A weekend in July of 2022 found us exploring the streets of historic Savannah, Georgia. We flew down on a Friday and back early Sunday so we really didn’t do much other than wander through the streets and parks, while enjoying time together and relaxing. We also ate. A lot.
About Savannah
Savannah, Georgia, established in 1733 is the oldest city in Georgia. It was originally part of the British Colonies. Situated on the Savannah River, bordering South Carolina, this city was an important port during the Revolutionary War and also the Civil War. Historic Savannah is a beautiful area with 22 town park squares, victorian homes, historic buildings, and also a river district. We only had a short time in Savannah so therefore decided to walk along the streets and see the historic sights with the hope of returning again someday to explore the town more thoroughly.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
Noted to be the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the state of Georgia, it was built in the 1870’s. Unfortunately a fire in 1898 destroyed it but was rebuilt to the glory we see today.
Historic Jones Street
If you are in Historic Savannah strolling on the streets, historic Jones Street is a must. During breakfast our waiter directed us to this street, assuring us it is the most beautiful street in the area. This street is lined with stately trees trimmed in moss, not to mention beautiful historic homes. Walking along the paved brick sidewalk I could picture days gone by as folks for years have promenaded up and down this charming area. For more on Jones Street you can check this link.
Town Parks
As I mentioned above, there are 22 town park squares in this area. Each one is unique and also dedicated to someone or has some historical connection. The shady parks offer a refuge during the hot southern days. Some of the parks have statues whereas others have fountains. The location of the largest and most famous fountain is Forsyth park. I loved the plaques located throughout the parks and the historic district which give information and details about the places, people, and history of Savannah.
River Street
River Street in Savannah is a historic street that runs along the Savannah River. It is a historic area that once housed cotton warehouses. You can now find shops, restaurants, pubs as well as scenic views of the river. River Street also has a busy night life scene.
Where We Dined
Boars Head Grill and Tavern
The Boar’s Head Grill and Tavern is located along the Waterfront in a 1780 cotton warehouse. It has the feel of an old pub. We ate lunch here and it was excellent. Steve had fish and chips and I had a salad with blackened chicken. We shared a piece of Jack Daniels Chocolate Pecan Pie for dessert and it was as decadent as it sounds.
The Pirate’s House
This restaurant is not only a lot of fun and very historic, but is delicious as well. The Pirate’s House has been an Inn and Tavern since 1753. This is a place where pirates actually hung out. There are tunnels under the building that lead to the river. Pirates would kidnap men by getting them drunk, hauling them through the tunnels and consequently force them into labor on their ships! The building is original and is built around the oldest home in Georgia, called the Herb House. The Herb House was built in 1734. We not only enjoyed the dinner here but enjoyed the overall experience. Not surprisingly, Steve had shrimp and grits again! I ordered fried chicken. Comparatively, the baking powder biscuits were the best I have ever tasted! Check out The Pirate’s House at this Link.
Alligator Soul
All things considered, Alligator Soul took dining to a whole new level. We ate here our second evening and it was fantastic. The ambiance was that of an old speakeasy, especially since the restaurant itself is in the basement. Service was impeccable and the food was amazing. Steve had shrimp and grits and I had a filet (well done per my request). The bread here was amazing. I do not remember what the dessert is but it was delicious. You can see more of Alligator Soul at this link. * Travelers tip– Make reservations early. I made mine about a month ahead of time and there were few spots for two left.
Where We Stayed
The DeSoto
The DeSoto is in historic Savanah and walking distance within everyplace mentioned in this post. We enjoyed our stay here. The view from our room was very nice and the balcony was a great spot to sit and relax on. We took advantage of the outdoor pool here as the weather was steamy. In addition, we also enjoyed breakfast each morning. We will make this our base again if we return to Savannah. You can read more about The DeSoto at this link. *Travelers Tip- Ask for an upgrade. We fortunately were upgraded as long as we didn’t mind being in room 1313 on the 13th floor. We took it and just check out that view!
Conclusion
There is so much more to do and see in the streets of historic Savannah than we experienced during our short time here. All in all we had time to relax and completely enjoyed doing not much of anything.
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Follow these links for more of my posts from the Historic South
Historic Charleston Restaurants, SC
A Photo Tour of Historic Charleston