Our Friday drive to Savannah took longer than expected due to traffic, but Juliette and I leaned into the road trip vibes, cranked up the Chappell Roan, and dug into our snack stash. Pink Pony Club became our southern anthem as we cruised under tunnels of oaks.
We got settled at our top-floor AirBnB late afternoon and took in the view from our corner window. Score!
We set out in the evening in search of food and drink, but I was sidetracked around each bend by the abundance of Spanish moss. It was all I hoped it would be.
Juliette is exceedingly patient with my constant snapping of photos – this was the point in our trip when she made a game out of really amping up her strut each time I pulled out my phone.
Oh-my-gosh-I-love-her-so-much.
We walked down sidewalks lined with brick and through squares shaded by towering, twirly oaks.
We landed a comfy couple of seats at Grove’s rooftop terrace and ordered up a Spritz for mama and a Rise and Shine for kiddo. Juliette felt so fancy with her pineapple garnish – cheers, girlfriend.
We stayed here for awhile. No need to rush!
Once we’d eaten and drank and finished our game of Rummy, we slowly moseyed on back to our room, passing through City Market and down Broughton. The Friday night vibes were strong in this town.
Such a happy glimmer.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny and full of charm.
We grabbed coffee and bagels and then walked over to the Jepson Center for an art fix.
The museum was small but lovely. We lingered for a bit at the interactive Impressionist exhibit and then headed back out into the sunshine.
Our entry to the Jepson was bundled with a tour of the nearby Owens-Thomas house and slave quarters, so we walked that way. These tree-filled squares, though! They were everywhere and they were my favorite.
Our hour-long tour through the Owens-Thomas house was packed with information, but I reminded Juliette that there would be no test on this history lesson. Instead, I told her just to take in what she could. The juxtaposition of master versus servant quarters was powerful. And gosh, Juliette’s ears really perked up when she learned that the Marquis de Lafayette, her favorite character from Hamilton, had stayed at that very house.
After our house tour, we decided to book a couple of tickets on the town trolley so that we could do some seated sight-seeing. It was a short walk to the trolley stop, but again, the moss. Couldn’t help ourselves.
We hopped off the trolley near the river and grabbed lunch at The Pirate’s House, which was a quirky little place. Quirky good? Or quirky weird? Who can say?
It was short walk to the next trolley stop, where we perched on a bench to wait for our pickup. We watched the sweetest, happiest couple take their wedding pics. Lotta love in the air that day.
The trolley took us down to Forsyth Park, which is basically one of those darling town squares times ten. Stunning.
We strolled back toward our AirBnB, making a stop at Mirabel for iced tea and iced coffee. Patio table dreams.
Back on our feet, with more delight around each bend.
THE SQUARES!
This one was the setting for the opening scene of Forrest Gump. Southern as southern gets.
We chilled at our room for awhile and then went back out to do a little shopping. We had seen lots of people toting bags of Byrd’s “tiny, crispy, cookies” and decided we needed to fill a small sampler box for ourselves. Two thumbs up for their key lime coolers.
Juliette was craving sushi (which for her, means edamame and cucumber rolls), so we grabbed a table Coco and Moss. Felt good to eat something green.
Goodnight, Savannah. Time to get back to our room to do face masks and watch The Notebook!
We had a Sunday evening flight back home, which left us with the full morning to wander and charm-seek. We found a sweet little patio table at Franklin’s and took our time eating our pastries and sipping our drinks.
I felt like my conversations with Juliette just got better and better as the week went on. No shortage of things to talk about with this girl.
I wanted to walk along nearby Jones Street, which was rumored to be the loveliest street in Savannah, but I mean really, aren’t they all lovely?
Jones was awfully nice.
And when near Forsyth Park…you go back!
We found a bench and I painted Juliette’s nails and we read for awhile.
There was a musician playing kids’ tunes on his trumpet for an intrigued toddler and Juliette and I watched with a smile and a bit of longing as the little boy clapped and danced. It was time to get home to our guys.
Final sidewalk snaps…
A signing of the guest book…
And one last square…
We loved Savannah so much. We loved our time together SO MUCH. Next time someone says, “picture your happy place”, I think that bench at Forsyth Park may come to mind. Spanish moss glowing overhead. Fountain tinkling in the distance. Juliette at my side. Sun on our shoulders. I’m so thankful.
