What stands out the most about Georgia to me are the Southern traditions, subtropical weather, and unique architecture. Above are two examples of Southern-style homes in Savannah. You can compare these with homes I’ve photographed elsewhere in the country, such as West Virginia or Pennsylvania, and the difference is pretty easy to notice. The first house has a large palm tree in front of it, while the second proudly displays both the American and Georgia flags from its porch.
On the left is one of the buildings associated with the Savannah College of Art and Design. Savannah is well known for its art and design schools, and I’ve even known a couple of people from my high school who moved here to earn their degrees. On the right is the historic Savannah Cotton Exchange, a reminder of the city’s importance as a major cotton-trading port.
These two pictures are of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever visited! The current cathedral was completed near the end of the 19th century. One photo shows the ornate interior just after Mass on New Year’s Day, while the other shows the exterior with one of Savannah’s sightseeing trolleys passing by.
As you get closer to Savannah’s riverfront, you’ll start to notice some unusual streets and walkways along with buildings perched high above the river. Above is one of the shell-covered surfaces I came across, while the second photo shows some of the steep stairs descending through an alley toward River Street. Many narrow passages and stairways connect the upper city with the waterfront below. They can be difficult for some older visitors or people with limited mobility, although many hotels and businesses in the area provide elevator access between the two levels.
These two pictures are from Savannah’s famous River Street, one of the most visited areas in the city. It’s a great place for shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife. The first photo shows people walking along one of the main stretches of River Street. The second shows a bar on New Year’s morning. It was empty when I took the photo, but only a few hours earlier it had been packed. Savannah is also famous for its huge St. Patrick’s Day celebration, when the historic district and riverfront fill with crowds.
These last two pictures of Savannah were also taken from River Street. On the left is the Georgia Queen riverboat, which offers cruises along the Savannah River. On the right is a large hotel across the river on Hutchinson Island, near the Savannah Convention Center.
