Tybee Island : Dig that retro feel
Tours , turtles and crepe myrtles
COMPASS
Atlantic Coast
COMPILED BY PATTI NICKELL
Tybee Island : Dig that retro feel
Tour operators taking groups to Savannah will be delighted to learn that Tybee Island , one of the Southeast ’ s most unspoiled beach communities , is just a short drive across the bridge spanning the Savannah River .
So retro is the feel of Tybee , with its mom-and-pop cafés , one-of-a-kind shops and welcoming people , your group members will think they have stepped back in time .
The beach , often called Georgia ’ s best , is the major draw , but there ’ s plenty else for your clients to experience . Start
Tybee Island Light Station
with Tybee Island Light Station , the state ’ s oldest ( begun in 1736 ) and tallest ( 154 feet ) lighthouse . If they ’ re game , your group can ascend the 178 steps for a panoramic view of the entire island . Fun fact : The lighthouse had a human keeper up until 1972 .
Tybee Marine Science Center is another draw for visitors who want to combine nature hikes ( beach and marsh walks are both offered ), hands-on experiences and informative story times with experts in marine life . We ’ re betting they will love the whale tales and turtle talks .
Another must-see is Fort Pulaski National Monument . Constructed between 1829 and 1847 to defend the port of Savannah from foreign attack , it was an important defensive structure during the Civil War .
After all the hiking and climbing , your group will be ready to eat , and there ’ s no better place to take them than the Crab Shack . The former fish camp turned restaurant offers the island ’ s most iconic dish ,
VISIT TYBEE ISLAND
Low Country Boil , in a scenic location overlooking Chimney Creek .
For more information , email Kim Webster of Visit Tybee Island at kwebster @ visittybee . com or go to visittybee . com .
Tours , turtles and crepe myrtles
The South is a region known for beautiful showplace gardens , and none are more beautiful — and showy — than those Magnolia Cabin Project Tour .
visitors opt for the 45-minute From Slavery to Freedom : The
of Magnolia Plantation on the Ashley River near Charleston , For more information , visit magnoliaplantation . com or South Carolina . With some sections dating back 325 years , contact Sharon Newton at tours @ magnoliaplantation . com . they are the oldest unrestored gardens in the United States .
At their best in spring when ablaze with colorful camellias and azaleas , the gardens are an example of the Romantic Garden , a concept which came to the American South from Europe . Tour operators and their garden-loving clients are in for a landscape designed to impress , with features ranging from a cypress lake where century-old trees line the banks to a replica of London ’ s Hampton Court Palace maze .
Yet , don ’ t think these gardens are manicured and mowed — this is a nature lover ’ s paradise . Your group is just as likely to spot a gator as a gardenia , and turtles are more prevalent than crepe myrtles . The plantation house might not be as ornate as some , but the interior is equally beautiful and
Boardwalk through the swamp gardens at Magnolia Plantation can be seen on a 30-minute tour , although some
MAGNOLIA PLANTATION AND GARDENS
36 February 2018