Sundays in the City: Savannah, GA

As a Savannah resident, not to mention a student living on the Southside, I can safely say that there is more to Savannah, Georgia than River Street and the Historic District. The historic Savannah experience is a must at least once in a lifetime, but there is certainly a pulse running elsewhere in the Savannah metropolitan area. So, to assist in making a trip comfortable and worthwhile, I will attempt to give some glimpses of downtown, Southside, and the surrounding areas worth a visit on a nice Sunday.

If you are looking to see the "meat" of historic Savannah, there are a number of ways to accomplish this. First, you can hit the squares and River Street the old fashioned way- walking and begging assistance from the relatively helpful tourism booths located throughout the downtown area. Most of these booths contain a knowledgeable employee fully stocked with maps and coupons. If a guided tour is more tasteful, there are several options. Trolley tours, carriage tours, walking tours, and segway tours are all commonplace in the downtown area. Many companies, including Old Town Trolley and Old Savannah Tours, offer these services. The walking tours are naturally the least expensive, but some of the trolley companies occasionally offer excellent deals which allow day passes to be purchased. Day passes allow passengers to exit and board company trolleys at different locations for the period of the purchase.

While downtown, local businesses are the way to go. Cafés such as Smooth, which is located on Bull Street, offer a friendly atmosphere and excellent fare. The Gallery Espresso, also on Bull Street, has good coffee (not to mention the wine list and desserts) at a good price with an eclectic atmosphere. Simply wandering downtown often reveals some of the best local finds.

For those looking for a dog friendly Sunday in the park, downtown has Forsyth Park (as well as several squares) while Southside hosts Lake Mayer Community Park. Forsyth Park is a spacious park complete with fountains, gardens, a café, a walking trail, and a calendar of events spanning the entire year. Lake Mayer Community Park features a manmade lake complete with very assertive water fowl and the potential for boating. This park can be easily accessed from Harry Truman Parkway.

For those willing to venture further away from Savannah, Tybee Island and Oatland Island are both potentially family friendly. Tybee Island features plenty of beach, but do not expect the clear blue water associated with many beaches. Tybee also hosts a number of bars, including the Rock House, which frequently features live music. Oatland Island offers trails for walking and the opportunity to see wildlife from here and abroad.

Savannah is a land of opportunity, and I can guarantee that any hotel in the area will have more information and more locations for your visiting pleasure if these suggestions for Sunday fun do not quite cover everything. Just remember that there is life running beyond downtown, and the city of Savannah will look forward to your visit.