USA: Savannah, Georgia

March 2026

I had only been to Georgia once (Atlanta) and that was only an overnight hotel stay on the way to Disneyworld with my friend Ivan and his family after graduation from university. Everyone I knew who visited Savannah loved it, yet I never made it there on my own or with Brian. After I finally did, I wondered why I had waited so long....

The train arrived from Orlando just after the sun set. It wasn't fully dark, but the temperature had dropped quickly. After many online assurances that "taxis would be waiting" for the train, I arrived to discover that wasn't true. Luckily, I had saved a taxi service number on my phone. I waited about 10 minutes and then a car drove me the short distance to town. Soon I was checking int0 a hotel downtown. Apparently there used to be a train station in the city center (decades ago), but it was replaced. More people would take trains if they actually were convenient.

By the time I got into the room and settled, it was too late to go out. I also felt tired - I watched some TV and slept. I would have almost two full days to explore the city.

The next morning brought heavy fog throughout the city. It was just burning off as I went for breakfast. Unbelievably, the hotel had NO restaurant on site (and it was a high-end place).

Savannah Coffee Roasters was near the hotel (by chance) and they not only served great coffee, but also had decent (and reasonable) breakfast choices.

After waking up fully, I set off to explore. The plan was t0 stroll along the river and then slowly walk back to the hotel. The first thing to greet me along the riverfront was the beautiful Talmadge Memorial Bridge (1991). The structure dominates the waterfront and is visible for the length of the walk.

The city's waterfront is much lower than the rest of town - the principal street is River Street, and the "shadow" street behind is "Factor's Walk".

Factors Walk is a historic street in Savannah, Georgia, United States. It runs for about 0.4 miles along the upper levels of the southern frontages of the buildings of Factors Row, which is located between River Street to the north and Bay Street, around 40 feet above on the bluff, to the south. Although this difference in elevation was advantageous in terms of defense, it did not provide easy movement between the working waterfront and the city above. In certain aspects, Factors Walk can be considered a harbinger to the formation of River Street, which it pre-dates by a generation. Once River Street began to develop, in the mid-19th century, its numerous wharves and the inconsistent shapes of the buildings facing the Savannah River made traversing along the thoroughfare difficult, especially on its busiest days. Thus, Factors Walk evolved as a much more free-flowing passageway for factors and business owners to utilize. Initially used by delivery wagons, with horse sheds existing at select points, it was developed into two levels, with pedestrian gangways and other structures connecting Factors Row, above, to Bay Street, to prevent workers and vendors having to descend to Factors Walk. Perpendicular ramps were constructed down through Factors Walk to River Street from the north–south–running Barnard, Abercorn, Lincoln and East Broad Streets, which provided access to and from the downtown. Initially straight, several of the ramps were curved during work done in the 1850s.

(Wikipedia)

A movie was being shot on part of River Street (which meant it was blocked off). I was a little disappointed, but not entirely surprised. Savannah makes an excellent backdrop for a film. The whole layout of the city's waterfront was fascinating. Although these days mostly a tourist zone, the different levels and entrances to the buildings remain to create a unique neighborhood.

On the bluff above Factors Walk lies the Savannah Cotton Exchange - one of the most important buildings when cotton was "king" in the South.

Just above the waterfront stands Savannah's historic City Hall. The building could be mistaken for a state capitol.

The location for the city hall was formerly home to the City Exchange, which had been built in 1799 and was demolished in 1904. Following the building's demolition, the cornerstone for the city hall was laid on August 11, 1904 in a large ceremony. The architect behind the project was Hyman Witcover, who is notable for several other buildings in the area, while construction was handled by the Savannah Contracting Company The construction occurred during the administration of Savannah Mayor Herman Myers, who pursued numerous public works projects during his tenure as mayor. Commenting on the building, Myers reported that, "it will typify the twentieth century Savannah, the Savannah of indomitable energy, of punishing progressiveness," and that the building is "a monument to the progressive spirit that marks the Savannah of today." The building was the first building built solely to serve as the seat of government for the city.

(Wikipedia)

As I walked Savannah's beautiful tree-lined streets, I passed through square after square. The layout of the city is one of the best I encountered in the US. Many of the squares hold churches or large private homes. The ex-Telfair residence was turned into an art museum and left to the city/

In 1875, Mary Telfair (1791–1875) – heir to the family fortune and last to bear the Telfair name – bequeathed the family home to the Georgia Historical Society upon her death to be opened as a public art museum. The Society hired German-born artist Carl Brandt (1831–1905) to create the new institution. Working with New York-based architect Detlef Lienau (1818–1887) and Savannah-based architect Carl Augustus Schwaab (1823-1899), Brandt remodeled the old Telfair home and constructed an addition to house a new collection of art. The museum opened to the public in 1886, making it the oldest public art museum in the South and the first museum in the United States founded by a woman.

(Wikipedia)

Exploring the squares of Savannah was one of the best parts of the visit. Some of the old homes were exquisite.

Telfair Mansion - now a museum

Near Lafayette Square stands the city's cathedral, the Basilica of St John the Baptist.

In place of one of the squares (and much larger) is the Colonial Park Cemetery. Many graves are from pre-Revolutionary times. These days it is a pleasant park where visitors and locals can stroll under large shade trees.

One of the best parts of Savannah is its wide variety of building styles. Not just one building design predominates. That made walking in the city for me very pleasurable since different house styles exist around ever corner. Savannah is an architectural feast for the eyes.

530 East Broughton Street is a great example of Italian style.

Between the northern half of the old city (with all the squares) and the southern part lies a large park. Forsyth Park is half-landscaped with trees and half open grassy meadow. In the middle of the northern half of the part stands the "fountain"

Inspired by a design from the J.P. Iron Foundry near Paris, France, Savannah’s fountain was ordered from the Janes, Beebe & Co. catalog as “Model #5.” Installation began in July of 1858, and the fountain was first turned on just one month later in August. Since then, the fountain has become a defining feature of Forsyth Park and one of the most photographed sites in the Southeast.

https://www.savannahga.gov/4152/Forsyth-Fountain-Restoration-Project

Forsyth Park was full of people and many gathered around the edges of the fountain to take photos and enjoy the view. I had only seen half of the city (the north) - a lot remained to explore. I had run out of time.

I felt foolish waiting to0 late in life to visit what must be one of America's most beautiful small cities. Filled with shops and restaurants, it is easy to stay in Savannah for a number of days (especially if exploring some of the nearby coastline). As the last destination after two months of travel inside and out of the US, Savannah ranked as one of the best places on the trip. I loved strolling in the town - filled with both visitors and residents enjoying the Spanish moss-covered, tree-lined streets. Savannah felt alive.

I spent most of two days roaming the streets idly. A new discovery seemed to lurk around almost every corner. Like St Lucia, it is a place I know I'd like to return and stay longer.

Savannah Historic District - A++