Enjoying the Nightlife in Savannah

Savannah offers many choices for enjoying an evening out on the town.  Here’s a quick round up of some local favourites that you’ll be sure to find refreshing on a hot summer’s eve in Savannah.

Churchill’s Pub & Restaurant is an authentic British pub serving up food and fun every night of the week.  The showcase piece of Churchill’s Pub is the gorgeous mahogany bar along with other furnishings that were imported from Britain.  And actually, the owners are from Britain as well.  As well as inside, visitors can choose to sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the views of Savannah’s historical district.  Enjoy an order of fish and chips or bangers and mash, along with a good selection of draught and bottled beer.  Or if cocktails are more your thing, try the Georgia Peach Tea or Bob’s Blue Boo Yah!

In keeping with the overseas theme, Murphy’s Law Irish Pub is hailed as being ‘Savannah’s most authentic Irish pub.’  Providing weekly live entertainment and great pub grub (try the Pork Pie and Chips), Thursday nights are always crowded thanks to the ‘Drink Till U Drown’ special offering all-you-can-drink Pabst Blue Ribbon beer for $5.00.  Murphy’s Law also offers a weekday Happy Hour from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Planters Tavern is located in the cellar at the Olde Pink House restaurant, built in 1771.  Featuring exposed brick, fireplaces, and hardwoods, this unique location adds to the historic atmosphere of this well-loved pub.  Planters Tavern also features a piano bar and live jazz singers weekly including singer/pianist/composer, Gail Thurmond.

Venus De Milo is a funky wine bar located near Savannah’s City Market.  It also features a beautiful mahogany bar along with a selection of antique furniture.  Here you can sit inside and enjoy the old world charm or you can venture upstairs, or onto the deck, or outside to enjoy the allure of their southern courtyard.  Venus De Milo offers an array of martinis including the local favorite, a White Chocolate Godiva Maritina; other sure to be enjoyed choices include Pineapple Upside Down Cake or a traditional Mint Julep.  And yes, Venus De Milo also offers a selection of over 150 wines, many of which can be purchased by the glass.

Other fun choices for nightlife in Savannah include Jinx for live rock and blues music, Lulu’s Chocolate Bar for scrumptious desserts, Mercury Lounge for jazz, and if you want to cover the whole gamut, Molly McPherson’s, a Scottish pub and grill.

Down Home Cookin’ Savannah Style

When you think of Savannah, you might think of southern hospitality.  And part of that southern hospitality charm is southern style cooking.  With an endless number of restaurant choices in Savannah, here are a few local favourites offering authentic southern cuisine.

Located on West Jones Street, Mrs. Wilke’s Dining Room has a line waiting outside the door five days a week for its lunch only service. The eating arrangement at Mrs. Wilke’s is unique – patrons sit with fellow strangers around a table set for ten.  With a menu that changes daily, the table top is filled with platters of traditional southern cooking like black eyed peas, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, cornbread, gumbo, and biscuits.  This delicious lunch costs $16 per person ($6 per children 12 and under) and don’t bring your credit card as they only accept cash.

Geneva Geneva’s Home Plate is another favorite offering up southern delicacies like fried chicken, meat loaf and mashed potatoes, green beans, and roast beef.  The corn bread is served with an array of flavored butters like blueberry while all of the portions are plentiful.  Well-known for their great service and reasonable prices ($8 for two pieces of fried chicken plus two sides), Geneva Geneva’s is also known for their amazing peach cobbler for dessert.

Located on East Broughton Street inside the historic Marshall House, 45 Bistro is an award-winning dining establishment in Savannah.  Opening at 6:00 p.m. daily, 45 Bistro offers up southern style cooking with the likes of Jumbo Lump Local Blue Crab Cakes, grilled Caesar salad, and entrees of filet mignon and black grouper.  Also well-known for its impeccable service, 45 Bistro displays a selection of original artwork as well as vaulted glass ceilings; advance reservations are recommended.

Wiley’s Championship Barbecue is a restaurant you don’t want to miss when visiting Savannah.  This friendly atmosphere down home barbecue offers a wide selection of menu items include barbecue chicken, beef brisket, smoked sausage, pulled pork, and St. Louis ribs.  Favorites include the Sampler Plate for $21.99 (brisket, ¼ chicken, pork) and either the Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie or Bread Pudding with Praline Bourbon sauce for dessert.  More interesting items on the Wiley’s Championship Barbecue menu include fried pickles, fried okra, and fried green beans.

Alligator Soul is one of the top upscale restaurants in all of Savannah serving up a selection of meals using fresh organic foods grown locally.  Recommendations include the Fried Green Tomatoes, Shrimp and Grits, and the Day Boat Fresh Fish.  If you can still squeeze in some room for dessert, try the Alligator Soul Banana Beignets or the Honey Lavender Crème Brulee.

Flickr.com Photo Credit: I Guess Alligators Have Soul by Quinn.Anya

Savannah’s Historic Inns

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Savannah, be sure to take advantage of that old Southern charm and charisma by choosing to stay at an historic inn, boutique hotel, or even a regal mansion.  Exuding romance and architectural style, Savannah’s Historic Inns offer an authentic way to experience a little taste of Savannah.

Located on Columbia Square, the Kehoe House is a Renaissance Revival mansion that was built in 1892 and was completely remodelled in 2003.  Featuring only 13 spacious rooms, pampering at the Kehoe House includes beautifully decorated period rooms, turndown service, luxury linens, and their well-known daily gourmet breakfast.  As a Kessler Collection property, the Kehoe House is featured on the National Register of Historic Places; room rates start at $215 per night.

The first hotel to be built in Savannah was The Marshall House, circa 1850.  Having undergone a $1 million renovation in 1999, the Marshall House offers a selection of 65 guest rooms (superior, luxury, and balcony) plus 3 elegant suites.  Guests accumulating a nine night stay will receiving the tenth night free plus other amenities like turn down service and a complimentary continental breakfast daily.  Rates at the Marshall House start at $139 per night.

Built in 1873, the Hamilton-Turner Inn is an exquisite example of a Mid Victorian/French Empire mansion.  Now a bed and breakfast, the Hamilton-Turner Inn features 17 guest rooms and suites all named after local residents of Savannah who have contributed to the city’s splendor.  Offering a gourmet breakfast daily, afternoon tea service, and a selection of hors d’oeuvres and wine in the evening, the Hamilton-Turner Inn easily provides for that picture perfect dream stay in Savannah.  Located prominently on Lafayette Square, Hamilton-Turner Inn room rates start at $179 per night.

Located at Reynolds Square, Planters Inn offers 60 classically decorated rooms along with its own ghosts who are said to wander the hallways.  This boutique hotel offers amenities that include a turn down service, wine & cheese social, and a complimentary continental breakfast that’s delivered to your room every morning.  The award-winning Planters Inn offers dining for their guests through the adjacent and also historic restaurant, The Olde Pink House.  Featuring a number of specials and packages throughout the year, rates at the Planters Inn start at $215.

Whether you choose to stay at an inn, boutique hotel, or in an luxurious mansion, you’ll be sure to enjoy the charm that only a stay in Savannah can offer.

Flickr.com Photo Credit: The Hamilton-Turner Inn, Savannah by Respres

Historical Tours of Savannah, GA

Known for its romantic Southern charm and hospitality, Savannah, GA, is also well known for its array of beautiful historic homes. Although it’s easy enough to walk along the oak tree lined streets and admire the views by yourself, it’s even better to take an informative tour.

SeeSavannah Tours offers a basic walking tour highlighting the historical architecture and rustic wrought iron work of Savannah plus another tour known as the Savannah Saunter.  The Pirate’s Walk tour provides tales of pirates and treasure while the Hauntings Tour delves into the supernatural world of Savannah by visiting some of the most haunted sights in the city.

Architectural Tours of Savannah, run by Jonathon Stalcup, offers an in depth tour walking tour showcasing the design and history of many Savannah buildings.  Consistently receiving rave reviews, Architectural Tours of Savannah also provides an informative Savannah overview along the way.

In case you’d rather not walk, Historic Tours of America, known as ‘the Nation’s Storyteller,’ offers a narrative tour through their hop-on hop-off Old Town Trolley Tours.  They also offer an evening Ghosts & Gravestones Tour featuring ghostly tales and paranormal happenings in Savannah.

Historic Savannah Carriage Tours will take you along the gorgeous streets of Savannah in style.  Horse-drawn narrative tours are offered in the daytime plus they also offer a Spooky Tales Tour in the evening.

Savannah Dan Walking Tours is another tour that comes highly recommended.  The tour will take you through the historical squares of Savannah including the filming locations of Forrest Gump and Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil.  Known to be fun and informative, Savannah Dan Walking Tours will provide historical information with a little bit of humor thrown in.

Savannah Rambles offers ‘pleasure’ walks that feature some of the most well-known historical buildings in Savannah including the Three Sisters of Whitefield Square, the 1898 Schroder House, Mercer House, and Miss Audrey’s Garden Gate.  Savannah Rambles offers walking tours according to architectural periods including The Early Years: 1733 to 1830 and The Later Years: 1840 to 1918.  You can also choose from The High Points tour which includes strolling down Bull Street or Judy’s Ramble which is a condensed version of The Early Years that also includes a visit to the Davenport House Museum.

Explore Savannah offers unique one-on-one walking tours with a new 8:00 a.m. departure for those wishing to beat the heat.  Covering historic Savannah, tour highlights include churches, cemeteries, homes, along with hidden fountains and gardens.

Flickr.com Photo Credit: Home In Downtown Savannah by Photography by J. Campbell

The Savannah restaurant is called the Chicago Dog and Deli. Named as one of the best hot dogs in Iowa, the hot dog and deli joint has made its way to the south, with a couple of locations in Savannah, including the River Street location. It’s a new establishment with the first one opening in 2007, and a second opening shortly after because of Savannah locals’ request for another location.

Though its specialty is hot dogs, you’ll find a little bit of everything at this Savannah restaurant. Some of the different entrees include several different salads, chicken tenders, wings, burgers and a variety of different deli sandwiches. They have several Chicago style sandwiches like the Italian beef sandwich. Also, what’s popular in Chicago are tamales, which are just $.99 at the Chicago Dog and Deli.

My first $5 lunch recommendation at the Chicago Dog and Deli actually isn’t for one of their hot dogs, but is still for an entree that is uniquely Chicago. It’s the Pizza Puff, which features Italian sausage, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese wrapped in a soft tortilla for only $3.50. Get a bag of chips or a Chicago tamale and you’re out for less than $5.

Of course you can’t visit the Chicago Dog and Deli restaurant in Savannah without having a hot dog. The restaurant features several different dogs, including bratwursts, polish sausage, jumbo dogs and your plain beef dog. To leave satisfied for under $5, you’ll have to go with the regular beef or Chicago dog, which is $2.50. Add an order of crisp, golden brown fries and you’re out for less than $5. Highly acclaimed among locals, not only is the Chicago Dog and Deli a good value, but also features great food.

[photo courtesy of Mark 2400]

First and probably foremost, keep in mind the weather in Savannah. The coastal town is located in the deep south, which means it’s not unlikely for temperatures during the summer to each the high 90s, not to mention the humidity. If you come during mid-spring, you’ll beat the summer crowds and hit the peak blooming season for Savannah’s beautiful azaleas.

If possible, try to make your lodging accommodations and trip itinerary as close to River Street as possible. Unless you’re taking a day trip to Tybee Island or going shopping at the Oglethorpe Mall, most of your time is going to be spent near the riverfront, since this is where most of the restaurants, attractions, hotels and tour operators are. Parking is often a challenge, as you either have to use valet, metered parking or public parking garages. There are several public parking garages near River Street that charge approximately $10 per day. When you get tired of walking, there’s public transportation in the form of a trolley or bus, which will be your best bet.

With so many restaurants in Savannah, it can be difficult to pick the right one. There’s certainly no shortage of Savannah seafood restaurants, ranging from Irish pubs to family style restaurants. So how do you choose the right one? Follow the locals. Most of the tourists head straight for River Street each evening, as there’s no shortage of every type of restaurant you can think of. However, many of Savannah’s best restaurants are a few blocks away from the riverfront. Take Six Pence Pub for example, which is located several blocks from River Street. Featuring an expansive menu with both European and American classics, Six Pence is an authentic English Pub that is frequented by locals, though best known for its placement in the film Something to Talk About with Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid.

[photos by Spencer]

No matter what your passion—food, nature or the truly bizarre—there’s probably a tour related to it in Savannah. These offbeat tours take you past the pretty surface of the city, and into the even-prettier soul of Savannah.

If you’ve never thought of Savannah as a foodie destination, one trip through its simmering, sultry restaurants should set you straight. Southern cuisine meets the fresh offerings of the sea to create some seriously soulful eating. And there may be no better person to guide you through the salivating scents of the city than local celebrity chef Paula Deen. Proprietor of the famous Lady & Sons restaurant, Paula Deen’s Food Tour takes you to some of the best low-country eating spots in the city—and includes lunch.

Savannah’s beauty has bewitched everyone from military generals to movie makers, and film buffs won’t want to miss Savannah Movie Tours. Two 90-minute tours take you to all those silver screen hot spots in the city, including the Mercer Williams House and that famous bench Forrest Gump sat on. See just how photogenic Savannah is.

With all the wrought-iron balconies and antebellum architecture, it’s easy to forget that the natural setting of Savannah is just as pretty as the man-made elements. GreenFeet Walkabouts is here to remind us. A certified plant professional takes nature lovers on a walking tour through the plants, flowers and trees of Savannah, “a perfect blend of science, storytelling and the natural beauty of coastal Georgia.”

And of course, no trip to Savannah would be complete without a glimpse into the dark side. There’s plenty of outfitters that offer ghost tours, but if you want to go all out and totally unusual, Hearse Ghost Tours is the only company to do it with. That’s because it’s the only company to chauffeur you around town in an actual hearse. They truly go the extra mile to spook visitors, and deliver a one-of-a-kind Savannah experience.

Steeped in a lingering sense of history, Savannah can sometimes feel downright haunted. Which is probably why there’s some 30 outfitters providing ghost tours throughout the city. While they range in quality, there’s only one that goes the extra mile—and does it in a real hearse. Hearse Ghost Tours is the most gloriously bizarre of Savannah’s ghost tours. Sure, it stops at the usual cemeteries and haunted spots, but delves way deeper into sordid histories—and it also drives you around town in a hearse. It just may be your most enjoyable hearse ride ever.

If you’re not sufficiently spooked yet, the Sorrel-Weed House should give you adequate shivers. The first home in Georgia to be designated as an historical landmark comes complete with a turbulent past. Take an evening or daytime tour, and learn all about the darker side of Savannah’s history.

Though one of the biggest names in American literature, most travelers skip over the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home. The modest home is where the seeds were planted for some of the most riveting and disturbing modern short stories. Check out the family’s library and, if you really want to get the juices flowing, attend a writing workshop.

If you want to sample what the creative forces of Savannah are doing today, head over to Chroma Gallery. The fine art gallery features local contemporary artists, with a focus on new and emerging artists.

And if you’re looking for something truly offbeat and purely Savannah, check out SCAD’s Lucas Theatre for the Arts. The renovated historic theater is run by the Savannah College of Art and Design, and brings the coolest and most unusual things in the city to the stage. Enjoy top-notch concerts, operas, plays and films with cultured locals. The only other travelers may be the performers—but that’s not always a bad thing in Savannah.

Southern cuisine reigns supreme in Savannah’s restaurants, with a healthy dose of the nature’s abundant seafood offerings. But with so many restaurants serving up steaming plates of low-country goodness, it can be hard for a traveler to know where to find best of the best. Just join the queue at these locals-favorites. We promise it will be worth the wait.

Hands-down the biggest Savannah star, Lady & Sons is a must for every eater. Run by local celebrity Paula Deen and family, you know you’re getting close to the W Congress Street restaurant when you get engulfed by the aroma of crab—and the intimidatingly long line. But Lady & Sons more than earns any time waiting. The menu is heavy on seafood, with everything from Shrimp and Grits to Crab Stew, but fans also swear by the fried chicken. Choose from the buffet or a la carte menu, but either way, be sure not to miss out on this Savannah institution.

Just as much of an institution, but many claim far better, is Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room. The charming Mrs. Wilkes may have passed on to the big kitchen in the sky, but the restaurant is still cranking out the favorites that have won the hearts of locals and travelers since 1940. Family-style dining and a warm staff enhance the cozy, no-fuss Southern vibe that the cuisine inspires. Fried chicken, black eyed peas, beef stew and, of course, that famous low-country boil are what motivates fans to brave the hour-plus wait.

Most likely, Lady & Sons and Mrs. Wilkes’ won’t sate your appetite for Southern fare, but merely get it going. Then it’s time to check out some of the lesser-known stars. Uber-historic and just-a-tad-cheeky, The Pirate’s House has been feeding travelers, including the likes of pirates, since 1753. Kids will get a kick out of the pirate-themed decor, and the huge portions promise to satisfy.

For a twist of something different, make the well-deserved journey outside of Downtown to Sweet Potato’s Kitchen. The menu stays true to Southern favorites like peach-glazed barbecue or bourbon molasses chicken, but aims for healthier version with a Caribbean flair. Make sure to try a dish with their signature Jerk seasoning. It’s comfort food with plenty of Savannah soul.

Sure, the city’s got oceanside resorts full of modern amenities like WiFi and fitness clubs. But if you really want to immerse yourself in the spirit of Georgia, and the way in which the region’s finest have been indulging for decades, these three resorts are the places to go. Some might involve a bit of a drive, but we swear it’ll be worth it.

Along the Georgia coast, Sea Island is a luxury resort destination par excellence. With an array for five-star lodging facilities and outdoor activities ranging from golf, to kayaking classes, to a 13-acre equestrian center, Sea Island may sound overwhelming. But one look at the natural seaside setting and one gust of fresh ocean air, and you’ll immediately be put at ease. Indulge in everything from massages to 24-hour butler service. Delivering warm hospitality since 1928, the resort’s 80-plus years of success are focused around preserving its greatest natural asset: the stunning scenery.

Another seaside retreat steeped in even more opulent history, Jekyll Island Club Hotel pays homage to its glamorous past while delivering some seriously swanky amenities. The landmark was a social club for Savannah’s elite and its restoration efforts have been focused on more than just maintaining the exquisite Victorian building. Hosting everything from historic tours to croquet to horse-drawn carriage rides, the resort immerses you in the high life of Georgia’s yesterday—and the beauty of its coastline.

But if you don’t want to head totally out of the city, and want to indulge in the heart of the Historic District, Mansion on Forsyth Park is the place to go. A boutique-hotel-cum-resort, the lavish neo-Romanesque building is enhanced by more than 400 works of fine art—even its own Grand Bohemian Gallery. Versace armchairs and Beaux Arts statues adorned the mansion that includes a marble garden courtyard and Viennese ballroom. You may forget what era you’re in, but you certainly won’t forget where you are: Savannah.