Downtown Savannah
When people think of Georgia, they think of Savannah--a true example of the Old South. Streets are lined with historic homes and sites, friendly faces and dozens of restaurant and shops. Savannah is home to riverboat cruises along the Savannah River, ghost tours and Paula Deen, a true Southern cook with a show on FoodTV.
Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureau
101 East Bay St.
Savannah, GA 31401-1201
(912) 644-6401
savannahvisit.com
The Lady and Sons
102 West Congress St.
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 233-2600
ladyandsons.com
Old Town Trolley Tours of Savannah Inc.
234 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Savannah, GA
(912) 233-0083
trolleytours.com
Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum
Travelers to the coast can take a self-guided tour of the historic Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum, a renovated lighthouse used during the Civil War. After touring the head-keepers cottage, visitors can climb the 178 winding steps to the top of the lighthouse for views of the Atlantic Ocean and Tybee Island. After the tour, they can step inside the quaint gift shop to purchase books about area ghost stories and lighthouse memorabilia. Across the street from the lighthouse is Fort Screven, a fort and gift shop open to the public for tours. Also on Tybee Island are the Fort Pulaski National Monument, dolphin tours and dozens of restaurants in the small beach community.
Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum
30 Meddin Drive
Tybee Island, GA 31328
(912) 786-5801
tybeelighthouse.org
Jekyll Island
An hour and a half south of Savannah, just north of the Florida border, is the quiet beach town of Jekyll Island. One of the several Georgia barrier islands, Jekyll is home to upscale golf courses and resorts, several seafood restaurants and bistros, shopping areas and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. When not exploring the several miles of white, sandy beaches, guests also can take nature walks or bike trips in the many wooded areas and trails, go horseback riding and go on a boating adventure.
Jekyll Island Welcome Center
901 Downing Musgrove Causeway
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
(912) 635-3636
jekyllisland.com
Georgia Sea Turtle Center
214 Stable Road
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
(912) 635-4444
georgiaseaturtlecenter.org
Cumberland Island
Just above the Florida line, off Interstate 95, is the Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia's southernmost barrier island. Only accessible by a 45-minute ferry ride at certain times of the day and private boats, the island is filled with sand dunes, forests, swamps and feral horses, among other natural wildlife. The island also has more than 50 miles of walking and biking trails, as well as camp sites for a fee. Guided tours also are held on the island at certain times.
Cumberland Island
101 Wheeler St.
St Marys, GA 31558
nps.gov/cuis
