Visiting Savannah, Georgia

First-hand accounts of the tornado in Savannah.

You never know what can happen to you in Savannah. I got caught in a tornado while there. Read on.  I was visiting Savannah, doing a little sightseeing, collecting tour information and chilling. I got in late on Wednesday. On Thursday, I started looking around. I took a trolley around downtown on a tour and decided to get off at the Davenport House, a historic home which was essential in beginning preservation of historic homes and buildings in Savannah. Anyway, it started to rain while I was taking pictures in the square, waiting for my home tour to start. It started raining harder. I picked up my camera, and tripod and jogged inside. The tour was okay. The home was a little sparse, but they say that’s what homes were like during the Federalist period.

Now it was raining harder. It was lightening and thundering, the whole shebang! I stayed at the home until the rain let up a little and I saw my trolley coming. I ran screaming with my Savannah brochures and maps in a plastic shopping bag. My tripod for my camera was slung over my shoulder and my dreadlocks were flying. I made the trolley. Thank God! Off we went. The rain had stopped and I wanted to see the City Market, so I got off a few stops down. I realized that the Telfair Museum of Art was also on that stop, so I asked for directions and began walking to the museum.

As soon as I got into the Museum I was told that there was a tornado watch or warning; I’m not sure which. What? Some other tourists and I were ushered downstairs into the basement of the museum. Apparently, there was a tornado during the storm. I sat in the basement of the museum in a folding chair with some of the workers at the Telfair and the other tourists who were as unlucky as I. It wasn’t so bad. The museum workers were entertaining as were about to play some funny, yet embarrassing party games. They didn’t take off, or I threatened that I’d have a YouTube video of the entire thing. We were not held hostage; we were allowed to go if we chose. I opted to stay. It looked okay outside, but I didn’t want to take any chances.  I’m still not sure of exactly how long I spent in the basement of the museum, but I know that we were allowed to go at about 4:30 p.m.

More About Savannah

Savannah, Georgia is well-known for its historic homes and history. It’s also a popular destination for the River Boardwalk and nearby beaches. The landmark historic district in Savannah is located east of Boundary Street.  The Savannah River is North of the district and Victory Drive borders the south of the district.

Parking

Parking can be difficult in Savannah if you don’t know where to go. Go to the Savannah Visitor’s Center or the Parking Services Department, the Bryan Street Parking Garage (at Bryan and Abercorn Street) to get a two-day parking pass for $8. This pass entitles you to park at any city metered space (with a meter of one hour or longer) for free. You simply need to display the pass on your dashboard. You can also park in any city owned parking garage with this pass. The visitors passes cannot be used during certain special events.

There is free parking at the Robinson Garage, 912-651-6478, which is on York and Montgomery Streets, Mondays through Fridays from 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. There has also been free parking all day on the weekends in this garage during some construction in town. Inquire about free weekend parking when you arrive. Free parking is also available at the State Street Garage, 912-651-6473, on State and Abercorn Streets on Mondays through Fridays from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Both garages may charge during special events. 

Touring Savannah 

When you first arrive in downtown different trolleys or tours that you can take to tour Savannah. Olde Town Trolley, $25 with on and off privileges; $22 for one complete loop, was my choice because you can get off at stops, take a look around and catch another trolley to continue your tour in about 15 to 20 minutes. Catch the trolley at 234 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. for free parking. In fact, you can visit several other trolley services at that location and choose the best one for you. The Visitor’s Center, with maps and brochures is also at the address.  The Old Town Trolley tour is about 90 minutes long, but trolleys stop running at around 4:30 p.m. from the first stop. Tours begin at 9 a.m.

If you have a weekend or a day, try to see these attractions:

• City Market, located between Barnard, Congress and Bryan Streets
• Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, founder of the Girls Scouts, 142 Bull Street
• Andrew Low House, 329 Abercorn Street
• Ships by the Sea Museum, 41 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
• River Street, shops and restaurants along the river, located below Bay Street
• First African American Baptist Church, 223 Bull Street

Have you visited Savannah? What is your favorite place or attraction there?