For our 10th wedding anniversary we had originally planned on going overseas for a trip around Europe, but then Covid happened, and we opted for a more local getaway given travel restrictions. So Savannah, Georgia it was! While we had both been there before, it had been ages and we had both gone for sporting events previously, so it was fun to see it in a new light. We had the best time! SO here is our travel guide from our time there.
The most unfortunate part was about halfway through our trip we realized Glenn definitely had Covid, and then I started exhibiting symptoms as well, so we will certainly have to go back! Nevertheless, it was such a fun getaway.
We ate at several amazing restaurants during our stay and our trip was very food and drink centric. We spent most days walking around sight seeing in between reservations and just taking it slow. It was perfect to have some time just to ourselves following the height of the pandemic, starting a business, and navigating parenting of a new elementary student.
Where We Ate
The Drayton Hotel Speakeasy (The Vinyl Room) was the perfect spot to celebrate. I adore a good speakeasy and this one was up to par. The hotel itself was gorgeous, and is certainly now on our radar for our next visit.
The Olde Pink House was recommended to us by several people and did not disappoint. The atmosphere was cozy and full of history and the meal was impeccable.
We also ate at Elizabeth’s on 37th, which may have been my favorite. The charm of the restaurants in Savannah is unparalleled, and both the food and drink here were divine.
Another favorite was Husk – Husk transforms the essence of Southern food and highlights the unique ingredients of coastal Georgia. The kitchen reinterprets the bounty of the surrounding area, exploring an ingredient-driven cuisine that begins in the rediscovery of heirloom products and redefines what it means to cook and eat in Savannah.
I love a good museum, and this one was quite interesting for both of us. The American Prohibition Museum was entertaining, interactive, and educational. Plus it ended with a cocktail in a speakeasy hidden within the museum so that was quite the touch.
On the Riverfront we opted for lunch one day at the River House inhabits an 18th century restored cotton warehouse and then a snack at a
We enjoy a good craft beer, so visiting this brewery was a no brainer. Service Brewing is a veteran-owned craft brewery that is dedicated to honoring those that have put their lives at risk and their country and community first. They have helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for local, regional and national organizations that assist our veterans and first responders. As my brother was in the Army, supporting such an organization brings me such joy.
What We Did
On the Riverfront we experienced so much, one thing was the World War II Memorial that was really cool as Georgia has such a rich history from WWII. We also saw the Olympic Cauldron: This cauldron was lit by the original Olympic flame from Mt. Olympus at the opening ceremonies on July 20, 1996, and burned throughout the Centennial Olympic Games in Savannah, site of the Olympic Yachting events.
The River Street Market Place was a favorite of ours as well, as we loved going to the flea market in Mobile where we lived when we were first married, so it was fun to reminisce on our time there. We bought a lovely painting of the river front in all of our walking about, to add to our travel artwork collection, which hangs in our room. We also visited the Book Lady Bookstore which was such a fun mix of rae and modern books.
While we didn’t do one this trip, a Riverfront Cruise is a great way to see everything, especially if you’re in a group! Watching them along the riverfront is also grand.
Naturally, we visited the John Wesley Monument in Reynolds Square – The sculpture depicts Wesley as he probably looked at the age of 33, when he first arrived in Savannah, his likeness modeled after images of Wesley produced around this period. He is dressed in clerical robes, preaching with Bible in hand. The site in Reynolds Square was chosen for its proximity to the parish house at which Wesley lived during this time in Savannah, located on the square’s southwest trust lot, currently the site of the Planters Inn.
We also visited the gorgeous Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Although Haitian and French immigrants established the Congregation de Saint Jean-Baptiste in the late 1700s, the cornerstone for the present Cathedral of St. John the Baptist was laid on November 19, 1873 by the Right Reverend Ignatius Persico. The architect, Ephraim Francis Baldwin, designed the church in a High Victorian Gothic style that incorporated French building traditions. Like many French Gothic cathedrals, the layout represents a Latin cross, which is especially noticeable from an aerial view with the contrast created by the hip and gable roof.
We ventured around the Daughters of the American Revolution Colonial Park Cemetery that was stablished in 1750. It is the oldest intact municipal cemetery in Savannah. While it was primarily a Public cemetery from 1750-1853, the DAR Patriots’ Arch was erected in 1913 (completed in 1914) by the Daughters of the American Revolution to memorialize the Revolutionary War Veterans buried in Colonial Park Cemetery.
While they weren’t playing while we were there, a trip to watch the Savannah Bananas would have been quite the entertainment!
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Savannah and loved the space. Hyatt is always a go to for us, and is consistently the perfect spot for a quick getaway.
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