[Side note: As I type this, Washington, DC is currently in the middle of a bit of a blizzard (ok, maybe not exactly a blizzard, but it's snowing pretty hard out my window right now!). I'm kind of thinking we should have stayed in the 80-degree weather in Savannah! This is fine. Everything is fine.] When we were planning our trip and deciding where to stay, we really wanted to try one of the beautiful B&Bs in historic homes. But with the uncertainty of travel lately, we decided to book a room at a location we knew we could cancel within 24 hours of our intended arrival date due to the uncertain conditions we now live in. So we ended up at the Hyatt Regency Savannah, right on the water. The hotel was beautiful, and we paid a little extra to be on the Garden Terrace floor - our room led to a fantastic shared outdoor space with amazing views of the Riverside District! We got in a little later than expected (thanks I-95), so after checking in and admiring the view, we headed straight to dinner. We had made reservations at The Collins Quarter on Bull Street. Hot Tip: a lot of the restaurants fill up fast, so we definitely recommend making reservations in advance if you can. Even one month in advance was considered short notice. Open Table is your best friend here.
The food was great too - we ordered the pan roasted scallops and the braised short rib, and both were delicious. The martinis paired perfectly with the scallops, and the Blood, Lust and Diamonds cocktail (rye, bonal, cognac, amaretto, and bitters) was a great pairing with the short rib.
River Street was great - tons of art, shops, and restaurants in old warehouses, plus great views of the water. The JW Marriott has built a whole new section of riverside shops and restaurants, and they even offer free outdoor shows every night - you can ask the hotel concierge for a schedule! There's also a beautiful World War II memorial along the river walk, honoring all veterans from the area who gave their lives during the war. We stopped at Tubby's for a quick drink - great, casual place with outdoor deck seating and perfect riverside views. Then we headed to Vic's on the River for a fancy lunch. I can't say no to scallops, so that's what I ordered, and they were delicious. We also tried the Savannah Peach Martini - a perfect afternoon treat! Hot tip: we actually entered on River Street - through Vic's Coffee Bar - and took the elevator up to the restaurant. The coffee bar looked so great, and is definitely on our list to try next time. After shopping we were ready for dinner. When we first started planning our trip, we had our hearts set on eating at The Olde Pink House, a Savannah staple and even a national landmark - a fancy restaurant housed in a stately Georgian mansion facing Reynolds Square. As we started trying to make reservations (several weeks before our trip), we were so disappointed to learn that the restaurant was booked solid for many months - no chance of getting a reservation during our stay in Savannah. So on our first night in town, we decided to walk by to at least see it... and we're so glad we did!
We got the cheese plate that came with fresh Savannah Bee honeycomb and homemade grits chips (so good). The "Pink Lady" cocktails (lemonade and raspberry vodka) were delicious and perfect for the occasion, and the grilled pork tenderloin with bourbon molasses was to die for. The food was great and we felt like sitting at the bar was the perfect setting - upscale casual, and really fun. The bartenders were amazing, and made us realize why Savannah was named one of the "world's friendliest cities" by Code Nast Traveler readers. We ended our trip with a breakfast on the terrace of the hotel, overlooking the river and the Georgia Queen riverboat (also on our list for next time - riverboat cruise!). Truly this town was so friendly and fun - and the perfect mix of history and southern hospitality. We're already talking about planning a return trip to see more.
And speaking of history, stay tuned for another post about some of the historic sites we visited on this trip... including a 207-year old landmark, Georgia's oldest standing brick fort!
2 Comments
Each year around the holidays, two of my best friends and I take a random day off from work together. We make fun, low-key, somewhat holiday-related plans, and just enjoy spending the day together. With all of the usual hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it's nice to be able to take a break and relax, have fun with friends, and rediscover the joy and magic the season can bring! We've been going strong for five years now, and each year we pick a different place in the area to explore and take in the holiday décor. In years past, we've explored DC - the White House, the National Christmas Tree, fancy hotels in the city, the Library of Congress, and the botanical gardens (perhaps a post for another day!). We've also visited Old Town Alexandria, with classic décor on cobblestone streets (and you can read more about our latest trip there in this blog post). One year we went to Middleburg, Virginia for some small town Christmas charm (perhaps we'll do a blog post on this, too!). This year, we decided to keep the small town theme and explore a new (to us) place, in historic Old Town Warrenton, Virginia. Our plan was simple: afternoon tea, window shopping, drinks and merriment - all with a little historic flair - and Warrenton delivered! The town itself dates back to 1810, but the settlement in the area started in the 1700s and the first courthouse there was built in 1790. The area flourished with the addition of a railroad in the 1850s, then was in the midst of a number of nearby battles during the Civil War, during which its churches and schools were used as hospitals. I think overall the town offers a good mix of feeling traditional and charming (you can see some of the original buildings, like the Fauquier County Courthouse and the Old Jail), but with a modern flair (great restaurants and shops, and even a co-working space!). We started at Gateau Bakery & Tea Room for afternoon tea. The ambiance was perfect - cozy and classy - and the refreshments were delicious! We appreciated the many different menu options for those with food allergies - we were each able to choose an individual menu that worked for us, and they had both gluten free and vegan options. We also loved the attention to detail - like how the sandwiches on the "Christmas Tea" were cut into little trees! Unfortunately it looks like they’ve closed the tea room for now, but the bakery is still open! Based on the treats we had with our tea, we definitely recommend trying it. After tea, we took some time to explore the town and window shop at a few of the local stores. I really loved the eclectic mix of gifts at Latitudes Fair Trade store. They had some really pretty flowers made out of felt. I was tempted to buy a whole bouquet!
Overall, this town was a nice escape from city life, but still offered plenty of good options for food and fun - great for a day trip. Let us know if you check it out, and enjoy your adventure!
Sometimes escaping the city is as simple as crossing the Potomac. If you're looking for some holiday magic with historic flair, head across the river to Old Town Alexandria. With centuries-old architecture, historic buildings and attractions, and great local stores and restaurants, it's a great place to spend a day. We walked up and down the neighborhood streets (some of them cobblestone!) to take in the decor - so many houses really go all out with decorations, in a very classic way. We eventually made our way to Market Square on King Street to see the giant Christmas tree. This square is also where the weekly Saturday morning farmer's market is held - which apparently has been running for 260 years! If you're lucky, you can even catch some live music. When we went, we were serenaded by the Alexandria Harmonizers, a men's a capella chorus founded in 1948. Hot tip: if you're having trouble finding street parking, there's a parking garage right under Market Square. Market Square is just down the street from the Carlyle House Historic Park - a great example of Georgian residential architecture completed in 1753. The museum offers a look inside life in the 18th century - the docents offer great tours, and the house has been restored and decorated beautifully. It has limited hours so check the website before you go, but it's worth a visit! There are so many nooks and crannies of the historic streets to explore - and a lot of interesting local shops. When you’re ready for a break from shopping, there are great restaurants to try! When the weather is nice, there is ample outdoor seating available at many of the restaurants along King Street. We stopped in at The Fish Market for a quick recharge. The clam chowder, crab dip, and apple cider mules did not disappoint! It was a refreshing stop, and great for people watching on a not-too-cold fall afternoon. A couple of our other favorite places in the same area: Sonoma Cellar, Virtue Feed and Grain. You can also walk down to the water - there are trails and parks along the river that are great for people (and boat!) watching. Two of our best friends even got married on the Cherry Blossom riverboat that docks right at the Old Town Alexandria Harbor! What are your favorite stops in Old Town? Let us know in the comments below!
They say 'there's no place like home for the holidays.' Sometimes escaping the craziness of Northern Virginia isn't really an option due to time constraints, other commitments, or whatever reason it may be. There are plenty of fun things to do in the local-ish area, especially near the holidays. Located just 45 minutes down Interstate 66, Reston offers a variety of enjoyable options beyond shopping. There's even a lake near by! Lane Anne is perfect for a waterfront stroll with a cup of coffee from the Lake Anne Coffee House. You can also often find us at Cooper Hawk enjoying the Almond Sparking wine.
For dinner, we headed to Barcelona Wine Bar right in the town center. There's also one of these in DC (and a few other locations around the country), but this one did not disappoint! It had a great atmosphere - a nice bar area with plenty of seating, and great high top and low top tables throughout the restaurant. We kept remarking that we loved the energy of the place, and the decor. It got a little noisy as the night went on, but overall we loved it. It was a perfect spot for a small group dinner - especially as the sangria starting flowing! I'm not exaggerating when I say we tried almost everything on the menu (we were hungry!), and we were not disappointed. Everything was so flavorful and we enjoyed trying some interesting combinations, like the chorizo with sweet and sour figs and balsamic reduction, the spinach and chickpea cazuela with cumin and roasted garlic, and of course, the classic bacon wrapped dates (always a favorite).
Whether you're heading to the town center with friends or solo to holiday shop, note there's plenty of low-cost paid parking garages. If the town center is a bit hectic in the holiday season, plan a return trip in the new year, it's well worth it!
American Revolutionary War hero Light Horse Harry Lee, along with U.S. Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are just a few of the notable Virginians associated with the town in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Lee purchased property in Occoquan in 1788, which is located not too far from where he grew up at Leesylvania, in eastern Prince William County. Records indicate Washington ordered iron from the Ballendine furnace in the mid-1700's for use in constructing Fort Loudon, and Jefferson visited the quaint town in 1811 to learn more about plaster mill construction. The town's Civil War history is also intriguing as troops of both sides traveled through the area, even stopping to encamp at various times. Walk through the town and read the markers to learn more about Occoquan's rich history! Mill Street has been the center of town since the 1800s. It is the perfect spot for walking up and down the street, checking out the stores and window displays (especially when they're decorated for the holidays!), and taking in the quiet bustle of small town life. River Mill Park is a great place to walk along the river and take in the views. There is a pedestrian bridge and small trail that's great for a leisurely stroll - great for people (and boat!) watching. And speaking of boating, there's a public dock at the other side of Mill Street, and a boat ramp on Lorton Road a little further down the river. Easy access if you are, or are friends with, a mariner. One of our favorite places to recharge mid-shopping is Grind N Crepe, a coffee and crepe shop located on Commerce Street, just a block or so up from the main shopping area on Mill Street. The coffee is great (our go-to is an iced vanilla latte with almond milk), the crepes do not disappoint (we recommend the Grandad and the Uncle Kevin - and they even have gluten free crepes!), and the casual vibes are perfect for a quick pick-me-up, or to sit and chat for awhile. We've actually been known to post up here and get some work done on a weekday afternoon.
And that's the tea (or coffee and crepes - it's up to you ;-). Enjoy your adventure!
|
Archives
January 2022
Categories
All
|