Southern Charm in Savannah

One of our goals while we're living in Georgia is to explore as much of the South as possible. I had heard and read so much about the charms of Savannah, so I knew that was where I wanted to go for our first weekend getaway. 

When we pulled up outside our bed and breakfast, I was spellbound. The federal style homes and tree lined streets...the Spanish moss hanging from the oaks and willows in the park squares...it was all so magical.

Now let me tell you...my favorite thing in the world to do is explore a new city, and even though we only had one day to make our rounds, I was determined to make the most of it!

We walked east from Chatham Square, strolling through the parks and taking pictures. Diversity is very important to me, and I loved that there was a Jewish temple, a Methodist church, and a Catholic cathedral within blocks of each other. 

Congregation Mickve Israel 

Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church 

Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist 

The cathedral began as a small parish established by immigrants from France and Haiti in the 18th century. The architecture is stunning, and the interior was just as beautiful, though I couldn't take pictures because mass had started.

I absolutely love history, and Savannah has so much of it. We visited the Colonial Park Cemetery, where one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence is laid to rest. 

Founding Father, Button Gwinnett (1735-1777)

We stopped by two of the city's architectural gems, the Owens Thomas House and the Sorrel-Weed House.

Owens Thomas House, built in 1816 

 Sorrel-Weed House, built in 1835 

Sight-seeing works up an appetite! So we stopped in for a bite to eat at the Old Pirate's House, which is thought by some to be the oldest standing building in the state of Georgia.

The Old Pirate's House, built in 1753

There are all kinds of spooky stories and legends about this place. Savannah is built on a system of underground tunnels, and one of them leads from the Pirate's House to the Savannah River. It's said that the sailors who stopped into the tavern were sometimes kidnapped by pirates and forced into work on the ships that sailed in and out of the harbor.

After lunch, we made our way down River Street.

And wouldn't you know it...we happened upon an Oktoberfest celebration! Of course we had to order a brat and a couple of pumpkin spiced beers. 

Then we headed back toward the hotel, stopping to take a few pictures of Chippewa Square, where Forrest Gump was filmed. 

But our adventures didn't stop there... Later that evening we took a stroll through Forsyth Park and then set out for a pub crawl, where we learned more about the city's histories and haunts. It was Halloween weekend after all!

We had so much fun in charming, historic Savannah. And I'm already planning our next weekend getaway...any guesses where? ( ;

Image from Blonde Well Traveled  

~ Nel ~