Our June Savannah trip

Question

Went to Savannah the first week of June. I am not going to break this down into a day by day itinerary because since I was on vacation, I totally lost track of my days.

Stayed on Jones Street, that was ideal. Did lots of walking every day, but it was not too far to get to River Street or to walk around Forsyth Park.

We did the Savannah for Morons Tour. We loved it. Lots of fun, but maybe not appropriate for those under 13 or so.

Later we bought a package deal- 2 days of the hop-on-off Trolley tour plus the Ghost and Gravestones tour.

As far as the trolley stops go, it was a little difficult for us to figure out where they were going to stop. You can get on Google Maps and search for "Old Town Trolley Stop 10" for example and it gets you close. They have signs that are blue and white that say something like "Bus Stop" then you wonder if a trolley is the same as a bus. I asked a driver why they don't just have a number on the sign indicating it's a specific Trolley stop. He didn't know. I joked that I was going to come back after hours with a sharpie and write it on there.

It's nice just sitting on the trolley and looking around while they maneuver that beast through the tight turns.

One driver was very nice and had interesting things to say, but when she let people off, if they tipped she would say super loud over the microphone "THANK YOU FOR THE GRATUITY!" After two or three people get off, you get the point that she really likes tips. I typically would tip if I rode for more than a few stops.

The Ghosts and Gravestones tour begins on River Street near stop 11. This wasn't clear when we bought our tickets near their welcome center over by Liberty St and MLKJ Blvd. Fortunately I did research before hand. We booked for 7pm, probably should have booked a little later when it was darker. on the G&G tour, the young lady guiding the tour was dressed in a vintage Victorian dress, but her delivery was more like a book report imho. Maybe it was because I had heard excerpts on other tours, but I just kinda zoned out and took in the scenery. We stopped at the Andrew Low House which was nice, but the stop at the Perkins & Sons Ship Chandlery was very interesting.

We did pass a ghost tour done out of a hearse that had the top cut off and people were in the back. I wish I had looked into that.

We did the free SCAD Story experience, which was excellent.

We took sunset cruise with Captain Derek on Tybee island and I enjoyed that more than I expected. Basically went out to a shrimp trawler that had tons of dolphins popping up all over the place, sometimes five or so together. Then they took you really close to a very old and deprecated light house.

We went to the Savannah Bee Company showroom and Bee Garden on Wilmington Island. We did the cheaper tour which did not include any mead tasting. Got to put on the netted hats and hold frames of honeycomb with bees, then taste it right from the frame.

We took a little trip over to Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm which was 30 minutes away. It was nice but I wish more was in bloom.

We walked around Colonial Park Cemetery. Lots of shopping on Broughton St, River St, and many others.

We went into a couple neat book stores.

Visited most of the squares and walked around.

We ate in the old bank vault in the Olde Pink House. We at breakfast at Goose Feathers. We at breakfast twice at the Little Duck Dinner. We ate dinner twice at the Hitch. Ate dinner once at Savannah Smokehouse BBQ. Ate breakfast once at Clary's cafe. I went to Asher & Rye Cafe multiple times for coffee and truffles. Had a late snack at the Peach cobbler Factory.

Answer

It sounds like you had a fantastic time in Savannah! Here's a summary of your trip, with some additional tips and suggestions based on your experience:

1. Accommodations and Location: - Staying on Jones Street was a great choice! It’s one of the most beautiful and picturesque streets in Savannah, and being so close to both River Street and Forsyth Park made it easy to explore the city on foot. A central location like this is ideal for walking to nearby attractions, and it sounds like you made the most of it.

2. Savannah for Morons Tour: - Glad to hear you enjoyed the Savannah for Morons Tour! It’s a fun and entertaining way to get to know Savannah’s history with a comedic twist. As you mentioned, it might not be suitable for younger kids, but it’s perfect for adults looking for a unique tour experience.

3. Hop-on-Hop-off Trolley Tour and Ghost Tour: - It seems like the trolley tour was a good option for seeing the city, even though the trolley stop signs were a bit confusing. In the future, checking Google Maps or asking the trolley drivers for more specific stop details could save time. It’s also great that you got to sit back and relax while the driver navigated Savannah's narrow streets. - The Ghosts and Gravestones tour is a classic Savannah experience. It's a good idea to book the tour later for a spookier atmosphere, as it would have been darker and more eerie. The Perkins & Sons Ship Chandlery stop sounds like it was particularly intriguing.

4. Alternative Ghost Tour: - The hearse ghost tour you passed by sounds like a cool alternative! Those tours are a bit different, as they focus on a more "mysterious" vibe while allowing you to sit in the back of the hearse. It's something to consider for your next visit, especially if you're a fan of quirky, out-of-the-box tour ideas.

5. Other Experiences: - The SCAD Story Experience sounds like it was a hidden gem! The storytelling and exploration of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a unique look into Savannah’s creative side. - Your sunset cruise with Captain Derek on Tybee Island sounds like the perfect way to experience Savannah’s coastal beauty, especially with dolphins and the old lighthouse.

6. Food and Drink Recommendations: - You had quite a variety of meals throughout your trip, and it looks like you made the most of Savannah's culinary scene! Dining in the Olde Pink House’s old bank vault was a memorable experience. Here are some additional food suggestions you might like based on your experience:

Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room: A local favorite for classic Southern comfort food.
The Grey: A fantastic upscale restaurant in a restored 1938 Greyhound bus station, known for its inventive Southern dishes.
Leopold’s Ice Cream: A great spot for a sweet treat, especially if you have a sweet tooth after your visits to places like the Peach Cobbler Factory.

7. Shopping and Strolling: - Walking around Colonial Park Cemetery and visiting Broughton Street for shopping were perfect ways to spend time between meals and tours. Don’t forget to check out some of Savannah's charming boutiques on Abercorn Street and around the squares.

8. More to See on Your Next Visit: - Since you’re already a fan of the squares, I’d recommend visiting Wright Square and Chippewa Square (where the bench scene from *Forrest Gump* was filmed). - Another hidden gem could be Savannah’s Bonaventure Cemetery—it’s one of the most photographed spots in the city and a peaceful, scenic place to explore.

Overall, it sounds like you had an amazing time in Savannah, enjoying a mix of history, food, tours, and natural beauty. I hope you come back soon to experience even more of what this beautiful city has to offer!