted against him. As far as lawyers, ol’James just didn’t like them!
Oglethorpe’s bans didn’t last long in the new colony, although his architecture did. Oglethorpe designed Savannah around four squares. Each square was surrounded by four residential blocks and four civic blocks. The eight blocks and corresponding square were referred to as a ward. The squares were used as a commons area where those living in a particular ward would cook, wash, and fellowship. Oglethorpe’s original squares included Johnson, Wright, Ellis, and Telfair. Later, Reynolds and Oglethorpe were added.
Today, Savannah, Georgia, has 22 of its 24 original squares left in the city.
Tomochichi
Upon arrival, Oglethorpe befriended Tomochichi. Tomochichi was the leader of the Yamacraw tribe of Native Americans. Due to the deep friendship between Oglethorpe and Tomochichi, there was little to no warring between settlers and Native Americans.
If you visit Tomochichi’s rock in Wright Square, the chief is supposed to speak to you. Legend has it that if you run around the rock five times yelling his name, then ask Tomochichi what he is doing, he will tell you… absolutely nothing.
Savannah and the Civil War
As time progressed, the colony (and later the state) legalized the institution of slavery until the Civil War. In 1862, the Confederate Fort Pulaski was captured by Union Forces, and the Union held the fort for the remainder of the war. As General William T Sherman of the Union Forces burned the south and marched to the sea through Georgia, he preserved Savannah. Sherman wired President Lincoln a message stating that he was giving Lincoln the city of Savannah as a Christmas present in December 1864, thus unofficially ending the war.
In post-Civil War America, Savannah became a prominent African-American city in the United States as emancipated slaves began forging their own independence and identity.
During the 1950s, the Historic Savannah Foundation began efforts to preserve many buildings within the city. It has since become one of America’s top tourist destinations.
Savannah Attractions
Walking Tours
We love taking walking tours in cities. Last year in New Orleans, Sean discovered a type of free tour such as Free Tours by Foot. We fell in love with this type of tour because the guides really work for your money. You pay the guides what you think the tour is worth depending on its quality. What we have found is that guides actually end up making more than we typically pay in tour fees because they have all been fun and worked hard to develop and hold our interest. In Savannah, we took the Free Savannah Walking Tour and it was excellent.
We actually took two walking tours while visiting the city. Unfortunately, because of the weather, we took both tours on the same day… don’t do this!
Our other walking tour was a ghost tour. Savannah is supposedly the most haunted city in America and ghost tours are a big deal there. You can take them when it turns dark, or the hard-core ghost enthusiasts can take them at midnight.
Cobblestone Streets
Don’t just dismiss that rocky, uneven surface down by the river. Savannah’s cobblestone streets are made from rocks imported from all over the world. Sailors used to place rocks in their ballasts for extra weight while sailing across the Atlantic. Upon arrival to Georgia through Savannah, sailors would discard the rocks for the goods they were exporting. The rocks eventually became the iconic cobblestone streets of the River Street district.
River Street
River Street, the heart of Savannah’s Historic District, is home to over 70 businesses and shops. Take a pleasant walk along the Savannah River and absorb the history of the area. River Street once housed cotton warehouses.
However, in the early nineteenth century, yellow fever swept the city, and 75 percent of the town perished. Two more severe yellow fever outbreaks occurred in Savannah, Georgia, one in 1854 and another in 1876. Savannah’s underground tunnels are thought to have concealed yellow fever deaths. In the 1920s, the boll weevil wiped out the cotton market and the River Street district went into further decline. The area was almost abandoned until the 1970s when locals undertook a revival of the district.
Fort Pulaski
I could not wait to visit Fort Pulaski as it is a national monument. The Confederate Fort Pulaski was deemed impenetrable. However, with the development of state-of-the-art cannons and rifles, in less than 30 hours, the Union overtook the fort during the Civil War.
Forsyth Park
I was in shock when our tour guide told us that only 25 percent of Savannah tourists ever visit Forsyth Park. The park contains a large fountain that was ordered from a catalog in 1858. Although the fountain is the centerpiece, the park also has a fragrant garden for the visually impaired and blind as well as areas for outdoor sports.
Lodging in Savannah, Georgia
There is a myriad of lodging options in Savannah including quaint bed and breakfasts, hotels, Airbnb options, and RV resorts. We stopped by the Hyatt Regency in the River Street district, and I would stay there if we were not camping.
However, we were camping, so we stayed at the Creekfire RV Resort.
Although we pulled our camper, the resort also has tiny houses/cabins for rent.
Creekfire has a charming clubhouse, pool, kiddie pool, hot tub, yard games, fishing, nature trails, tennis/pickleball courts, a basketball court, bocce ball, and a playground. Rentals are available for boats, canoes, kayaks, bicycles, and golf carts.
You could truly come and stay at Creekfire and never leave for the entirety of your vacation!
Where to Eat in Savannah
We wanted to try some dining establishments that were not in typical tourist fashion in Savannah. They included:
Black Rifle Coffee Company
It was an honor to drink coffee here! Black Rifle Coffee and its apparel store, Nine Line, are both veteran-owned. The coffee company roasts to order with beans imported from Columbia and Brazil.
Bubba Gumbos
Tybee Island is located 15 minutes from Savannah. Tybee is a growing tourist destination, yet still maintains the small-town island vibe. Bubba Gumbo’s is a seafood restaurant that, in my opinion, has the best fresh seafood on the island! Click here to read more about Bubba Gumbos.
Huc-A-Poos
Also, on Tybee is a pizazzy pizza joint called Huc-A-Poos. They have large pizzas and an iconic atmosphere.
Tybean Art and Coffee Bar
Ok, I like coffee. Located directly beside Huc-A-Poos, stop by for an amazing frappe after your pizza!
Mirabelle’s
Back in Savannah, head down to Mirabelle’s for breakfast. Their specialty is Liège waffles and you will be glad that you ate one. Liège waffles are made from a yeast-risen dough and pearl sugar. The waffles have their own built-in sweetener, so you won’t need any extra!
Savannah Seafood Shack
There are so many dining establishments in Savannah, and this makes it extremely hard to pick one for dinner. We decided to try out Savannah Seafood Shack, and it was excellent. Savannah Seafood Shack has a wonderful breading on their fried fish and shrimp. I ate the Love Shack, which is a low country boil that has been featured on Food Network, Travel Channel, and the Cooking Channel.
Leopold’s
So this one may not be so off the beaten path. If you want terrific ice cream, Leopold’s is the name. We consistently see Leopold’s on the top 10 ice cream parlors in the U.S. and for good reason. Stop in to learn about Leopold’s history and to have a delicious taste of Savannah.
Interested in visiting Savannah? Check out Trip Advisor for fantastic deals on lodging in the area!
Savannah has so much to offer. What is your favorite attraction or restaurant? We would love to learn from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below!
Looking for other amazing towns in the southeast? Check out Mayberry, North Carolina, and Muscle Shoals, Alabama!
