Back in September I entered a raffle at a fundraiser and won a two night stay at The Marshall House downtown. I decided to cash it in for a little staycation/workcation/quiet time earlier this month and do some fun touristy things while I was downtown.
Arrival and Parking | Downtown Savannah
My main goal for my time downtown was to park my car and not go back to it. I wanted to walk to each thing I did while I was there. The Marshall House offers valet but the State Street parking garage is right around the corner so I decided to save a little money and park myself in the garage and walk around the corner to the hotel. I did have to go back to my car one time, but only because I forgot my “good” mask and I prefer it over my purse mask. LOL
The check in process was smooth and the room was cute. It was the perfect size for me to get-a-way for the two nights. One of the things I really loved about the services at The Marshall House is the cooler of water they have set up for guests. You can grab a cool bottle anytime. It’s a nice plus, especially on a hot day in Savannah.
45 Bistro | Dinner Night One
After I got unpacked (I always fully unpack if I’m staying more than one night) I spent some time working on a project before going down to 45 Bistro, which is located in the hotel, to meet a friend for dinner. 45 Bistro is special to she and I because it’s the fancy dinner place we went together the evening of my first paycheck from my first “real” job. I took her out as payment for several years of tolerating me in college ????????. The food is ALWAYS amazing and the service is perfect every time I go!
We ordered the beef carpaccio as an appetizer and I had a snapper special with crab risotto.
After dinner I walked down to River Street to meet with another college friend who happened to be in town for the night. We sat at the Spanky’s bar and caught up for a bit before I headed back to the hotel to get a good night of quiet sleep.
How to Spend a Full Day in Downtown Savannah
The next morning I woke up around my usual time but without an alarm so I felt like I’d won the sleeping lottery and got dressed for my morning bike tour of downtown.
I popped in to Blends a Coffee Boutique, on the corner of Broughton and Drayton to grab a bite to eat and a mocha. I had avocado toast on my mind and they had it on the menu so it seemed like the logical choice. They offer a full order and a half an order. I would suggest going with the half order as the full order is two large pieces of toast and was too much for me to finish.
Bike Tour of Downtown Savannah
I wanted to do something touristy while I was downtown but didn’t want to go the traditional trolley route. I am trying to be more active and while I was looking for something different I came across Savannah Bike Tours. A two hour bicycle tour around Savannah was exactly what I was looking for. It would go to some of the touristy spots while giving a bit of a history lesson and pedaling the squares would give me a chance to scope out some great hidden spots for photoshoots.
I really can’t say enough great things about this tour. The guide/owner was friendly and entertaining while sharing the history of Savannah. We visited some of the better known spots as well as spots that aren’t on the main map when touring Savannah. The small group size made the time very personal. The biking was EASY and the pace was leisurely without being too slow. I learned several new things about the city and the history.
After the bike tour I went back to the hotel, took a shower, and worked for a solid 3.5 hours. One of the main reasons I took this stay alone was to get some quality uninterrupted time to get a few projects that have been sitting around needing to be finished knocked out. When I emerged from my working portion of the program I walked down to The Flying Monk for a late lunch.
Downtown Savannah Lunch
Flying Monk is one of my favorite places downtown and I don’t go often enough because sometimes I don’t want to deal with traffic and parking downtown especially if I have kids with me. Being able to walk from the hotel made it a no brainer for me as the perfect lunch spot. I ordered the Na-Na Noodles, I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten anything else there. I want to try something new but they are so good I don’t want to order something else and wish I’d gotten them. ????
Suggestions for an Afternoon in Downtown Savannah
My afternoon of work was why I went downtown but if you are visiting you probably want some suggestions as to how to fill your afternoon. If you are visiting Savannah walking down River Street is likely on your list of places to see. It’s going to be the best option if you’re in the market for cheesy souvenir stores. If you have time, riding the Savannah Belles ferry is a great free activity. There are two stops on River Street, one down by the Waving Girl Statue and one by City Hall and one stop on Hutchinson Island. You can get a nice view of River Street from Hutchinson Island and get a boat ride.
At the far end of River Street the new Plant Riverside District is worth checking out. The area has several restaurants, two rooftop bars, and lots of other fun things to check out. City Market is also worth checking out, especially if live music is in your wheel house. There are shops, restaurants, and decent people watching along City Market and Ellis Square. If you are wanting some quality shopping take a walk down Broughton Street for a mix of corporate and locally owned businesses.
Rooftop Bar | Top Deck
I wrapped up my full day by meeting some friends at Top Deck Bar, the rooftop bar at the Cotton Sail Hotel. There are several great options for rooftop bars in Savannah but we choose this one based on my walk from the Marshall House.
If you are curious about other rooftop bars in Savannah, Visit Savannah has put together a great list, which you can FIND HERE!
Half a Morning in Downtown Savannah
After a great full day and two nights downtown I had to pack it up and head back to reality. That didn’t stop me from getting in one more morning of tourism. After another morning of waking up at my normal time sans alarm clock I walked to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Self guided tours are open to the public with a donation request and you can call to arrange a docent led tour.
After the cathedral I popped across the street for the best mocha in town at Mirabelle Savannah and enjoyed it (and my last bit of freedom LOL) in Lafayette Square.
Heading Home
Before I walked to the Cathedral I packed my bag and took it to my car in the parking garage, it was on the way, so all I had left to do was slow walk back to the parking garage and head home. I could have left everything in the hotel and gone back to pack after visiting the Cathedral but I didn’t want to be pressed for time so I thought packing beforehand made the most sense.
I throughly enjoyed my staycation/workcation/quiet time and think it might need to become a regular thing in my life! I guess it’s time to start entering more raffles!
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