- Kelly Ehrhardt

Savannah & Jekyll Island, GA

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may get a commission, at no cost to you. Any recommendations that I make are for products or services I have personally used and highly recommend.

Tootsie’s Bottom Line:

Savannah: A gorgeous, historic city. It’s a must see although not for young kids-no glitz

  • Stay: Westin, Savannah Riverfront, reasonably priced, nice hotel with great service
  • Eat: Clary’s Café,  404 Abercorn St.
  • To Do: variety of tours, can’t recommend any single one but Savannah’s history is worth learning about
  • Reading: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil-MUST READ, see below

Jekyll Island: Sleepy barrier island; great beaches and escape from life

  • Stay: Residence Inn (178 S Beachview Dr) and Westin (110 Ocean Way)
    • Residence Inn: brand new hotel, the service was phenomenal; staff goes out of their way to make people feel welcome and eager to help any way possible
    • Westin: beautiful hotel; service average
  • Dolphin Tour: departs Historic Jekyll Wharf, had a fun tour with Captain Phillip, saw both dolphins and manatees

Savannah

Summer was passing quickly, and I realized that a variety of commitments would prevent us from taking a family vacation this year.  So, I stole a couple of days away with my girls for a quick trip to Savannah, GA and Jekyll Island, GA.

When I arrived in Atlanta over 20 years ago, I expected sweeping lawns, huge oak trees and large homes with oversized porches.  Oh, and palm trees.  Clearly, my knowledge of geography is abysmal.  Instead, I found a busy city that over 4 million people called home with a continuously running billboard showing how quickly the population was increasing! 

Shortly after moving South, we had some friends traveling to Savannah.  They asked that we meet them there and I had a required reading assignment, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I started the book but hadn’t come close to finishing when we went.  We made the four-hour drive to Savannah, and I fell in love.  This was the South I’d imagined.  My friend and I toured the city, devouring everything we could find that related to “The Book”.  “Midnight” by John Berendt was published in 1994 and called the New York Times bestsellers list home for 216 weeks!  The non-fiction novel follows a sophisticated antiques dealer as he stands trial for murder.  When I returned home, I read “The Book” (twice!).

I decided to share one of my favorite cities with my girls.  We arrived in Savannah, and it is still one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen.  This is the deep south where the pace is a little slower, the drawl a little longer, tea so sweet your spoon stands up in the glass and no one apologizes for enjoying a slower pace.  Who could blame them?  Savannah sits on the Savannah River and is home to 22 historic squares.  The squares are like nothing I’ve ever seen before.  Beautiful historic homes wrap the perimeter of each square with, what I would call, an urban garden in the center.  The squares have a line of sight in each direction, allowing for communication long before anyone heard of a phone.  You can walk on sidewalks right though the center of the squares or enjoy the longer route on the perimeter.  Sadly, several squares were torn down before their value was truly realized. 

We just stayed one night but enjoyed our time walking the squares, doing a little shopping and savoring a hugely different part of our beautiful state.  We stayed at the Westin Riverfront which is across the river from the historic district.  It can be reached by car or ferry (free).  The hotel is beautiful, and service was excellent.  Our room overlooked the water, and we enjoyed some time in the hot tub before sitting around a fire pit to make s’mores.  Only downside is that you’re not in the historic district the minute you walk out the door, but the view is very nice and access is easy.

We ate breakfast before leaving town at one of my favorites, Clary’s Café.  Clary’s is in “The Book” and I can assure you that despite having a steady flow of diners, they are not reinvesting much into the business.  The food is very good and portions are generous.  Mike took great care of us while we were there.  Clary’s opened in the 1930’s as a drugstore and soda fountain.  I’m guessing that Clary’s embraced the fame of “Midnight” and eliminated the drugstore to become a full service restaurant.  You can easily find it if you’re walking the squares; it sits between Calhoun and Lafayette Squares.  Great place!

Jekyll Island

Marriott Residence Inn, Jekyll Island

I made my first trip to Jekyll Island for our first Thanksgiving in Georgia.  What a gem!  If you are in fifth gear in Atlanta, you’re in second in Savannah and you’ll enjoy the gentle downshift to first when you arrive on Jekyll Island.  Jekyll is one of the barrier islands on the coast of Georgia; it’s about a 90 minute drive from Savannah.  As with so many places, its’ history is fascinating.  This was once a winter haven and hunting ground for wealthy Northerners.  In 1886 they established the Jekyll Island Club, it quickly became known as “the richest, most inaccessible club in the world”.  The members, which included J.P. Morgan, William K. Vanderbilt, Joseph Pulitzer and William Rockefeller, built large homes they called cottages and a country club to enjoy meals and sporting activities.  They built the charming “Faith Chapel” with the most beautiful stained glass windows, “David’s Window” by  Louis Tiffany and “The Adoration of the Christ Child” by Maitland and Helen Armstrong.  We did a tour of the property and I recalled what the guide told me 20+ years ago; “wiggle around in that pew, one-sixth of the world’s wealth sat in those seats at one time.  Maybe some will rub off on you”.  Fascinating that so few held so much and that they congregated on this small island! 

We checked out two Marriott hotels for our brief stay.  The first night was spent at the newly built Residence Inn.  They’d opened a few weeks prior and were eager to make our stay as enjoyable as possible.  We paid a pricey $400+ for one night but were traveling the week of July 4th.  The king suite had a bed, pull out sofa and full kitchen.  The hotel is ocean front with a pool, hot tub, fire pits and corn hole boards.  A short walk over the dunes puts you on a beautiful quiet beach.  Our stay included daily vouchers, $10 at the hotel market, $10 in food/beverage from the bar/restaurant, and free bikes for 4 hours for two people.

Lobby at the Westin, Jekyll Island

We spent the second night at the Westin just down the street.  We stayed in a double queen room for about $350.  Also ocean front, the lobby is beautiful and the hotel has a nice pool and hot tub.  Another short walk over a bridge and you find yourself on the same beautiful beach with lots of quiet.  No fighting for a place to sit on this island.  No free perks at this hotel just for staying, bikes are available for rent and food/drinks are available.

The island is flat so biking is relaxing.  We rode on the road and took a few trails through the woods.  It was flat, easy riding.  I often marvel at the courage of cyclists in the Atlanta area.  Nothing to fear here!

We enjoyed a 90 minute dolphin tour that started at the Historic Jekyll Wharf near the Jekyll Island Club. We were on Captain Phillip’s boat. The tour was very relaxing and we enjoyed watching dolphins, birds, and manatees! Our hosts were Captain Phillip and his wife and they are not only funny but shared some interesting history of the island and the creatures that make their home in these waters. Definitely worth giving it a try.

Food is somewhat limited although there are far more choices than the last time I was there.  We ate at Beach House Restaurant one night.  It’s a pretty simple place that includes a little of everything.  Nothing special; but we enjoyed wings and salad.  Lots of fresh local seafood here and we don’t eat any of it, so please ask for suggestions.

Jeklyll Island is a little-known treasure but very much worth the visit.  Enjoy the warm, salt air and the long exhale as you walk the quiet beach and take a step back in time.   

   

- Kelly Ehrhardt Leave a comment

Ponce City Market

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may get a commission, at no cost to you. Any recommendations that I make are for products or services I have personally used and highly recommend.

Tootsie’s Bottom Line:

A must see if you are visiting or live in the Atlanta area!! This is such a refreshing change from suburban life without the insane crowds that we so often assume will accompany a trip “downtown”. Make time to spend at least a few hours enjoying this great spot that offers so much.

A new landmark in an old landmark; Ponce City Market, is a shopping, dining and entertainment destination. The building was formerly home to the southeast headquarters of Sears, Roebuck & Co. and more recently City Hall East. In typical Atlanta form, history hovers in the background as 21st century living settles in.

History

Like many of my favorite places, Ponce City Market has lived many lives. In the early 1860’s Ponce de Leon Springs, as it was called, became an attraction because of the natural springs that were thought to cure aging. In the early 1900’s, the area continued to draw crowds when it became the Ponce de Leon amusement park affectionately known as “the Coney Island of Atlanta”. On the North side of Ponce sat a four acre lake that was filled in to build a baseball park that was home to the minor league baseball team, the Atlanta Crackers. The team played here until their move to Atlanta Stadium in 1965. In 1925, Sears Roebuck bought the space occupied by the Ponce de Leon Springs and built an 8 story building that served as a retail shop and distribution center until it closed in 1989. Imagine going shopping and watching a baseball game from inside the store! All possible for several decades right here at what is now Ponce City Market.

Getting There/Parking

Ponce City Market is a multiuse development, home to a “dining hall”, boutiques and residential space. Located at 675 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, in the Old Fourth Ward near Midtown and Poncey-Highland neighborhoods. It sits at the intersection of the Beltline and Ponce de Leon Avenue. Parking at Ponce City Market includes a large deck with direct access to the Central Hall.

Eating

The “Central Dining Hall” has something for everyone including a charming name for a food court with some eat-in restaurants. There is everything from drinks, entrees and desserts. We chose to grab lunch at H&F Burgers and eat at a table in the hall. I enjoyed the veggie burger, while my son and husband had the “Original H&F” . My youngest daughter had the Junior Cheeseburger. Of course, we had to sample the onion rings and fries. We all enjoyed our meals but didn’t feel like our burgers lived up to the reputation-good, not great. Regardless, the Central Hall was a fun place to enjoy a meal and choosing where you want to eat is not easy! You can find what PCM has to offer here.

Shopping

We made our way outside the Central Hall and enjoyed many of my favorite shops and some new ones as well. One of my favorite things about Atlanta is the weather. PCM takes full advantage of being able to enjoy shopping while getting some fresh air. Ponce is filled with stores and kiosks where you’re sure to find something you’ll love!

The ROOF

You need a ticket for this ride, but it’s worth it! Access to the roof is granted with a day or annual pass or a dining reservation. Enjoy cocktails while taking in some of the best views Atlanta has to offer. Restaurant dining is also available on the roof at 9 Mile Station. 12 Cocktail Bar claims to be “Atlanta’s most influential cocktail bar”. Don’t know about that, but it’s pretty cool and offers cocktail classes where you can create handmade cocktails while enjoying a view like none other in Atlanta. The pièce de résistance is Skyline Park which hosts amusement style games and rides. Your trip back in time will include games like skee ball, ring toss and derby races. There is something for everyone here but plan ahead, it gets crowded!

Sounds dorky but Ponce City Market hit all of the right notes. It was a unique outing with good food, great entertainment and a new discovery in our hometown! Certainly a must see if you’re visiting Atlanta and a perfect way to spend a day if you live here.

- Kelly Ehrhardt

A Night At Avalon

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may get a commission, at no cost to you. Any recommendations that I make are for products or services I have personally used and highly recommend.

Tootsie’s Bottom Line

  • Marriott Avalon: prices vary widely-rooms: standard with 2 queens or 1 king; some larger rooms available. Very elegant hotel for a reasonable price. Parking: self-park $10/day; valet: $15/day
  • Branch and Barrel: $15+, open for lunch and dinner. Cozy interior; it has potential but our meals were average, at best
  • Goldbergs: serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; we had a delicious breakfast. Great bagels!
The Hotel at Avalon lobby

Avalon in Alpharetta is one of my favorite places to shop, eat and just be. We decided to make a night of it and eat, shop, and stay! I booked a room at the Hotel at Avalon; it’s one of the Autograph Collection in the Marriott chain.

Standard room with 2 queen beds

Walking into the lobby felt like walking into a hotel in Beverly Hills. The entrance is stunning! The concierge desk is tucked into the back so you are greeted by a beautiful sitting area that adjoins the in-house restaurant, South City Kitchen. There’s a large fireplace in the lobby and lots of comfortable seating. The lobby is filled with the smell of whatever is cooking at South City Kitchen and it smells delicious!! We need to eat here soon!

I made the reservation last minute and was able to get a larger than standard room with two queen beds for the same cost as the standard room! We were given rooms on the 12th floor that overlooked the parking deck and highway outside. Not ideal, but from the 12th floor it was still a pretty view. The room itself was beautiful. The bathroom is spacious with good counter space for storing things and getting ready. Really nice hotel in a great location!

It was a rainy night-not the best time to be at an outdoor venue but we were going to make the most of it. We chose to eat at Branch and Barrel. Even in bad weather, Avalon’s restaurants are jamming. Strangely, at 6:00 on a Saturday night, the restaurant was only half full. This was strange to me since the restaurant is charming inside and the food smelled great.

We ordered a variety of food for dinner. We had the Crispy Salt and Vinegar Brussel Sprouts to start. They sounded delicious, but after a few, the saltiness was overwhelming, and they were left unfinished. My son ordered the Braised Beef Brisket entree with mac and cheese and green beans. According to him, this was basically pot roast with gravy. My husband had the Braised Brisket Sandwich which fell flat and also tasted like pot roast. My daughter ordered mac and cheese off the kids menu that (even after she salted it three times) tasted like a creamy, bland pasta sauce. I ordered a house salad with ranch. The salad was simple but tasty. Unfortunately, after eating it, I noticed two hairs on the plate. We told the waiter who, of course, comped the salad. That ruined the best thing on the table! Plain and simple, this was a bust for us!

We tried Goldbergs for breakfast. They have a wide variety of food from breakfast to salad to sandwiches and burgers. My son ordered a bacon and egg breakfast sandwich from a specials list that was a sandwich made with french toast. He devoured it! My daughter and husband had breakfast plates with eggs and a choice of meat. Both were very happy with the food. I loved my made to order omelet and bagel. Good, solid food. We’ll be back!

The Hotel at Avalon entrance

Marriott Credit Card: Benefits I enjoy: Because I’ve accumulated a good number of points, I get a complimentary room upgrade, when available. With this reservation, the nicest room was priced at the same rate as the smaller room so there wasn’t an upgrade available. When this happens, you either receive additional points or a food voucher. The food voucher at Avalon is for South City Kitchen. We weren’t able to use the food voucher, so I took the points!

Marriott Credit Card Information: I don’t use any credit cards that don’t give me something in return. The Marriott Visa that I carry gives me a free night stay in a hotel every year worth 25,000 points. That pretty much offsets the annual fee. In addition, you get 6 points for every $1.00 that you spend in a Marriott. We don’t travel a lot but try to stick to the Marriott brand when we can.