Trip Report - Savannah 3/5- 3/8/24

Question

I feel guilty using everyone's trip reports for planning without ever posting one of my own, so here goes! I struggled a little coming up with a definite plan for this trip, so we did a little more play-it-by-ear than usual. All my on-the-fly research came from Trip Advisor, so the outcome was still fantastic :)

Last week we made our first visit to Savannah for a couple of days before moving up the coast to Beaufort then Charleston. Our group was comprised of 2 couples and we booked an AirBnB/VRBO on Broughton Street for 3 nights. The location was ideal for walking to many places.

The first evening we chose Garibaldi's for dinner (close to home base). It is a sister restaurant to the Olde Pink House. The flounder was excellent, but one of our companions is still disappointed a week later that he didn't try the veal chop as we heard after the fact that is another one of the items they are especially good at preparing. We also got our first experience with fried green tomatoes there...yum!

For our first full day in Savannah, we had early lunch reservations at the Olde Pink House that we made just a few days in advance. Lunch is easier to get than dinner. We got on one of the hop on/off bus tours in the morning and then hopped off at the stop closest to the Olde Pink House. We got to wander around inside the house and see all the various rooms, as well as the downstairs bar. After lunch we toured the Owens-Thomas House (this was also the stop that we hopped off the bus) then got back on the bus to finish the round. This worked well and the bus tour is (as most people suggest) a good way to get an overview of the historic area as a starting point. After completing the bus round we walked to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist as it was open to the public mid-afternoon. We also could have taken the bus back around closer to the Cathedral but we chose to walk off lunch and view the area on foot (and as a bonus, we happened upon Satchel and got a bag to take home...it was a sign!)

In the early evening, we walked to the river with Myrtle and Rose Rooftop Bar as the destination. Unfortunately, they were closed for a private event, but fortunately we found the Top Deck Bar as an alternative for a great view of the river and "Wino Wednesday...1/2 price wine!" Score! They had good appetizers also, so we almost decided to skip dinner and stay for the evening, BUT we had made a reservation at Vic's on the River, so we moved on. Maybe it was because we were full of appetizers and wine, but Vic's was not our favorite meal of the trip. It was highly recommended by several people, but even at this early point in the trip the menus started to look similar; and our waiter was not particularly friendly (probably because we were full and splitting entrees, lol). After Vic's, we walked around the area and found a little bar with live music which was fun. So for the evening we fared better with the spontaneous finds than the deliberate destinations! Probably due to expectations or lack thereof.

The next day we booked a morning Savannah port tour with Outside Savannah. This was an interesting overview of the port and history of other industries along the river. If you want to see the big cargo ships and the loading and unloading process from the water, this is a great tour to consider. We then stopped at the Public Kitchen and Bar for lunch. The Caprese Grilled Cheese sandwich was our favorite item there!

Since we had our own car, we then headed to Wormsloe to see the amazing live oak tree-lined driveway. We got the history of the place at the little museum there, but there is not much to see otherwise. Still worth the trip for the driveway, even if you only have time to look from outside the gate. On the way back, we made a brief pass through part of the Bonaventure Cemetery. I was downloading the app to see what there was to see when my husband (the driver) made the "executive decision" to leave! This did not sit well with the main trip event coordinator (me). Oh well, I am putting that on a list of reasons to return to Savannah for another visit....silver lining! That evening we walked back up to the river area and returned to Top Deck for drinks and snacks and decided we were taking a break from big dinner. We stopped in at Savannah Smiles dueling piano bar, then called it a day. Except we were only a couple of blocks from Leopolds just before closing, so we felt obligated to experience their iconic ice cream to check that box on the ultimate Savannah tourist list.

The next day Charleston was our destination, but first a leisurely stop in Beaufort was in order. I will pick up the trip report on a different post to those forums.

On the way home, I started reading "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". I now have a pretty clear picture of some of the references in the book, but will have to plan a return visit! We didn't get around to any of the walking tours (haunted or otherwise), so that will also be on the list for next time. A word about timing...we visited from 3/5-3/8 and I'm glad we didn't go much earlier as several people made the comment that the resurrection fern had just recently greened up having been brown just 2 weeks before. I'm also glad we didn't accidently book at St. Patrick's Day time (although we probably couldn't have even if we tried). The idea of sharing the city with a million vistors does not sound appealing...not at this age anyway!

Edited: 1 year ago

Answer

It sounds like you had a fantastic trip to Savannah! Thanks for sharing your experience—there's so much to appreciate in this charming city, and your report is helpful for anyone planning a visit. Here's a recap and a few additional tips based on your experience:

Your choice of accommodations on Broughton Street was perfect for easy access to many attractions. It's right in the heart of Savannah's historic district, and being within walking distance to many spots made it convenient for exploring on foot. Plus, it sounds like the evening at Garibaldi’s was a great introduction to Southern cuisine, with fried green tomatoes being a must-try!

It’s great that you were able to mix organized tours with spontaneous exploration. The hop-on/hop-off bus tour is a smart way to get an overview of the city and narrow down which spots you want to visit in more depth. It sounds like the Olde Pink House was a great stop for lunch, and I’m sure the historic setting added to the experience. It’s also fantastic that you stumbled upon Satchel, which is known for its beautiful handmade bags!

As for the evening, I love how you turned the unexpected closure of Myrtle and Rose Rooftop Bar into a happy accident, finding the Top Deck Bar instead. You can't go wrong with half-price wine and good appetizers while enjoying the view. And I have to agree, sometimes spontaneous finds lead to the best experiences—sometimes expectations just set us up for disappointment, but when you go with the flow, it’s all good fun!

Visiting Wormsloe was definitely worth it, even if you didn’t have time to explore the site fully. The oak-lined driveway is iconic, and you really get a sense of the beauty and history of the area. As for Bonaventure Cemetery, it's definitely one of those places you’ll want to return to—it’s one of Savannah’s most picturesque spots, and you can’t go wrong with the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful statuary. Hopefully, next time you’ll have time to enjoy it fully!

Your evening at Savannah Smiles dueling piano bar sounded fun! I’ve heard great things about it being a lively spot, and I’m glad you could squeeze in Leopold's Ice Cream as a treat before calling it a night. There’s something about enjoying an iconic dessert after a full day of sightseeing that makes the trip feel complete.

As for your timing, it sounds like you hit it just right with the weather and the city’s atmosphere. Visiting right before St. Patrick's Day is smart—avoiding the massive crowds while still enjoying the beauty of the city. And the resurrection fern greening up is definitely a sign of spring, so you got to experience Savannah in its finest weather!

In terms of things you didn’t get to do, I would highly recommend a haunted tour if you ever return. Savannah has so much history and mystery, and the ghost tours really add another layer to your understanding of the city. It's also worth exploring the many squares, especially the ones off the beaten path. Each one has its own personality and charm. Another great stop is the Savannah Botanical Gardens if you’re into more natural beauty!

Thank you again for sharing your trip details. It sounds like you had a fantastic experience, and I’m sure your tips will be useful to anyone else planning a visit to Savannah. I hope your next trip to Savannah (and Beaufort/Charleston) will be just as memorable, if not more!

Trip Report - Savannah 3/5- 3/8/24

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