savannah
HILTON HEAD ’ S
SOUTHERN CHARM
BY JENNY PETERS
Visiting Savannah and nearby Hilton Head Island are two very different experiences , yet they share the same well-honed ideal known as Southern hospitality . Savannah , Georgia ’ s oldest city , is a regal place filled with buildings that date back to 1733 when General James Oglethorpe founded the state and brought settlers to the protected riverfront land where the city remains . Hilton Head Island , South Carolina , which is just 20 miles northeast of Savannah , was named in 1663 by English captain William Hilton and was actually settled first , in 1717 .
Both places benefit from the temperate climate along the Atlantic Ocean and both have fascinating histories that intertwine with the development of America . These days , Savannah is an elegant city that has preserved much of its Colonial culture and architecture , while Hilton Head is known as a resort community island , chockablock with places like the original Sea Pines Plantation that opened in 1956 and remains home to four world-class golf courses , over 100 tennis courts , a massive marina and five miles of beaches .
See one or see both on a visit to this beautiful coastal Southern area , and know that there will be plenty of welcoming Southern charm in each unique American destination .
Savannah has a whole list of must-see spots to take in , so be sure to allow enough days in this breathtaking city to take it all in . It ’ s a place where ghosts are known to haunt the streets , moss hangs from giant live oak trees in a network of shaded squares and parks that dot the city . The smell of magnolias permeates with every step .
Catch the DOT hop-on-hop-off free trolleys ( they are purple buses ) and ferries to make it easy to get around the Historic District , which is where you ’ ll want to be . Or pay to take a guided hop-on-hop-off bus tour or a horse-drawn carriage tour , where the history and local legends are part of the ride . Start at Forsyth Park , where the famous white cast-iron fountain is the centerpiece of this busy 30-acre park . You ’ ll find concerts , playgrounds and a farmer ’ s market on Saturday to explore .
Be sure to tour some of the architectural wonders here , by visiting the Pirate House , the oldest structure in town ( it ’ s a tavern , naturally ) as well as the many historic homes open to the public , including the Green-Meldrim House , the Juliette Gordon Low birthplace ( she founded the Girl Scouts ), the Owens-Thomas House and the Isaiah Davenport House . For some scary fun , do a ghost tour , for Savannah has often been called “ America ’ s Most Haunted City .” Be sure to see Bonaventure Cemetery even if you don ’ t believe in ghosts , for it has been a part of the city ’ s history since 1846 , and visit the stunning old churches that dot the downtown area , including First African Baptist Church ( built in 1859 ) and the Cathedral of St . John the Baptist ( 1799 ).
Savannah is full of fun for children , from allowing them to run and play in the many parks to helping them soak up some history at Fort Pulaski , the Civil War era fort filled with moats , cannons , tunnels and more . If trains are your tot ’ s favorite mode of transport , add the Georgia State Railroad Museum to the list and have lunch in the restored dining car nearby .
Tybee Island is just outside of the city and is famous for its beautiful beaches , old lighthouse and dolphin-watching boat tours . Rent kayaks and explore , try surfing and stand-up paddleboarding or simply jump into the warm ocean waters and have a blast . Save time for a trip back to town and a visit to the Savannah Children ’ s Museum , where handson interaction displays are designed to fire up children ’ s imaginations .
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SUMMER 2018 41 FLYWASHINGTON . COM