Exploring Savannah, Georgia: History, Charm, and Coastal Bliss

Travel
Written By Yancy Violi

Ever since high school, I’ve been enchanted by Savannah, Georgia. This small city effortlessly intertwines history with All-American southern charm. With its coastal landscapes, vibrant local culture, and Spanish moss-draped oak trees, I knew it was time to introduce my wife, Erica, to (believe it or not) America’s first planned city.

Yancy Violi and Erica Violi, a couple standing in front of the Forsyth Fountain in Savannah, Georgia, surrounded by lush greenery and Spanish moss-draped trees.

The Journey Begins

We live in South Florida, Palm Beach County to be exact, and the drive to Savannah is about 7+ hours (or 6 if you drive with me in my Alfa Romeo). It’s a scenic route along Florida’s east coast, with sandy shores leading us to Tybee Island, just 20 miles east of Savannah.

Colorful sign for Tybee Island Beach & Pavilion featuring a dolphin silhouette, waves, and vibrant text, mounted above red and white striped vending machines.

Day 1: Tybee Island - Savannah’s Beach

Often called “Savannah’s Beach,” Tybee Island was a perfect start after our hefty drive. My coffee-loving wife was thrilled to find Tybean Art & Coffee Bar as soon as we crossed the bridge. Tybee Island has three distinct beach areas: South Beach (the Pier), Mid Beach, and North Beach by the Lighthouse.

Exterior view of Tybean Art & Coffee Bar, a rustic coffee shop with turquoise walls, various signs, and a wooden picket fence with bicycle parking signs, set in a sunny, tree-lined area.

We began at South Beach, which felt like a carnival with its food and drink stations. The long pier was bustling with fishermen and it was a treat to see Erica so excited about locals catching fish. A must-see is the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum, Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse dating back to 1736. Though the museum was closed, we enjoyed sneaking a peek at the lighthouse.

Indoor area of the South Pier on Tybee Island, featuring colorful storefronts, souvenir shops, and picnic tables, with natural light streaming in from the open sides.
Erica Violi standing on the South Pier at Tybee Island, extending an arm towards the camera, wearing a light-colored long-sleeve top and dark shorts, with the ocean and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Colorful sign at South Beach on Tybee Island, listing beach rules including ‘Watch for Rip Currents,’ ‘No Pets on Beach,’ ‘No Glass on Beach,’ ‘No Littering,’ ‘No Fireworks,’ and ‘No Smoking,’ with corresponding symbols.
Erica Violi posing in front of the historic Tybee Island Light Station and Museum, with a black and white lighthouse and a historic sign in the background on a sunny day.

North Beach offered a different vibe, with long wooden bridges adding allure. The water was delightful, and the sand was soft and seaweed-free. We got our fix of Vitamin-D before heading back to our hotel.

Yancy Violi walking on a wooden bridge towards North Beach on Tybee Island, surrounded by coastal grassland under a clear sky.
Colorful signpost at the entrance to North Beach on Tybee Island, displaying beach rules including ‘Watch Rip Currents,’ ‘No Glass on Beach,’ ‘No Littering,’ ‘No Fireworks,’ and ‘No Smoking/Vaping,’ with a wooden boardwalk leading towards the beach.
Serene view of Tybee Island North Beach with a wide sandy shore leading to a calm blue ocean, beachgoers in the distance, and tall grasses lining the left edge under a clear sky.

St. Patrick’s Day Surprise

My genius-self booked this trip during St. Patrick’s Day weekend. While it’s a fantastic holiday, it’s not really our scene anymore. We were aiming for a peaceful weekend, not a wild one. And apparently, Savannah does St. Patrick’s Day bigger than anywhere else in America.

Who knew!

Large crowd celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, Georgia, with attendees dressed in green, seated on white plastic chairs, and a modern building and river in the background under a clear blue sky.
Crowd of people celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at Plant Riverside District in Savannah, GA, walking along a riverside walkway with historic brick buildings on one side and water on the other under a clear blue sky.
Band performing under a white canopy tent with string lights on St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, GA, surrounded by a festive audience dressed in green at an outdoor venue.

We checked into the brand new JW Marriott in the heart of Savannah’s Plant Riverside District. It’s been over a decade since I visited Savannah, and this new district, which opened in 2020, was calling my name.

Think of the Plant Riverside District as Savannah’s version of “The Pearl” in Portland or San Antonio, or like strolling through Hudson Yards in Manhattan. It’s a vibrant, waterfront area blending history with modern luxury. Once an iconic power plant, it’s now a mix of high-end retail, upscale dining, and new music venues.

Interior view of the JW Marriott at the Plant Riverside District in Savannah, Georgia, featuring a high ceiling with green steel beams, natural light, and a large metallic dinosaur skeleton sculpture as the centerpiece.

Dinner at Stone and Webster Chophouse

After navigating the sea of green, listening to live bands, and drinking our way along the waterfront, we arrived at our 5:30pm reservation half an hour early. There was already a line, and security was keeping non-reservation holders at bay until the doors opened at 5pm sharp. The bar filled up in minutes, and half the restaurant was seated. Clearly, they knew how to handle a crowd.

Dinner was exactly what you’d expect from a dimly lit, upscale steakhouse. We had oysters, salads, soups, scallops, and of course, steak. Was it great? Absolutely. Better than other steakhouses? Not really, but that’s not a bad thing. The service was excellent, I had my fill of martinis and wine, and we left ready to walk off our full stomachs, heading to a surprise final destination that Erica wasn’t expecting.

Interior of Stone and Webster Chophouse in Savannah, Georgia, featuring a lively dining scene with guests at tables, warm dim lighting, exposed brick walls, greenery on one wall, and visible industrial ductwork overhead.
Erica Violi seated at Stone and Webster Chophouse in Savannah, GA, holding a martini glass, with an open menu on the table and a vibrant painting in the background, while seated in green tufted booth seating.
Overhead view of a dining table at Stone and Webster Chophouse in Savannah, GA, featuring plates of fish fillets with herb garnish and lemon wedges, a steak dish with vegetables, and glasses of water with lemon slices.

Jersey Boys at the Savannah Theater

I kid you not, the stars aligned on this trip. My last acting gig was as Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys during my freshman year of college. And guess what? The Savannah Theater marquee was flashing my favorite musical, Jersey Boys, live until the end of March.

Talk about a magical coincidence!

Nostalgia and old theaters have a special charm. We bought our tickets from the original 1818 booth, grabbed a playbook, ordered a large popcorn, and settled in with a crowd, ready to enjoy a slice of the '50s and the tale of four Jersey guys.

“Like that bunny on TV, it just keeps going and going and going. Chasing the music. Trying to find our way home.” - Frankie Valli

Nighttime photo of the Savannah Theater marquee, lit up with ‘Live On Stage Jersey Boys Music of Frankie Valli March 1-30.’ The theater’s name ‘SAVANNAH’ is in neon letters above the marquee.
Cast of ‘Jersey Boys’ taking a bow on stage at Savannah Theater, with audience applauding.
Yancy Violi posing with the cast of ‘Jersey Boys’ at Savannah Theater, all smiling for the camera in a lobby area with framed pictures and plaques on the wall.

Day 2: Exploring Savannah

We might have slept in until 10am, but those extra Z’s were worth it for our jam-packed final day of walking, talking, and sightseeing!

First stop: coffee for Erica. We discovered the charming 3-story “Maté Factor,” a Brazilian Yerba Maté shop with delicious tea, coffee, and baked goods.

What a gem!

Interior of Maté Factor café in Savannah, Georgia, featuring a large chalkboard menu with handwritten items, a glass display case with pastries, and a person in a checkered shirt at the counter.

Revived from our epic night, we headed to Savannah’s heart: Forsyth Park. This 30-acre oasis is surrounded by River St, Victory Dr, MLK Jr Blvd, and E Broad St, with over 135 little parks and squares dotting the area.

Inside the park, we encountered tourists and street vendors galore. Erica was drawn to a card-reading and stone specialist, and we left with matching bracelets.

Historical marker in Forsyth Park, detailing the park’s history, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
Erica Violi getting a card reading from a street vendor in Forsyth Park, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
Large oak tree with dense foliage in Forsyth Park, sunlight filtering through branches, red flowers and green shrubs at the base, bordered by red-brick buildings and parked cars.

The star of Forsyth Park? The Forsyth Fountain, a stunning landmark from 1858 inspired by Paris and Peru.

Fun fact: the water turns green every St. Patrick’s Day! I loved it; Erica, not so much.

Forsyth Fountain in Savannah, Georgia, a large three-tiered fountain with water cascading down, surrounded by a black wrought-iron fence, green foliage, and yellow flowers.
Erica Violi and Yancy Violi posing in front of Forsyth Fountain in Savannah, Georgia, with water cascading down the fountain’s tiers and lush greenery in the background.

Downtown and SCAD

Next, we explored downtown and the historic district. Savannah is famous for two things: St. Patrick’s Day and the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design.

Yancy Violi standing in front of the main campus building of the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Story Time

Growing up, I was a jack-of-all-trades: a jock, a theater kid, and a tech geek. I built computers, made music, played guitar, and sang. SCAD offers courses in all these fields, but back in the day, I was eyeing music production.

My love for Savannah started on a road trip to Indiana for a cousin’s wedding. Our late father’s classic Bentley Arnage broke down in Savannah. My parents trusted my brother and me to explore, so I toured SCAD, wandered the historic and waterfront districts, and fell in love with the city.

Fast forward to today, SCAD is even more impressive. The tour Erica and I took felt like a Disney theme park ride, complete with shifting walls, dramatic lighting, and a Hogwarts-style speech from the headmistress. She proudly announced that 99% of their graduates land jobs upon graduation.

Park in Savannah, Georgia Historic District with a white gazebo, lush greenery, large oak trees draped with Spanish moss, and a patterned walkway leading to the gazebo.
White trolley labeled ‘Old Savannah Tours’ driving along a tree-lined street in Savannah, Georgia, with lush green trees and Spanish moss.

Final Thoughts

The rest of our last day was filled with shopping and picture-taking. It was nostalgic to see Savannah mostly unchanged but with some new, exciting developments.

Although we love Savannah, we realized it wouldn’t be a viable place for us to move. However, it’s perfect for a vacation home, and we’re okay with working towards that in the near future.

Cheers to you, Savannah! We can’t wait to come back, next time with friends. <3

Yancy Violi
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