Is Savannah Really the South's Most Charming City?

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Get lost for days on the charming cobblestone streets of Savannah. (Photo: Thinkstock)

In terms of small Southern cities, Charleston always rakes in the accolades. Perhaps it’s to Savannah’s credit that it remains a humble runner up.

Still, in our opinion, Savannah should receive equal praise. The booming nightlife, up-and-coming art scene, epicurean delights and beguiling ghostly history are all reasons to visit this coastal getaway. But, it’s the enchanting Southern hospitality, like the hotel loaning a car for longer than allowed or the waitress telling you to get the best pralines at a different restaurant down the street, that greets you at every cobblestone step and perfectly manicured square that makes any trip to the city one-of-a-kind.

Every local is eager to dish out his or her favorite jaunt, tidbit or historical fact making Savannah an escape filled with impromptu tour guides. With the Savannah Food and Wine Festival kicking off November 9 and shoulder season in full swing (aka lower rates for accommodations), there’s no better time to visit one of the country’s oldest and most beautiful cities.

Here’s our guide to the perfect visit to Savannah:

Where to stay

Although millions of visitors descend on the mini metropolis each year, colorful Victorian-style bed and breakfasts overshadow many of the major hotel chains. Places like the magnolia-framed Hamilton-Turner Inn (starting at $239 a night), aka the “Grand Victorian Lady,” greet you with gourmet snacks, host breakfast each day in the formal dining room, and have rooms and suites that retain elements of décor from its 1873 origination.

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Don’t even think about staying in a chain here. Savannah has more to offer. (Photo: Hamilton-Turner Inn)

You don’t even have to step beyond the hotel’s front steps for a mini history lesson of the area. Not only was it the first home in Savannah to have electricity, but also was the residence of the real life Joe Odom, a party boy made famous by his depiction in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Just steps from the famous Forest Gump bench scene filmed in Chippewa Square sits another former 19th century home now called Ballastone Inn (starting at $249 a night) that has housed virtually every celebrity like Paul Newman, Matt Damon and Kevin Spacey while they filmed in town. You can easily walk to the nearby antique shops and busy River Street during the day before retiring to a four-poster bed and fireplace overlooking a courtyard in the evening. Make sure to check their website for special fall deals taking place right now.

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The Marshall House, a 68-room hotel on Broughton Street has one of the best locations in town. (Photo: The Marshall House)

Other stunning options include The Marshall House (starting at $254 a night), Planters Inn (starting at $129 a night) and Mansion on Forsyth Park (starting at $189 a night).

Where to eat

Equally as impressive as the Southern hospitality is the Low Country cooking. And nothing says home cooked comfort food like the famous Mrs. Wilkes (107 W. Jones St). Only open weekdays from 11am-2pm, the line starts to form at 10am for the first seating.

Once inside you’ll be treated to an endless supply of family-style Southern staples like macaroni and cheese, collared greens, candied yams, black-eyed peas, biscuits and, of course, juicy fried chicken. Sitting next to strangers and bussing your own dishes is all just part of the authentic allure of the family style dining experience.

For the more high society Southern meal The Olde Pink House (23 Abercorn St.), which is literally situated in an old pink mansion, serves up a more modern take on the classic cuisine and hosts live music in the cellar tavern bar.

Elizabeth on 37th (105 E. 37th St.) is equally as elegant with its focus on coastal cuisine and locally grown produce.

Of course there is absolutely no shortage of tasty lunch spots. Crystal Beer Parlor (301 W. Jones St.), Zunzi’s (108 E. York St.) and Fire Street Food (13 E. Perry St.) are all delicious stops for a midday snack If you have room for dessert (and who doesn’t), be sure to check out the popular Leopold’s Ice Cream (212 E Broughton St.), which makes its one-batch flavors exactly as they did when they first opened in 1919.

What to do:

With 22 green squares, over 20 museums, countless ghost tales and zero open container laws, there’s a lot packed into this relatively small place.

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Fans of the famous “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” should make sure to stop by the official gift shop. (Photo: Jo Piazza)

You can easily navigate the Spanish moss draped streets hopping from square to square while stopping into the various mom-and-pop shops.

Make sure to check out one of the city’s 10,000 artifacts housed in museums like the Telfair Academy (home to the famous Statue of the Bird Girl from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), the Juliette Gordon Low birthplace and Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum. Companies like Old Town Trolley Tours and Savannah Bike Tours make it easy to learn about all these spots in just a couple of hours.

It’s really been the presence of The Savannah College of Art and Design, aka SCAD, that has made art a staple of any trip to Savannah with many of the best Southern artists flocking here to live and work. Get lost in Savannah City Market where more than 50 local artists are represented, many with their own small studios in the space.

And with all of the history, cemeteries and gravestones that date back to pre-Revolutionary days, it’s not surprising the amount of paranormal presence that Savannah claims to have. To learn about the city’s most infamous ghostly encounters, take a spin in an actual hearse as the Hearse Ghost Tours terrifies you with tales of murder, war and revenge. Even if you choose to skip out on a guided journey, everyone should make the short 5-mile trek from downtown to see Bonaventure Cemetery. You can spend hours meandering through the moss-draped oak paths while checking out the unique headstones in one of the most scenic cemeteries in the world.

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Rent a bike and take a spin out to Bonaventure and pay a visit to the grave of legendary singer Johnny Mercer. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Where to party

Daytime attractions give way to nighttime antics, as Savannah is one of the few cities left in America with no open container policy along its famous River Street. Be prepared for your dinner waitress to offer you a “top off” on your drink and to put it in a “to go” cup. Don’t bother saying no. That isn’t really an option.

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Make sure to start your night strolling past the bars on River Street. (Photo: Thinkstock)

After a late dinner of fresh seafood, there’s a long list of hot spots to include in a night of bar hopping including Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos, Congress Street Social Club, and Savannah’s only microbrewery Moon River Brewing. If you dare, try the Chatham Artillery Punch at Savannah River House where its long history matches it’s long list of ingredients. It is certain to knock you over if you aren’t careful.

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