Savannah Tips for the NAAL 2008 Annual Meeting
Savannah is a lovely old city, Georgia’s First City, as a matter of fact. It’s a wonderfully walkable city. Along with the history comes a historical way of paving streets and sidewalks…stones and bricks in the historical district where we will be staying. So don’t forget to bring your sensible walking shoes so you have cushioned soles and good ankle support for uneven pavement here and there!
Savannah is also a small city, only around 150,000 people. With that comes a small airport and, depending on your point of departure, smaller airplanes. So, book your flights early. Atlanta’s airport is a good 4-5 hours drive away.
Savannah is a city bounded on the north by the Savannah River, and when we stay at the Hyatt Regency, that river flows three stories below us. In fact, during our meeting, we may hear an occasional horn blast of sea-going vessels as they head out to the Atlantic Ocean. Colorful tug boats and paddle-wheel boats dock alongside River St. This stone-paved street runs between the river and the bluff on which the hotel is located. Hotel elevators will transport us down to the river level. Whether we turn east or west on River Street, we will find a wealth of restaurants and taverns, art galleries and shops await our investigation. Walkways along the river make this a pleasant option for a bit of exercise and bird and boat watching, even if you don’t indulge in the tempting treats (pecans, peanuts, ice cream, taffy, bakery sweets and more!) across the street.
There are plenty of reasons to add on an extra day or so to enjoy this charming city. Check out the Savannah tourist website for more information! http://www.savannahvisit.com/
Speaking of walking, members and visitors who want to get exercise can head south on Bull Street toward the spacious Forsyth Park. During the course of the mile-long walk, you’ll have a chance to travel through the center of five of Savannah’s attractive squares that are surrounded by historic homes and churches.
The one and only pharmacy near the hotel is CVS is at Bull St and West State on the northwest corner of Wright Square. It is only open until 6 pm. On the northeast corner of that same square is a shop for those with a sweet tooth. Mabel Francis Potter’s Cupcake Emporium at 6 East State St (Wright Square) boasts 50 flavors of cupcakes.
The Hyatt lobby contains two items that will make your visit and your departure easier. A book of menus is available near the elevators, so you can check menu prices before you make reservations for dinner. A computer and printer set-up near the registration desk permits you to print out your airline boarding pass.
Because of the Savannah College of Art and Design many art galleries can be found throughout the historic district, including along Bull Street and River Street. A brand new architecturally interesting expansion of the Telfair Museum of Art makes it “the oldest public art museum in the South new again,” according to its brochure. Looks like a great place for art lovers to enjoy.
Check out the Hyatt Regency’s Hotel TV channel that features a 20-minute series of commercials from many restaurants and shops in the historic district. It’s very informative.
Right next to the hotel, on the lower level of River Street (accessible by the hotel elevator or by and outside public elevator on the east side of the hotel), is a Visitor’s Center with great maps and lots of brochures from area restaurants, horse-and-carriage rides, paddle-boat trips along the river, a nearby casino, musical entertainment, and ocean beaches not too far from our hotel (perhaps 20 miles to seaside Tybee Island). If you are interested in getting your bearings and having a fun introduction to Savannah, you can choose among tours of the historic district by bus and trolley cars that focus on “Haunted Savannah,” and places associated with famous Savannah authors (e.g., Flannery O’Connor) and Savannah-based movies (e.g., Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil).
Tips for the Budget-Conscious
Those wanting to use an ATM but not wanting to pay the $3.50 fee at the machine in the hotel lobby can walk just one block south on Bull Street to Johnson Square. There you will find three banks with lower transaction fees.
Savannah is a tourist city, and restaurants near the hotel can be a bit pricy, although taverns and bars offer fare that is less expensive, of course. So if you’re on a tight budget you may want to walk out the front door of the hotel, take a quick left, cross East Bay St. and head south on Bull St. toward the many inviting squares that make Savannah so distinctive. Bull Street is the dividing line between addresses designated East and West in the historic district. Within minutes of leaving the Hyatt you can walk to reasonably priced coffee shops and restaurants.
If breakfast or lunch at the Hyatt is out of your budget range, you might walk a few blocks east to 42 East Abercorn St (south east of Reynolds Square) and take advantage of the cheap eats at the unassuming Slicer’s Deli. The owner, Beth, opens at 7:30 am when most other places nearby are still closed. Although another spot for reasonably priced morning fare opens even earlier, 6:30 am during the week. It’s the Savannah Coffee House Café at 7 East Congress St (southeast corner of Johnson Square). Gallery Expresso further south at 234 Bull Street (southeast corner of Chippewa Square) opens at 7:30. In addition to offering coffee and teas, baked goods and local desserts, lunch and lite fare, and “wines of many kinds,” this “Cheers”-style café is handicap accessible and provides free high-speed Internet access. Along with its tasty smoothies, breakfast croissants and baked goods, Smooth, just south of Wright Square on Bull St., also offers free internet access.
For lunch, coffee houses and restaurants near the various buildings of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) are options. The Kayak Kafe at 1 East Broughton St offers “healthy eats.” Broughton St. is the main street for shopping. It runs east to west. Just across from one of the SCAD buildings is the Gryphon Tea Room at the southwest corner of Carlton and Bull Streets. It is a colorful spot for a spot of tea (including high tea) and more. The Soho South Café at 12 West Liberty is an art-filled converted car dealership that is very funky. Other cafes that cater to local students and artist dot the streets. It’s fun to explore the many options block by block, square by square.
Other options await at City Market, a five-minute walk west from the hotel along East Bay St. Cafes, a tapas bar, shops, and restaurants such as Belford’s, are ready and eager to welcome you.
In short, Savannah is a great city you can enjoy whether you’ve got an all-expense paid trip to NAAL or you are someone who needs to be a bit budget conscious. So enjoy!