Article

Experts from Savannah Say, "You've Gotta Try This."

By Brittany Howard

How does that old saying go again? Oh yeah, "straight from the horse's mouth." Well, how about the Southerner's mouth? While planning your visit to Savannah, there's no better advice to take than from a few of the city's experts.

If you've been browsing non-stop to discover what you've gotta try in Savannah, take a cue from the ones that know our city best.

Joe Marinelli, President & CEO

shelina vinson personality — Shelina Vinson, Front Desk Coordinator

lauren cleland personality — Lauren Cleland, Vice President, Strategic Marketing

Attractions

"I especially enjoy grabbing a sandwich from a nearby restaurant and sitting in Johnson Square to eat lunch and watch the world go by. I also enjoy sitting in the shade of the live oaks, seeing the diversity of the folks walking by and listening to the many accents from visitors from around the country and around the world." The Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is truly one of our most underrated attractions. It takes 30 mins to do the entire tour (at most), but the collection is outstanding."- Joe Marinelli
"Check out the chapel and the grounds at Bethesda Academy. It was once an all-boys orphanage, and it's currently an all-boys school with some living on campus and some non-residents. The chapel is so unique, and many have married there, including Paula Deen." - Shelina Vinson
"Pick out a book at E.Shaver Booksellers and sit down to read it in Madison Square." - Lauren Cleland
"Consider visiting Pin Point Heritage Museum. It is a very unique and culturally rich heritage site." - Frida Bahja

kim webster leibgott personality — Kim Webster Liebgott, Director of Marketing Partnerships

sundial fossil boat tour tybee island — Sundial Charter Tours

SCAD 2023 Spring Sidewalk Arts Festival — SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival

jen huling personality — Jen Huling, Senior Graphic Designer

Stephanie Muehlher, Destination Service Manager

A row of tea kettles sitting along a window sill. — Ashford Tea Company

"You should check out the Fragrant Garden in Forsyth Park. It is just west of the cafe (Collins Quarter At Forsyth). The garden is walled in and has the plants identified in English, Latin and braille." - John Reed
"Boat ride with Sundial Charters Nature & Fishing Tours. Their most popular trip is the Little Tybee ‘Unplugged,’ but they offer many options such as dolphin watching, crabbing, cast netting, fossil hunting, bird watching, light tackle fishing, hiking the barrier islands and salt marsh ecology. I moved to Savannah for the weather and the longer boating season. So any boat ride ranks at the top of the list for me." - Kim Webster Liebgott
"Check out the creativity at the SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival in Forsyth Park." - Jen Huling
"Walk the nature paths at Wormsloe. Make sure to buy the yearly pass for $50.00, which gets four people into the park at one time. We use it when we have visitors in town or just for a nice weekend walk. Then drive over to Bluff Drive on Isle of Hope. - Stephanie Muehlher
"Ashford Tea Company, of course. With a focus on "Living Life To The Tea", living life to the fullest, focusing on clean, healthy living, engaging and supporting the local art scene and community, ATC is the place to be. With a modern, contemporary and impeccably clean space, it's time to slow down, relax and have a cup of tea and great conversation. As part of owner Wayne Ashford's journey, he is available for speaking engagements for any group size, tea service, casual or formal, offers the finest loose-leaf teas from around the world and tea ware and gifts." - Calvin Thomas

O'Connell's Irish Pub in Savannah, Georgia — O'Connell's Irish Pub

tara reese personality — Tara Reese, Manager, Membership Relations

madame butterfly cocktail — Madame Butterfly - Korean Steakhouse

Anjuli-King — Anjuli King, Director, Domestic Group Tour & Entertainment Sales

North Carolina rainbow trout with parsnip purée, corn, heirloom tomato, and asparagus in lemon butter — St. Neo's Brasserie

sorry charlies seafood restaurant — Sorry Charlie's Oyster Bar & Cocktails

faith rouche personality — Faith Rouche, Marketing Coordinator

Dining

"There's nothing quite like an after-work cocktail with friends at Savannah's smallest Irish pub—O’Connell’s on Drayton Street. Tucked away like a hidden gem, O'Connell's offers an impressive selection of fine Irish libations, ideal for unwinding with colleagues. While the pub doesn't serve food, guests are welcome to bring their own bites to enjoy. Inside, you'll find a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere brimming with authentic Irish memorabilia. It's also the proud home of the Savannah GAA, adding a true touch of Irish spirit to every visit." - Tara Reese
"Enjoy a relaxing lunch while watching the ships roll in at Vic's On the River. Best crabcakes and beautiful views of the Savannah River." - Kellie Linder
"Have a blood orange martini at Madame Butterfly. Visit Oatland Island Wildlife Center. It's a neat place, especially owned by our school system." - Tina Mock
"I enjoy off-the-beaten-path restaurants and bars. For example, PJ’s Thai or The Drayton Hotel for a cocktail – their basement bar is so underrated. A plate of ribs from Randy's BBQ! It's cash only - $5, $8 or $10 plates or $20 for a slab. You HAVE to get there around 11:30 a.m. -ish if you want a plate because he usually sells out by 1 p.m. Enjoy!" - Anjuli King
"Sorry Charlie's - My favorite roasted oysters come from here. Specifically, the Rockefeller Oyster with a splash of tobacco. Broughton Street Bowl & Brew is a great mix of food and fun with a modern edge. The Peacock Lounge is a nice bar/lounge with a vintage flair. The vibe is equal parts cozy, intimate and effortlessly glamorous." - Faith Rouche
"Kava House is a charming Victorian spot that serves up coffee, tea and quick bites with a side of local art. Grab a seat on the front porch or cozy up inside and watch the world go by." - Calvin Thomas

pamela knowles personality — Pamela Knowles, Director, Brand & Content Strategy

jeff hewitt personality — Jeff Hewitt, Chief Sales Officer, CDME

A lump crab cake with dipping sauces. — Flying Fish Bar & Grill, Inc.

Tybee Island AJ's Dockside Restaurant Patio Boats Dining — A-J's Dockside Restaurant

liz hood personality — Liz Hood, Tybee Island Visitor Center Supervisor

Have lunch at Driftaway Cafe in Sandfly or The Wyld. A day's road trip is to drive to Hunting Island State Park outside of Beauford, SC." - Stephanie Muehlher
"Cocktails at Alley Cat Lounge!" - Pam Knowles
"Dine at Crystal Beer Parlor. Great food, great service, reasonable prices and a lot of historic photos. If you like salads, I suggest The Other Salad. It is a taste explosion with lots of pickled ginger, cranberries, mandarin oranges, lettuce, etc. served with a white balsamic vinaigrette." - Mava Byrd
"Enjoy the Olde Pink House's Woodford Reserve bourbon (their private blend) with their blackened oysters while sitting at the bar in the downstairs tavern." - Jeff Hewitt
"Meet up with friends on the deck of Flying Fish Bar & Grill for live music (when the weather is nice)." - Andrea Sims
"Have dinner on the pier at A-J's Dockside on Tybee Island. Make reservations to be there at sunset. Ask for a table on the dock." - Liz Hood

Mindy Shea Frazier, Director, International Sales

jennifer thompson personality — Jennifer Thompson, Director, Southeast Sales

captain derek's dolphin adventure.jpg — Captain Derek's Dolphin Adventure

brittany wilson personality — Brittany Wilson, Social Media Coordinator

Plant Riverside Electric Moon Rooftop Bar — Electric Moon Rooftop Bar

Activities

"Take a hearse ghost tour. After all, how often do you get to ride in a hearse and live to tell about it?" And you must try the new Savannah Paranormal Museum! - Mindy Shea
"Whenever I have people in town, I always encourage them to take the Savannah for Morons tour." - Tara Reese
"High tide, sunset boating - dolphins will always appear!" - Jennifer Davenport
"Spend the day on the sandbar near Tybee Island." - Jen Thompson
"Book a private sunrise exploration to go over and check out Little Tybee. I have done one with Crab Creek Charters, and Captain Solomon was SO knowledgeable, and it was seriously one of my favorite experiences to date. Bucket list!" - Brittany Wilson
"Take a walk or bike down Wormsloe's Oak Drive." - Erica Backus
"The slides at Electric Moon Skytop Lounge - drinks are optional." - Marissa Guarneiri

Talk about a well-rounded list, right? No matter how much time you spend in Savannah, think of this checklist as a roadmap to a few of our city's best leisure activities. Remember, whatever you can't cross off your list this time, Savannah will be waiting when you return.

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