Savannah, GA

 

River Street

DESCRIPTION: Located in the nation's largest Registered Urban Historic Landmark District, River Street next to the waterfront is the oldest destination and quite charming in its own right; today it is home to restaurants, bars, gift shops, galleries and boutiques; a charming vintage street carruns its length next to the waterfront and it is accented with shade cover trees, benches and as you would expect, the best views of Savannah River; its packed during the annual St. Patrick's Day Festival

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: River Street from MLK to Randolph Street  MAP

PARKING: on street and nearby paid lots

PHONE: varies by merchant

WEBSITE: http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com

 

Factors Walk

DESCRIPTION: Today it consists of shops, attractions, a museum, restaurants, a few bars and a hotel A network of buildings to the bluff connected by iron and concrete walkways; back in 1817, it was the original site for the Cotton Exchange; the first two floors were for the cotton coming into port, the third floor was used for storage, and the fourth and fifth floors were offices; the alleys and walkways connecting these buildings were later called Factors Walk because the men who worked with the cotton exchange were called "factors" because they factored how much cotton was brought in to be sold in this center of commercial activity

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: reopening soon to the public

ADDRESS: On the shore side of River Street  MAP

PARKING: on street and paid lots

PHONE: varies by merchant

WEBSITE: none

 

Cotton Exchange
DESCRIPTION: When Savannah competed with Charleston as the world’s leading cotton ports, many locals called it the “King Cotton’s Palace”; established in 1872, the Cotton Exchange’s permanent home wasn’t erected until 1876 because directors insisted that only a site on Bay Street would do; the notable red brick Queen Anne-style building, by architect William Gibbons Preston features intricate freemasonry detailing, low relief decorative terra cotta work and steep gables; its complete restoration is nearly complete and tours will begin soon; the building features the iconic lion fountain and Contton Exchange Bell out front; enslaved ancestors were also sold on this hallowed ground

ADMISSION: TBD

DAYS & HOURS: coming soon
ADDRESS: 100 East Bay Street  MAP

PARKING: on street

PHONE: none

WEBSITE: none

City Market
DESCRIPTION: One of the most colorful and historic fresh seafood and produce markets in the country; it is a mixed use rehabilitation of the four block historic area began in 1985; The result is an attraction that economically could not be replicated today, yet be a vibrant destination for entertainment, dining, and retailing place that attracts both tourists and residents; it includes the Art Center at City Market, which is 19,000 square feet of working studios for artists; as you would expect, its a frequent setting for events day or night

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: dawn-night

ADDRESS: 219 West Bryan Street  MAP

PARKING: on street

PHONE: 912-232-4903

WEBSITE: http://www.savannahcitymarket.com

 

Lucas Theatre
DESCRIPTION: With architectural details inspired from the Greek revival, Art Deco and Neoclassical periods, the theatre opened in 1921 by Arthur Lucas, who owned more than 40  theates in the South; The Lucas Theatre closed in 1976 after a deserted screening of "The Exorcist" movie; in 1986, it was slated for demolition by new owners who wanted the land for a parking garage; enraged citizens ralllied a massive fundraiser; with donors such as Kevin Spacey, Clint Eastwood and the cast and crew of Forrest Gump, the complete restoration spanned nearly 13 years and $12 million; The Lucas Theatre in 2000 and formed a financial partnership with Savannah College of Art and Design to secure its future as a cultural asset in the community; today the 1,174-seat, 3 tier balcony venue is the Savannah home for Broadway productions, regional plays, concerts and public discussions
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 8:30a-5:30p at at 216 East Broughton Street or SCAD
ADDRESS: 32 Abercorn Street  MAP

PARKING: Two city parking garages are located within one block of the theatre; they are free after 6p and on weekends
PHONE: 912-525-5040

WEBSITE: http://www.lucastheatre.com

 

Bull Street

DESCRIPTION: One of Savannah's prime historic districts and a perfect piece of eye-candy filled with landmarks; City Hall (1901), which replaced a 1799 City Exchange building housing City government; U.S. Customs House (1852) on the site of the Georgia colony's first public building; Christ Episcopal Church (1838) on the site of the colony's first church built in 1733; the immaculate landscape architecture of the street ensures that you pass Johnson Square, the first square laid out in the new planned town, as well as Wright Square, Chippewa Square, Madison Square, Monterey Square, Savannah College of Art & Design, dozens of galleries and antique shops along the oak filled-moss covered way; this street appeared in the popular movies Forrest Gump and Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: daily
ADDRESS: Bull Street from Bay Street to Forsyth Park  MAP

PARKING: on street

WEBSITE: none

 

Savannah College of Art and Design
DESCRIPTION: When people talk about he New South, Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) has to be in the conversation; more than an art school, they have renovated nearly 70 facilities the city's National Historic Landmark districts, garnering awards for adaptive reuse from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Institute of Architects, among others; here some things to see while visiting: Evans Center for African-American Studies, Newton Center for British and American Studies, Ex Libris Bookstore, Gryphon Tea Room, Mondanaro Theater, Pei Ling Chan Garden for the Arts and SCAD Museum of Art

ADMISSION: Free, but some special events charge a fee

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: 342 Bull Street  MAP

PARKING: on premises and street

PHONE: 912-525-5100

WEBSITE: http://www.scad.edu

 

Oatland Island Education Center
DESCRIPTION: Features a 2-mile "Native Animal Nature Trail" that winds through maritime forest, salt marsh, and freshwater wetlands; Along the way, visitors can observe native animals such as panthers, timber wolves, alligators, and more in their natural habitat; self-guided trail walks

ADMISSION: $3 Ages 4 and up

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-4p, Sat 10a-4p

ADDRESS: 711 Sandtown Road  MAP

PARKING: on premises

PHONE: 912-898-3980

WEBSITE: http://www.oatlandisland.org