Day 1 You'll See:
- Historic Grand Tour
- Fort Pulaski
- Bayou Cafe
- Saunter in Savannah
- Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum
- Roundhouse Railroad Museum
- Savannah Theater
Day 2 You'll See:
Spend your Georgian weekend getaway with a blissful two days in the charming southern city of Savannah! On this trip your group will get the best of historic Savannah, cultural Savannah, and even natural Savannah. Spend some time touring the city, visiting local major forts from the past, and eating in some of the very best local eateries. Your group will have the chance to visit the Savannah City Market, get some beach time at Tybee Island, learn about the local Civil Rights movement, and even have the chance to see a ghost or two with the famous Savannah Ghost Tour. See why people are calling Savannah "The most charming city in the South," "The most haunted city in the U.S.," and one of the most diverse food scenes in the nation!
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Historic Grand Tour - There are several different and equally excellent tours throughout the city of Savannah, including this Historic Grand Tour by Oglethorpe Trolley/Blue Trolley tours. This fully narrated deluxe trolley tour allows your group to discover Savannah, the birthplace of Southern hospitality! Your group will have the choice of making the 12 planned stops, one and a half hours of city history narration, or take advantage of the hop on hop off trolley, deciding yourselves what you want to see and when you want to see it. The 2.2 miles covered are comprised of beautiful streets, historic waterfront, and city squares that encompass over 260 years of history. Your ticket will also give you admission to your choice of a premier historic home, and during the tour you will see your fair share as well, your stops including such popular stops as the Savannah theater, Harper Fowles House, Factors Walk, Emmet Park, Mercer House, and City Hall.
Fort Pulaski - Just 20 miles east of historic Savannah your group will find your next stop, Fort Pulaski National Monument. This National Historic Landmark is located on Cockspur Island, right betwixt Savannah and Tybee Island. Most of the homemade bricks that comprise Fort Pulaski came from the local historic Hermitage Plantation, an estimated total of about 25,000,000 bricks! The walls of the fort are 11 feet thick, at the time penetrated only by a smooth bore cannon. During the Civil War a rifled cannon caused the Confederate armies to surrender, a siege that became a landmark experiment in the history of military science and invention. While here your group can follow in the footsteps of revolutionary thinkers, great engineering minds, fearless commanders (the fort's namesake for example, Polish commander Kazimierz Pulaski), and thousands of workers and soldiers who fought for and built this "third system coastal fort."
Bayou Cafe - What better place to stop for lunch than the locally loved Bayou Cafe? This unique riverside joint is located on the bustling River Street and is famous for it’s live music, full bar, and absolutely excellent Cajun and Creole cuisine. The Bayou Cafe is one of Savannah’s landmark live music venues, providing the very best live classic rock and local blues for over 20 years now, seven nights a week. Not only is the music fine, but so is that traditional southern seafood cuisine, the cafe serving the best seafood, wraps, burgers, fish, chowder, sandwiches, and veggie friendly dishes. Try the popular alligator gumbo, jambalaya, or etouffee before heading over to the gift store to buy some of the Bayou Cafe’s famous hot sauce, with "flavor in front, and a kick in the back." If at all possible be sure to stay until 9 pm, when the lights go down and the music amps come up! This is the perfect stop for sure fire fun, quality food, and friendly southern service!
Saunter in Savannah - This local walking tour is a perfect introduction to the history of the city, a one to two hour long narrated tour that captures centuries of enthralling Savannah history, from the most famous people and most popular culture, to the most prominent religion and most celebrated architecture. On this tour you can experience Savannah’s distinct ambiance that was inspired by James Oglethorpe's vision of a unique square design, a truly enchanting southern jewel of a city. The tour departs from the John Wesley monument in Reynolds Square and will take you by the Squares of Bull Street, through hidden gardens, into local inns such as the Eliza Thompson House, and to many other historic landmarks such as the Mercer House and Forsyth Park. Be sure to wear your walking shoes and bring some water to beat that famous Savannah steaming saunter.
Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum - Welcome to the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, the beloved Civil Rights museum in Savannah that honors the life, work, and effects of the late Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert. Dr. Gilbert is known as the father of modern civil rights, as well as the leader of the Georgia NAACP. Inside this museum your group will find photos, interactive exhibits, and films detailing the Civil Rights movement and African American history in general. There are three floors of historic photos and interactive exhibits that show a glimpse of life during Savannah’s civil struggle, chronicling the lives of Georgia’s oldest African American Community from the time of slavery to today. Your group may take a guided tour or just stroll around the museum themselves, discovering the lecture halls, classrooms, video and reading rooms, African American book collection, and gift shop.
Roundhouse Railroad Museum - Located at Old Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Shops and Term Facilities at the Tricentennial Park in Savannah your group will find their next stop, the Roundhouse Railroad Museum. Explore over 100 years of history, a vibrant stretch of Savannah’s industrial heritage that serves as the largest and most complete Antebellum Railroad repair facility still in existence today. This National Historic Landmark shows impressive displays of historic rail cars and rolling stock, plus informative guided tours and daily train rides. Your group will walk the grounds, learn about the building functions, and take part in any scheduled daily activities as you ride into Savannah, and the country’s, past! Once on site your group will have the chance to discover the fully operational turntable and choose between the No. 30 steam locomotive built in 1913 or the more modern No. 119 diesel built in 1947 for your own fun historic ride!
Savannah Theater - What began in 1818 as a humble yet highly awaited community theater on Chippewa Square has today turned into one of the oldest and most celebrated continually operating theaters in the United States, a true culture icon and historic landmark for the city of Savannah. Located at its central location of 222 Bull Street, the historic Savannah Theater showcases both live performances and movie showings, a popular place to find entertainment both in the past and today. This 1940s art deco style building will undoubtedly impress your group with its resilient architecture and history alone. Since its inception Savannah Theater has seen the likes of such great actors and actresses as Oscar Wilde, Ty Cobb, Otis Skinner, Julia Marlowe, Edwin Booth, and rumors of John Wilkes Booth. Be sure to check out the museum in the lobby, full of fun artifacts, newspaper articles, and photographs from the past!
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Breakfast at Huey’s - Start your day with breakfast or brunch at Huey’s on the River, a bustling cafe featuring foods of New Orleans with a seafood savvy focus, located on the River Front right behind City Hall. At Huey’s you can try a world famous beignet, award-winning Bloody Mary, or stroll down the river with great food at any time of the day and undoubtedly have a great time. As the crew at Huey’s likes to say "Laissez le bon temp rouler!" (Let the good times roll)! Try the world-famous Muffuletta sandwich or oyster po boy for lunch, or a deliciously filling Bayou seafood platter or red beans and rice for dinner. Breakfast and brunch are always a treat, with such wonders as the crab cake benedict, seafood omelette, or N’awlins style french toast with pecan butter. Desert is always great with any meal, especially when its homemade chocolate pecan pie with fresh Georgia pecans! Your group, your stomach, and your pocketbook will all thank you after this stop!
City Market - Since the early 1700s Savannah’s City Market has been an absolute hub of commercial and social interaction, playing a huge role in the city’s economic and cultural history. This four-block location is today a successful mixed-use project in what is known to be the "nation’s largest historic district" in downtown Savannah. Once here your group will be bombarded with a wealth of things to do, a vast range of fun entertainment, dining, art, and retail options. You will be able to shop all the eclectic blends of specialty shops and discover plenty of unique Savannah gifts, art, and even homemade candy. Before you go make sure you take advantage of the casual atmosphere and outdoor dining eateries, or perhaps courtyard picnics, from such celebrated local restaurants as Belford's or Vinnie Van Go Go’s.
Vinnie Van Go Go’s - Where can you find New York style pizza here in Savannah, Georgia? Vinnie Van Go Go’s, that’s where! Vinnie Van Go Go’s is a casual pizza joint known for their generous slices and Neapolitan thin, hearty crust pizza pies. Vinnie Van Go Go’s makes fresh dough daily (nightly to be exact), one of the main reasons customers come back time after time. Pair that with the freshly grated parmesan and mozzarella and the rich and hearty tomato sauce and you have a winning pizza combination unlike any other. The menu features whole pies and single slices, your choices being cheese, white, pesto, or toppings. You can also get classic spinach salads or homemade calzones while here! Food Network has named Vinnie Van Go Go’s the "Best in Georgia" in the 50 States 50 Pizzas competition, and the eatery has received several other local Savannah bests since opening!
Tybee Island - Welcome to Tybee Island, Savannah’s own premiere beach! Tybee Island is abound with artistic, historic, and cultural offerings, with so much to do there is no way you can fit it all into one day. There are several various activities, attractions, shops, monuments, and eateries to explore here, so put on your walking shoes, grab your camera, and prepare yourselves for tons of Tybee Island fun. Attend a session at the marine science center, which provides educational programs on the beach, the marsh, the water, or in the coastal gallery, or perhaps climb the 178 steps to the top of the lighthouse and catch that unbelievable view. You can even tour a museum within a 1898 artillery battery! If you’re in more of the mood for some serious relaxation this is still the place to be, featuring over five miles of gorgeous Atlantic shoreline. The beach here is wide, clean, and full of gentle lapping waves, the fine granite sand coming from the eroded Appalachian Mountains. Take some time to bike, bird watch, fish, take part in watersports, explore parks and playgrounds, or even shop till you drop!
Old Savannah Ghost Tours - Established in 1979, Old Savannah Tours has been the largest and best tour in Savannah! During any of the several offered tours Savannah history will come to life, with uniquely personal descriptions of Savannah’s rich and spellbinding past. If you want a more spooky tour you’re going to love the Historic Haunts Savannah tour, a tour through what is known to be the "most haunted city" in the nation. See the spirits and ghosts of the Rum Cellar or Sorrel Weed House, both featured on Ghost Adventures, on this creepy yet educational two hour tour! This is the perfect way to spend your second night in Savannah, learning important local history while seeing more of the most famous city sites!