Historical River Street
THE DARK SIDE Savannah also has an edge. It is considered one of the most haunted cities in America. There are several ghost tours available that will confirm the dark side of this very pic- turesque city. Whether during the day, or a more appropriate nighttime walking tour, some must-see stops include the Sorrel Weed House, the old Savannah Theater, and Chip- pewa Square, where the famous bench scene from Forrest Gump was filmed. A short tour through the beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery, which was depicted in John Berendt’s Mid- night in the Garden of Good and Evil , certainly conveys the ancient years of decay and sad- ness of this place. MUST-SEE The quintessential Savannah moment can be found at the Wormsloe Historic Site, a for- mer plantation (Georgia’s oldest) established in the 1730s by Noble Jones, one of the first settlers to arrive from England. After driving through the huge gated entrance, the breath- taking enchantment of an avenue lined on ei- ther side by hundreds of trees — stately oaks covered in Spanish moss, creating a canopied
thoroughfare over a mile long — is a sight you will not soon forget. At the end of the avenue (which you can walk or drive) is a small mu- seum and visitors center that tells its history. CULINARY DELIGHTS People come from all around the country to experience the history of such a beautiful place. In so doing, they also discover the fa- mous Southern hospitality of the city’s fin- est dining establishments. Savannah cuisine and spirits are world-famous and extremely diverse. Sink your teeth into extra-crispy fried chicken, authentic shrimp and grits, finger-licking-good barbecue, and so much more. Stand-out eateries include The Grey, a restaurant housed in building that served as a Greyhound bus station from 1938 to 1964; The Atlantic, a repurposed space located in an old gas station; and Cotton & Rye located in a former bank, featuring a modern take on Southern cuisine. You may also dine in style in a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion at La Scala Ristorante, where the authentic Italian cuisine and impeccable wine selections are sure to satisfy any palate, or at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, established in 1943, a charming
stop where comfort food, never disappoints. Other top spots are Chart House Restaurant, Moss+Oak Savannah Eatery, Water Witch Tiki, Belford’s Savannah Seafood & Steaks, Flying Fish Bar & Grill, Pie Society, Sting Ray’s Seafood, Circa 1875, Driftaway Cafe, Husk Sa- vannah, St. Neo’s Brasserie, Bocci’s Italian Bistro, and Tubby’s Seafood River Street, and Shabazz Seafood Restaurant. Rooftop bars and restaurants are some of the best in the Low Country, as well as base- ment bars, distilleries, and European-inspired pubs. Savannah boasts some of the finest craft spirits (and not just the spooky ones). Visit Ghost Coast Distillery, where visitors can par- take in guided tours and tasty samples in their cocktail room.
The before, during, and after cocktail is an unwritten rule in Savannah. You can sip on the go in the Historic District (between River Street and Jones Street), thanks to Savannah’s open container law. If your beverage of choice is in an open, plastic to-go cup, containing no more than 16 ounces, you can be on your way to your next adventure. We’ll cheers to that!
Wormsloe Plantation Avenue
31 FREDRIC H. RUBEL MAGAZINE
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