Savannah is a charming Southern city to travel to all through the year but I especially love visiting Savannah before the holidays, which is exactly what I did this month with my friend Julie from St. Simons Island, Ga. Due to our schedules, we only had two days and an evening in Savannah but as Julie said we did Savannah ‘Wendy style.’  

So here’s a roadmap on how to do Savannah in style. If you’re driving from Atlanta to Savannah it’s only 3.5 to 4 hours so leave early enough to have lunch in Savannah.

I made reservations at the Mansion on Forsyth Park (my favorite hotel in Savannah) but there are lots of charming hotels and bed and breakfasts. The Mansion, as the name denotes, is right on Forsyth Park and is conveniently off the tourist beaten path but still convenient to everything you’ll want to do. We were able to check into our hotel early, even though their official check in isn’t until 4:00 p.m. Since the Mansion has its newly opened sister hotel on the river, the Bohemian Hotel, they have shuttle service to that hotel which more importantly means to that side of Savannah. It’s leaves 10 minutes to the hour from the Mansion and then on the hour from The Bohemian. Since it was 12:50 p.m. and we had reservations for lunch on the river, it saved us blocks of walking.

The Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah is conveniently located across the historic park.

Even though I try to avoid anything on the river because I find most of it very touristy, Vic’s on the River is the perfect place to set the stage for a day in Savannah. Ask for a place in the dining room facing the river so you can enjoy the views of the cargo ships traveling the river. It’s impressive.

Vic’s lunch menu has lots of Southern favorites for your selection including shrimp and grits, local shrimp and oysters, fried green tomato BLT sandwich, crispy local flounder, as well as an array of appetizers, soups and salads, entrees and sandwiches. I enjoyed their Crobb Salad: lump crab over baby mixed greens with applewood smoked bacon, goat cheese, pineapple, tomato and cucumber. Lunch is served with mini homemade biscuits which I requested served with side of orange marmalade. Yum.

So after lunch some shopping and since it gets dark earlier this time of year, we just hit my favorites. Walk to Broughton Street and don’t miss one of my all time favorites: The Paris Market. It’s a store that feels like it was transplanted from the streets of Paris and it’s fills with home décor, jewelry, kitchen items and so much more. I picked up a cooper Eiffel Tower cookie cutter and a lovely scarf. Just off Broughton, you have to check out an eclectic culinary store, Kitchens on the Square. Great for stocking stuffers, homemade aprons and anything that might be on your foodies’ shopping list. The only store where I’ve seen cookie cutters in the shapes of all 50 states (Julie said great for teacher gifts). Then work your way to the far end of Broughton to a new store called Cherry Picked Consignment where you’ll find great designer-label fashions. The beautiful designer dress in the window drew me in. Women’s apparel and accessories at great prices.  

A historial home in Savannah adorned with an outdoor Christmas tree.

Now walk south on Whitaker Street and discover the best of the best shopping in Savannah including:

• Arcanum Studio (unique home décor), 346 Whitaker St.
• One Fish Two Fish (original art, home décor, books, linens, PJs and more), 401 Whitaker St.
• Circa Lighting (fabulous lighting), 405 Whitaker St.
• La Paperie (Fine stationery and correspondence needs), 409 Whitaker St.
• Southern Charm Antiques (antiques with a Southern charm), 412C Whitaker St.
• Trunk 13 (ladies apparel), 414 Whitaker St. 
• Mint Boutique (ladies apparel), 413 Whitaker St.
• Custard Boutique (ladies apparel), 422 Whitaker St.

Savannah is home to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and a unique shop featuring an array of art designed by current and alum SCAD students is available at Shop SCAD

For us, the shopping ended at The Mercer Williams House: the house famous for the movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” The impressive home is open to the public now for daily tours. Walk along The Mercer House and work your way toward Forsyth Park to The Mansion. We stumbled upon a wedding party having their pictures taken in front of the fountain. Groomsmen decked out in their cowboy boots and hats.  The fountain is always decorated this time of year so great for pics.

Have drinks at the Mansion’s bar in its 700 Drayton lounge in an original 1888 Savannah mansion that’s chic while still feeling like part of the past. It’s chic and vibrantly adorned with art. When the weather’s nice, enjoy drinks on the patio facing the park.

Then walk just south of Forsyth Park to Local11Ten for dinner and experience what Executive Chef Brandy Williamson delivers with her French-inspired flare with traditional Southern cuisine (what I’d call with a southern twist). Local 11 Ten menu changes based on what’s being sourced seasonally and locally (hence the Local) and they’re located at 1110 Bull Street (hence the 11 Ten). I love that the restaurant is situated in a 1950’s style bank that’s been renovated. A larger party can dine next to the vault, staff uses the old drive-in window area for beverage prep while the menu is displayed for passersby in the old night depository.

Historic home in Savannah on Forsyth Park decorated for the holidays.

These yard herons behind the Girl Scout's founder's (Juliette Gordon Low) birthplace home are even adorned with holiday bows.