On our second day in Savannah, we explored more of the city including the original cemetery and finished the evening with a ghost tour. Scott and I woke up to a very brisk morning with temperature being 38 degrees. We found a fantastic breakfast joint called the Treyler Park. Since my dad loved bologna sandwiches, I couldn’t resist a fried bologna and egg sandwich and it did not disappoint!
Scott ordered a mushroom and spinach omelet and surprisingly the filling was placed on top of the omelet, not inside of it. It was still delicious!
Taking the Trolley to the Cemetery
When we arrived in Savannah, we met with the hotel concierge to find out more about the Trolley. There are two trolleys in Savanah, the orange/green one and the white “tours” one. Everyone told us to take the orange and green one. While talking to the concierge, we saw the informational booklet about the trolley on her desk in a brochure holder and it said $6 on it. She began talking to us about how great the trolley was and asked us if we wanted to buy a second day pass for half off. At $6, we figured we couldn’t pass that up. However, when she rang me up, my receipt was for $139! Turns out the brochure is $6, not the trolley!
After feeling a bit bamboozled, we were determined to take the trolley everywhere we could. We left the Trailer Park and headed back down to River Street to catch the trolley. Along the way, we stumbled upon another cool historical dedication, the SS Savannah & the SS John Randolfph sculpture.
The SS Savannah and SS John Randolph sculpture in Savannah, GA, celebrates two historic vessels that highlight the city’s maritime legacy. The SS Savannah was the first steamship to cross the Atlantic in 1819, and the SS John Randolph was the first ironclad warship in the United States, built in 1862.
While waiting for the trolley, a huge cargo ship passed down the river and under the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. Tug boats guide them down the river and they have to stay to the port side where the river is deeper and it was amazing to see how close they are to the bridge. The ships only have about an hour every 12 hours to make the transport during high tide.
Colonial Park Cemetery
Colonial Park Cemetery, is a historic burial ground established in 1750, covering approximately six acres. It served as the primary cemetery for the city until 1853 and holds the graves of many of Savannah’s early settlers, including Revolutionary War soldiers and political leaders. The cemetery is known for its historic significance and features a range of epitaphs, tombstones, and markers, many of which reflect the city’s rich colonial and antebellum history. The large tombstones house families, many of which died of yellow fever. Today it is also used as a city park where you will find walkers and people enjoying a picnic.
The grounds are beautiful and most of the trees are covered in Spanish moss. My girlfriend Sally told me a long time ago to stay away from the moss as it is full of chiggers.
Savannah’s Webb Military Museum
Scott and I then walked towards the Webb Military Museum, only to stumble upon the police station. Savannah’s police station, established in 1854, marked the beginning of organized law enforcement in the city, which had operated without an official police force for nearly 100 years since its founding in 1733. Prior to this, public safety was managed informally by citizen-led watch groups and militia forces. The creation of the police department reflected the city’s growth and the need for a more structured approach to maintaining law and order in an expanding urban area.
Next door to the Webb Military Museum, you’ll find Oliver & Bentleys Dog Deli and Human Hangout. These two fellas were nice and comfy on their couch and the lab on the left, barely lifted his head only to let out a “woof”. Hysterical!
The Webb Military Museum in Savannah, GA, offers a deeply personal glimpse into military history, featuring an extensive collection of artifacts from the Civil War to modern conflicts.
During our visit, we had the privilege of meeting Gary Webb, the museum’s founder, who shared his inspiration for starting the museum as a tribute to his mother. She grew up in London during World War II, surviving numerous bomb attacks, and her resilience motivated Gary to honor her and others who endured the hardships of war. The museum’s intimate setting and personal stories make it a touching and unforgettable experience.
This saddle is from the Battle of Little Bighorn.
The museum had artifacts and clothing from every war. The collection is very impressive. He even had Bob Hope’s uniform that he war while performing in Vietnam.
The Davenport House
To buy tickets to the Davenport House, you first have to enter the drug store at 323 E. Broughton (it’s not really a drug store anymore). In the back, they have a room that displays the history of the Savannah historical society.
The Davenport House in Savannah, GA, is a historic Federal-style home built in 1820 by Isaiah Davenport, a master builder and carpenter from Rhode Island who settled in Savannah.
During our tour, we learned about the lives of the enslaved individuals who lived in the basement of the house—up to 13 people who were treated as property, denied last names, and endured harsh living conditions. Savannah has done a commendable job preserving the house and sharing the history of both its builder and the enslaved individuals, educating visitors about the injustices of slavery and fostering a deeper understanding of this period.
Slaves made mattresses and pillows out of Spanish moss that was covered in chiggers. The eldest slaves earned the right to sleep in a bed, while the younger ones slept in a wooden box on the floor. Can you even imagine how horrible their living conditions were?
As we toured the upstairs floors, the basement stood in stark contrast to the elegant, refined spaces upstairs where Isaiah Davenport and his family lived.
Happy Hour in Savannah
We took a quick break from our explorations to enjoy some food and a couple of cocktails at Savannah’s Topdeck Rooftop Bar. The weather was pretty chilly, so we enjoyed the views from inside. They had a great happy hour with very affordable bites and cocktails.
As we walked back to the hotel, we came upon yet another memorial, Savannah’s World War 2 Sphere. Savannah’s World War II Sphere is a powerful monument located at the World War II Memorial on River Street.
The large stainless-steel globe honors the contributions and sacrifices of the “Greatest Generation,” with the names of over 500 Chatham County residents who lost their lives in the war inscribed around it. Designed to reflect unity and the global impact of the conflict, the sphere is surrounded by a memorial that educates visitors about Savannah’s vital role during World War II, from military service to shipbuilding. The monument serves as a solemn reminder of the courage and resilience of those who served.
British Dining in Savannah
As I mentioned in our previous blog, we made dinner reservations for each night to ensure we could get a table. One restaurant that was highly recommended was Churchill’s, a British style pub. We started our evening with a couple of cocktail, followed by our entrees including Cottage Pie (similar to Shepherd’s Pie) and Meatloaf. Both of our meals were outstanding and delicious, including the chocolate dessert.
Savannah’s Haunted Booze and Boos Tour
Scott and I have experienced a few ghost tours, including one in Key West (outstanding) and one in St. Augustine (not so much). We booked this tour through Viator and Trip Advisor. It started at Tandom Coffee and Spirits – keep in mind, your cocktails are not included in the tour. Our guide walked us across the street to tell the ghostly story about the inn and restaurant. From there we walked to the River Front.
She had each of us stand in Echo Square and shout something and when we did, we heard an echo. It was so cool! Be sure to check it out next time you’re in Savannah.
From there, we walked up Lincoln street and into an unnamed bar. Apparently, this bar is so haunted that they can’t be open to the public. So they only open for ghost tours (not sure if I believe that or not). Both of us had the infamous Chatham Artillery Punch (which I had in the Speakeasy, but it’s obvious there are many versions of this punch).
Next stop was the 17Hundred90 Bar. Ironically, we couldn’t get dinner reservations here, but we could get drinks. We all shared a round of shots of (something) while she told us another ghostly story.
Next stop was John Wesley square. John Wesley Square in Savannah is considered haunted due to its proximity to Wright Square, one of Savannah’s oldest squares and a site with a dark history.
Wright Square was once a public gallows and the location of executions, including that of Alice Riley in 1735, who was the first woman hanged in Georgia. She and others who were executed are believed to have been buried in the area, and some claim her restless spirit lingers. Additionally, the square’s connection to Savannah’s colonial history and its role in early settlement life have led to tales of spectral activity. Visitors have reported sightings of apparitions, eerie feelings, and unexplained occurrences, adding to the city’s reputation as one of America’s most haunted locations.
Longest Ghost Pub Crawl Ever
From Wesley square, we headed to Abe’s on Lincoln where we were the night before. Be sure to check out that blog to find photos of our drawing of Abe. No, Abe’s is not haunted, our tour guide thinks it’s a cool spot. She then took us to the Totally Awesome Bar. When asked if it was haunted she replied “No, I just like it here and my boyfriend is meeting me here.” LOL! We still had a great time with our group.
Our ghost tour had come to an end after almost three hours and after all those drinks we needed a midnight bite. Scott and I stumbled upon PS Tavern and ordered a pizza, which was fantastic! If you like pizza, this is a go to spot!
Scott and I hope you enjoyed this blog about Savannah. As always, thank you for following our journey! We still have one more day in Savannah, so be sure to subscribe to get notifications of future blogs. You can also follow our channel on YouTube (see link below) and on social media @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.
Cheers, Scott and Ally
