A Memorable Day in Majestic Savannah, GA

Georgia

March 2022

Savannah, A Southern Gem

Savannah is a gem, boasting a vibrant downtown, beautiful historic architecture, and a majestic ambiance. We truly enjoyed walking through the streets with Colonial-Style houses, large oak trees, and numerous square parks.

From Power Plant to Promenade, Savannah's Riverside Revival

It is not easy to believe that this lively riverside area, now a highlight of Savannah, was once home to the city’s main power plant until its decommissioning in 2005. The transformation of the award-winning site today was a decade-long endeavor, successfully preserving and reusing the plant’s buildings, which were already praised for their stunning appearance in 1912. Savannah’s Plant Riverside District is an excellent example of how urban expansion and the preservation of historic beauty can go hand in hand.

The Georgia Queen, Savannah's Majestic Riverboat

Another popular highlight in Savannah is the Georgia Queen, a majestic, paddlewheel-style riverboat built in 1995. The vessel began its life as a floating casino on the Mississippi River before being acquired by the Savannah Riverboat Cruises company and transformed into a dinner cruise vessel.

Exploring Savannah's Historic District

After spending time along the riverside, we walked through Savannah’s charming historic district. Numerous public squares and green spaces characterize this Historic Landmark District. We walked through many of those beautiful parks and squares. Each square and park had a personal story to tell. However, two were quite remarkable. Colonial Park Cemetery and Forsyth Park.

The cemetery is a large historic burial ground that served as the primary cemetery for Savannah from 1750 to 1853. It became a city park in 1896, following the end of burials. Walking next to the weathered, historic gravestones, the park gave off an eerie vibe. Forsyth Park features the Forsyth Park Fountain, which was installed in 1858 and modeled after the grand fountain in the Place de la Concorde in Paris. The Forsyth Park fountain always celebrates in style, so for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day, the fountain’s water was dyed green.

A Serene Sanctuary of Stone and Light

From the cemetery, we walked to The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, a beautiful example of French Gothic architecture. Initially constructed in the 1870s, the Church has undergone several significant restorations. Following a fire that necessitated a rebuild in 1899, further renovations took place in the 1950s and 1960s, with the most recent extensive restoration occurring in the 1980s and 1990s.

Both inside and outside, the cathedral is breathtaking. We paused to absorb the peaceful energy, taking in the magnificent architecture with bright colors, soaring ceilings, and detailed stained glass. As usual, we lit a few candles for family and friends and continued our visit to Savannah.

A Gilded Gem

We ended our visit admiring the Savannah City Hall. This beautiful building, constructed between 1904 and 1905, features an impressive exterior of granite and limestone. The shiny dome, made of copper, was covered in gold leaf in 1987 to enhance its appearance.

A Charming City Worth Revisiting

We truly enjoyed our day here so Savannah definitely charmed its way onto our “must-revisit” list. We know we only scratched the surface this trip, so we’re already eager to plan a longer return to explore all it has to offer.

Dates

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Distance

5.50 mi

Moving Time

2:15:28 hrs

WEATHER

72 °F, moderate breeze