Davenport HouseThis beautiful characteristic pink homestead at the
heart of Savannah's historic district was the first of the city's
architectural treasures to be saved for posterity. It was the
threatened demolition of this house that goaded the city's
residents to form a fund to preserve Savannah's historic heritage.
The house was built between 1815 and 1820 by Isaiah Davenport, a
master builder. It features a semi-circular staircase with
wrought-iron trim leading up to the recessed front door. Inside the
polished hardwood floors gleam and the mansion is furnished
befitting the period with Hepplewhite, Chippendale and Sheraton
pieces.Juliette Gordon Low BirthplaceThe majestic Regency town house that stands in
Savannah's historic district was the birthplace of Juliette 'Daisy'
Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Visitors learn about
the Girl Scouts movement and experience a taste of Victorian family
life. The house, which was built in 1821, is a National Historic
Landmark and is furnished with many original pieces and also
features the artwork of Juliette Gordon Low.Savannah History MuseumThe Savannah History Museum gives an excellent
introduction to the city, its exhibits reflecting the city's
history from her founding to the present day. The museum is housed
in a restored railway station that dates from before the Civil War
and is one of Georgia's 43 National Historic Landmarks. Beneath the
building are the graves of Polish Count Pulaski and his fellow
colonists, killed on this spot in 1779 while trying to drive off
the British soldiers.Telfair Museum of ArtThe Telfair Museum of Art is the oldest public art
museum in the South, fittingly housed in an important historic
building, the Owens-Thomas House. The house, overlooking Oglethorpe
Square, was designed by William Jay, a young English architect, who
introduced the British Regency style to America. It was built in
1818 for Alexander Telfair, son of the Governor of Georgia. The art
museum's permanent collection includes paintings, works on paper,
sculpture and decorative arts by both American and European
artists. The museum encompasses the art gallery, restored rooms in
the historic house, and the Jepson Center for the Arts. Docent
guided tours are offered daily, included in the admission
price.Fort JacksonA short distance to the east of central Savannah
stands Georgia's oldest standing fort, surrounded by a deep tidal
moat. The fort was preceded by a mud battery, the brick fort having
been built in 1808. It was the headquarters for the Confederate
river defences during the Civil War, when it was enlarged and
strengthened. The fort today contains numerous exhibits pertaining
to the war. Living history demonstrations are staged in spring and
summer.Okefenokee SwampThe mysterious Okefenokee Swamp comprises 700 square
miles (1,813 sq km) of wet, green wilderness stretching across the
southern part of coastal Georgia. The largest peat-producing bog in
North America, Okefenokee is a national treasure because it
provides a refuge for a vast number of animals and plants that
thrive in its lakes, islands and wetlands. The park consists of
different environments, from towering cypress stands in still
waters to vast prairie grasslands in other areas. Visitors have
four parks to choose from when pursuing an Okefenokee experience:
three of the parks are on the east side of the swamp and one on the
southwestern side. All three offer sightseeing, boating and fishing
opportunities. The southwestern park is Stephen C. Foster State
Park, featuring cypress swamps, at the headwaters of the Suwannee
River, near Fargo. Laura S. Walker State Park is near Waycross, on
the swamp's margin. South of Waycross Okefenokee Swamp Park has
some alligators, snakes and other swamp wildlife in easy-to-see
captivity for a quick swamp experience, while Suwannee Canal
Recreation Area near Folkston provides access to the prairie
environment of the swamp, offering nature boardwalks and historic
sites.DarienA short drive south of Savannah lies the charming old
town of Darien, established in 1736 on the banks of the Darien
River as a military outpost. Today it is a favoured tourist town;
its historic shopping enclave specialises in unique gifts and
antiques, and the picturesque waterfront is lined with shrimp
boats. A series of walking and bike paths, lined with Spanish
moss-draped oak trees, connect the downtown waterfront with Fort
King George, which houses a museum and plays host to living history
pageants. Other diversions include paddling the river and tidal
creeks in kayaks or canoes and dining on delicious shrimp. The area
around Darien in McIntosh county is extremely scenic, dotted with
quaint fishing villages like Valona and Shellman Bluff. Just
offshore, accessible by ferry across Doboy Sound, is the pristine
barrier island of Sapelo, which boasts one of Georgia's most
beautiful beaches and a restored lighthouse.Tybee IslandThe small barrier island of Tybee, 18 miles (29km)
east of Savannah, is a popular seaside resort for locals and
visitors alike. The three-mile (5km) long beach has rolling
sand-dunes, and at the south end of the island a pier and pavilion
offer a pleasant stroll, usually accompanied by live band music.
Apart from swimming and sun worshipping, the island also has
sightseeing opportunities including Fort Screven, a historic Tybee
lighthouse dating to 1773, an intriguing museum and Fort Pulaski.
There is a selection of restaurants, hotels, motels, inns and
cottages available.
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