Our first night in Savannah involved walking through town on our way to dinner. Within the few blocks walk to Collin's Quarter, we found several parks featuring monuments like the few pictured below to Revolutionary War Gen. Nathaniel Greene (below, far left) and William Washington Gordon, a 19th century businessman and politician (far right). Tip: Exploring the city by night was cool and offered a different view of the historical markers. Charge your camera or phone battery before stepping out to explore, because there are A LOT of markers to document!
Next, we headed inside the fort to explore life as a solider in the 19th century. Several large guns were on display throughout the fort. Small observation windows allowed troops to see what might be heading towards the city, while the interior areas were used for things like supply storage, a brig and barracks. Based on the overall size, privacy must have been a rarity! Tip: If you're more interested in learning about the fort's Civil War history, call ahead and ask what's on the schedule. The site alternates their programs between War of 1812 and Civil War, but the standard adult admission ticket allowed us three days of admission. The small entrance fee (less than $10 per adult), which is used to help with preservation efforts, was well worth it considering the fort also offers some great water views. All together we spent about 90 minutes at the site, but easily could have spent another few hours if we weren't desperate to hit the road for our next destination. 10/10, we recommend you visit!
0 Comments
[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! 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!
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!
If you live in Virginia and you're looking for something unique to explore in the Williamsburg area, the ruins of Presidents Park is a must see! Essentially, there are 42 very large presidential head busts sitting in a field (check out the pics below for scale). And while the dilapidated state of these Heads of State may seem a bit eerie, the park offers a unique way to learn about American history. I think the obvious first question is: how did they get there? President's Park used to be a 10-acre sculpture park and museum in Williamsburg where the heads of state were displayed for guests to see, but apparently it was a bit of a flop and closed in 2010. The new tenants of the land wanted the busts gone, but (thankfully) instead of destroying the sculptures, they were saved by a developer whose company had worked on the original park. He moved them to his family farmland in nearby Croaker, Virginia -- which can't have been an easy task, given that each sculpture ranges from about 16 - 20 feet tall! Our biggest tips: WEAR BOOTS! AND PANTS! You park in a gravel lot near the entrance to the farm, then walk a short way down the hill to the statues' current resting place. The field they sit in can get a bit marshy and the area is not mowed, so be prepared if you want to explore them up close. Also, if you travel there in summer, it can get really hot and there is no shade. Bring water to stay hydrated and don't forget your sunscreen - and maybe even an umbrella for the sun! It's also important to remember the park is located on private property and access is only permitted during scheduled events. You can find more information and book tickets by clicking "experiences" at www.johnplashalphoto.com. The sculptures have deteriorated to varying degrees, which honestly adds to the allure, in our opinion. The view when you turn the corner and see them for the first time is pretty amazing. We didn't really know what to expect, but we ended up spending about two hours in the field exploring and taking photos. Another hot tip: study up on your presidential knowledge before you go -- there is a trivia quiz offered during the day, and the best team wins a prize (not to brag, but we totally won)! Who knew President John Quincy Adams had a pet alligator in the White House? Also be sure to bring your camera -- there are lots of great spots to capture fun photos. Enjoy your adventure!
|
Archives
January 2022
Categories
All
|