|
| River Street |
Savannah Things to See
Visiting Savannah is mostly an outdoor experience. Although there are several historic houses on tour, the great majority are private residences. The best way to get an overview of what's available is to take one of the several trolley or carriage tours. Some include attraction admission in their price.
Owens-Thomas House and Museum- completed 1819 for cotton merchant Richard Richardson. The Richardsons lost the home soon after in the depression of 1820. In 1830 George Welchman Owens bought the house and it remained in the family until his granddaughter Margaret Thomas bequeathed it to what is now the Telfair museum of art. The house is on tour with garden and museum shop. Tues-Sat. 10-5, Sunday 2-5, closed on Mondays and Holidays. 124 Abercorn St. 912-233-9743.
Telfair Mansion and Museum- A permanent collection of paintings, prints, sculpture and decorative arts. The collection is housed in the Telfair Mansion, built 1818-1819 for Alexander Telfair, son of Georgia governor Edward Telfair. In 1875 the home and furnishings was bequeathed to the Georgia Historical Society by Mary Telfair to be opened as a museum. Tues-Sat. 10-5, Sun.2-5, closed Mondays and Holidays. 121 Barnard St. 912-232-1177.
Isaiah Davenport House Museum- Isaiah Davenport came to Savannah in 1820 and worked as a master builder. In 1820 he completed his house, a traditional Federal style home. By the 1930's the house had become an apartment building, divided up into many smaller rooms. In 1955 a group of women saved the house from demolition and restored it to reflect the lifestyle of a middle class family of the 1920's. From this group of women evolved the Historic Savannah Foundation. Mon-Sun. 10-4:30. 324 East State St. 912-236-8097.
Andrew Low House- Built for Andrew Low around 1848. Guest of the house have included William Makepeace Thackeray, and Robert E. Lee. It was here in 1912 that Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop in America. The house remained in the family until her death in 1927. It was bought by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America as their Georgia headquarters. Weekdays 10:30-4pm, Sun. 12-4pm. Closed on Thursdays and National Holidays. Adults $6, students $3, Girl Scouts and leaders $3. Located at 329 Abercorn Street. 912-233-6854.
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum- Housed in the home built for the owner of the Savannah, the first steam ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The museum holds ship models, paintings and maritime antiques with video presentations. Tues-Sun. 10-5. Located at 41 King Boulevard. 912-232-1511.
River Street- is an assortment of shops, restaurants, and small eateries located in the old cotton warehouses and offices of the 1800's. The numerous shops and restaurants are mostly located on the ground level, their doors open wide even in the middle of summer. Across the cobble stone street are many small parks and sitting areas that are observation points for the river and the huge ships that continually go to and from the port.
Factors Walk- shops and restaurants adjacent to River St.
City Market- Shops and restaurants.
Fort Pulaski- completed in 1847, the fort was originally part of a series of forts which protected major seaports from foreign attack. Not until the Civil War was the stronghold tested. After 30 hours of bombardment from the Union guns a mile away on Tybee Island, the masonry walls were breached. At no other time in history had such a feat been accomplished from such a great distance. The bombardment immediately challenged the viability of masonry forts. 8:30-5 daily, seasonal park hours, on US 80 East toward Tybee Island. 912-786-5787.
Historic Railroad Shops- 13 structures stand from the original 1845 railroad repair and manufacturing center. Among the buildings are the roundhouse and the operational turntable. Other exhibits includes locomotives, rolling stock, and two stationary steam engines. Daily 10-4pm. 601 West Harris St. 912-651-6823.
Savannah History Museum- A 20,000 Sq. Ft. exhibit area covering the history of Savannah from the beginning to present day. Daily 9-5pm. 303 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. 912-238-1779.
Old Fort Jackson- Part of a series of 9 fortifications to protect the seaports. Headquarters for the Confederate river defenses during the Civil War. 1 Fort Jackson Rd. Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun.12-5. 912-232-3945.
Back to:
Savannah
