Coastal Georgian Jewel

By: DIRK DESOUZA

At once an elegant, cocktail-in-hand Southern belle celebrating her Revolutionary War lineage, and wackadoodle liberal arts sanctuary wafting with paranormal giddiness, Savannah transcends its aura of horse-drawn carriages on cobblestones.

 

WHAT TO KNOW
Pedestrian friendly and hopelessly romantic, get lost in the nooks and greenery of 22 monument-and-fountain-adorned squares shaded by century-old oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Museums and craft breweries; art galleries and theaters; cemetery tours; and independent eateries, boutique shopping, and paddle-wheeled riverboats are all must-dos on your itinerary. All that, plus a visit to the world-famous Savannah College of Art & Design.

 

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

Lunch
A residential street unfurls to The Wyld Dock Bar, a Hamptons-like whitewashed waterfront compound of airy delight. Buried in a stunning marsh, The Wyld offers refreshing drinks, fire pits, hanging bench swings, and over-water dining. Order the watermelon drizzled in olive oil, lime and sea salt, chased by a world-class Gin Basil Smash.

Dinner & Drinks
Helmed by Netflix and James Beard darling chef Mashama Bailey, The Grey inhabits a 1938 Greyhound bus station lovingly transformed into a lustrous, sexy, and soulful upscale Southern diner. Pair an exceptional garnacha rosé cava with briny oysters, Grilled Peaches & Ricotta, and creole Smothered Quail. After dinner, beeline to the riverside Electric Moon Skytop Lounge for a Power Grid cocktail under the stars.

 

WHERE TO STAY
Period-authentic chambers or modern comfort, Savannah’s gracious hospitality radiates.

Kehoe House
Columbia Square Park curtsies toward this stunning and intimate Queen Anne Revival that’s cloaked in crimson bricks, Victorian fixtures, and truncated turrets. Handcrafted in 1892 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this is the #1 rated hotel in the city, featuring 13 distinct suites, some with private balconies and fireplaces.

Perry Lane Hotel
This two-building enclave of luxuriously cozy modernism is bathed in curated art, gorgeous furnishings, and the city’s hippest rooftop pool and bar. Play the grand piano in the library, crush skee-ball opponents in the arcade, and eat at The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market. The stylish rooms exude a richness of colorful leathers, bold paints, and pet-friendly plank wood flooring.

 

WHAT TO DO
Spread a picnic blanket in Savannah’s 30-acre Forsyth Park, replete with children’s playground. Sojourn to the scenic beachfront of Tybee Island, driving past Paula Dean’s and Sandra Bullock’s majestic homes. See the city by horse-drawn carriage, trolley tour, or riverboat cruise.

Follow Us