Savannah is located in the southeastern part of Georgia about halfway between Charleston, South Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida, on the Savannah River. Downtown is just about 20 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Savannah and the colony of Georgia was founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, a soldier and member of the British Parliament. Savannah was the first planned city in America! You will love the layout and design of this beautiful place. Oglethorpe arrived in Savannah in 1733 on the ship Anne and was greeted by Tomochichi, a Creek Indian Chief, and Mary Musgrove, a local interpreter. Savannah became a very important port to the British during the Colonial Period and later to the Continental Army and the Confederacy. The city played a substantial role in the development of the British colonies and in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
The colony was founded for two reasons. First, it was to protect Charleston from Spanish Florida. Second, it was to alleviate overcrowded prisons in Great Britain. South Carolina was making King George a lot of money, but the Spanish from Florida kept attacking Charleston causing all sorts of problems. King George needed a buffer zone between Spanish Florida and Charleston to protect his interests. General Oglethorpe was a member of the British Parliament, and one of his major campaigns was the overcrowding of prisons. The two combined their ideas and thoughts, and Georgia was born. This new settlement was named after King George, of course. The British could release debtors from prison, and they could live in Savannah. They could farm the land and fight to protect valuable Charleston from the Spanish!
Savannah is a beautiful southern city with historic houses, cobblestone streets, gorgeous parks, great restaurants, art museums, churches, a river walk, and the best coffee houses in the South! It is also just minutes from the beach. It is truly a place to relax and enjoy some much needed time off. The city is one of the most walkable you will ever visit. You can spend hours and hours just walking and exploring the historic downtown area with its beautiful squares, gardens, architecture, and history. Also, don’t forget historic Bonaventure Cemetery! Just minutes from downtown, Bonaventure is commonly referred to as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the United States. Did I mention that there is history at every turn? Between forts, mansions, lighthouses, museums, history of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, cemeteries, famous people, and history tours with Wise Guys, you will have the vacation of a lifetime right here in Savannah, Georgia!
What to do in Savannah:
- Take a Walking Tour of the Historic Downtown Area with Wise Guys Historical Tours
- Take a walk down River Street and enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants
- Relax and read a book in Forsyth Park or one of the beautiful town squares
- Visit Tybee Island Beach, the Light House, and Fort Pulaski
- Visit the Webb Military Museum
- Take a Golf Cart Tour of Bonaventure Cemetery with Wise Guys Historical Tours
- Visit Wormsloe Plantation and Isle of Hope
- Take a River Boat Cruise
- Enjoy the great food and atmosphere in one of Savannah’s many great eateries
- Try to Escape at the Escape Room!
- Shop on Broughton Street
- Take a tour of an old historic mansion
Where to Eat Breakfast/Brunch in Savannah:
- Debbi’s
- Sunny Side Up
- Goose Feathers
- The Collins Quarter
- The Funky Brunch Cafe
- J. Matthews Eatery
- Tortuga’s
Where to Eat Lunch in Savannah:
- Zunzi’s
- Finches
- Tubby’s
- Hitch
- Treylor Park
- Tequila Town
- The Mellow Mushroom
- Mrs.Wilkes Dining Room
- The Six Pence
- Fire Street Food
Where to Eat Dinner in Savannah:
- The Crystal Beer Parlor
- The Pirate’s House
- The Frali Gourmet
- The Public
- The Olde Pink House
- The Vault
- Churchill’s
- Flock to the Wok
- Coco and Moss
Where to Drink Coffee in Savannah:
- Gallery Espresso
- Foxy Loxy Cafe
- Savannah Coffee Roasters
- Blue Door Coffee and Waffles
Best Hole in the Wall Eatery:
- The Black Rabbit
- Sly’s Burgers and Fries
- Flauco’s Tacos
- Sandfly BBQ