Vacationing In Savannah (Paula Deen Show). (Tybee Island: hotel, houses, clubhouse)

[PhillyZepFan]

My friend, her Mother and I will be in Savannah mid September. Paula Deen had a contest with recipes and my friend was selected.

Now we know we want to do the cemetary tours and check out Paula's restaurant (and we know that we have to wait in line! ).

I would just like to know if there's anything you can recommend -- fun, cool, neat and exciting places to visit? Other things to do?

We're staying at the Clubhouse Inn, btw.

Thank you in advance!


-Heather
(from Philadelphia)

[Padgett2]

There is a Paula Deen's tour. I don't know how good it is. I think you have lunch at either Paula's or her brother's Uncle Bubba's. You might want to check it out.

Tripadvisor.com has many forum entries about what to see and do in Savannah. Check out the Savannah Forum.

[pinkmartini]

Well, you can't go to Savannah without going to River Street. LINK

[Cattknap]

River Street is very touristy and lots of cruising and drinking and noise on the weekends - if that is the kind of thing you like, then River Street is for you. It is a mildly interesting place to visit once.

The most fun is just to walk around the historic district, visit shops, restaurants, go on tours, sit in one of the squares and people watch, etc. There are Savannah River lunch and dinner cruises that are fun to do once.

[pinkmartini]

Originally Posted by Cattknap

River Street is very touristy and lots of cruising and drinking and noise on the weekends - if that is the kind of thing you like, then River Street is for you. It is a mildly interesting place to visit once.

The most fun is just to walk around the historic district, visit shops, restaurants, go on tours, sit in one of the squares and people watch, etc. There are Savannah River lunch and dinner cruises that are fun to do once.

River Street is *in* the historic district, has the most concentration of shops in the historic district, is the starting point for tours and cruises, and the parking lots for River St. are by the squares. I don't see the need to be snide.

BTW, PhillyZepFan, since you're interested in Paula Deen, she's filmed at least one of her shows down on River St. at the Savannah's Candy Kitchen. Last time we were there, we got an ice cream, then sat out by the river and watched dolphins swimming close by. No drunks in sight.

[ellie]

The riverfront can be quite nice, especially just before sunset. Watching the ships go by never gets old. But the area is touristy and locals rarely venture there. Mostly that's because it's not convenient to get and out of.

I recommend walking along the river front and then doubling back and walking along Emmet Park, which is directly above the river, on Bay St.

Factor's Walk is a small subterranean corridor which once provided access to the old cotton warehouses along the river. It runs between River St. and Bay St. It could take you several hours, depending on your pace, to explore that area.

You could also walk along Bull St. and get a good sense of what the district is all about. There a number of good shops and restaurants along the way which cater to both locals and visitors.

Broughton St. is our new/old shopping street. Years ago, people wouldn't dare be seen on Broughton in anything less than their Sunday best. Then from the late 70's to the mid 90's it was a ghost town. Now, it's hopping again with an interesting mix of chain stores and independently owned businesses. I shop and eat there on a regular basis.

Now, maybe someone else will offer some suggestions of their favorite places. My list is too long for one post.

[Cattknap]

Pinkmartini - I wasn't being snide - the touristy area around the river is full of cruising teens, drinking and noise on the weekends - maybe others like that kind of environment - we didn't....nothing snide about that. We found the historic areas away from the river to be much less touristy and nicer....I realize that River Street is in the historic district but it is distinctly different that the historic squares and old homes, shops and restaurants that can be found further in from the river. I don't appreciate the name calling.

[mb168]

Originally Posted by pinkmartini

River Street is *in* the historic district, has the most concentration of shops in the historic district, is the starting point for tours and cruises, and the parking lots for River St. are by the squares. I don't see the need to be snide.

BTW, PhillyZepFan, since you're interested in Paula Deen, she's filmed at least one of her shows down on River St. at the Savannah's Candy Kitchen. Last time we were there, we got an ice cream, then sat out by the river and watched dolphins swimming close by. No drunks in sight.

I've actually got a video of her cooking candy with Stan from Savannah Candy on my website at Bigbie Family Website - Paula Deen (broken link) but this is Paula's Party which is filmed at Uncle Bubbas, she's hilarious though

[momof2dfw]

We just got home from a 2 week vacation that included Savannah. We were in Savannah over the weekend and had dinner on the River Saturday night w/ kids in tow and it was not a "party scene". There is one spot closer to the Hyatt that has more bars but it is a small area and no big deal at all to walk past w/ kids in tow. I recommend Huey's on River St for breakfast or dinner (beignets are a MUST ).

Our hotel package included the Paula Deen Tour and we did that on Sunday morning. Lunch was at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House and Bubba was in the house that day and came around to talk to everyone and took pictures. Good food for sure. With the tour you get something no one else does, VIP priority reservations. On the tour you will receive a small lunchbox tote and inside has the slip w/ the phone number to call ANY time they are open and get reservations. No need to go stand in line to MAKE reservations at all. Then you just show up and stand across the street and wait for your name to be called. We did the buffet............... wanted to take a nap but instead went and hiked up the lighthouse on Tybee. Good thing as it REALLY helped after eating all that good food. The restaurant has seating on the 1st and 3rd floors w/ the office and kitchen on the 2nd floor. Don't do the tour w/ lunch at Uncle Bubba's the same day your going to eat at The Lady & Sons...... better to not eat a day or two ahead of that one.

The River St area is neat for the souviners and to get a praline and sit outside and eat and watch (people watching is the best). On weekend nights there are concerts on the river and you will see a lot of people w/ families in tow. The BIG party in Savannah is St Patricks Day. Been there for that but not on purpose. This is a HUGE holiday there and everything shuts down including the Tybee Island Lighthouse. The fountains are turned green and it is cool. Take the trolley tour that is the orange & green one to see the most sights before doing anything that way you get a good idea of where things are and the history behind them.

Have fun on your trip and start now getting ready to eat....

[PhillyZepFan]

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful suggestions!

We're going Sunday-Wed, so I am pretty sure we won't encounter too much of a 'weekend' crowd. I know we plan on doing the "touristy" thing on Tuesday. Monday we're taping the Party with Paula show and my friends and I just plan on hanging at the pool at our hotel that day. I've heard a lot about the River street fun... and all of the candy shops! We already plan on eating at The Lady and Sons and doing the buffet.

I will email my friend a link to this thread so she can see your responses!

I can't believe it's 3 weeks from today that we leave! SO EXCITING!! And this is my VERY first plane ride, too!