One Day in Savannah (Nashville, Hampton: where to stay, fit in, renting)

[Jaybee]

Wife and I are coming to Savannah in September, we'll be on a road trip. We're from Northern CA and flying to Nashville and renting a car for a big loop in the SE. We've scheduled one day and night in Savannah. What would you locals recommend to see and where to stay? Thanks in advance for the advice.

[ellie]

Try to stay in the Historic District. There are plenty of nice motels, pricier hotels, and even more expensive inns. Still, I have the feeling that there are bargains if you shop for them. It's up to you and your budget. There are several nice places on Bay St., like the Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn at the corner of Abercorn St. That would put you in a safe location in the center of everything.

What to do? Read about the city first. Then just walk around and enjoy yourself. Go sit by the river, have a few drinks, shop, and eat. It's pretty easy. You can overplan a visit. Best thing to do in one day is just wander.

[Bulldawgfan]

Originally Posted by ellie

Try to stay in the Historic District. There are plenty of nice motels, pricier hotels, and even more expensive inns. Still, I have the feeling that there are bargains if you shop for them. It's up to you and your budget. There are several nice places on Bay St., like the Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn at the corner of Abercorn St. That would put you in a safe location in the center of everything.

What to do? Read about the city first. Then just walk around and enjoy yourself. Go sit by the river, have a few drinks, shop, and eat. It's pretty easy. You can overplan a visit. Best thing to do in one day is just wander.

Very good advise from ellie. I would also sign up for one of the night time horse drawn carriage rides (do so early). Unless you are into that kinda stuff, I would avoid the "Haunted Tour" stuff... and just go for a historic style carriage ride. So much depends on the guide you get, and I wish I knew one to recommend, but its such a good way to get some historical data in a nice relaxing way. There are some street artists (portrait) set up near the river in the evening also. One particular oriental lady gets all of our business... she is awesome.
Have fun... we had to cancel a trip there this weekend due to the storms lingering around.

[mrsnespy]

I would definitely work to fit in a tour. You can decide if you want a carriage tour or a standard trolley tour, but my recommendation would be to do a tour early in the day to get a great glimpse of the entire historic district. Then you can use what you learned on your tour to gauge what you want to do the rest of the day. And most of the trolley tours have a ticket that lets you get off of the trolley throughout the tour so you can visit things as you get to them.

Make sure you hit river street for views, shopping, drinks, and/or dinner.

[Uconn97]

We had 4 days in savannah and heres what we liked/didn't like.

- We stayed at the big hotel that goes over river street (hyatt), i really can't remember. The hotel was so so, but the location was great. So as others have said defintiely stay in the historic district or close to the river if you can.

-My favorite thing was walking around, taking in the architecture and squares. Since you only have 1 day I would say do a tour to see as much as you can and then spend a little time wandering. Do wander along river street.

- If you have time, do take a tour of one of the historic homes.

-Don't bother with a "ghost tour", interesting, but not worth your time.

-Don't get sucked into every store you pass. We certainly went to some that were unique, but a lot just had the typical touristry crap. Take a peek from the outside before you determine if you want to go in.

[bolinha]

My take on SAV as a visitor:
1) do the B&B thing in the Historic District. There are a ton and they really make the experience. Mine was a bit off center off to the east and south a bit, but still above Forsythe Park and 1 block off a square.

2) Bring walking shoes. Stay off of buses and carriages. I know people recommended that, but the real thrill of SAV is walking through it. Depending on the type of person you are and your physical fitness of course. But I would get a good tour book, bring a camera, lots of water and follow a walking tour from the book and stop at mansions and homes that have historic tours.

3) Go to River St to look around. It is nicely done. Get ice cream or something (but not a real meal) down there.

4) if you are staying overnight, hit the bars/clubs on River & Bay St. I particularlly liked the Irish Bar with live music all night, but that is a taste thing.

Good luck and have a great time.

[jkmewright]

For sure do the tour! It's cheesy but full of cool facts and alot of fun. Also, River Street is a must

Have fun!

[ellie]

Yes, the tour bus thing is not for everyone. There are plenty of reputable walking tours that specialize in architecture, history, and other similar things. Ask the concierge at your hotel or get a list from the Savannah Visitors Center.

[Jaybee]

The irish bar sounds terrific. Can you recall its name?

Originally Posted by bolinha

My take on SAV as a visitor:
1) do the B&B thing in the Historic District. There are a ton and they really make the experience. Mine was a bit off center off to the east and south a bit, but still above Forsythe Park and 1 block off a square.

2) Bring walking shoes. Stay off of buses and carriages. I know people recommended that, but the real thrill of SAV is walking through it. Depending on the type of person you are and your physical fitness of course. But I would get a good tour book, bring a camera, lots of water and follow a walking tour from the book and stop at mansions and homes that have historic tours.

3) Go to River St to look around. It is nicely done. Get ice cream or something (but not a real meal) down there.

4) if you are staying overnight, hit the bars/clubs on River & Bay St. I particularlly liked the Irish Bar with live music all night, but that is a taste thing.

Good luck and have a great time.

[ellie]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

The irish bar sounds terrific. Can you recall its name?

Kevin Barry's