Blog Categories
Ask Chris Business Spotlight Dining Events History Hotels Nightlife Rants and Raves Savannah Celebrities This and That Weddings
Budget Friendly Savannah
Restaurants
Savannah restaurants are known for their creative menus and delicious food but this does not mean you have to spend an arm and a leg for a great tasting meal. If you’re looking for the great taste of Savannah look no further than Firefly Café. This reasonably priced ($5-$18/person) neighborhood eatery offers something for everyone. Whether you are seafood connoisseur or chicken, steak, and pasta, pleases your palette, this restaurant is a great pick for the whole family. After dining at Firefly Café, located at 321 Habersham Street, take a walk through historical Troup Square and take in Savannah’s rich history.
The South is known for its southern charm and delicious food. For a charming, Southern seafood meal, Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House offers the South’s most delicious assortment of seafood. With the price as a great catch ($5-$20/person), families can enjoy a great meal while taking in the fresh Savannah air and visiting with Uncle Bubba as he greets his guest. With just a short ride down the road to 104 Bryan Woods Road, you and your family can enjoy Uncle Bubba’s family atmosphere and southern charm.
Culture is one of Savannah’s richest selling points. To enjoy an authentic Scottish meal (and yes, the waiters wear kilts), 311 West Congress Street is the place to be. Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub and Grill offers authentic Scottish recipes that have been passed down from three generations. With prices that fit your budget ($5-$20), Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub and Grill takes you to Scotland to enjoy a taste of the world.
If Scotland isn’t your country of choice, fly south to 13-17 West Bay Street in Savannah’s Historic District, for a British meal that is sure to satisfy your hunger. Churchill’s Pub and Restaurant offers a variety of British dishes with an American spin. From wings to seafood, this budget savvy ($6-$21/person) restaurant offers you and your family all the “bloody good” meals and family fun that Savannah has to offer.
Activities
Founded in 1733, Savannah has a rich but strange history. Labeled as one of the nations “most haunted cities”, Savannah’s strange and haunted history is best explored on foot. Savannah Candlelight Walking Tours are 90-minute guided tours through the haunted streets of Savannah and is affordable as well as different. Tour guides will tell you strange and interesting stories about Savannah’s past as well as its present while you walk down history lane. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (age 55+), $5 for children (5-12), and children under 5 are free. Reservations are required with tours beginning at 7 and 9 p.m. nightly from the Colonial Park Cemetery at the corner of Abercorn Street and Oglethorpe Avenue.
Savannah’s River Street not only provides a variety of shops and restaurants, it also provides the perfect viewing platform for fireworks. The city welcomes you on the first Friday of every month beginning at 9:30 p.m. to celebrate the end of the week with fireworks on the river. Keep money in your pocket as there is no cost to view the show. No longer do you have to wait for a holiday to watch fireworks.
The Savannah City Market, located at the intersection of Jefferson Street and West Street, is a family friendly environment that offers entertainment, a variety of food and art museums, as well as great shopping that takes you back in time and accommodates every budget.
For a breathtaking and scenic walk, travel to the Bonaventure Cemetery located 330 Bonaventure Road. This soothing cemetery is a popular tourist destination because of its old-tree lined roadways, many notable people who lay rest, and architecture and sculpting that is unique to this cemetery. The cemetery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free of charge. Those interested in history and literature are sure to enjoy as the Bonaventure Cemetery is featured in the New York Times best selling novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. Guided tours of the cemetery are also available for a nominal price of $18.50 for children (12 & under) and $26.50 for adults. Tours are provided by Sixth Sense Savannah located at the cemetery with reservations required.
For a relaxing horse drawn carriage ride through Savannah contact the Historic Savannah Carriage Tours located at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on West Bay Street. Guides will take you down Savannah’s historic streets and under mossy trees at a slow and comfortable pace. Guides will share with you some of Savannah’s stories and ghostly tales on a 45-50 minute ride at an economical price of $20 for adults, $9 for children (ages 5-11), and free for children under 5. Carriages run 7 days a week, including holidays, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the winter and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the summer. Reservations suggested.
Hotels
After an exciting day in Savannah, Holiday Inn Express, located at 199 East Bay Street in Savannah’s Historic District, offers you and your family the amenities of home for a great price. For $126/night/room, the Holiday Inn Express is the perfect end to the perfect day. Just a short walk away from the famous River Street, Holiday Inn Express is in a great location for family fun.
Country Inn and Suites By Carlson are also located in Savannah’s Historic District. Located at 320 Montgomery Street, you and your family can enjoy the budget friendly hotel ($139/night/room) while enjoying Downtown Savannah’s many amenities. Take stroll through Savannah’s history rich squares around Country Inn and Suites By Carlson while winding down for a relaxing nights sleep.
By: Amanda Frazier and Stewart Bond
Special thanks for this article to Gnat’s Landing in Statesboro, GA. Located at 470 South Main St. 912-489-8291