Avoid Paula Dean's restaurant.

Eat at The Pink House, The Pirate House and Vinnie van Go Go (Best pizza ever!) and Mrs. Wilkes Boarding house. Boarshead Tavern on River street is one of my favorites.

Take a trolley tour where you can get on and off when you like.

The cemetaries in the Historic District are very interesting. River Street is touristy, but fun.
Evening Ghost tour...a walking tour that begins at dusk.

It is hot. Dress is casual even for the evening meals if you go to the places I mentioned above.

When are you going? Where are you staying?

mona - thanks for the restaurant and tourist attraction recommendations.

We are trying to get things together to head to Savannah. If all goes well and no unexpected snafoos come up, we will be visiting during the latter part of the week into the weekend. We are traveling with friends and they are making the arrangements. I would like to stay on my FIL's boat, but our friends are checking out which hotels are in the area, etc. Accommodations are up in the air at this point.

Glad to hear it is casual, I may just pack one "better" dress just in case, but it sounds as though I should be able to get away with the day dresses I plan to take.

I will tell you that while I have always wanted to visit Savannah, I would rather be doing it when it is a bit cooler. While we do beach vacations, I always enjoy our cool/cold weather vacation destinations during the dog days of summer.

We enjoy staying at The Marshall House. It's the oldest, still-working hotel in Savannah. It's on the main street in downtown/historic Savannah and within walking distance of just about everything. The rooms have been renovated; there's a wonderful lobby and atrium for breakfast and lunch.

The Pink House - the shrimp & grits. I wanted to pick up the plate and lick it. Check out the SCAD store for fun stuff.

Another vote for the Pink House. Although I don't think the food at Paula Deane's is anything special - it's kind of a neat place to visit. We have not been to the new location though (Lady & Sons is the name). It's very hard to get in though.

It will be very hot (and humid)this time of year. We never go to Charleston or Savannah in the summer months. The boat sounds nice because I would definitely want to be on or in the water!

I would do a tour of some sort. One we particularly enjoyed is the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil tour (based on book and movie). I had read the book before doing the tour - so it was particularly fun. Tybee Island would be a nice way to spend an afternoon or all day if you wanted some beach time.

tina

Oh, my all means go to The Olde Pink House but since it is a coastal and tourist town people don't get that dressed up anymore. But I don't care, I dress for dinner especially at a place like that.

I totally agree with Mona about Paula Dean's restaurant, it isn't worth the wait. And believe me there is a long wait for Mac and cheese. (lol)

But around the corner from Paula's is a wonderful shop called "The French Market" and they have lovely things for the home. Even if you just like to window shop or browse, it's fun.

If you like greek food there is a greek restaurant on River Street, that is delicious. I know River street is a tourist trap but I bought the most gorgeous tourquoise jewelry there, can't remember the name of it.

Have fun!

....Jane

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Forgot to mention....

When we eat at The Pink House we always ask to be seated downstairs in the bar area. The atmosphere is cozy and there's a wonderful pianist that's a delight to listen to while enjoying our meal.

Thanks for the tips. I think we will definitely eat at The Pink House.

Hot and humid? How hot? Just started with the hot flashes the past couple of months so I am trying to come up with the best clothing to walk around in yet not suffocate.

Another vote for The Pink House -- and eating downstairs in the pub. Wonderful she-crab soup! Divine!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Sleeveless sundresses in light colors and comfy shoes would work. The streets are cobblestone so don't plan to walk around River Street in heels.
Also, lightweight cotton, loose fitting slacks with a cotton tee would be good.

Think about packing a small hand towel in your purse to catch the occasional hot flash "Drips". I know to do this from personal experience.

90's I would guess as we have had several days of 90 and they would be a bit hotter and more humid than we are here (TN).

I'll ditto Mona's clothing advice, although I would never do long pants, capris, shorts, etc. If it's something you would wear, I'd do tanks or cami's. I'd try to limit my sightseeing time outdoors to earlier in the morning and late in the evening. Do the pool/beach, etc. during the hotter daytime hours. There are many evening tours.

The French Market - Jane that is one of the shops I was trying to think of. I'm not sure where the antique stores are that we have gone to.

tina

Tina, I bought several things at the French Market. I just think they have untique things.

I went to several antique shops too but for the life of me I can't remember the names of them either. Work in process can ask around the people of Savannah are so helpful.

We went to Tybee Island too which is about...what...fifteen miles away. I didn't care for Tybee but I am not a beach person.

.....Jane

I have a water color of The Pink House in my living room, just a very small one I bought in Tybee. Not the one above, eck!

Hmmm Jane, I'm not sure how far Tybee was - just off Savannah, not far at all. We love the beach - but cater to small, uncrowded, NON-TOURISTY beaches. We love the islands around Charleston. Tybee does not measure up to those, IMO, but I'm glad we checked it out. There's a lighthouse.

tina

If you haven't already, take the time to read "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" before your trip. It really highlights many of the areas of Savannah you will be seeing. Trust me on this, reading (or rereading) it before your trip will only add to your experience.

ML

I'm from the area, and would definitely suggest downstairs at The Pink House, and to avoid Lady and Sons at all costs!!! Unless you like long, long, long hot waiting lines in the heat and humidity, and plenty of fried, greasy food to sink to the bottom of your stomach! If you're a tea drinker, lunch at the Tea Room on Broughton Street is always delightful!

Dresses ARE much cooler, or light weight loose cotton tops and capri's with comfortable shoes for walking on uneven cobblestones. Leave your heels at home. Temperature today is in the high 80's, but it's been getting hotter each day and could well be in the 90's when you get here. I had friends that just visited from the west coast and they really enjoyed the evening Ghost tour. A visit to Bonaventure cemetery is a must.

I agree with everyone else's recommendations, and the suggested reading list!

I even bought a In the Garden of Good and Evil statue or something similiar, to put in my yard. This sucker weights about 250 lbs. and I wore them down with the price, think $100.00. In Savannah a little foot tall statue of her is mass produced and is about three or four hundred dollars.
Although, they didn't make this for me it is mass produced too but even so, I like it and love Savannah.

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work, did you go on your trip? Did you have a good time? And how hot did it get?

mona - we were in and out in one night due to a tight business schedule. Spent most of it looking at a prospective purchase out by Isle of Hope. I hope to get back for a bit longer sometime in the fall.

Yes, it was seriously hot and I would not have enjoyed sightseeing much at all in that heat.

I have bookmarked all of the suggestions to use in the fall. Thanks for asking.