“If you go to Atlanta, the first question people ask you is, ‘What’s your business?’ In Macon they ask, ‘Where do you go to church?’ In Augusta they ask your grandmother’s maiden name. But in Savannah the first question people ask you is ‘What would you like to drink?’”
–Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Our favorite city in Georgia, Savannah is the epitome of Southern charm and eccentricism. Saved from destruction during the Civil War by Union Gen. William Sherman as a Christmas gift to President Abraham Lincoln, the city is a preserved jewel with a modern vibe all its own.
Our Favorite Places
River Street
Any trip to Savannah without a visit to River Street is just wrong.
Lined with boutiques, art galleries and eateries, this historic cobblestone street is busy day and night. During the day, you’ll find tourists buying souvenirs, collectors searching through antiques and art, and couples strolling hand-in-hand to the sound of the many street musicians. With its spectacular views of the Savannah River and the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, photo opportunities abound here. At night, River Street becomes one of the most active nightlife scenes in the country. Known especially for its St. Patrick’s Day party, the second largest in the nation, River Street can be quite the wild place. One of our favorite bars in town can be found nearby; Savannah Smiles is a dueling piano bar where anything goes.
Savannah City Market
A mixed-development, you’ll find restaurants, shops, art galleries and bars here. More of the locals tend to frequent this area, and there’s always special events going on.
The Squares
In the downtown area, the city is structured in squares with parks inside and historic homes on the edges. A wonderful way to spend a sunny afternoon is walking through these city squares, admiring the many fountains and statues of Civil War veterans. The infamous Johnny Mercer House or Mercer Williams House, renowned in the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, can be found on the Monterey Square. The Juliette Gordon Low House and Historic District, the founder of the Girl Scouts, is on Lafayette Square.
Forsyth Park
A beautiful park in the historic district, Forsyth Park is the site of many wedding photos and movie sets. The iconic fountain found in the center of the park makes a magnificent backdrop. Walking trails, playgrounds and playing fields make this a perfect place for family gatherings.
Bonaventure Cemetery
Made famous by the cover of the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, this historic cemetery sits among oaks with Spanish moss. However, the Bird Girl statue that used to belong here can now be found at the Telfair Museum of Art. The resting place of famous Georgians, such as the musician Johnny Mercer and first governor Edward Telfair, the cemetery is a quiet place to admire nature.
Eats
Part of immersing yourself in the unique culture of Savannah is enjoying its distinctly Southern cuisine. Being a port city, you can find great seafood throughout the city. Especially unique is The Pirates’ House where after dinner you can explore underground tunnels that pirates long ago used to bring their booty into the city. Though Chris finds her a bit put on, we would be amiss if we didn’t mention Paula Deen’s Lady and Sons Restaurant, where you can try anything and everything she, Jamie and Bobby make on their shows. You may want to schedule something else for a couple of hours, leave your name on this list, and then return as the wait will be hours, not minutes. If your party is small (one or two) always ask if they have a seat at the bar and you may be able to skip this long wait entirely.We hope you like butter as you will taste plenty of it in every dish. For our favorite sweets, check out River Street Sweets for freshly-made pralines.
Working in Savannah
Savannah offers many opportunities in industry and business. For an insider’s look, we turned to Fawn Barnard Smith who has been working as a certified critical care registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital for the past four years where she specializes in the care of patients suffering with heart-related problems and recovering from surgeries. After working in the capital of Atlanta for a few years, she found the transition to a slower pace quite enjoyable. “The people are kind and the area has that small-town feel.”
Fawn enjoys Savannah for its many activities to choose from to relax after a long work week. “The options are endless: a day at the beach; brunch overlooking the river; shopping at a cute specialty shop; or a quiet afternoon with a book in one of the beautiful squares downtown. Savannah is the best place to live because there is something for everyone!”
Her best recommendation for visiting the city is a trolley tour where you’ll learn a wealth of history and experience the beauty of downtown.
We give Savannah a 9 on our favorite places to be. What is your favorite city in Georgia?
-Chris & Monica
