Old Fort Jackson – Attractions in Savannah
Georgia's oldest standing fort, with a deep tidal moat around its brick walls was built in 1808 and manned during the War of 1812. (I know, we didn’t know there was a war in America in 1812 either. It’s something to do with Canada, possibly something to do with England too, despite us being in a minor scuffle with France at the time). Its arched rooms, designed to support the weight of heavy cannons mounted above, hold 13 exhibit areas.
Civil Rights Museum – Savannah Attractions
The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum illustrates Savannah’s role in the Civil Rights movement. Dr Gilbert, was pastor of the First African Bapxist Church, which was literally the first. The museum chronicles the civil rights struggle of Georgia's oldest African American community. The three floors feature historic photographic and interactive exhibits
Cotton Exchange – Attractions in Savannah
Savannah was once the world’s leading cotton port, and locals dubbed the Cotton Exchange as ‘King Cotton’s Palace’, as a testament to wealth the city earned from cotton. The red brick Queen Anne-style building is notable for its intricate classical detailing, low relief decorative terra cotta, and steep gables.
Factors Walk – Savannah Attractions
Factors is what the cotton merchants were called. This walk with its many iron bridges spanning Bay Street to River Street where the cotton merchants conducted much of their business. The streets are now lined with shops and restaurants, but still paved with cobblestones, which were originally brought as ballast by early sailing ships possibly from as far away as Africa.
Green-Meldrim House – Attractions in Savannah
Green-Meldrim House is a rare example of a Gothic Revival house. Architectural details include cast iron oriel windows, battlements on the roof and stone hooding around windows. It was from here that a General sent Abraham Lincoln a telegram announcing that Savannah was a Christmas gift to the White House.
Historic and Victorian Districts – Savannah Attractions
The Historic District and its moss-draped trees, cobbled streets and flowery entranceways, is now a city within a city. It’s laid out in a grid, as Americans and people in Milton Keynes like it that way. The Victorian District, Savannah’s first suburb, is just south, with wooden houses dating from the 1870s and 1880s, which is old old old in the USA.
Historic Railroad Shops – Attractions in Savannah
You might notice a 130 ton diesel engine on a turntable and it will probably be at that point you realise, or remember, that Americans say ‘shop’ when they mean ‘workshop’, or in this case ‘engine sheds’. These buildings were started in 1845, and 13 of the structures still stand. The Roundhouse Railroad Museum’s permanent exhibits include steam engines, belt-driven machinery, locomotives and rolling stock.
Sea Turtle Walks – Attractions Jekyll Island
Take a scenic horse ride through the Maritime Forest or on the beach. You can also tour the Historic District in a horse-drawn carriage. Learn about sea turtles and their habitat, and at the right time of year you can join a local wildlife guide for a shoreline walk in search of turtle tracks and nesting Loggerhead turtles.