A Spring Drive Through the American South - Part Four

Continued from
A Spring Drive Through the American South – Part One, Part Two and Part Three

In a journey through some of the most romantic spots the South has to offer, start in Washington, DC, and head to Charlottesville, VA along the Skyline Drive. From Charlottesville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville, NC. Then go from Asheville to elegant Charleston, South Carolina.

For the last of your Spring drive, journey from Charleston to grande olde Savannah, Georgia.

Before you go, you might want to immerse yourself in Savannah by reading (the oft-suggested) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil or by watching (no, seriously) the Style Network’s “Ruby,” shot entirely on location.

From Charleston, driving time to Savannah is only about 1 1/2 hours. Take the 95S to the 17S.

Give yourself 2-3 days in Savannah:

Stay at the Forsyth Park Inn, just across Forsyth Park from the lovely white fountain that serves as the emblem of the city.

While everyone else is combing the Historic District‘s squares looking for the illustrious Mercer Williams House and Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low’s stately white home, pop into Temple Mickve Israel for some peace and quiet in America’s third-oldest synagogue.

For the love of all that’s holy, do not take an Old Town Trolley Tour. Yes, we’d been schlepping all over town that day. Yes, we were hot and tired. But as soon as we heard Rich Little doing impersonations on the recorded narration, we knew we were screwed…for the next hour.

Instead, retreat off your feet to the vintage Gryphon Tea Room, beside the Savannah College of Art & Design. Sit, people watch, and preserve your sense of dignity.

Have dinner at the utterly romantic Elizabeth on 37th, and hope that their ever-changing, seasonal menu includes their exquisite English pea soup.

Arrive early for lunch at reservation-free Mrs. Wilke’s Dining Room, which specializes in the traditionally Southern meat-and-three.

Do dine at Lady & Sons, Food Network star Paula Deen’s Lowcountry gorge-fest…but afterward, take a long walk to digest.

Just outside of town, wander through the evocative Bonaventure Cemetery, overhung with moss and mysticism. Bonaventure means “good fortune,” an ironic name for this unlucky plot of land.

Head over to Emmet Park to see the unique and quieting Vietnam Memorial sculpture with an empty Army helmet, boots and M-16.

Get out into the nature that surrounds Savannah:

Read our post about the perfect crowd escape, the Savannah Wildlife Refuge.

Take a relaxing Bull River Marina dolphin tour from the north end of Wilmington Island. Try to be here late in the day to glide through soft, Lowcountry marshland while friendly dolphins follow your boat.

At the Isle of Hope just southeast of the city, meander along Bluff Drive for great views of the Wilmington River. Where Bluff dead ends, take a stroll amongst restored antebellum homes. Don’t miss a forest trail hike or the driveway lined with 400 live oaks at decrepit-but-lovely 18th century Wormsloe Plantation.