Mahan Sally - Fodors In Focus Savannah: with Hilton Head & the Lowcountry

Savannah and Tybee Island each have official resources ( www.savannahvisit.com | www.tybeevisit.com ) for travelers that include information on tours, dining, attractions, and more.

For information on several prominent local museums, look at the websites of the Coastal Heritage Society ( www.chsgeorgia.org ) or the Telfair Museum ( www.telfair.org ).

Local restaurant information and a deals card offering savings at member businesses is available from www.savannahmenu.com .

Youre Welcome Savannah ( www.yourewelcomesavannah.com ) has the insiders scoop on the citys hottest restaurants, boutiques, and happenings, as well as stunning photography from around town.

The citys Riverfront Association ( www.riverstreetsavannah.com ) has information on events and member businesses along River Street.

You can fly into Savannah and catch a cab into downtown, but youll probably need a car if you want to explore attractions like Bonaventure Cemetery, Tybee Island, and Fort Pulaski, which are several miles east of downtown.

Getting to Savannah: There are a handful of direct flights into Savannah, but unless youre visiting from New York City, Chicago, or a few other major metropolitan areas, youll have a connecting flight, most often through Atlanta or Charlotte.

More Flights: Although the airport serves both Savannah and Hilton Head, there is another, considerably smaller airport on Hilton Head Island. If youre looking for additional flight options, it is only about 45 to 60 minutes from Savannah.

On the Ground: Savannah is roughly 10 miles east of Interstate 95, so if youre heading up or down the Eastern seaboard through Georgia, it is an easy stopover. Follow Interstate 16 east until it dead-ends in the Historic District. Interstate 16 traverses west through Georgia to intersect with Interstate 75, the fastest route to or from Atlanta by car.

Other Options: You can reach Savannah by train; theres an Amtrak station several miles west of downtown. Bus travel is also an option. The Greyhound station is located on West Oglethorpe Avenue.

Renting a Car: There are several major car rental companies with offices at the airport, including Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo, and Thrifty.

Savannah is not large, but it is atmospheric, so make sure you allow sufficient time to soak in the ambience and see the sights. Youll need at least two or three days to fully appreciate the Historic District and its many sights, not to mention the food, which is an integral part of the Savannah experience. Youll need another day or two to see the sights in the surrounding area, including a jaunt out to Tybee Island for a fishing trip, kayaking tour, or relaxing on the beach. Some travelers head north to Hilton Head or Charleston to round out their Lowcountry experience.

Savannahs low season is around November through the end of January, and there are significantly better deals to be found, generally speaking, to compensate for the chilly weather.

For savings on dining around the city, look into the Savannah Menu Card ( www.savannahmenu.com ), which offers special deals such as a free appetizer or discount when presented at member restaurants around the city.

For savings on hotels, Stay in Savannah ( www.stayinsavannah.com ) offers discounts at member hotels. The best deals can be found during the off-season. Another way to save on hotels is to book a place south of the Historic District. There are a number of hotels along Abercorn Street, south of DeRenne Avenue, that provide easy access to downtown for less money per night.