Savannah GA News | America's Hostess City 365 Days a Year

Published on July 29, 2014

Did you know Savannah had 12.1 million people visit last year contributing a healthy $2.7 billion to the local economy? It's not surprising that one in seven jobs available are tourism related. Savannah also boasts the fourth largest port in the world supplying goods from all over the globe and attracting visitors from everywhere over, too!

For those Baby Boomers ready to relocate to the South, beautiful Savannah neighborhoods offer vignette style homes acquiescent to the Victorian Era. Choices include family oriented neighborhoods near the downtown riverfront, a vacation beach home on Tybee Island or a quiet gated neigborhood on Skidaway Island. Perhaps, you're simply visiting and wish to stay in one of the best Savannah hotels.

Whatever brings you to this charming historical city, the fun things to do in Savannah are endless! Tasty restaurants to pirate bars or one of a kind shopping to riverboat sunset cruises. Explore museums, take a horsedrawn carriage ride during Savannah festivals rich to learn about the southern history. The Hostess City of Savannah knows its role and plays it well.

2.9 million people visited Savannah last year for museums and historical landmarks! Any day of the week fun things to do in Savannah are easily accessible. Here are some monumental activities worth exploring:

RIVER STREET RIVERBOAT COMPANY - 9 East River Street/ PO Box 10086 Savannah, GA 31412/ 800-786-6404 The Savannah River Queen & The Georgia Queen are equipped for a myriad of events: Harbor sightseeing cruise, Moonlight cruises, luncheons, brunches, Gospel dinners, charter for private parties, or solve a murder mystery dinner.

TELFAIR MUSEUM - JEPSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS - 207 West York Lane, Savannah, GA 31412/ 912-790- 8800 Binds Telfair’s past and present through contemporary arts. Home to Telfair’s Kurt Vernadoe Collection. Explore the Telfair Academy Mansion or the Owens- Thomas House, designed by architectural genius William Jay in a Neoclassical Regency style; private and group tours available.

WILDERNESS SOUTHEAST - 3025 Bull Street, #302 Savannah, GA 31405/ 912-236-8115 Partake in a kayak or canoe tour through Savannah’s black waters: Wild Island Explorations, Black River Float, Salt Marsh by Land or Sea, Birding, The Urban Forest, The Forest Fringe, Native Plants: Edible, Medicinal & Otherwise Useful, Explore the Night Sky, Parks in the Dark, River Swamps & Reptiles; you can even create your own nature tour!

TRICENTENNIAL PARK - 303 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 31401/ 912-651-2338 Educated Georgians, tourists, and anyone interested in Savannah’s history available in three museums: Savannah History Museum, Georgia State Railroad Museum, & Savannah Children’s Museum.

Tasty restaurants & prirate bars along the Savannah River are a favorite foodie crawl along the waterfront. In fact, 2.86 million people dined in Savannah last year. It's probably safe to say most folks come back for seconds!

SIX PENCE PUB - 245 Bull Street / 912-201-8697 Located across from the famous Chippewa Square (Forrest Gump Bench scene) this pub offers a bit of British faire in the south, branded as “The Most Authentic British Pub in Georgia.” Extensive beer and wine list. Family owned.

BARRACUDA BOBS - 19 East River Street/ 912-777-4381 Inspired by Lowcountry taste offering dishes like Gator Tail Appetizer with Tabasco Aioli and Pecan Crusted Trout. A place with warm Southern hospitality and intriguing atmosphere.

LADY & SON - 102 West Congress Street/ 912-233-2600 Paula Deen and sons’ original recipes and her most famous restaurant to date. Try some of the South’s traditional eats like shrimp and grits or some fried green tomatoes.

VICS ON THE RIVER - 26 East Bay Street/ 912- 721- 1000 Enjoy a view of the Savannah River while enjoying Contemporary Southern Cuisine and jazz.

OLDE PINK HOUSE - 23 Abercorn Street/ 912-232-4286 Legendary! The oldest home in Reynolds Square transformed to a restaurant. No visit to the south can be great without stopping at the Olde Pink House.

5.55 million people shopped in Savannah last year, could they be wrong? We think, not! Savannah shops at City Market are located downtown and offer great boutiques that stay true to Southern Style and décor! Enjoy daily entertainment in the courtyard. Here are the shops found at City Market located up and down Julian, Jefferson, or Bryan Street.

All Things Georgia/ 912-233-8816
Byrd Cookie Company/ 912-233-8816
Cinnamon Bear/912-232-2888
Savannah Cigars/ 912-233-2643
Savannah’s Prose And Poetry/ 912-232-3134
Savannah’s Candy Kitchen/ 912-201-9501
Scents of Savannah/ 912-447-1817
Silver Silk and Beads/ 912-236-2890
Trolley Stop Gifts/ 912-233-5604
Twinkle/ 912-234-1001

Numerous Savannah Festivals & Street Celebrations cater to Georgia’s extensive history, never forgetting to celebrate where Georgia is now. These include:

FEBRUARY - Georgia’s Heritage Society Colonial Faire and Muster: James Oglethorpe founded Georgia on Feb 12, 1733. Celebrate the study and preservation of that heritage on Feb 12th!

MARCH - St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17th: Drink green beer and eat green grits while the famous ST. Patrick’s Day Parade fills the streets of Savannah!

Annual Tour of Homes & Garden: Available in March because spring is gorgeous in Georgia. Take a self-guided tour through Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District homes and witness some of the most beautiful homes and gardens

APRIL - Sidewalk Art Festival: Thousands of people attend this event in April. Watch the students and faculty from Savannah’s college of Art & Design (SCAD) decorate the sidewalks with art. Music, Fair and food.

NOVEMBER - Savannah Harbor Boat Parade of Lights: Kicks off the holiday season in November. Watch more than 60 yachts parade down the Savannah River

Here are some of the best Savannah Hotels featuring gorgeous views that reveal Savannah’s true beauty with close proximity to landmarks, shops and more! Tradition meets contemporary is a common theme in Savannah!

ANDAZ SAVANNAH - 14 Barnard Street/ 912-233-2116 Located in Savannah’s Historic District and just steps away from the shops at City Market. 151 stylish guest rooms. Dine at 22 Square Restaurant and enjoy Head Chef Lauren Teague’s take on local cuisine using local products.

BOHEMIAN - 102 West Bay Street/ 912-721-3800 Features original works of art. Bohemian style mixed with southern swank and overlooks the Savannah River.

HYATT REGENCY SAVANNAH - West Bay Street/ 912-238-1234 Located near the Riverfront Plaza. 351 guest rooms with river, city or atrium views. Enjoy a light bite at Vu Lounge.

MANSION ON FORSYTH - 700 Drayton Street/ 912- 238-5158 Designated the Top US Hotel by Conde’ Nast Traveler. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails under masterful chandeliers and fine cuisine at 700 Drayton. Luxurious services at Poseidon Spa. Treat yourself right while staying in Savannah!

Breathtaking homes offer traditional plantation settings and Lowcountry estate styles in many beautiful Savannah neighborhoods. Neighborhoods we've scored include:

FORD PLANTATION - Formerly Henry Ford’s winter estate, this community is located on Lake Clara and offers a plethora of facilities like an equestrian center, marina with boat slips, tennis courts, state of the art fitness center, 10 miles of walking trails, a Peter Dye golf course, and, a full service spa. Prices range from $500k to over $3 million.

SAVANNAH QUARTERS - Single Family homes are available in four locations; Westbrook, Westbrook Lakes, The Gates, And Hamilton Grove priced in the $140k's to the high $300k range. Townhomes are available in Westbrook Villas and The Fairways ranging in the low $200k's. Dedicated to parkland, nature preserves, lakes and lagoons making this golf community quite a breathtaking experience.

SOUTHBRIDGE - Homes in this tight knit Savannah neighborhood range from $200k to over $2 million offering a spa, fitness facility, a Rees Jones golf course, golf clubhouse, tennis, walking and biking trails, and, including, playground and sports field.

THE LANDINGS - A very large community that offers over 4,600 acres of property, 40 miles of walking trails, 34 tennis courts with a 500 seat stadium, and 6 Championship golf courses designed by Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, and Arnold Palmer. Homes range in 200k to well into million and offer very private land plots.

WATERWAYS TOWNSHIP - 3 ½ miles of lagoon winding through the diverse eco-system. This tranquil waterway community offers a Bill Dance Signature Fishing Experience on the Grand Lagoon. Amenities include community gardens, hiking and biking trails and has plans for a marina, a swim and fitness club and a Tom Fazio golf course. Homes are priced in the $200k to $500k range.

Whether you want to experience the best Savannah hotels when you visit this historical town, or you are looking for the best Savannah neighborhoods to call home, there are always fun things to do in Savannah 365 days a year! So, why did so many people visit the Hostess City last year? The proof is in the pudding (the Homemade Bread Pudding at the Six Pence Pub… Yummy!)

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