This is one of those places that instantly pulls you in and makes you feel like you are part of the…read morehistory. Walking along the cobblestone street with the river right beside you is such a cool experience. You get amazing views of the water, big ships passing by, and that classic Savannah charm everywhere you look. There is always something going on here. Street performers, little shops, and great places to grab food or a drink all along the way. It is easy to spend a few hours just wandering in and out of spots and taking it all in. The mix of old brick buildings and lively atmosphere makes it feel unique compared to a lot of other places. The vibe really stands out. It is busy but in a fun way, not overwhelming. You see families, couples, and groups all enjoying the area, and it just has that welcoming energy. Whether you are there during the day or at night, it feels like there is always something to see. Overall this is a must visit if you are in Savannah. Great views, great atmosphere, and a lot to explore packed into one area. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

This is such a beautiful walk. The buildings are amazing and the view of the river is excellent. My…read morelittle cousin was so excited to watch a barge come through! And the bridge looks terrifying from the ground. There are so many shops and restaurants that you could walk down this street every day for a week and always find something new. Is it catered towards tourists? Yes, but I really think that you'll enjoy it.

My husband is a great music aficionado and when we walked past this statue of Johnny Mercer, he had…read moreto stop and learn more about it...Doing some research we learned that it had been just restored after some time in neglect. Susie Chisholm was the artist who went to great lengths to create the bronze work that depicts Mercer reading a newspaper and leaning against a fire hydrant. Chisholm modeled the Mercer likeness after a photograph of the lyricist taken in the 1930s at Columbus Circle in New York City, according to her website. (A copy of the photo was loaned to her by the Friends of Johnny Mercer.) "He was looking down, but we decided to have him looking up so he could greet visitors with a smile as they approached him. He always had a smile and a welcoming personality, so we wanted the sculpture to convey this image of him." Mercer's songs were among the most successful hits of the time, including "Moon River", "Days of Wine and Roses", "Autumn Leaves", and "Hooray for Hollywood". He wrote the lyrics to more than 1,500 songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. A beautiful statue that is now part of the Savannah City Market.

11-29-24 Had friends…read morein town so we came down to City Market. Was happy to see this statue of Johnny Mercer. To be honest I didn't even know who he was until I read the book and saw the movie. Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil. One of his more famous songs Moon River they play on the Old Town Trolley. He was a beautiful song writer. So glad that they honor him with this statue as well as named many places after him in town.

In the past when I thought of the Revolutionary War, I assumed that the battles were held in the…read morenorth. I tend to think of Savannah as mainly being involved in the Civil War. That is why it was so cool to find this Revolutionary War battlefield on a recent trip to Savannah. I have since learned that there was a whole southern theater to the Revolutionary War. On October 9, 1779 more than 8,000 troops over three armies fought in the Battle of Savannah. During the battle 800 troops died or were wounded making this the seconded bloodiest battle of the war. During the battle, 2.500 crown loyalists who controlled Savannah faced off against 5,500 revolutionaries who were composed of soldiers from France, America, Germany, Haiti, Poland, Scotland, Ireland, and Sweden. During the battle five columns of the Continental Army attacked the British enemy lines. When the battle ended Savannah remained with the British. Battlefield Park, located on the corner of Louisville and MLK Jr. Blvd, was purchased by the City of Savannah in 2003 and in 2005 archaeologists discovered remains of the redoubt, a fort that was created during the battle. Money was raised through private donations and today the battlefield is a memorial. The Coastal Heritage Society's Preservation Team and Archaeology Team researched and restored the battlefield. They installed historic Interpretive panels which details the history of the battle. The fort has been recreated so visitors today can see how it looked in 1779. 800 granite stones were arranged to represent the dead and wounded. If you are interested in learning more about the battle you can do so at the Savannah History Museum located across the street. They hold a program called Loyalists and Liberty which teaches about the southern campaign of the war and it is offered to school field trips. On October 9th every year at dawn, a march is held by the Coastal Heritage Society to honor their ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. Eight nations who sent troops in support of the revolution are represented to honor their sacrifice. Today the site of the battle is a public park and it is open daily for self guided tours.

Battlefield Memorial Park (BMP) is to commemorate the estimated 800 troops that were wounded or…read morepaid the ultimate sacrifice during the Revolutionary War Battle of Savannah. BMP is located on the corner of Louisville and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, between the Visitor's Center/Savannah History Museum and the Georgia Railroad Museum/Savannah Children's Museum. Eight hundred granite stones are arranged in rows of ten with our nation's flag in the middle. There is an information board to the right of it. - Parking - I am assuming that you can park at the Georgia Railroad Museum, as the memorial is at the entrance to the Museum. If not, you can park at the Visitor's Center and walk over. "We don't know them all, but we owe them all" - Anonymous.

A rather quiet square in the southwest corner of the Historic District canopied by about 20…read morebeautiful Live Oaks - the state tree. It's not uncommon to spot a wedding taking place in Chatham Square or SCAD textile design students studying. Some interesting facts about Chatham Square and surrounding buildings: *Chatham Square was laid out, along with neighboring Monterey Square, in 1847. Chatham Square is one of the last four in the expanding "Oglethorpe Plan" by city and Georgia colony founder General James Oglethorpe. *Chatham Square is named after Englishman William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, who was an early supporter of the Georgia colony. *in the center of the square you'll find a sundial dedicated to African American, Savannah native, Louis Burke Toomer. Additionally, a historical marker placed in his honor highlights Toomer's contributions as a leader, local bank founder and realtor. Toomer established what is now the Carver State Bank. *In 1854, Barnard Street Elementary School, a boys school, was built on the northwest corner of Chatham Square. *General Sherman's Union forces used Barnard Street Elementary as a military hospital during the Civil War. *In 1906, Mediterranean revival style Barnard Street School was constructed on the same site as the old Barnard Street Elementary School. It was designed by Swedish immigrant, architect Gottfrid L. Norman. *The Northwest corner of Chatham Square continues to serve academically. SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) purchased Barnard Street School in 1988. The renovated school is now Pepe Hall and houses SCAD's Textile design school. *Gordon Row, on the southeast corner, was one of Savannah's first housing developments. These Federalist or Regency style homes line the 100 block of Gordon Street and were built in phases between 1852 and 1854. Cost per home was $3,500-$4,000 and marketed to country planters or farmers who wanted a house in town during visits.

Chatham Square is unique in that it's a little out of the way of your main Squares and houses no…read moremonuments or statues. It makes up for that with beautiful floral gardens, large oaks covered in Spanish moss and a lovely sundial. It's a short walk from Liberty Street, full of hotels and restaurants within the historic district. Interesting fact: Chatham Square is one of the least visited squares and was one of the last of Savannah's squares to be laid out. It's named after William Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham, the county Savannah resides in, and oddly enough, Chatham county was also named after William Pitt (but which was named first, I couldn't tell you. What you should look for when you visit: Barnard Street School, which used Chatham Square as their school playground for many years (the building is now part of SCAD). And "Gordon Row", a series of fifteen 4-story homes in a row. Square Review 2:22

This is the site of the first chapel on Hilton Head Island which was completed in 1788. This…read morelocation was the center of activity on the island in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as the chapel was in close proximity to a Militia muster house and a Masonic lodge. It is also home to the oldest existing structure on the island, the Baynard Mausoleum, which was built in 1846 by William Baynard, a wealthy Plantation owner. The cemetery contains the graves and memorials for four Revolutionary War Patriots: Isaac Baldwin, James Davant, John Stoney, and Charles Davant. Charles Davant was ambushed by a Tory militia unit, was mortally wounded, and is the only known Patriot casualty on the island. It is clearly an old and disused cemetery. Some of the headstones are quite worn and impossible to read. There is a small parking area that is accessible from the Matthews Drive ramp. This is history. [Review 14375 overall, round number 1700 of 2020, number 742 in South Carolina.]

It's a small cemetery, loaded with history. Tombstones dating to early and mid 1800's. Each one…read moretells a story. From military grave markers to those of nameless infants and young children. The headstones are beautiful with their patina and age. I recommend watching the video from the historical society that maintains the property as it tells much more about the history of those buried / memorialized in this place. A short visit, well worth the quick stop if you are nearby.

Locking in the love, one padlock at a time…read more You don't need to go to Paris to see a love lock bridge. The picturesque historic district of Savannah, Georgia has its own version of it. The pedestrian bridge is adorned with colorful padlocks that symbolize the love story of lovers who chose to affix one. There are still a lot spaces in the railings of the bridge for more lovers to have the chance to have their locks too. Love Lock Bridge is beyond just romantic couples; but rather, it's all about the unity of the community. The bridge allows the locks of partners of every age, race, and sexual orientation, demonstrating unity in diversity. The bridge can be found in Emmet Park overlooking Savannah River.

Cute bridge for pictures and videos. The view is beautiful for a coffee. I believe you can buy a…read morelock close by.

I've been coming to Hilton Head Island for over a decade and learned two things this visit that I…read moredid not know: 1) The Hilton Head Rear Range Light EXISTS when I previously had no clue of its existence AND is the island's only true lighthouse. 2) The lighthouse in Harbour Town, on the southern end of Hilton Head Island is actually a faux lighthouse! I believe someone said it was outfitted for a movie. The Hilton Head Island Rear Range Lighthouse was built in 1879, activated in 1880 and is also known as the Leamington Lighthouse. It is the only historic lighthouse on Hilton Head Island. It stands 92-feet tall and shares its space with one of the oldest living LIVE OAK TREES on Hilton Head Island. It was constructed along with a second "front" lighthouse to guide vessels into Port Royal Sound. The lighthouse website says its light was once visible from 15 miles away. It was deactivated in 1932, but served as a lookout tower for enemy ships during World War II. It was restored in 1985 and renovated again in September of 2019. REAR RANGE LIGHTHOUSE FACTS FROM WEBSITE: * Originally, a lighthouse was proposed as far back as 1854, but the price of the land was too high. * Two lighthouses were eventually built on Hilton Head Island in 1863. The rear light was blown down in 1869. ​* Current lighthouse was built as part of a pair in 1879 for $40,000. * Lighthouse Board decided to delay activation of the lights until August 1, 1881, when the range lights on nearby Parris Island would be complete. ​* The lantern and Watch Room at the top were originally built of cypress wood. The range light was originally fixed red. In 1893, the original Hains Oil lamps were replaced with Funck-Heap lamps. The Lantern Room is above the Watch Room, and housed a Fresnel Lens. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - You must attain a day pass at the Palmetto Dunes Guard House to access the lighthouse, since it is in a private gated community. There is currently no fee for the pass, but you are also not allowed to park on the lawn near the lighthouse entrance. FINAL THOUGHTS If you are a fan of lighthouses, this one should be on your list! Sharing the same property is a gorgeous live oak tree said to be one of the oldest trees of its kind on the island. Guestimated at around 450 years old. 2020 / 114

One of the oldest lighthouses, if not the oldest lighthouse on HHI. Found out about this one after…read moreI left town last year. Figured I'd find it on this trip. So I googled it and got the directions. I grabbed my lighthouse partner and we went over! It's on a golf course inside of a gated community, so make sure you stop at the guard station. They're pretty friendly. If it wasn't for them, I probably would have gotten lost in there. The only downside is that you can't go up!

This historic marker sits in front of this gray building that would be easy to overlook. The marker…read moreis on two sides. The front reads, "This one-room frame school, built ca. 1937, was the first separate school building constructed for African-American students on Hilton Head Island. It replaced an earlier Cherry Hill School, which had held its classes in the parsonage of St. James Baptist Church. After the black community on the island raised funds to buy this tract, Beaufort County agreed to build this school." On the reverse, "This was an elementary school with one teacher, with an average of about 30 students. It had grades 1-5 when it opened in 1937, adding grade 6 the next school year. The black community helped pay for maintenance of the school and also supplemented teacher salaries. Cherry Hill School was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2012." The building is not open to the public but it's still worth a stop to check out and remember what things must have been like for black students before equality came around in the South. [Review 14527 overall, 24 of 2021, number 755 in South Carolina.]