Sweet Savannah and the Prettiest Street in America

11Mar
by Oh, the Places We See
Savannah GA: white house, Spanish moss on Jones Street

You know us. You had already guessed that as soon as we both got our Covid-19 vaccinations we’d be out the door, headed to somewhere. And this time, our destination was the lovely town of Savannah, Georgia, only seven hours from Knoxville, yet far enough away to seem like La-La Land in Springtime!

Savannah GA: Georgian house on Jones Street
Early morning light, pink walls, and palm fronds — what could be better than this pretty home on W. Jones?

And we’re taking you with us: starting on Jones Street where our Historic Inn — the Eliza Thompson House — sits squarely (smack-dab, as we say in the South) on the prettiest street in America named by Southern Living.

Savannah, GA: Jones Street paved with brick, lined with trees
Early morning sun forms patterns on the brick pavers as live oak shadows help Jones Street live up to its name.

We’re not the first to write about this classy thruway. Business Insider featured Jones Street in “The Most Charming Streets in America” as did Valerie Price and John Wilsdon in their blog, Roadesque, when they wrote “Getting to Know Savannah in One Street.” But we also found a great source for lodging options in Erin Clarkson’s post “Stay in a Historic Home on Jones Street in Savannah, GA” and historical background for Jones Street in Go South! Savannah.

Savannah, GA: Camellias, pretty houses on Jones Street
Camellias blooming in March add a romantic touch to this stately jewel of Jones Street.

For those of you who know Southern architecture, it comes as no surprise that these lovely Georgian homes with their high stoops and multiple floors date from the 1850s and ’60s. Named for Major John Jones, Commander of Georgia Continentals during the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Savannah, the stately homes have more in common than not — they’re mostly brick in construction, standing side-by-side in rows along brick-paved streets, accessible via steps (sometimes steep) leading up to first floor parlors. Jones Street benefited from a large-scale restoration in the 1960s, and today, you can stay in several of the properties just as we did at the Eliza Thompson House.

Savannah, GA: home with live oak tree, resurrection fern
Classy and Georgian, this red brick with ornamental iron fencing and floor-to-ceiling windows faces of Savannah’s many live oak trees bearing resurrection fern on its branches.

The street is accessible to many attractions including Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room (on W. Jones Street). And it also intersects Bull Street, another charming notable by Southern Living and home to shopSCAD
(Savannah College of Art and Design), Alex Raskin Antiques and Forsyth Park.

Savannah, GA: Morning on Jones Street
Variations of architecture enhance the street and remind you to look up — or you’ll miss something.
Savannah, GA: Flags, planters, brick sidewalks on Jones St.
Homes may look similar, but owners take pride in their individuality — plantings, flags, colors all make for unique homes on Jones Street.

But what we liked best was walking — early morning, late afternoon, well, any time. The homes may be similar — especially in their collective patriotic look and feel — but each is different, boasting planters or flags or colored walls.

Savannah GA: Patriotic Jones Street
Rows of houses sporting American flags — Jones Street may win “Most Patriotic Street” next.

We hope you’ll stay with us as we show you the Savannah we saw. But until then, just enjoy this first installment of our feeling-free-after-Covid-shots excursion.

Savannah GA: formal planters on house on Jones St
Neatly planted and trimmed evergreens line the steps of this classic house on Jones Street.

If you want to make Savannah your next destination, book now. Bachelorette parties are in full swing, trolleys are at least half full, and the re-open feeling is alive and well. Another great thing: mosquitoes haven’t made it back to this classy Southern city just yet. And to that we say, “Sweeeeeet”!!

Savannah, GA: Strolling Jones St
Is walking the dog more fun on Jones Street? We kinda think it is.

Travel Savannah,

Rusha & Bert

This post is linked to Dan’s Thursday Doors, a weekly look at interesting doors and the buildings that support them. Hope you’ll check out this week’s entries.

22 thoughts on “Sweet Savannah and the Prettiest Street in America”

  1. Wetravelhappy

    If we’d ever do a road trip on the East Coast, we’d definitely stop here. Thanks for taking us to this corner of the US. And wow glad to hear that you’ve had your vaccine already. Here in Singapore we’re already in the 45 to 59 years old age group. 🙂

    Reply

  2. Green Global Trek

    Love this architecture and the beautiful cobble streets. I used to live in Washington D.C. in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and the feel is the same. Your photos are very remindful of the streets I would walk on each day. I have never travelled in the South of the U.S. other than New Orleans and I look forward to visiting places like Savannah some day and the prettiest street in America.

    Ben

    Reply

  4. Curt Mekemson

    First up, congrats on the vaccine. Peggy and I have both been through our two shots as well and have now given them an extra three weeks. Savannah looks delightful, Rusha. I’ve never been there although I’ve driven around it and spent a fair amount of time in Georgia. Looks like we need to stop next time. 🙂 –Curt

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  8. CadyLuck Leedy

    Savannah, one of our favorite places! Good to be there in the Spring before it gets really hot! I bet they are busy…….everyone looking to be done with COVID! I look forward to more posts!

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Savannah really is a pretty city. We’ll show more of those trees and also fountains, statuary, etc. soon. We feel more emboldened to travel after receiving our shots, but we’re still cautious.

      Reply

  11. Toonsarah

    I’ve always wanted to visit Savannah and it looks as lovely in your photos as I would expect! But I’m surprised that you’re allowed to do so much, even allowing for the fact that you’ve had your vaccination. Over here in the UK having had ‘the jab’ makes no difference, we still have to follow all the rules of lockdown and the stages of easing it. So no trips any distance from home, even day trips, until the end of this month, and no overnight stays away from home until mid April at the earliest – but even then only in self-catering accommodation shared only by people from the same household. We won’t be allowed to stay in hotels, inns etc. until mid May at the soonest!! So I’m more than a little bit jealous đź’š

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