A whirlwind 1.5 day in Savannah - with 4th of July fireworks too
Jul 7th, 2012, 06:28 AM
#21
And now for the .5 day -
We called for a late check-out and added an extra hour to the day in Savannah. I opted for leftovers from the Pink House for breafast, zapped in the microwave. A fabulous breakfast indeed - medallions of flounder with apricot sauce, creamy grits and butter beans. Apple juice from the breakfast room at the Residence Inn. Then off we go to tour some musuems -
http://telfair.org/visit/owens-thomas-house/overview/
The Owens-Thomas House is considered by architectural historians to be one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America. Inspired by classical antiquity, this style of architecture takes its name from England’s King George IV, who ruled as Prince Regent from 1811 to 1820.
The house was designed by the young English architect William Jay (1792-1837), one of the first professionally-trained architects practicing in the United States.
The house is amazing. Simply amazing. I didn't realize how many years it had been since I had visited. Now three floors are open including the basement and the indoor plumbing/running water systems are on display. Marble tubs. Showers fed from cisterns on the roof. Potable water came from wells, but the occupents had running water before most in America, including the White House. The house is GORGEOUS - and a sad illustration of the common story of reversal of fortune. A year after it was completed in 1819, the owner had lost his wife and two children to yellow fever and two years later lost the house. It was bank-owned for years and then other families made it their own.
I loved the interior. The round/oval walls. The Lioness and (pink) clover carpet on the stairs. The third floor bridge that looks like it should be in a Japanese garden. A grand staircase made to glimmer in candlelight. A woman's parlor made to look round when it isn't and furniture to match the Grecian decor and clothing instead of the big hoop skirts that many of us imagine. The balcony off the bedroom where the Marquis de Lafayette stayed in. The beautiful formal garden where the house garden used to be. The slave quarters with haint paint (I've used the same color on my porch ceiling and front door). The previously mentioned gift shop. I highly recommend this house museum.
We bought the combo ticket so rushed over to get the Telfair museum in. We decided to squeeze lunch in first so headed to the cafe in the Jepson Center.
Perhaps the best lunch spot in Savannah - Cafe Zeum
http://telfair.org/visit/museum-cafe/
The food is VERY good with surprising large servings.
The space is gorgeous - bright white atrium with glass exterior walls.
The view is lovely - overlooking Telfair Square. Live Oaks, Trinity church, the Telfair Academy. The old and the very new/modern.
I highly recommend it!
For a touch of serendipity, The Seersucker Suit Man walks in. We greet one another and he excuses himself because he has lunch guests.
We skip the exhibitions in the Jepson to hurry over to the Telfair. Okay, we strolled over. We had limited time so we focus on a visiting exhibit.
If you are in Savannah before Sept. 16th, GO!
http://telfair.org/current-exhibitio...hlil-gibran-2/
We called for a late check-out and added an extra hour to the day in Savannah. I opted for leftovers from the Pink House for breafast, zapped in the microwave. A fabulous breakfast indeed - medallions of flounder with apricot sauce, creamy grits and butter beans. Apple juice from the breakfast room at the Residence Inn. Then off we go to tour some musuems -
http://telfair.org/visit/owens-thomas-house/overview/
The Owens-Thomas House is considered by architectural historians to be one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America. Inspired by classical antiquity, this style of architecture takes its name from England’s King George IV, who ruled as Prince Regent from 1811 to 1820.
The house was designed by the young English architect William Jay (1792-1837), one of the first professionally-trained architects practicing in the United States.
The house is amazing. Simply amazing. I didn't realize how many years it had been since I had visited. Now three floors are open including the basement and the indoor plumbing/running water systems are on display. Marble tubs. Showers fed from cisterns on the roof. Potable water came from wells, but the occupents had running water before most in America, including the White House. The house is GORGEOUS - and a sad illustration of the common story of reversal of fortune. A year after it was completed in 1819, the owner had lost his wife and two children to yellow fever and two years later lost the house. It was bank-owned for years and then other families made it their own.
I loved the interior. The round/oval walls. The Lioness and (pink) clover carpet on the stairs. The third floor bridge that looks like it should be in a Japanese garden. A grand staircase made to glimmer in candlelight. A woman's parlor made to look round when it isn't and furniture to match the Grecian decor and clothing instead of the big hoop skirts that many of us imagine. The balcony off the bedroom where the Marquis de Lafayette stayed in. The beautiful formal garden where the house garden used to be. The slave quarters with haint paint (I've used the same color on my porch ceiling and front door). The previously mentioned gift shop. I highly recommend this house museum.
We bought the combo ticket so rushed over to get the Telfair museum in. We decided to squeeze lunch in first so headed to the cafe in the Jepson Center.
Perhaps the best lunch spot in Savannah - Cafe Zeum
http://telfair.org/visit/museum-cafe/
The food is VERY good with surprising large servings.
The space is gorgeous - bright white atrium with glass exterior walls.
The view is lovely - overlooking Telfair Square. Live Oaks, Trinity church, the Telfair Academy. The old and the very new/modern.
I highly recommend it!
For a touch of serendipity, The Seersucker Suit Man walks in. We greet one another and he excuses himself because he has lunch guests.
We skip the exhibitions in the Jepson to hurry over to the Telfair. Okay, we strolled over. We had limited time so we focus on a visiting exhibit.
If you are in Savannah before Sept. 16th, GO!
http://telfair.org/current-exhibitio...hlil-gibran-2/
Jul 7th, 2012, 06:38 AM
#22
For morning parking I had gathered quarters to feed the meters and we were able to find parking steps away from both museums. (I keep forgetting to get a visitor's pass). We took a few more pictures of yet another square and lovely buildings and then headed back to pick up pets and luggage and said goodbye to Savannah...for now.
Stepping on my soapbox for a minute - Savannah is NOT River Street. If that's all you plan to see in Savannah, I wouldn't even go. Take the time to get out and see the really lovely parts of the city. Special surprises are arranged around and between the squares. Get out and walk. Take a tour with Dirk. Immerse yourself in one of the most enchanting cities I know. There's so much to see and do.
We didn't get to the Davenport House this time. It's at the top of the list for next time. The Mercer-Williams house too. The Telfair and Jepson Center would be great choices for rainy days. Read trip reports and guidebooks for more ideas. Explore Savannah and you'll want to return many times. At least that's true for me.
http://www.davenporthousemuseum.org/
http://www.mercerhouse.com/history.htm
Stepping on my soapbox for a minute - Savannah is NOT River Street. If that's all you plan to see in Savannah, I wouldn't even go. Take the time to get out and see the really lovely parts of the city. Special surprises are arranged around and between the squares. Get out and walk. Take a tour with Dirk. Immerse yourself in one of the most enchanting cities I know. There's so much to see and do.
We didn't get to the Davenport House this time. It's at the top of the list for next time. The Mercer-Williams house too. The Telfair and Jepson Center would be great choices for rainy days. Read trip reports and guidebooks for more ideas. Explore Savannah and you'll want to return many times. At least that's true for me.
http://www.davenporthousemuseum.org/
http://www.mercerhouse.com/history.htm
Jul 8th, 2012, 04:14 AM
#24
You did pack it in! Fun trip report. I may even know Mr Seersucker. Was he tall and thin with white hair?
If the Olympia Cafe is the Greek place near the Hyatt, I have a little bit of worthless trivia about them. We loved that place and would often go when we wanted a quick bite away from the hotel. Mmmm... I miss those gyros! Anyway, they used to be named the Olympic Cafe and had been there for ages when the Olympics came to Savannah (yachting venue). The Olympic committee forced them to change their name as nothing there could be called Olympic anything. And they had to do it, new sign and all! They were still Olympia when we moved several years later. Have they changed back?
Funny, we were just talking about our 4ths there as being the best we've ever had. Our apartment fronted on the river, and we had a rooftop deck that overlooked the river on one side, and River Street on the other. We had a party for staff every 4th. The fireworks show there is one of the best, and it was at eye level almost. Below us, the Savannah Symphony played on River Street and real howitzers from the army base were fired during the 1812 Overture. I can still hear it! LOL. Such fun times.
Thank you for dredging up some very pleasant memories! I love that city and need to get back one of these days.
If the Olympia Cafe is the Greek place near the Hyatt, I have a little bit of worthless trivia about them. We loved that place and would often go when we wanted a quick bite away from the hotel. Mmmm... I miss those gyros! Anyway, they used to be named the Olympic Cafe and had been there for ages when the Olympics came to Savannah (yachting venue). The Olympic committee forced them to change their name as nothing there could be called Olympic anything. And they had to do it, new sign and all! They were still Olympia when we moved several years later. Have they changed back?
Funny, we were just talking about our 4ths there as being the best we've ever had. Our apartment fronted on the river, and we had a rooftop deck that overlooked the river on one side, and River Street on the other. We had a party for staff every 4th. The fireworks show there is one of the best, and it was at eye level almost. Below us, the Savannah Symphony played on River Street and real howitzers from the army base were fired during the 1812 Overture. I can still hear it! LOL. Such fun times.
Thank you for dredging up some very pleasant memories! I love that city and need to get back one of these days.
Jul 9th, 2012, 06:30 AM
#25
Oh how funny, OO! I didn't even notice that I still call it the Olympic! 
Interesting trivia about the name change. It obviously didn't stick with me! I still think of it as "Olympic". I love their "fancy" restaurant and love the frozen drinks on the casual side. Great for picking up a drink to go when waiting on the ferry. I've chatted with the owner a couple of times. I'm always relieved to find them still there when I go to River Street. So glad they are a constant.
No, Seersucker Man is not the gentleman you are thinking of. He's about my age and married a woman from Savannah. Email me if you want and I'll share his name. I imagine you crossed paths during your time there. I was telling my friend about your apartment on the roof when we were walking through the lobby. I ducked in the restroom to change into a cotton T. It seems a bit like home to be since I spent so much time there during conferences. Kind of bizarre that we were a few floors away during so many years.
I was recounting the trip with a mutual friend (mutual to the friend that went to Savannah, not you) and she wants to go for a less frantic tour. I'll match the plan with her pace. You DO need to return sometime. Let us know when and we'll have a little GTG. Tedgale usually spends Q1 in Savannah so maybe while he is here next year.
Thanks elburr, esm and panecott. It's a wonderful city and one that is easy to fall in love with.
Interesting trivia about the name change. It obviously didn't stick with me! I still think of it as "Olympic". I love their "fancy" restaurant and love the frozen drinks on the casual side. Great for picking up a drink to go when waiting on the ferry. I've chatted with the owner a couple of times. I'm always relieved to find them still there when I go to River Street. So glad they are a constant.No, Seersucker Man is not the gentleman you are thinking of. He's about my age and married a woman from Savannah. Email me if you want and I'll share his name. I imagine you crossed paths during your time there. I was telling my friend about your apartment on the roof when we were walking through the lobby. I ducked in the restroom to change into a cotton T. It seems a bit like home to be since I spent so much time there during conferences. Kind of bizarre that we were a few floors away during so many years.
I was recounting the trip with a mutual friend (mutual to the friend that went to Savannah, not you) and she wants to go for a less frantic tour. I'll match the plan with her pace. You DO need to return sometime. Let us know when and we'll have a little GTG. Tedgale usually spends Q1 in Savannah so maybe while he is here next year.
Thanks elburr, esm and panecott. It's a wonderful city and one that is easy to fall in love with.
Jul 9th, 2012, 03:48 PM
#26
Lol, it was hard for us to change what we called it too, and that was our first glimpse at how high handed the Olympic Committe can be. I don't know when Olympia got their start, but well before the Olympics were coming to Savannah, and obviously the name had everything to do with their heritage and nothing to do with the Olympics. NICE people! I'm happy to hear they have survived on River St.
It is very strange knowing we were often in the same building, floors apart, maybe going through those heavy doors together. Were your meetings in the 'new' meeting space with the arched windows? That space was built during our era, DH's pride and joy, his mark on the hotel. Fun recollections!
Would love to do a GTG one day, meeting both you and Ted, and others in the area! It would be such fun...and to do a tour too.
I can't guess who Mr Seersucker is, in fact the only New Yorker I recall in the downtown area was the outspoken husband of Mayor Susan Weiner...if you go back that far, but she too was from NY. Savannah always had its characters, but the Oglethorpe Club probably still swarms in blue seersucker. I'm curious tho, so beachmusic18 at yahoo dot com. My Mr Seersucker was a prof at Armstrong and now owns a map shop on one of the squares. I sound like an old person reminiscing....wait.... I am!
It is very strange knowing we were often in the same building, floors apart, maybe going through those heavy doors together. Were your meetings in the 'new' meeting space with the arched windows? That space was built during our era, DH's pride and joy, his mark on the hotel. Fun recollections!
Would love to do a GTG one day, meeting both you and Ted, and others in the area! It would be such fun...and to do a tour too.
I can't guess who Mr Seersucker is, in fact the only New Yorker I recall in the downtown area was the outspoken husband of Mayor Susan Weiner...if you go back that far, but she too was from NY. Savannah always had its characters, but the Oglethorpe Club probably still swarms in blue seersucker. I'm curious tho, so beachmusic18 at yahoo dot com. My Mr Seersucker was a prof at Armstrong and now owns a map shop on one of the squares. I sound like an old person reminiscing....wait.... I am!
Jul 9th, 2012, 04:06 PM
#27
I know. Small world. In the "olden days" we were always in the glass fronted room overlooking the river - ground floor. When "the book" came out we had the woman from the book playing the grand piano during a cocktail party. Over the years, conferences moved to the Marriott when it opened and then to Hutchinson Island. I was there during the very first convention in the center - when they ran out of tables. I sent my folks out to enjoy the city while I waited for a truck to bring tables down from Atlanta. For hours. In the last 10 years or so, most of the time we were set up in the pre-conference areas in the lobby and second floor. I always chose 2nd floor. But since the mid-80s I was there several times a year on business. I wasn't a big fan of the Hyatt before the renovation but they really did a great job. There is NOTHING better than staying in a river front room at the Hyatt.
