Savannah, Georgia August 2023

August in Savannah is hot. There's no denying, sugar-coating, or romanticizing it, it's simply hot. Some days miserably so. So why go in August? Well, for us it happens to be when our anniversary falls, but it's also Savannah's slow season. This means lodging is less expensive, reservations are usually not required, and it's very often not crowded downtown. Now, we could go on and on about how great this place is, and as all of our friends and family will attest, we very often do. For the sake of brevity, we'll keep this entry about this experience and this time of year. Did we mention it gets hot?

Whether you're disabled or not, prepare for the weather. For those with spinal cord injuries like mine, since you don't sweat, this is critically important. Stay hydrated, carry a wet cloth with you. Re-wet it with ice water when you stop for food or drink. There is an abundance of great food, cocktails, and coffee to be found while wondering around, so it's actually quite easy to manage the heat. There are also many squares in which you can sit under the shade of giant oak trees to help keep you cool while still enjoying the beauty of the historic district. The point is, even in August, you can enjoy the city and all it has to offer.

Now, we aren't the type to tell you how to live your life, but there really isn't a better way to kickoff the day than a breakfast or brunch at The Collins Quarter (https://downtown.thecollinsquarter.com) on Bull Street. They have it all great food, coffee, cocktails, and amazing service. On this two week trip, we went every single day. There are many other options for your morning meal or coffee, but, as previously stated, we're focusing on this trip. Full disclosure, for all you wheelchair warriors out there, they do not have a ramp to get indoors, but they have an abundance of outdoor seating with large misting fans.

Savannah is an historic city, and as such you will come across buildings that are not accessible, but much fewer than you might think. River Street is wildly popular with tourists, please see our instagram post about it for all the details and footage, but it is not a wheelchair friendly environment. There are elevators to get down there, and the newly redeveloped west end is very easy to navigate, however the historic end has very few buildings that a wheelchair can get into. The best way to enjoy the river, in my opinion, is to sit up at the Top Deck Bar (https://topdeckbar.com) located within the Cotton Sail Hotel and enjoy the view with tasty refreshments and snacks. They have indoor and outdoor seating with great views from both.

Now that the pump is primed after breakfast, drinks, and snacks we're ready for the evening. Do not be fooled, Savannah has a very lively nightlife. City Market is full of bars and restaurants with clubs surrounding it. If you are into that, your cup will runneth over. Which reminds me, you can take that cup with you from place to place. Savannah allows you to drink on the move, so don't be afraid to get that beer or cocktail to go. There are more great restaurants than I can list so I'll just say, bon appetit. My one shoutout, if you find yourself craving pizza, Vinnie Van GoGo's is a must (http://www.vinnievangogo.com).

After all of the excitement, you'll need a place to rest. Hotels are expensive in Savannah. If you really want to treat yourself, look into The Kehoe House (https://www.kehoehouse.com). It's an amazing bed and breakfast and it is wheelchair accessible. If you want to be centrally located, The Andaz is very nice and extremely pet friendly. On this trip, we stayed at a Sonder Property, which are short term apartment rentals and it worked perfectly. They were as accommodating as any hotel, less expensive, plus we had a kitchen and a washer and dryer in our space. We stayed in The Altmayer building on Bull Street (https://www.sonder.com) Check them out. We will definitely be staying with them again.

Savannah has a lot to offer. In addition to the history, food, drink, and art it is only 20 minutes to Tybee Island and the Atlantic Ocean. It is only a short drive from downtown to Bonaventure Cemetary and the Wormsloe Plantation. Hilton Head is only 45 minutes away if you're looking for more beach time. While there is a lot to do there, it's also the perfect place to take a seat and relax. It's the perfect place to go to do nothing.