These are my favorite places to visit in Savannah.
Food:
First, and for sure, visit the Crystal Beer Parlor for either lunch or dinner. The owner is a friend but I wouldn’t recommend it unless it was good.
The walls there are covered with hundreds of old Savannah photos, many of which are copies of mine. 301 West Jones, which is Jones and Jefferson Street.
There’s a wait from about 6.30 until 8.30 every night so go before or after those hours. Same with lunch, very busy, go early or late if you don’t want to wait. (http://www.crystalbeerparlor.com/)
On River Street, there are a lot of tourist traps but Vic’s on the River (www.vicsontheriver.com/) and the Cotton Exchange (http://www.exchangetavernsavannah.com/)
are both consistently good. Vic’s is pricey, the CE is less so.
Tequila’s Town is surprisingly good Mexican food. Whitaker St, just south of Broughton. Good value. (http://www.tequilastown.com/)
Circa 1875, a French restaurant, also on Whitaker, very good, pricey.
Same with the Pink House.
Tortugas Island Grill, very close to Bonaventure, is great. (https://www.tortugasislandgrille.com/)
Finches, also near Bonaventure, is a fancy grilled cheese sandwich kind of place. It’s really good. (https://finchessandwiches.shopsettings.com/)
Betty Bombers is an interesting place. Military themed, the condiment holders are ammo boxes. Good burgers, cheesesteaks, fries, etc. Not fancy but it’s good.
Located inside the American Legion building on Bull Street, just south of Forsyth Park. They deliver anywhere in the downtown area. (http://bettybombers.com/)
Wright Square Cafe, 21 W York Street (also the location of Savannah’s first Cemetery. Locally sourced, very tasty. (https://www.wrightsquarecafe.com/)
On Tybee, Bubba Gumbos for the freshest seafood. It’s not pretty and in a working marina. But go there.
(https://tybeebubbags.com/?fbclid=IwAR1DPJbIBfrwhsgEfFhfP5DaTtuoY6t-5Zzs2WDWr8uoW_J5L90BINxV6ZQ)
Also on Tybee, the North Beach Grill (http://www.northbeachbarandgrill.net/), AJ’s Dockside (http://ajsdocksidetybee.com/), and the Sundae Café
(https://sundaecafe.com/) are all worthy. Doc’s Bar on Tybresa St is my favorite bar on the island. Doc’s doesn’t have a website, that’s how cool they are.
But FYI, Tybee does allow smoking inside bars. So, there’s that.
House Museums:
Any of the Telfair Museums. There are three properties, the Jepson, the Owens Thomas House and the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences. Twenty-five dollars to get into all three and the OT house is my favorite house museum in Savannah. (https://www.telfair.org/)
The Isiah Davenport House. Built by a master craftsman as a showpiece to show what he was capable of. He used his house to sell his skills.
The Ships of the Sea Museum, lots of detailed ship models and history.
Other places of interest:
Bonaventure, duh. (https://www.bonaventuredon.com)
Wormsloe Plantation (https://gastateparks.org/Wormsloe)
Fort Pulaski (https://www.nps.gov/fopu/index.htm)
Fort Jackson (http://www.chsgeorgia.org/OFJ)
Tybee Lighthouse (https://www.tybeelighthouse.org/)
Oatland Island Educational Center. It’s a zoo run by the local school board. Nothing but native Georgia animals. Bison, cougars, wolves, gators, deer, lots more.
If you have children with you, go there. (http://internet.savannah.chatham.k12.ga.us/schools/oat/default.aspx)
The Roundhouse Railroad Museum. It’s kind of an indoor/outdoor place. Very cool if you like old train stuff. (http://www.chsgeorgia.org/GSRM)
Other tours to take:
Savannah Super Tours. Marcia has worked for all the best tour companies and has finally started her own business. Probably the most enthusiastic tour guide you’ll ever encounter in your life. Savannahsupertours.com
Bonnie Blue Tours (https://www.bonniebluetours.com/ Bonnie is a friend, and gives a great tour.
Genteel and Bard (https://genteelandbard.com/) Ask for Jovi
Noble Jones Tours, (https://noblejonestours.com/) Ask for Kelse
Savannah on Wheels (https://www.savannahonwheels.com/) Bike tours, Ebike rentals, good people.
Savannah True History Tours: Former NPS Ranger Brandon Carter is an attorney by day and tour guide by night. He’s the real deal. https://savannahtruehistory.com/
And, if you happen to visit Charleston either before or after Savannah, I have suggestions for that as well. In Charleston; The Hunley Experience, Magnolia Plantation, Magnolia Cemetery, the Angel Oak, and Fort Sumter are all worth your time. Also, halfway between Savannah and Charleston is Old Sheldon Church. Google that, it’s a beautiful place.
Regardless of where you go, please tell them Bonaventure Don sent you, and I hope you enjoy your stay!
Safe travels!
Don Teuton