Savannah the Beautiful: A Small Taste of the Old South

Savannah is one of my favorite places in the world. Unfortunately my family's trips to the area have always been quick. It's the perfect overnight stopping point for our long drives from New York City down to Orlando each summer. While we may not get to spend much time in the city, we've fallen in love with it regardless. The charm of it's giant trees covered in Spanish moss, locally-owned restaurant, and quaint shops keep us coming back to Savannah year after year, if for only overnight.

This year we were lucky enough to have some extra time in the city, and decided to spend a few hours at the City Market. Located a block off of the famed River Street, it's a quaint shopping village full of unique stores, restaurants and art galleries, all locally owned and operated. Pretty trees pave the way between four blocks of classic brick buildings on one side of the market, and small, charming bungalows on the other. Each building houses unique treasures and culinary delights that can be enjoyed all year 'round. Originally opened in 1755, the City Market holds a special place in Savannah's history and is the perfect spot to pick up some unique souvenirs.

The restaurants in the market include Tapas By Anna (a romantic fusion of Spanish and Italian food), Vinnie Van Go Go's (the perfect spot for a quick slice of pizza) and Belford's (an upscale steakhouse). Since we were visiting early in the day we decided to have lunch at the Cafe at City Market, a cute indoor/outdoor restaurant that seeks to recreate the bistro's of Europe, but is more like a diner. But that's not a bad thing, as the atmosphere was great and the food was even better. We decided to sit outside to enjoy the weather and gorgeous flowers dotting the market, and loved watching people come and go as we enjoyed our lunch. The lunch menu includes the typical dishes you'd find at a diner, including soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta and pizza. My mom and I each had a huge salad for for only $6.95. While it was delicious, it was one of only a very few things on the menu we could actually eat. As vegetarians, there wasn't much here for us since almost everything included chicken or ham. I'm sure most dishes could've been altered to our needs but we didn't ask. The dinner menu was a little more vegetarian-friendly, but was also much more expensive. Thankfully the lunch menu is available all day so you can still enjoy a nice cheap meal at any hour.

Aside from the restaurants, City Market also includes a wide variety of shopping opportunities. The shops include Savannah Cigars, Natures Treasures (selling unique fossils and stones), Time After Time (a cute watch and clock store) and Scented By Nature (a perfumery). My favorite store was The Cinnamon Bear, a tradition country store selling homemade candy and cakes, kitchen supplies, housewares, and country-themed decor. They had very cute stuffed animals in here too.

My favorite part of City Market was definitely the art galleries. There were many of them, which I found to be unique for a shopping center of this kind. Many local artists had stores of their own, showcasing their art, crafts and collectibles. My personal favorite was the Thomas Kinkade store, where I fell in love which the magical paintings of quaint villages filled with light all over again. If you're a Kinkade fan, this gallery's a must-see.

City Market is a great place to spend a few hours on a nice afternoon in Savannah. My family loved strolling the quiet streets and checking out the local wares and old-fashioned candy shops. We'll definitely be back on future visits to Savannah!

My family loves the Food Network. Despite the fact that half of us don't cook, there's something fun about watching the pro's cook up delicious treats and make it look easy. One of our favorite chef's is Paula Deen, so when we decided to stop overnight in Savannah on our drive down to Orlando from New York, we knew we had to try Lady and Sons. Lady and Sons is the restaurant owned and operated by Paula Deen and her two boys, and is a big hit not only with Food Network fans, but also with Savannah locals looking for delicious, down-home country cooking.

Located in downtown Savannah, only a few blocks away from the river, Lady and Sons is a charming restaurant with a twist. The walls give off the appearance of being in a country garden, with light beige wallpaper covered in vines and gorgeous flowers. The hardwood floors and white paneling add to the country-kitchen motif, and are made even more lovely by the addition of candles and soft lighting in the evening. However, the ceiling is covered in silver metal pipes and props, giving it an industrial feel. It's a nice dichotomy between the warm and the sophisticated.

As gorgeous as the restaurant is, it's the food that really shines. While lunch is served daily, my family and I decided to try dinner. We've been shying away from buffet's lately but this one was extensive, extremely clean and a great value. For $18 each we got to enjoy the salad bar, and have all we could eat of macaroni and cheese, ribs, fried chicken, potatoes, beef stew, rice and a variety of vegetables. We also had delicious homemade biscuits with apple butter which were out of this world! The food was hot, fresh and delicious. My mother and I are vegetarians and there was plenty for us to choose from, especially with the giant salad bar. The one thing I noticed about the buffet that's different from the norm was that there wasn't a dessert bar. Instead we each got to choose one complimentary dessert from the menu, included in the price of the buffet. The selection mainly consisted of pies, and the pecan and chocolate mousse were both hot, fresh, and covered in ice cream at no additional charge. Delish!

While we chose to eat from the buffet, there's also a sit-down menu. The menu includes appetizers (including stuffed mushrooms, fried green tomatoes and a variety of salads) and a mix of specialty entrees which include steak, crab cakes, and chicken pot pie. With each entree costing around $20 and desserts at $4.99, we felt that the buffet was a great value and really the way to go when dining here.

If you're a foodie looking for an authentic southern experience on your trip to Savannah, look no farther than The Lady and Sons. The food's as good as you'd expect from Paula Deen (even if she isn't cooking it herself), the atmosphere's charming, and the waitstaff was friendly and attentive. Just be sure to arrive early. Reservations are only available for parties of 10 or more, and the line for walk-ins often wraps around the block. If you don't mind eating early, go for a late lunch or early dinner before 5PM, or be prepared to wait. But don't worry, the wait's completely worth it!

After a long drive from New York, we finally reached Savannah at 7:00 at night. The hotel wasn't located in the historic district, but was a few miles away in a more industrial part of Savannah. It's surrounded by warehouses and factories, but we didn't hear (or smell) anything from them and hardly knew they were there. We had booked the Baymont Inn and Suites for our overnight stop because it's pet friendly and affordable, and is only two-years old so we figured it would be in good condition.

It took us ten-minutes to get to the hotel from I-95, and when we went to check in we were surprised to see that almost every family there had a dog with them. If you're traveling to Savannah with your pet, this is the place to stay! They really cater to animals. It only took us five-minutes to check in, and the lobby was bright, clean and modern. There was unique lighting and a big flat-screen TV playing television shows for the the kids. There was also a small nook where a free hot breakfast was served every morning, a closet full of board games that could be borrowed for the night, and a big Fooseball table for some extra fun.

We were in room 126 on the first floor. I was actually nervous opening the door after staying in nightmare hotels on our drives down to Florida the previous two years. After putting our room key in the slot and watching the little light turn green, I opened the door and was very happy with what I saw! The room was gorgeous and absolutely huge! It was one of the biggest hotel rooms we've ever stayed in. There were two queen beds, a couch, a table and chair set, a dresser and a nightstand, and a large bathroom. There was also a huge flat-screen TV on the wall that offered a crystal-clear image and cleared up a lot of space in the room, as well as a microwave, mini refrigerator, coffee maker, and a big desk.

The room was comfortable and inviting, decorated in warm reds, pinks and golds. The lighting was powerful yet soft, and it really created a comfortable atmosphere. The room was actually very pretty! Plus, the air-conditioner worked great which was a problem we'd had in hotels on previous trips down I-95. As soon as we walked in the room it was cool and comfortable, which was a very welcome respite from the mid-summer southern heat.

The only problem we had was that we didn't have enough towels but that was quickly rectified with a short walk to the lobby. The girls at the front desk gave us a whole stack of extra towels and were nothing but friendly and helpful. Normally we hate spending time in the hotels we stop at along I-95, but this time was different. After a full day of driving, and with another half-day of driving ahead of us, we decided to pick up some IHOP for dinner since we were comfortable enough to eat in the room. The closest restaurants were a good 10-minute drive away, but there was little to no traffic and we got there in no time. Once back at the hotel, the food was good and we had more than enough room to spread out and eat comfortably.

It was great having two queen beds in the room, instead of the usual double beds. Traveling as a family of four, and with a dog in tow, we usually rent homes or condos while on vacation, so we're not used to all squishing into one room. It wasn't at all a problem at this hotel though, as the beds and room were big enough for us to all have our own space. It was nice to relax in bed and watch "The Soup" on E at the end of a long day, without feeling closed-in or grossed out by the room we were in. We loved it and all slept comfortably.

The only thing that bothered me about the room was that my allergies started acting up early the next morning. I'm allergic to most dogs, and we have a Shih-Tzu because they're hypoallergenic. If you have pet allergies, you may want to stay away from this hotel. They really do welcome dogs of all shapes and sizes, and some people may have a problem. It wasn't a big deal to me, though, and a Benadryl tablet cleared it right up.

The hotel serves a free breakfast every morning and we made sure to check it out. While most hotels offer a free continental breakfast, the Baymont offered a full hot selection of breakfast foods. There were pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, bagels, biscuits and muffins. There was also coffee, milk and a variety of fruit juices. It was all fresh and delicious! The breakfast nook is small and can get crowded, so just make sure to get there as early as you can to take advantage of the best offerings. There was plenty of seating for everyone in the lobby, but we took our food back to the room to eat. We checked out soon after, which again went smoothly.

I highly recommend the Baymont Inn and Suites in Savannah! It's a great hotel only a few minutes away from I-95 if you're only making an overnight stop, but it's also a great hotel for a complete trip to Savannah. It's 15-minutes away from the historic district, but is much more affordable than the hotels on the river front at only around $120 a night. With huge rooms, modern amenities, and a warm and inviting atmosphere, the hotel is ideal for both families and pet-lovers alike!

Even before I got to visit, the thing that always reminded me of Savannah were giant trees covered in Spanish moss. To me, that's what symbolizes the beauty and tranquility of the cities of the south. After stopping overnight at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Savannah on our drive from New York City to Orlando, I started to wonder if my depiction of Savannah was only a fantasy... an artist's rendering of what the south once was, or could have been. Our hotel was in the industrial part of downtown Savannah where factories and CVS drugstores were more abundant than any kind of Spanish moss. Could this really be the gorgeous city I'd always dreamed of visiting?

Luckily my first impression was rendered mute on our second day in Savannah. Before continuing our drive down to Florida, we decided to drive into the historic district and take in some of the sights. What I really wanted to do was visit Forsyth Park because from the pictures I'd seen, it seemed to perfectly sum up the beauty of Savannah.

After checking out of our hotel, we drove the 15-minutes to Historic Savannah and I was instantly enthralled with the beauty of the place. THIS was where my imaginative view of Savannah really came to life... everything looked just as amazing as I thought it would! We quickly found a parking spot across the street from the park and walked over. It was still early and the streets were empty except for a few early morning joggers. If you're going to visit Forsyth Park, this is the time to do it! The giant trees seemed to stretch towards the sky for miles, and the Spanish moss covering them enveloped us in a shroud of mystery. The tranquil atmosphere of the park coupled with the 19th century mansions surrounding us really transported us into another place and time entirely, made even more magical by the lack of crowds.

Located between Drayton and Whitaker streets, the park was originally developed in the 1840's. It was then renovated and expanded in 1851, and was named after the Georgia Governor at the time, John Forsyth. Being used to Central Park, I was expecting the park to be a lot bigger than it was. In all reality, it's only six-blocks long and we were able to walk the entire length of it in fifteen-minutes. That was without stops, though, and we made many of them. There are a few gorgeous monuments and statues in the park that are definitely worth a look.

The most well-known monument in the park is the one we spent the most time admiring - the Forsyth Park Fountain. I had seen pictures of it before we left, and I was even more excited to see it after there had been a gorgeous photograph of it hanging on the wall of our hotel room. It's a symbol of Savannah, and for good reason. It's absolutely beautiful! Added to the park in 1858, the fountain was modeled after the French fountain found in the middle of the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Savannah was a very affluent city at the time of the fountain's installation, and the city's streets were called promenades and boulevards after the affluent street names of France. It's purpose was to act as a focal point for the city of Savannah, publicly displaying the city's money for the world to see.

We spent a good ten-minutes simply taking in the beauty of the fountain, and taking lots of pictures! The fountain was surrounded by colorful flowers, and bricks inscribed with the names of people who helped to make Savannah what it is today. It was a very pretty area. No trip to Forsyth Park is complete without a viewing of the fountain, which really is the heart line of the park. Also in the park is a Confederate Memorial and a nice playground for children. I'd recommend budgeting at least a half-hour of your time to visit Forsyth Park, and a little more if you have kids who'd love to blow off some steam in the playground.

Another important tip is to remember your bug spray! We were there in the middle of the summer and it was very humid out, even so early in the morning. The park seemed like a breeding ground for mosquito's that morning, and we were covered in bites by the time we left! It was pretty uncomfortable, but don't let that stop you from visiting. Just be sure to bring your bug spray and you'll be fine. Forsyth Park was one of the most beautiful parks I'd ever seen, and no trip to Savannah is worth taking without at least a few minutes spent strolling it's gorgeous grounds.

One of the main reasons I was so excited about visiting Savannah for the first time was because I'm a big fan of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Berendt. A true-crime novel, it's the story of Jim Williams, a respected and affluent art collector and restorationist, who was thought to have murdered his lover, the younger Danny Hansford in the '80s. I love learning as much as I can about a destination before arriving, especially if it's about the more unexpected parts of the city... the true underbelly, as told by the locals. So when we decided to stop overnight in Savannah on our 2007 trip down to Florida, I decided to take "Midnight" out of my college's library, and I finished it in two days. I loved it! The story highlighted not only the murder mystery, but the true characters of Savannah, many of whom are still roaming the streets today.

The book largely took place at Jim Williams' home, the Mercer House, located in Monterey Square. Savannah was first laid out by General John Oglethorpe in 1773. He organized the city around a series of squares, supposedly to make more space for military drills. Savannah is now made up of twenty-four squares, the most famous being Monterey Square.

Monterey Square was created in 1847, and was named after a victorious battle in the Mexican-American War in which the United States gained control of Monterrey, Mexico. Located on Bull Street between Gordon and Taylor streets, the square's focal point is a large obelisk monument to General Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War hero. The monument is said to be set on top of the remains of an unknown soldier, maybe even the remains General Casimir Pulaski himself. This is more myth than fact, although it does add to the mystery of the place.

The first thing we noticed in Monterey Square was that it was dark. A lot of Savannah's dark, due to the overhead shroud of Spanish moss. Of all the squares we walked through on our short stay in Savannah, Monterey was definitely the most picturesque. The entire area seemed almost mystical, and the fact that we were surrounded by 19th century mansions really made us feel as if we were again stepping back in time (you get a similar feeling in the nearby Forsyth Park).

My favorite of the mansions was definitely the Mercer House, for obvious reason. Built by the ancestors of musician/songwriter Johnny Mercer, the house is most well-known for the role it played in the murder mystery surrounding Jim Williams and Danny Hansford. The house itself is gorgeous, surrounded by a wrought-iron fence and covered in the leaves of growing palm trees. Having read the book, though, made the experience even more unique. Standing outside the gate and picturing the accounts and events that took place in that very spot was amazing. There's nothing like getting to be an eye-witness to history, even if you're 20-years too late.

Jim Williams' case went to trial four times, and each time he was found not guilty. Whether this was because of his true innocence or a botched police investigation, no one knows for sure. His final trial took place in 1989, where he was again found not guilty and was free to go. He died only a few years later of pneumonia and heart failure at the age of 59. The Mercer House is now known as the Mercer-Williams House, and is owned by Dorothy Kingery, Jim Williams' sister. You can tour the home and interior museum daily for $12.50 each ($8.00) for students. Unfortunately we were there before the museum opened on the day of our visit, and we had to get going to continue our drive to Florida.

If you're a fan of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," modern mysteries or just unique experiences, a visit to Monterey Square and the Mercer House is sure to be a highlight of a trip to Savannah!