SAVANNAH , GEORGIA
With its dramatic moss-draped oaks and cobblestone streets , this coastal city is an ideal weekend getaway destination for lovers of art , food and history , writes Caroline Eubanks
DAY 1 images : alamy ; getty
Get your bearings by exploring Savannah ’ s historic district on foot . The city is laid out in a grid pattern with a series of public squares tucked away . Each has its own history and features , like the setting for the famous bus stop scene in the film Forrest Gump , which is in Chippewa Square .
Pop into one of the many historic homes within this area that now operate as museums . The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace is an especially popular stop for Girl Scout troops , while the Mercer- Williams House was the setting for the reallife events depicted in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil . The Bird Girl sculpture on the book ’ s cover is just one treasure inside the Telfair Academy , the region ’ s oldest art museum . Between the main museum and the Jepson Center for the Arts , the collection ranges from 19th-century European paintings to contemporary sculpture .
Grab an alfresco lunch at the Collins Quarter , an Australian-inspired cafe two blocks away . The menu features signature coffees including a popular spiced lavender mocha , as well as much-loved brunch fare such as avocado toast and eggs benedict .
Once satiated , make the short walk to the City Market area , Savannah ’ s original retail hub that dates back to the 1700s . It ’ s home to the American Prohibition Museum , which has exhibits on the ‘ failed experiment ’ in Savannah and the rest of the nation , as well as bootlegging , moonshining and more . End your visit with a cocktail at the museum ’ s speakeasy , which serves classic drinks from the period .
Plan ahead and make a reservation at The Grey , a James Beard award-winning restaurant in the city ’ s former Greyhound bus station . Here , chef Mashama Bailey crafts artful takes on traditional Southern dishes .
In the evening , watch the sun set from one of Savannah ’ s rooftop bars . Peregrin at the Perry Lane Hotel has a pool and craft cocktails , while Perch is a laid-back alternative overlooking Forsyth Park , the city ’ s largest green space .
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