Just a hop, skip and a six-hour car ride from South Florida is heavenly Savannah, a perfect weekend getaway to a very walkable city.
Savannah is laid out with 22 squares, each surrounded by boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, museums and homes — some famous, some infamous, like the Mercer-Williams House, scene of the murder of Jim Williams’ assistant, Danny Hansford, a story made famous in John Berendt’s novel “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
Walk the city and absorb the semi-eccentric culture, where old southern charm mixes with hip young art students of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). It’s all overshadowed by the city’s haunted reputation, whispers of apparitions from a city literally built on its dead.
You can check out where Forrest Gump sat on a bench in Chippewa Square, recanting “Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
Kinda like Savannah.
Old Town Trolley Tours: Savannah is a walkable city, but it's a long walk. The trolley makes a loop of 16 stops at main attractions, and you can get on and off all day. Best of all, the friendly tour guides offer interesting tidbits on all the famous places in a southern drawl so sweet and slow, you'll crave a mint julep.
Old Town Trolly Tours: www.trolleytours.com/savannah
Jones Street: USA Today chose Jones Street as one of the Top 10 prettiest streets for a stroll. If you go, don't miss lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room at the Wilkes House. The line starts forming around 10 a.m. and winds around the block — the wait can be more than two hours for this all-you-can-eat southern spread featuring fried chicken, sweet potato soufflé, black-eyed peas, okra gumbo, corn muffins, sweet tea and banana pudding.
The Wilkes House: Lunch is $20 per person and half-price for children 10 and under. Cash only. 107 West Jones St., 912-232-5997, www.mrswilkes.com
Broughton Street: Shop till you drop. Enjoy a honey tasting at the Savannah Bee Company. Try tutti frutti ice cream from the inventors of the flavor — Leopold's Ice Cream, serving up the sweet stuff since 1919.
Savannah Bee Company: 104 W. Broughton St., 912-233-7873, www.savannahbee.com
Leopold's Ice Cream: 212 E. Broughton St., 912-234-4442, www.leopoldsicecream.com
Go on a Ghost Tour: Savannah is one of America's most haunted cities. Meet up in Chippewa Square and stay up late prowling the city's most haunted haunts. Tour guides won't disappoint with ghost stories that will give you goosebumps — some guides carry laptops to share photos, newspaper articles and sound clips. But be prepared to find out that the nice little bed & breakfast you're staying at is also haunted.
Blue Orb Tours: 912-665-4258, www.blueorbtours.com
City Market: City Market is known as the Art & Soul of Savannah. In the Historical District, it's a favorite destination for locals and tourists. Watch artists create works right in their galleries — more than 20 of them on two floors. Don't miss the Savannah's Candy Kitchen — Willy Wonka would've surrendered upon arrival. Step in and sample hot out-of-the-oven pralines while you watch them dip giant candy apples. Leave in a sugar haze, stumble a few doors down to Byrd's Cookie Company — tiny cookies, big flavors from Chocolate Chip, Key Lime Coolers, Scotch Oatmeal to Jalapeño and Vidalia Onion.
Byrd's Cookie Company: 213 W. St. Julian St., 912-233-8816, www.byrdcookiecompany.com
Savannah's Candy Kitchen: 318 W. St. Julian St., 912-201-9501, www.savannahcandy.com
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