[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!
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The Outer Banks or 'OBX' of North Carolina is basically the Hamptons of the mid-Atlantic United States. The OBX offers a great mix of fun stuff to do, historic things to explore and delicious items to eat and drink. Each year for the last 13 years, my family has chosen to vacation in Hatteras Village for Thanksgiving. While a summer stay would certainly have its perks, fall in the OBX is beautiful, more affordable and less crowded. For the history lovers, visiting Fort Raleigh aka The Lost Colony on Roanoke Island near Manteo is a must stop. Open year round, the national park offers plenty of space to walk around and see the place where early British settlers lived long ago. If we know where the colony is, why is it lost? Great question. For those who might not know the story, colonists settled this area in the late 1500s, but vanished a few years later. Several theories exist about what happened to the settlement's inhabitants but definitive proof is lacking to fully resolve what happened. To learn more about the latest developments in what historians think likely happened, pick up a copy of The Lost Colony and Hatteras Island by Scott Dawson. Also visit the park, take a tour and explore one of America's earliest settlements. If you're lucky enough to be there for the holidays, there's also a great display of lights at the Elizabethan Gardens next to the colony. It's dog-friendly and all around beautiful. Hatteras Island, where my family vacations, is home to lots of history related to the Civil War, World War II and beyond. During the Civil War, Union forces maintained a fort on the island and a battle occurred in 1862 with Confederate forces. German U-boats also scanned up and down the coastline during World War II. Known as the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic,' OBX's coastline is also the final resting place for many ships that sank in the area over the last several centuries. To learn more the local maritime history, visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic museum, also open year round. For those that love to find fun places to stop, be sure to visit a few of the local hotspots including Buxton Books, Lee Robinson General Store, and Old Gray House Gifts. Hungry? The best spot to grab a bite is definitely Tavern on 12, but Orange Blossom Bakery and Cafe offers great morning treats and Gingerbread House Bakery makes tasty pizza! The best spot, however, is Fatty's eatery. Enhance your stay with a trip to Ocracoke Island. Accessible via ferry, (go early, the line gets pretty long, even in the fall), Ocracoke is home to adorable shops, great food spots and quality views. Always call ahead to ensure businesses are open - they are on island time after all. Plan to visit Ocracoke Coffee Co., Books to be Read and Zillie's Island Pantry - the best spot to enjoy an adult beverage on the island. If you're starving, eat at Jason's. Ocracoke is also home to the 1718 Brewery, who's name relates to the infamous pirate Blackbeard who was killed nearby in, you guessed it, 1718! Have a favorite spot we didn't mention? Include it below in a comment. If you've never been, book your stay early - affordable options for vacationing in the OBX fill up quick! We already booked our place out, a year in advance. Hope to see you there next year! Cheers.
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!
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