Savannah

Overview

Savannah means “treeless plain” in Spanish, but there’s nothing plain about this Georgian jewel of a city. Savannah is a romantic, elegant and historic city, known for its bustling riverfront, Spanish-moss-swathed stately squares and Southern friendliness. It’s tempting to spend time just relaxing on a B&B’s wide verandah while sipping mint juleps, but there are plenty of memorable museums, grand mansions and haunted cemeteries to explore.

Savannah’s historic district’s main draw is its antebellum houses embellished with intricate iron balconies cascading with creeping greenery and fragrant flowers. Ride a horse-drawn carriage to the Owens-Thomas House and Museum famed for its decorative arts or the nearby Telfair Academy‘s fine collection of American Impressionism. Not to be missed is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah’s pride and joy with its stained-glass window and exquisite ceiling murals.

Savannah’s waterfront transports its visitors to an eighteenth-century European cobblestone street port. Once filled with cotton warehouses, it is now lined with seafood restaurants, salty bars and chic boutiques. Try stepping back in time by indulging yourself on a paddle-wheel riverboat cruise or join a historic or ghost hunt tour of the 150-year-old Bonaventure Cemetery with its tree-lined roadways and elegant statuary.

Considered one of the country’s best food cities, Savannah has a huge selection of incredible dining for discerning foodies. With entrees such as shrimp and grits, bourbon BBQ oysters or seafood pot pie, choosing a culinary experience can become an exacting exercise.