Trolley Ride Savannah

If you decide to visit Savannah, take the trolley ride from the visitors' centre located in the downtown core. Parking is $1.00/hour, you can get maps and advice at the visitors' centre, see a movie about the history of Savannah and get yourself organized for the day, and a day won't be enough.

The trolley ride takes about 90 minutes, it has 15 stops and you can get on and off at your pleasure. I liked the open air trolleys which allowed easy photographs from either side as we drove through the narrow streets of old Savannah.

The architect here is rich and varied, with many beautifully restored homes, once owned by famous people who played a major roll in the founding of the city and colony.

The main entrance was usually at the second story level. There were two reasons for this, the kitchen was located at ground level as well as the servants' quarters, and the home owners kept their living quarters separate from them

Old Savannah has a park every two blocks. The streets are laied out in a grid pattern and every second intersection was a square or common area. No the founding fathers were not into providing leisurely quiet areas, these squares served a military purpose. The militia would practise their manoeuvres on them and if the enemy entered the city they could be easily confronted as the moved through a square. It was all about defence back in the 1700s.

If you prefer a horse drawn carriage ride for your tour those are also available. With the sun shining and the sky a dark blue a horse drawn carriage would be the perfect way to see the city.

Because Savannah played a vital role in the formation of the American colonies and the American revolution there are plenty of statues to commemorate their history. This monument acknowledges the role played by American Haitians during the American Revolution when she fought and won her independence from Britain. I believe that war was over taxes, wonder what the revolutionaries would think of the present tax structure?

Savannah is the second busiest container port on the east coast and it is their major industry. Can you guess what their second most important industry is? ............................ Tourism, with over 11 million visitors a year.

This is the "Waving Lady" a symbol of southern hospitality. Apparently for 40 years this lady (Lucy) would step out onto her from veranda and wave at the ships coming into port.

We didn't do much more than scratch the surface of all that's available to see and do in Savannah. The museums are free, the food is delicious, and the trolley rides and parking make it all more enjoyable. If you are thinking of visiting, give yourself a week; a day or two just wets your appetite.