Orlando to Savannah
Dec 1st, 2014, 04:36 PM
#3
The obvious stop would be St. Augustine and tour for an hour or so. It's right on your route.
If you want a REALLY different stop that will add an hour or so to your route, detour to the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home at Cross Creek.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/mar...innanrawlings/
It's a simple little state park, but what's magical about it is a peek into old Florida when the "crackers" chopped their way through the palmetto and shrub to carve out places to live. It's a simple home and looks like she just walked out the door, but some of her famous contemporaries traveled down from NYC to visit her at her farm. Fascinating story and home, even if you've not read her books. One of my very favorite places.
If you want a REALLY different stop that will add an hour or so to your route, detour to the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home at Cross Creek.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/mar...innanrawlings/
It's a simple little state park, but what's magical about it is a peek into old Florida when the "crackers" chopped their way through the palmetto and shrub to carve out places to live. It's a simple home and looks like she just walked out the door, but some of her famous contemporaries traveled down from NYC to visit her at her farm. Fascinating story and home, even if you've not read her books. One of my very favorite places.
Dec 2nd, 2014, 12:57 AM
#5
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Drive up the coast highway (A1A) from St Augustine to Amelia Island. You will take a small ferry across what I believe is the St John's River, allowing you to avoid Jacksonville's urban traffic.
Stop in the town of Fernandina Beach; the old town has great Victorian architecture, good places to eat, and cute shops, if that is your thing.
The Sea Islands can take a day or two. St Simons is low key and easy to get to. Jekyll Island has a state park, beaches, and a colony of the homes of the wealthy back when wealth was wealth. You can tour some, look at them all.
This can be a very laid back trip if you have a couple of days to do it.
Stop in the town of Fernandina Beach; the old town has great Victorian architecture, good places to eat, and cute shops, if that is your thing.
The Sea Islands can take a day or two. St Simons is low key and easy to get to. Jekyll Island has a state park, beaches, and a colony of the homes of the wealthy back when wealth was wealth. You can tour some, look at them all.
This can be a very laid back trip if you have a couple of days to do it.
Dec 2nd, 2014, 11:10 AM
#7
If you can afford it and have an extra day or two, stay at the Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island.
http://www.greyfieldinn.com/
Their ferry runs from Fernandina Beach.
The national park ferry to Cumberland runs from St. Marys, GA
http://www.greyfieldinn.com/
Their ferry runs from Fernandina Beach.
The national park ferry to Cumberland runs from St. Marys, GA
Dec 3rd, 2014, 04:54 AM
#9
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It's only a 4-5 hour drive. Just get there and enjoy Savannah, one of our favorite cities. I live in Orlando and have driven to Savannah many times (just went there last week). There are places to see along the way but In my opinion they deserve a dedicated trip (Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine, etc.)
Dec 3rd, 2014, 08:18 AM
#10
We did Cumberland Island as a day trip from Savannah where we were living at the time. We caught the early ferry in St Marys, then got off at the first stop, the location of the ruins of the Carnegie mansion, Dungeness. The ruins are eerily beautiful, as are the rusted out hulks of the '30's era cars lined up there. This is where we also saw the only herd of wild horses. From there it's a leisurely stroll along the deserted beach of this barrier island, then a path through a small maritime forest to the second ferry landing, where you pick up the return ferry. The walk was not a strenuous one, I recall only because I was freshly off crutches when we made the trip. I love old ruins like this, and the mansion had been fabulous in its era, plus we also love deserted beaches, so it was a one-of-a-kind trip for us.
The (pedestrian) ferry runs Thurs through Sunday during February. The website gives more information on schedules and things to do.
http://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
The (pedestrian) ferry runs Thurs through Sunday during February. The website gives more information on schedules and things to do.
http://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
Dec 3rd, 2014, 09:18 AM
#11
There's a new van tour on Cumberland Island -
http://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisi...acies-tour.htm
Some folks hate it but it's a way to get around and see the island in one day. Totally agree with OO regarding those beaches and wild horses.
The weather can vary but one Dec. 31st it was warm enough for the kiddos to play in the water. Magic! We were the only ones on the beach that day.
http://www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisi...acies-tour.htm
Some folks hate it but it's a way to get around and see the island in one day. Totally agree with OO regarding those beaches and wild horses.
The weather can vary but one Dec. 31st it was warm enough for the kiddos to play in the water. Magic! We were the only ones on the beach that day.
Dec 3rd, 2014, 12:55 PM
#12
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I love all those recommendations but if you don't have lot of time go to Savannah first and enjoy. If you get bored go over to Tybee Island for the day. St Mary's is a quick lunch spot coming home. Really a old time town. Lunch at one of the places on the water.
Dec 4th, 2014, 07:11 AM
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I did a road trip from Fernandina Beach down to Key West this year all the way down A1A. The best stretch of Scenic Highway is from Flagler Beach Up to St. Augustine. The highway is right on the water, Flagler Beach consistently wins awards for being one of the best small towns in America and has great dining options like the funky pelican and Flagler Fish Co.
Up A1A is Bings Landing, an awesome historical park complete with Native American ruins and Captains BBQ, a small bbq joint that is the best in Florida and has been named 8th best bbq restaurant in the nation. The ribs are to die for.
Up A1A a little bit more is Matanzas Inlet, one of the non dredged, naturally made inlets in Florida. The inlet is spectacular and provides access to some of the best beaches and fishing in all of Florida. On top of that, Fort Matanzas, an old Spanish Fort from colonial times, sits right on the inlet and is a great place to take tour.
Of course, St. Augustine is awesome, so much to do and see there. These places provide good stopping points between Savannah and Orlando.
Up A1A is Bings Landing, an awesome historical park complete with Native American ruins and Captains BBQ, a small bbq joint that is the best in Florida and has been named 8th best bbq restaurant in the nation. The ribs are to die for.
Up A1A a little bit more is Matanzas Inlet, one of the non dredged, naturally made inlets in Florida. The inlet is spectacular and provides access to some of the best beaches and fishing in all of Florida. On top of that, Fort Matanzas, an old Spanish Fort from colonial times, sits right on the inlet and is a great place to take tour.
Of course, St. Augustine is awesome, so much to do and see there. These places provide good stopping points between Savannah and Orlando.
Dec 29th, 2014, 09:24 AM
#18
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After spending some time reading the great suggestions I'm considering changing my plans to enjoy St Augustine and the other "on way" suggestions and go to Savannah another time. I don't have specific plans for Savannah-I just have great plane fare that gets me in that area. One activity that I really want to do is swim with the manatees. Is this available in this area? Thanks for any suggestions!
Jan 6th, 2015, 08:28 AM
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Really the only place in Florida where you can swim with the manatees that I Know of are on the west coast of Florida. Crystal River has a couple companies who run swim with the manatees tours. You can also go south of Tampa to the Manatee river (fitting name right?) and do it with a tour company there as well. Remember, don't touch or harass the manatees, it is VERY illegal and the feds will fine the heck out of you
Jan 6th, 2015, 04:17 PM
#20
OMG!! Skip Savannah??? We gave suggestions of things to do on a drive, but my gosh, Savannah itself is fabulous!! The historic distict is compact with beautiful squares, blooming camellias and other cool weather flowers during winter, all overhung by old oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Homes dating from the 1700s line all the squares and are gorgeous old south. River St. still has cobble stones, ballast from the early ships that came over empty and returned with cotton.
Sherman spared Savannah from burning with some finagling by the the City Council who met Sherman enroute to Savannah with the promise that there would be no resistance, with the caveat that nothing would be burned in Savannah. Sherman presented the city as a Christmas gift to Lincoln. The city was spared. This town is so rich in history, and fortunately town father's recognized the beauty, restricting modernization of the squares, so it retains its elegant beauty and character from days gone by.
It's an incredible city. We were transferred there from Dallas, had lived in Dallas for almost two decades, had loved it, and were leaving both our kids in college in TX when we were transferred. I did not want to go and was certain I would hate it. We arrived at night (in February) and I will never forget that inaugural drive in, around dimly lit squares, the Spanish moss eery and shadowy in the moonlight hanging from the big oaks. I knew right then it was going to be a great move and it was. Four years later I was devastated to be transferred again. The town is pure charm. Take a horse drawn carriage ride to get the broad view and some history, then return to your favorite areas to explore on your own. I haven't even touched on the wonderful restaurants. If you haven't read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil pick up a copy. It was huge in Savannah's tourism explosion, and a fun read..
As for manatees, they are primarily on the FL west coast. . They are also called sea cows. Would you want to swim with a cow?
They are fun to spot in their natural habitat, but I can't help but feel swimming with them, innuring them to humans, is not a good thing.
Sherman spared Savannah from burning with some finagling by the the City Council who met Sherman enroute to Savannah with the promise that there would be no resistance, with the caveat that nothing would be burned in Savannah. Sherman presented the city as a Christmas gift to Lincoln. The city was spared. This town is so rich in history, and fortunately town father's recognized the beauty, restricting modernization of the squares, so it retains its elegant beauty and character from days gone by.
It's an incredible city. We were transferred there from Dallas, had lived in Dallas for almost two decades, had loved it, and were leaving both our kids in college in TX when we were transferred. I did not want to go and was certain I would hate it. We arrived at night (in February) and I will never forget that inaugural drive in, around dimly lit squares, the Spanish moss eery and shadowy in the moonlight hanging from the big oaks. I knew right then it was going to be a great move and it was. Four years later I was devastated to be transferred again. The town is pure charm. Take a horse drawn carriage ride to get the broad view and some history, then return to your favorite areas to explore on your own. I haven't even touched on the wonderful restaurants. If you haven't read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil pick up a copy. It was huge in Savannah's tourism explosion, and a fun read..
As for manatees, they are primarily on the FL west coast. . They are also called sea cows. Would you want to swim with a cow?
They are fun to spot in their natural habitat, but I can't help but feel swimming with them, innuring them to humans, is not a good thing.
