We were planning on flying into Jacksonville, FL and driving to Savannah. Our plans have changed and we are now flying into Atlanta and driving to Savannah. We arrive in Atlanta on Saturday at around 2:30 pm. We don't have reservations in Savannah until Sunday night. Should we stay in Atlanta and see the sites or head towards Savannah? I looked at the 1842 Inn in Macon, but it is completely booked. Any other ideas were we should spend the first night. I am not sure we will be up for the entire drive to Savannah on Saturday. Thanks in advance.

Check out frommers georgia they give an overview of the area macon and the southwest. there is a inn called the 1842 inn in macon and then outside of atlanta there is a place called the beverly hills inn.
either way its a starting place.

One "no frills" option would be to drive down to Metter, GA and stay at the Holiday Inn Express. Then, you would be just an hour from Savannah the next day and get an early start on your sightseeing of Savannah.

If you don't want to drive that far, there are some okay places in Macon since you can't get in the 1842. The Hampton Inn on Riverside is the ONLY HI I will not stay in. The LaQuinta there is nice with Carrabba's in walking distance. There's a new Hampton Inn off 475. I can recommend a couple of GREAT downtown restaurant options in Macon. Keep in mind the food options in Metter will be very, very limited. It's just a typical highway/ expressway exit.

starrsville - can you please recommend some of those GREAT restaurants. If nothing else, we'll need to stop somewhere for a meal on the way to Savannah. Thanks

duh- sorry, i thought you wrote you could not get into the 1842...but then i thought something else when i saw it.
i should re read...

Go to Charleston for your great dinner. It will be better than any in Savannah.

My two "GREAT" restaurant suggestions in Macon are -

The Tic Toc Room - I was absolutely amazed when a client suggested this place. I could not believe I was in Macon, GA. It felt like a place in Buckhead (Atlanta) or NYC. Great martinis and the food is fabulous. Presentation is amazing. #1 on Tripadvisor.

Downtown Grill - THE best steak I've ever had - Filet stuffed with bleu cheese, incredible mussels (in MACON, GA?????), great wine list.

Here's a link to the Downtown Grill and you can investigate other options there too -

http://www.maconga.org/Listings/inde...&CategoryID=30

If I were you.... Land in Atlanta at 2:30, out of the airport by 3:30, arrive in Macon around 5:00, a good dinner at Tic Toc or Downtown Grill, back on the road around 7pm, arrive in Metter about 9pm, good night's sleep and then hit Savannah Sunday morning. I'm not sure if Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House serves breakfast on Sunday, but if so, you could start with a big, delicious, Southern style breakfast.

If you decide to spend the night in Macon, the La Quinta Inn and Suites is really one of the best bets. Don't stay at the Crowne Plaza or Hampton on Riverside. The Holiday Inn on Riverside is an old one.

Don't know where you are coming from, but be sure to go to Chik-Fil-A somewhere for a chicken sandwich (they "invented" the chicken sandwich). All are closed on Sundays.

When is your trip? If it's in the spring, I may have another suggestion.

I don't like changing hotels, so I'd want to call the Savannah hotel to add Saturday night. But that's just me.

Wow, you are a starr... We are arriving April 23rd. Any additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Both restaurants sound great. I'll have my husband make the decision.

Well, Rocky, until a year ago I HATED staying in Macon - mainly because I was so close to home and would rather be home. But, I've had a lot of business in Macon recently and I've been converted. If you go to the Downtown Grill for that steak, ask for extra blue cheese stuffed in the filet. Supposedly, they cut down on the amount because of diners' comments, but my guest asked for extra and I did too. Yummy.

Well, you are getting in a week too early - but if you want to stop back by on the way "home", check out this link -
http://www.maconga.org/Listings/inde...&CategoryID=31

Someone else on this board mentioned the Macon's Mansions, Gardens and Moonlight tour that starts on April 29th. I plan to be there.

I did the Savannah Spring tour of homes and gardens last week and it was wonderful! Enjoy Savannah. If you want other suggestions for Savannah, let me know. I love the city!

starrsville, since you offered, could you add to my Savannah schedule? Early Sunday morning drive from Macon to Savannah. Get to Lady and Son's by 11am to get in line for lunch. Tolley tour after lunch (what else) and dinner at Olde Pink House. Light breakfast(???) walking (River st., Factors, St. John, Ownen-Thomas). Get in line at Mrs. Wilkens for lunch. More walking. Dinner (???). All other suggestions are greatly appeciated

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34508031

Rocky,
Hi, here is my trip report on Savannah from last June. In it you can find plenty of ideas for spending time
I loved the museum, we spent a long time in the Book store, walking along River Street took up quite a bit of time, and just sitting in the squares and looking at the buildings.
If you catch the eye of a homeowner, be prepared to chat! They are very friendly and warm hearted in Savannah!

Hi Rocky,
Here are some of my favorites. Most of all, I just like strolling the squares of Savannah. I'm not much of a shopper, but discovered ambling about and stopping in antique stores while visiting New Orleans with a customer/friend and now love doing the same in Savannah. There are so many unique shops, many opened by SCAD graduates.

I don't care for River Street much. It's worth a stroll - mainly to sniff the wonderful aroma of pralines and stopping in one of the candy shops for a sample - or some to enjoy on the strolls. There's a good candy store in the City Market as well. The taffy machine is fun to watch as it cuts and wraps the individual candies - and of course there are samples to enjoy there too. Good ice cream there.

At city market, you'll find a delightful gelato store. Sometimes I wonder if I close my eyes and click my heels I'll be transported to Italy via gelato and wishes. Hasn't happened yet, but then I don't wear ruby slippers.

You can pick up a horse drawn carriage tour at the city market. New York, Charleston, Savannah...doesn't matter...I love those carriages. You might want to do the gelato and carriage ride after your meal and Lady & Sons since it's right there in the market.

I really enjoyed my Old Savannah Tours trolley tour recently.

There are some great walking tours if have specific interests.

As said before, I like strolling the squares. Stoll down toward the SCAD store for some unique items made by Savannah College of Art and Design students, alumni and faculty. I bought some whimiscal prints last trip and birthday gifts for family members. They have a "Savannah toile" that someone created and in a lovely aqua (along with the original red) but it was a bit too pricey for me.

If you have read "The Book" then there may be other things that you want to see. I love Monterrey Square and the Johnny Mercer - Jim Williams house is now open for visitors - although I've not visited it yet. After your lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House on E. Jones, stroll through Monterey Square to Forsyth Park. Changes are there will be someone strumming a guitar or singing in a square or the Park.

I used to stop in the stores at River Street but rarely go there anymore unless someone I'm with wants to see it. Broughton Street has experienced a resurgence and there are some nice stores, shops, and tea rooms to stop in...along with the requisite Starbucks on a corner!

The Pink House if definitely my favorite restaurant in Savannah. Garibaldi's and Bistro Savannah are owned by the same folks, and the manager at the Pink House is now at Garibaldi's. I've never had a bad meal at any of the above. No, that's too meek. Every meal has been wonderful at the above! Save room for the praline basket dessert at the Pink House. Do go early and have a drink in the downstairs tavern of the oldest building in Georgia. There are usually fires burning and often Gail Thurmond is at the piano singing...doesn't get much better than that. If I have a long wait for dinner, I start with appetizers and a glass of champagne downstairs.

My neighbors at the bar last trip were from Wales and Wyoming and had enjoyed their meal the night before at the Six Pence Pub (used in the Julia Roberts movie but the name escapes me.

At night I like to call a pedicab company if I don't want to walk "home". It's a treat to be biked through the streets of Savannah. My pups even accompanied me one time.

You can't go wrong with whatever historic house/garden you choose. The Owens-Thomas House is lovely.

Light breakfast? It usually comes with my hotel, B&B or self-catering. There were more bakeries in the historic district than I remembered. I don't know what time the tea shops open, but for me a scone and juice would be a treat. There's a new (to me) deli and bakery on E. Bay that had gorgeous treats in their cases...I'd probably take a fruit tart "home" to have the next morning. That's why I like the Hampton Inn so much - good complimentary breakfast - usually with a protein option.

Have a wonderful time driving from Atlanta to Savannah via Macon. It's not an exciting drive, but is an easy one. In fact, I drove most of it - and back! - yesterday for a beautiful South Georgia wedding.

Starrsville, how long a drive is it, one way?

From where to where?
From my house to the wedding on Saturday = 2 1/2 hours

Are you asking from the Atlanta airport to Macon or from the airport to Savannah?

Sorry, starrsville. I meant how long does it take to drive from Atlanta to Savannah? We are flying into Atlanta for a wedding and driving down to Savannah afterward. Mapquest's directions indicate about 4 hours. Thanks!
Maggi

i'm not starrsville, but 4 hours is pretty close, maybe a bit quicker if you speed (which is very tempting to do on I-16)...it shouldn't take you longer than that, at least...

I would allow 5 hours just to be safe from the Atlanta airport. Here are some of my favorite stopping points for snacks, stretching or potty breaks.

Mapquest says its 1 hour 22 minutes and 78 miles to Macon. It could take longer if you are driving during rush hour times. You'll be heading on 75 south toward Macon. I like to stop at the Mt. Zion exit just south of Atlanta - lots of places to choose from. If you want to see Truman Cathey's antique cars, they are in the parking lot of the Chik-Fil-A at that exit. If you want a good sandwich or salad, there's an Atlanta Bread Company across the street. If you want a treat, there's a Steak n Shake. If you need to do stop to shop for anything you left behind, there's a Target there too.

In Macon, the Riverside Road exit is a good place to stop. Another Chik-Fil-A and a Barnes and Noble right off the interstate.

At Macon, you'll get on I-16 toward Savannah. The Dublin 441 exit # 51 has the standard fast food stations, hotels and gas stations.

Exit 104, Metter, offers a Mickey D and gas station. From there, Savannah is about an hour away (I use exit 176 as my Savannah marker).

Those are about the best places to stop along the route. Of course there is a small Tanger outlet mall at the Locust Grove exit.

Hope that helps.

Wow, thanks so much to both of you. I know this will really be helpful to Rocky, as it was to me. Our trip isn't until September. When's your's Rocky?
Maggi

Well, we are leaving a week from Saturday and I think we have a good balance of planned and unplanned events. Thanks to Starrville we are going to return through Macon and go to the House and Gardens show on the 29th. All I need to do is start packing!!! Are capris still okay this year for casual wear? I might need to go shopping before and during the trip. YEAH! Thanks so much for all your help. Any last minute "don't forgets" are alway welcome.