Travel Bucket List Series- Savannah, Georgia

Welcome to the 4th edition of My Travel Bucket List Series. For those of that are new to my blog, at the beginning of the year, I published my top 30 destinations I would like to see in my lifetime. You can see the complete list here. Today we are going to experience some good old southern hospitality in the city of Savannah, GA. Of course, being a beach lover, I have added a couple of days on Tybee Island.

Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and 5th largest in the state. The city is known for its cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, and southern charm.

Accommodations

For this trip, we plan on staying at the Cotton Sail Hotel. Once an 1800’s cotton warehouse, the Cotton Sail is located in the historic district of Savannah and minutes away from the riverfront. Amenities include a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, and a rooftop bar. This boutique hotel only has 56 rooms, with either a city or a river view. I love the idea of the river view.

Length of Stay

Including our stay on Tybee Island, I plan on 5 full days. Three days will be in the city of Savannah and two days on Tybee Island. I suspect our days will be jammed packed with activities.

Things to Do & See

Tours

There is no shortage of walking tours in the city of Savannah. I have reviewed quite a few, and when the time comes to decide, I will have my list handy. I want to see the mansions and churches dating back to the 1700s. Also high on my list, Chippewa Square. Here is where Forrest Gump sat and said that famous line, “My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Did you know that Savannah’s historic district has 22 squares? I would love to see them all!

In addition to the walking tour, I found two other tours that sound fantastic. First is a carriage ride at night tour. How does a ride in a horse-drawn carriage under the twinklings lights of the city sound? Amazing!

Have you ever taken a ghost tour? We did here in Boston. However, I have never seen anything quite like this. A tour in a hearse?? Sign me up!

Forsythe Park

Forsyth Park is a large city park that occupies 30 acres in the historic district of Savannah. Within the park are walking paths, children’s play areas, recreational areas for soccer, basketball, tennis, and more. An interesting feature of the park is a Fragrant Garden for the blind. The garden consists of plants with scents and textures that appeal to those with limited sight.

River Street

River Street has over 75 shops and restaurants to explore. This area of the city was once cotton warehouses. River Street is where we plan on spending our evenings, looking for some yummy southern food. I think a steamboat ride will be on the itinerary as well.

Wormsloe Historic Site

Here lie the ruins of Wormsloe, the colonial estate of Noble Jones. These ruins are the oldest standing structure in Savannah. Mr. Jones was many things, including command of a company of Marines charged with defending the Georgia coast from the Spanish. The Jones family owned Wormsloe until the state of Georgia acquired it in 1973.

In the park, visitors can interact with costumed guides and view a museum with artifacts found at Wormsloe. There is a nature trail that leads to the tabby ruins over to the Colonial Life Area. This area is similar to a living museum where guides in period dress exhibit the tools and skills of colonial Georgia.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on Cockspur Island, between Savannah and Tybee Island. It was during the American Civil War, that the Union Army successfully tested rifled cannons in combat, the success of which rendered brick fortifications obsolete. Sights not to miss are Battery Hambright, John Wesley Memorial, Construction Village, and the cemetery.

Tybee Island

I can’t think of a better way to end a few days of sightseeing than some beach time. Tybee Island is located off the coast of Savannah. It is both a city and a barrier island. We plan on calling Beachside Colony and Resort our home for the remainder of our trip. The only beachside resort on the island.

I would love to know, have you been to Savannah? Is there anything I should add to my list?

Check out the previous editions of my Travel Bucket List series.

Canadian Rockies

Alaska

Ireland