When my roommates and I decided to take a weekend trip to Savannah, GA, we didn’t have much of a reason to go aside from our need for adventure and a change of scenery. “Savannah is absolutely beautiful.” “Savannah has a great atmosphere.” “Savannah is so hipster.” We heard people say over and over, so why not check it out for ourselves.
And we did.
If you’re not one for long car rides, this is a perfect little trip for you. The drive from Gainesville to Savannah is approximately three and a half hours. Just make yourself a mix CD for the car and drive.
The majority of our antics, cleverly coined “Savannigans” by one of my roommates, took place in the Downtown Historic District of the city. This is where many of the bars, art galleries, ghost tours, and quaint shops are located. There are a slew of hotels, inns and bed & breakfast places to stay in for the duration of your trip. We chose The Inn at Ellis Square. Located on West Bay Street, it was about a two minute walk from City Market where all of the action was. Downtown Savannah is about as parking friendly as Gainesville, so it was great not to have to drive anywhere.
City Market
City Market encompasses a four-block area of shop fronts, live entertainment and restored warehouses. It’s college student friendly, family friendly and pet friendly. This is the central place where everyone coexists. You can enjoy a beer with friends, have a family picnic on the lawn, listen to live music or splash around in the fountains.
Open Container
The Downtown Historic District of Savannah is one of the few places in the United States that allows open containers. Other areas include: The Power & Light District of Kansas City, The Las Vegas Strip, New Orleans and Butte, Montana. However, specific rules vary in each of these regions. In Savannah, you are allowed to possess and consume an alcoholic beverage on the street. But the beverage must be in an open plastic cup no bigger than 16 oz. It’s important to know your rights. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a 40 oz. while you’re there. Drink up!
Places to Eat
Downtown Savannah, like Gainesville, is very keen on shopping locally. This is truly something to abide by when visiting any new place. Try not to go to a Starbucks or Panera when you should be out experiencing the culture of the city.
I fell in love while in Savannah. Not with a southern gentleman but with a coffee shop. While walking around, a sign that read The Coffee Fox caught my attention. Located on West Broughton Street, this coffee shop is charming. It’s not a big venue, so there is a homey atmosphere that fills the store. Their statement wall is decorated with random photos, clips of art, doodles and a giant gold deer head. Their menu includes a variety of espresso drinks, teas, sodas, craft beers, cheese boards and other treats. I had a 20 oz. cup of Horchata (yes, just like the Vampire Weekend song), which is a drink of sweetened milk with vanilla and cinnamon. My total was $3.21.
Another place that is a must-see is the Soho South Café on West Liberty Street. The restaurant doubles as an art gallery where you can look at and purchase prints. The renovated warehouse provides an extremely quirky dining experience, slightly reminiscent of a tea party with the Mad Hatter. You can enjoy your meal while sitting inside under a table shaded by an umbrella. It’s pretty popular for Sunday brunch so be prepared to occupy yourself for a good 30 minutes while you wait for a table.
Since my roommates and I were too busy being coffee connoisseurs and walking around with open containers, there were some things that we saw but didn’t exactly get to experience. But it doesn’t mean you can’t go for it. Go on a ghost tour of the city by night, tour the town by trolley or even in a carriage. Go forth and create your own “Savannigans,” and if you tweet about any of it along the way don’t forget to use #Savannigans.
