Indeed! If you read "the book (as they refer to it in Savannah)," you will understand the city better. And I wouldn't worry about the crime, just stay in your hotel during the night.
my Granny worked in the lingerie dept at the old Levy's downtown way back in the day....she told me when i was a kid growing up there she actually is the one who "fit" the Lady Chablis for years in the 80s
my sister used to be stationed at ft stewart in hinesville, ga and i would go visit her and we would always go to savannah and from the first time i went i realized what the true definition of southern hospitality really is. everytime i bring up savannah to a friend or anyone i always make sure to tell them that the city is a perfect definition of southern hospitality- from a Texan
I would highly recommend dedicating a day to getting lost, or aimlessly wandering up and down the streets and lanes just to look at all the sweet homes and squares. I lived in Savannah for four years while I attended SCAD, and walking to and from class is one of my most cherished memories of living down there. As long as you know where the river is, you'll be fine! Regarding the crime: it is definitely bad the further you get from the historic district and the river, but if you stay within the area with the squares you'll be ok. Just use common sense, y'all, e.g. be aware at night, go in groups, etc. Casual food places I (or my peers) frequented as a student (so obviously these aren't fancy places but they're very good): Foxy Loxy Cafe, Gallery Espresso, Flying Monk, Sushi Zen, Green Truck Pub, Clary's, Wall's Barbecue, Two Tides brewery And for the love of all that is holy don't wear heels on River Street.
Just got back from Savannah, we vacationed with our dog and I couldn't believe how dog friendly this city is. J Christopher's serves dog breakfast, and the bars usually have patios they'll let you have your dog on. VERY dog friendly city which was a huge plus for us.
I hope this is no longer true, but we couldn't walk our Chihuahua on the beach. The cottage we stayed in wouldn't let my 40 lb. dog stay, but let a Doberman stay that week. A male Doberman weighs more than a female Border Collie. I miss William's Seafood Restaurant-since it burned down-and have never been to the new mall yet. My World History teacher was the President at SCAD once. Had relatives there and stayed there many summers and holidays. Do not pull down the moss because it might be cheaper than buying it from Michael's. It will surely have red ants in it. The gnats, Palmetto bugs, and roaches are bad enough. The crime is bad enough, especially at night and my grandparents moved several places, but my aunts lived in their homes for many years. I love the architecture, history, and folklore in Savannah. And it does snow ocassionally, but not as much as North Ga. Have you been to Lebanon, Ohio? I saw the school that was in "Harper Valley, PTA". Looks kinda like the school my parents went to in Savannah, only the winters are a lot colder!
I love Savannah. I grew up south of Atlanta and have deep roots all throughout Georgia. Now I live just outside of Helen, Georgia which is also a tourist spot and has so wonderful things to enjoy as well. I love my home state!
My husband and I just went there for a week and we LOVED it! We did rent bikes and maybe used them 2 times as we walked everywhere as everything is so close. The ghost tours were great, Sorrel Weed House Night Tour was great, food anywhere there was AMAZING!! This will probably be our yearly vacation spot. We never felt unsafe and we were out walking well into the night...yes certainly there was some areas I wouldn't bc there are A LOT of homeless people down by City Market but they left us alone minus one who tried but failed. So much to do, see and enjoy. The city is so beautiful and we learned so much abt the city. Yes it was hot and muggy and it rained a lot but we made it through it. Everyone there was so polite and hospitable. We did go to Tybee Island and ate at the Crab Shack...Amazeballs!! Goose Feathers has amazing breakfast! Pour Larry's Apple Pie shots...do it😉 Six Pence Bangers and Mash was out of this world good. World of Beer Tybee Island Blonde yum...B&D Burger's best burgers ever!! As he sd it is not cheap so bring money lol. Leopold's Ice Cream eeeh was not to me worth the hour wait. Bonaventure Cemetery Tour was the best...just beautiful. The best vacation ever!
I like how he mentions SCAD - that’s kinda the whole reason I’m looking into Savannah in the first place. My Dad had learned about that school through one of his colleagues and suggested it to me as a possible method to, like, y’know, get my life together... I suppose I could look into other art universities…
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is one of the most beautiful churches in the world, hands down. Walk across the square and you can walk through Flannery O'Connor's childhood home.
A stunningly gorgeous town! l was there in late October, and the weather was perfect. The architecture is out of this world, as is the food, and the people's hospitality - the Deep South! By the way, the little children in these videos are super-cute!
Savannah is my favorite city that I have visited so far anywhere in the world. I live in Michigan, and we were there over for my boys spring break in March a number of years ago. The weather was humid even then, which threw me for a loop. One of the funnier moments visiting was on a trolley ride and the person narrating the tour said something about the "War of Northern Aggression", my son (who was about at the time and happens to be biracial) whipped his head around and just stared at me with a look of "oh shit" on his face. We still laugh about it to this day(he is 19 now). He loved the city, and was just mentioning to me the other day about how he wants to go back now that he is older. We stayed mostly in the riverfront area, but took a day trip to Tybee Island so that my boys could see the ocean. It is just such a history rich city, and in the part of the city that we were in you can truly imagine what it was like when our country was young.
I live 40 minutes from Savannah and I have been going downtown for years. I have never been a victim of a crime or seen a crime committed. However, I don't go alone and I am never walking around down there after midnight. I LOVE downtown Savannah!
He is correct on the crime, coming from a SPD officer. Car break ins are frequent. Shootings are frequent, although, not so much in the downtown area (usually). Your main problem in the downtown district will be the homeless and drunk people.
I was at jekyll island for my buddy's wedding and we stopped in savannah on the way back to milwaukee for a couple hours. I loved it. I'd love to go back at some point.
I am currently living in a horrible state (NM). I have been lucky enough to find a job in Savannah and honestly I cant wait. I used to vacation in Savannah and truly miss the South - the people, the food, the beaches - I'll be there soon Savannah!!!!
I'm Commenting on this video on my own... I am drooling over the food part... such a fun place to go. We actually took our family vacation down in Savannah and Tybee this summer.
Their food is the best! I will eat shrimp, crab, oysters every single day when I am there. What about Savannah Candy Company? Those pecan pralines?! They melt in your mouth, they are so good.
Hey fellow Chicagoan! Been here 6 years. To you or anyone: B. Matthew's has the best shrimp and grits! Lil pricey. Boars head has a killer chicken salad sandwich for lunch. There is also an amazing place on Tybee called The Breakfast Club, worth the wait. Our favorite shops are Savannah Bee Company (we do mead tastings a lot!), the Salt Table, Byrds Cookies, Civvies (upscale thrift store) and Adam Touroni who makes the best chocolates I've ever tasted. Also, my mom discovered about 2 yeas ago she could rent cool houses right in the historic district for less than a hotel. think she uses "Stay Savannah". Cheers!
Also, you nailed it on the people. Southern people are just nicer. If I hold a door open for you, I am not trying to demean you in any way. I am honoring my heritage, which taught me to be respectful of all people. I don’t care about the color of your skin. We are all God’s children and you deserve my respect. So, please, enter before me sir or ma’am.
My parents grew up in Savannah so it was always a family trip to see my grandparents. They are all gone now (buried in local cemeteries there-Bonaventure being one) and I love to go back to see their old houses and relive the wonderful memories of being with them. Of course-can’t stay in those houses anymore (they were sold) but Savannah always felt like a second home to me. Of course still in Atlanta area-but something special about Savannah. (Although that heat…you will MELT)!
Is the rest of the country really so out of touch with reality that it's a tourist attraction when people are nice??? I'm from north Georgia and politeness is just how we are raised. Respect is just kindness in disguise.
What a great city, especially the people and the food. I also appreciated the beach shots. I had to rewind a few of those. Thanks again for having such a great travel vlog.
My wife and I wound up in Savannah in Sept. of this year on vacation when Florence decided to want to hit the Carolinas where we were vacationing originally (Myrtle Beach). We were evacuated after only spending 2 days there. We decided that Savannah would be a good place to try since we’ve never been, and after a 4 hour drive, we were there. We stayed at the Comfort Suites near the bridge, which is a few blocks from downtown. We were basically within walking distance to most of the historic district and River St. The heat wasn’t all that bad. Yes, it was hot, but not unbearable. Not much different than our summer days here in Indiana. The Trolley tours are amazing and you get to see a lot of historic and famous places. We had Big E as our trolley driver and he is amazing. We also took a trolley ghost tour. If you take one, I highly recommend you ask for Olivia, aka, Nurse Nancy. Those trolley drivers are incredibly skilled to be able to get those things through the squares and traffic. From River St. to the many beautiful squares and historic homes/mansions, and the cemeteries from revolutionary times, you’ll not find a more beautiful, original, or hospitable place to visit. My wife and I walked everywhere we went. We stayed down on River St. and went exploring the squares every night and stayed out past dark, and never had a single problem, other than a homeless person here and there asking for money. And believe me, there are plenty of homeless there. You WILL see them. My biggest complaint about the city would be the horrid smell of urine that I couldn’t avoid while visiting the “Tombs” or “storage areas” on River St. I assumed they were used as toilets by the homeless, but I’ve read other theories about it, so who knows. Watching the huge container ships travel the river was amazing, while setting on the balcony at Tubbys restaurant for dinner. There is so much to see, do, eat, etc that I could keep writing for days about Savannah. The history sucked me in, the beauty lifted my spirits, and the hospitality made me feel at home. If I could move there, I would in a heart beat. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, and I would go back. Tybee Island is great too. Just don’t go when there are hurricanes out there because you can’t get in the water. Savannah definitely gets 5 ⭐️’s from me!
Just got back from Savannah and had a great time. I loved the city and it had it's own pace that was perfect for me. But you're right...it's not a cheap vacation. I understand about the tourist too. I live in a coastal town in NC and each summer the tourist absolutely drive me crazy. They all act as if they own the place. I will return to Savannah one day and more I'm sure.
I LOVE Savannah! I went to college about 30 mins away so I frequented Savannah a lot to party and then I worked on a river cruise lines that stopped in Savannah for historical tours. it's absolutely amazing here!!! The whole crime thing might be exaggerated though. I've walked these streets a million times and I've never had a problem. There is one place I saw that looked kinda sketchy but every city has those random spots. There are police cars everywhere trying to get you for a ticket. If nothing else, you should be worried about getting a ticket than getting robbed. Either way, you MUST try Savannah!
I have more respect for New Yorkers, because at least they are honest about their rudeness, and don’t sugarcoat it like Southerners. Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather hang out with midwesterners, because they are truly friendly!
@@hittingtax2670 You Know, I know what You mean about New Yorkers being RUDE, because I grew up in New York and I had to deal with their Rudeness for So many freaking Years. But I am living in the Seattle, Washington Metro Area, in a Suburb of Seattle, Washington, and You will be Very Surprised that Rudeness Goes beyond belief here in Seattle, Washington. Here in Seattle Metro Area (they don't call it metro Area, though, but that's what it is) is Everything bad that You Find in other people in other states, but Combined All in Just Each Person. People here are Three Times More Rude than New Yorkers, Five times more Fake than Southerners, and Add to those two Personality Flaws, Fake (again!!), Liars, Selfish, Uncaring, Brutal, Savages, Uncivilized, Bad Manners, Racists, FAKE (again!!!), Prejudice in Every Way, Racists & Classists, thieves, and Cold.
It's pretty muggy here but you can manage it. You wear our humidity like a coat. You slip in to it and sweat. Good for the complexion. We look younger because of it.
I lived on Tybee twice! Once in 1983 and again in 86. Then I visited there in 1990 and I've been missing it ever since! Oh how I wish I'd never came back to Johnstown, Pa.!! The winter's here suck big time and the people have become so distant and hateful over the years it's heart breaking. I grew up here and it's nothing like it used to be. But like you said about the folks in Savannah.....they ARE GREAT!! Extremely polite and your always met with a smile and a hello! When I first moved to Tybee and made a bunch of friends....it didn't take long until they became my family!!! And if anyone ever gave me a hard time...my family would gather all around me like a giant wall until the matter was taken care of! I've never met a better bunch of fellow human beings!! I miss it there so badly!! And the food was out of this world!! The rock shrimp, lobster, key lime pie, and pecan pie couldn't be beat!! OMG now I've made myself hungry!! I want to go back so bad I can taste it!! They say 3 times is a charm......pray I get to go back.......for GOOD next time!!!
Thank you for such a great video!!!! We are planning to visit Savannah in the next couple of years and this is a huge help. Thanks for the tip on palmetto bugs, yuck!!
Savannah is a great city to visit. Downtown is so beautiful and full of history! And you are absolutely right about the people! St. Patrick's Day is CRAZINESS!!! It's a huge party but if you don't like crowds...don't visit during SPD! Also, Hilton Head Island is a short drive and IMO the beaches are nicer but HHI is WAY more expensive than Savannah. #6 - You can walk around downtown with your alcoholic drink as long as it's in a to-go cup! How awesome is that!
Also I went to do a workshop at SCAD one summer back during the 1990's. I am eating in the student cafeteria and this huge thing flies by my head and I freak (It was so big, I thought it was a flying mouse). One of the ladies who worked in the cafeteria laughed at my shock and told me not to worry "honey". That's just an ole Palmetto bug." I replied; "really...back home we call them cockroaches". I like the name "Palmetto" better. It sounds more exotic than cockroach.
Palmetto Bugs!😳😂 Excellent video, Wolters! Always love your photos. That Scotch egg salad! Mmm, mmm, mmm. My visit was so long ago I'm not sure if I have actual memories or just replaying in my head scenes from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. 😀
I grew up south of Atlanta (Henry county) and went to college in Macon. I spent multiple vacations and St. Patrick's Days there. I moved out of state seven years ago and everyone ask me if I would ever move back to Georgia. I typically always say nope, but I'll move to Savannah :) Don't know how Jocelyn could have ever left.
Just spent the day is Savannah/Tybee and now this is recommended to me!! It is the end of February and was 75 today but the humidity was 65%. I HIGHLY recommend visiting around this time if you can because last time I came was in the summer and never want to do that again.
We have add to your hate list- parking! not the lack of it but the expense, if you stay in town in the historic district, you will pay 2 dollars per hour for 12 hours a day, don't care what you say, there's no way around it, parking added hundreds of dollars to our vacation cost ( we were there for 12 days). Also, be kind to all the homeless people, you don't know their situation.
We love Savannah and are coming down for Christmas. We want to attend a Christmas service at Independent Presbyterian. My husband lived here as a child and we come back as often as we can. The restaurants are great. Vinnies for pizza, Sandfly for BBQ, lemonade from Parkers, Greek food at Olympia. It's a wonderful place.
I love the Lowcountry. Beaufort is about halfway between Savannah & Charleston, so you get to enjoy both cities. There are so many good eats in Savannah. I love the Olde Pink House on Reynolds Square, especially the downstairs pub, where they have piano entertainment. Elizabeth's is great for fancy eating, River Street has lots of fun places. The hospitality is the best, and all the squares are beautiful, and the shade is welcome on the hot days. The sketchy neighborhoods outside the historic district are the biggest drag. Bugs are in most places, except the West Coast. The northern states are mosquito factories, so the GA/SC bugs are OK. During low tide, the sand gnats hovering around the pluff mud can be irritating. I have toured many historic houses, and some are converted to inns, restaurants or small businesses. Don't leave without having Leopold's ice cream.
great video! I never considered Savannah before. once I took a road trip to Elberton to see the Guidestones, then thought I should see Atlanta next time, but now I got to visit Savannah instead! didn't even know it was on the ocean. mucho thanks
For a hotel, just stay in Hardeeville, across the border up US 17, or exit 5 on I-95. During the day, park on Hutchison Island, just across the suspension bridge. Last I knew, there are a couple of free ferry boats, to take people back and forth, to River Street. Parking cost was about $5, it's probably gone up, but it's the easiest place to park, and leave the car. I lived on Hilton Head Island for 8 years, been all over Savannah.
I live in Minnesota, but I travel to all of Georgia for work. I don't find the heat unbearable even though I don't like heat. The heat in Savannah makes me feel good and inspires me to work out for some reason (florida also 🤔). Whereas the dry heat in Nevada makes me feel very tired and lazy. I find it interesting. Does anyone else experience this?
LOVE this video! My husband and I are from Chicago like you and we adore Savannah and go once a year. We WILL retire there! This video could honestly have been 1/2 an hour because there is so much to do and see in Savannah and as a home base. You covered a lot but I would add the following: even though it's hotter than Hades, we try to go July 4th every year. No one does patriotism like one of the original 13 colonies, Savannah. Watching the fireworks on River Street, going to Old Fort Jackson to hear about the Revolutionary and Civil War? Amazing!! You'll feel proud to be an American! Favorite Bar? Jen and Friends for their hundreds of different martinis. It's a tiny hole in the wall, but Jen is often bartending and you can tell that this a place for locals and tourists alike. Besides all the things to do and see within Savannah, I recommend getting out and driving to Tybee Island (like you said), Hilton Head, Beaufort, SC and St. Simons Island. All of these have amazing food (my fav being a little restaurant in St Simons with the best crab cakes ever-Barbara Jeans!) but also beaches, kayaking, dolphin watching, etc. I've had some moments I'll never forget with dolphins swimming parallel to my kayak. Biggest travel advice? Fly into Jacksonville via SouthWest. It's much cheaper than flying into Savannah/HH Airport. You rent the car in Florida, which is SO cheap and you need a car anyway to see all the fabulous place surrounding Savannah.
No mention of the Pirate House?? One of my favorite places to go, every time. For the history and the food! It used to be a tavern and boarding house, but there are still tunnels down to the river that the rum runners used to use. Bonus points for a huge upstairs gift shop with everything “pirate,” including a cardboard cutout of Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow 🏴☠️
I LOVE #1 RIVER STREET #2 OPEN BEER ALLOWED IN PARTS OF DOWNTOWN, GREAT IDEA #3 BEAUTIFUL PARKS AND COMMONS #4 THE FOOD/ BARS BECAUSE ITS KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU EAT IN CHARLESTON AND DRINK IN SAVANAH #5 HILTON HEAD AND GOLFING. CONS - CAN BE A LITTLE BORING AND ALSO A LITTLE BIT OF SOUTHERNERS WHO MIGHT NOT LOVE NORTHERN. BUT I HAVE Never HAVE A PROBLEM
I live in Florida. Savannah is hotter. I came back and it felt great. The temperature was in the 80s in Florida with a breeze and 90 without a breeze in Savannah.
I am from and live in Savannah. I agree with what you say. I stay inside alot cause I can't be out in the sun or heat. That's why I work over night. Don't always go to the St. Patrick's parade. Tybee i have to sit under the pier cause my skin is so pale I burn . but I still enjoy the beach. I have seen a few ghost plus had a paranormal thing happen down at city market .I went to the rest room to put my hair back up.the knobbs on the sink turned on and I said no thank you and the water turned off. It was so ice cold there in the bathnroom.
Here's a question... How do you get your kids interested in the things that kids aren't normally interested in? I took the kids to Disney and made it a point to stop in Savannah. I was not disappointed and your video, although I am watching it after I had been there, is very, very accurate. As I am absorbing the absolute beauty and history of the place, the kids are off chasing the horses doing tours, or trying to play in one of the many fountains. Maybe it is just a "kids are kids" thing, but to me the important stuff is always overlooked! As someone who isn't able to make these trips a lot, I get kinda bummed that the kids are "missing out". Any suggestions? Also, I must say, that the seashell sidewalks were one of my favorite little features it has to offer. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
The Pirates House ....deserves a 5 minutes or so video clip of its own....the legend when i was growing up in Savannah was that in the restraunt had a secret staircase that lead underground and went thru an underground corridor tunnel back to the pirate ships back on the River ,should the brits or cops be looking for pirates...so they had an escape plan to get back to ships if needed, while staying at the pirates house, which was a safe house/boarding room place to get some R&R....so the legends go
Leaving for Savanah tonight and only staying for 1 day With all these good things in sight I just don't know what to squeeze in for just 1 day I'm overwhelmed lol
I am a born and bred Savannah girl. Geneva's has by far the best fried chicken. She fries it on demand so takes a little while. The staff is awesome also.
You forgot that we drink on the streets. First time I went to CA and tried to walk out of the bar with a drink, I was told I would be arrested! Growing up in Savannah, I never heard of such!
I went to SCAD, loved been part of Savannah. But if you suffer from pollen allergies, then oh boy, be careful and don't go in full-on Springtime. The pollen is everywhere and looks gorgeous, but I feel a bit sorry for people with allergies, as it must be a nightmare to deal with during those intense pollen periods. Savannah is a lovely place, and I do try to visit every so often, even after 25 years of living there.
XD I'm sorry for being a student! Joked aside, it is a lovely place with charming locals. Students coming in: please represent SCAD well and respect Savannah and the people that live there! You will find welcoming arms :)
Agreed! I lived in Savannah and it wasn't that serious. In fact, to me, River St is probably the best place to be because everything is going on down there and its not desolate.
I was working in Savannah with my dad and our car got robbed. They came in our car and stole the CD drive. Not the radio not the 3 gps's we had in the back but the CD drive to a 2000 ram truck.
I'm from Atlanta I'll call Savannah my second home I love the city and Tybee I've been to Pulaski so many times I could tell you all about it I work for the day OT and help build a new bridge I used to go to River Street when they only had two clubs it is a marvelous place
We love Charleston so much, we go every year. But, we never connected with Savannah. I've read that one typically prefers one over the other. Perhaps we've gone to the wrong places.
I lived in Savannah one year . You say there’s hot and humid ? Visit Austin TX .In 2018 here the temperatures were between 103 and 108 for 75 days non stop without rein drops . We’re thinking about going back to Savannah !!! A wonderful city for spending your retirement 😁😁