skip to Main Content

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia, is a destination that hardly needs an introduction. Just saying the name conjures up images of dripping Spanish moss, historic squares, and elegant architecture. It’s a place where art and creativity is embedded into the very fiber of the people. Whether it’s diving into the city’s history, checking out its vibrant riverfront, enjoying local businesses, or learning the true meaning of leadership, join me as I see what makes Savannah a Place to Love.

PLACES AND STORIES TO LOVE

18Loves Art

It’s been a while since I was last in Savannah, so imagine my surprise at this brand-new district right along the river! Once the site of a power plant, the Plant Riverside District opened in July 2020 to become the city’s new center of entertainment. Home to a myriad of restaurants, nightlife venues, and boutiques, it’s certainly come a long way. I had a chance to visit one of the small businesses that now call the district home when I stopped by 18Loves Art. Located in a glass box of joy, the shop was founded by SCAD graduate Amelia Jamerson. While she originally studied advertising, a 6-month trip to Israel helped her realize her calling was actually in illustration. Her work focuses on positivity and optimism, and each piece is made to inspire love and encouragement.

FUN FACT

The number 18 holds huge significance for Amelia. Not only was she born on the 18th, the Hebrew word “chai (חי),” which means life, is assigned the numerical value of 18 and is considered a spiritual number in Judaism. 

CONTACT

18Loves Art
300 W River St
Kiosk 5
Savannah, GA

Big Bon Bodega

What makes someone who’s become known for their street pizzas want to add a bagel business into the mix? Well, for Korean-American Veteran Kay Heritage, the reason is simple. She just wanted somewhere to get a decent bagel in Savannah! After a few years of running the Big Bon Pizza food truck, Kay opened up Big Bon Bodega and created a home base for her growing empire. Located in the beautiful Starland District, this eatery offers up Montreal-style bagels during the day and pizza in the evenings. How exactly do locals like this new bagel offering? Well, based on the rave reviews found everywhere online, it seems the city finally does have its go-to bagel spot.

DID YOU KNOW?

Another thing that makes Big Bon so unique is their open-book policy. This means Kay shares the company’s finances with all her employees. Her goal is to not just hire employees but encourage entrepreneurship, transparency, and communication.

CONTACT

Big Bon Bodega
2011 Bull St
Savannah, GA 31401

Service Brewing Co.

Another veteran-owned business focused on community is Service Brewing Co. It all started when Kevin Ryan’s wife, Meredith, gifted him a home brewing kit over a decade ago. It has become a well-loved and popular brewery in Savannah. (Even Michelle Obama gave it a shout-out!) Everything about Service is inspired by Kevin’s time in the military, where he not only graduated from West Point but commanded two companies in Iraq. Decorating the inside of the brewery is an homage to army life, and a particular gem is the Tap Handle Project. Additionally, a portion of every beer sold goes to a specific Veteran run charity (announced with each new season), and the brewery holds a slew of weekly community events for locals to enjoy. I joined in on their weekly run club, which meets every Thursday at 6:30 PM. If you finish your route, you get a beer as a treat! 

When You Visit

Check out their “How Do You Serve” wall. The wall isn’t just for veterans, but it’s for everyone who serves their community in one way or another.

CONTACT

Service Brewing Co.
574 Indian St
Savannah, GA 31401

Congregation Mickve Israel Synagogue

Did you know Savannah has such a rich Jewish history? I learned more about it when I visited one of the oldest congregations in the United States, Congregation Mickve Israel, and met with Rabbi Robert Haas, their 14th spiritual leader. It was founded in 1733 when 42 Jews made their way to the newly established colony of Georgia from England. There they hoped to find religious tolerance under General James Edward Oglethorpe. The Gothic-style synagogue you see today was built over a century later and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. 

Did you know?

The synagogue has an incredible museum onsite that holds 300 years of history including the oldest Torah in North America, a letter from George Washington himself, and the first receipt for Girl Scout cookies!

ADDRESS

Congregation Mickve Israel
20 E Gordon St
Savannah, GA 31401

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

If you’re wondering why a synagogue museum would have the first receipt for Girl Scout cookies, it’s because Savannah is where the organization was born! Back in 1860 Juliette Gordon was born on 10 E Oglethorpe Ave. and after meeting the founder of the Boy Scouts in 1912, started the Girls Scouts later that year. In the same house in which she was born, she told her cousin, “I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight!” Of course, fast forward a hundred years, and the Girl Scouts is home to 2.5 million members and constantly encourages skill and leadership development to girls of all backgrounds. And the house from which it all started? It’s now a museum known as the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace and is perhaps the only house museum in the country created specifically for girls (though all are welcome). I visited during a particularly important ceremony known as “Over Tea Cups.” Held over afternoon tea, it’s for young women transitioning out of Girl Scouts and graduating high school.

Fun Fact

When Juliette said the Girls Scouts would be for all girls, she meant it. The 3rd troop ever formed in 1913 in Bedford, MA included Black members, and in 1924, Josephine Holloway was the first Black troop leader.

Contact

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
10 E Oglethorpe Ave
Savannah, GA 31401

Davenport House Museum

The Federal-style Davenport House Museum tells two important stories. The first is that of Isaiah Davenport. Born in Rhode Island, he learned carpentry from his father and apprenticed as a carpenter in New Bedford before moving to Savannah in 1808. During his life, he was considered a master builder who constructed a number of notable properties around the city. The most famous, of course, is the same house he designed for his family in 1820, known as the Davenport House. Now, this brings me to the next important story – that of the Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF). After half a century of economic decline, downtown Savannah was looking a little worse for wear, and many historic buildings were slated for demolition, including the Davenport House. Local Anna Colquitt Hunter gathered six friends to form the HSF and save the house from being turned into a parking lot. After this success, they went on to save more properties, and today the HSF is one of the most respected preservation organizations in the country. I met with the current director of the Davenport House Museum, Jamie Credle, to learn more about how it continues to preserve and educate visitors on life during the 1800s.

When You Visit

Be sure to check out the brand new Urban Enslaved Exhibit. This exhibit follows the lives of 13 enslaved people who lived and worked at Davenport House and showcases what urban slavery would have looked like.

Contact

Davenport House Museum
323 E Broughton St
Savannah, GA 31401

Pin Point Heritage Museum

Located south of Savannah and along the banks of Moon River sits the quiet community of Pin Point. It was founded by emancipated slaves in 1896, mostly from the Gullah Geechee culture, and largely remained isolated in this idyllic, peaceful place for over a century. To this day, many Pin Point residents are descendants of those initial founders. During my visit, I met with Gail Smith, whose great great grandfather was one of those original founders. She took me to the Pin Point Heritage Museum and showed me how the community has been able to self-sustain for decades, only opening its doors to visitors in recent years.

Who are the Gullah Geechee People?

As Gail explains, Gullah is the language, and Geechee are the people. The group largely comprised of enslaved peoples who were brought over from Western Africa to work on plantations on Georgia’s Sea Islands. Gullah became the lingua franca as people from different tribes and languages found a way to communicate with each other. From here, they developed a unique culture that has survived to this day.

Contact

Pin Point Heritage Museum
9924 Pin Point Ave
Savannah, GA 31406

Wyld Dock Bar

There’s nothing quite as delicious as an oyster roast! I first met up with artist and blacksmith, Gilbert Walker to learn about his oyster shuckers made from railroad spikes. We then met up with a few of the people I met during this trip for a good old-fashioned oyster roast at The Wyld Dock Bar where I tried Gilbert’s creation out for myself. This waterside seafood restaurant uses local, seasonal ingredients for a truly delicious but laid-back dining experience. 

Like this post? Pin for later!

Plan Your Visit

While The Wyld Dock Bar has a menu and is open Tuesday – Saturday, 12:00 – 5:00 PM, you’ll want to keep an eye on their Facebook page for upcoming oyster roasts.

CONTACT

The Wyld Dock Bar
2740 Livingston Ave
Savannah, GA 31406

SEASON 6 SPONSORS

Back To Top