Whether before or after a meeting, attendees will want to experience the beauty of the Lowcountry outside Savannah’s city limits. With quiet islands, sandy beaches and historic towns nearby, the hard part will be deciding where to go first.
Tybee Island
Only 18 miles east of the city center, this barrier island features five miles of beaches, views of sea oat-covered sand dunes and an array of outdoor activities, including deep-sea fishing, kayaking and bird watching.
If attendees prefer to stay on land, have them lace up their walking shoes and climb to the top of Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, Tybee Island Light Station, or explore the nooks and crannies of Tybee’s two forts, Fort Screven and Fort Pulaski.
This is also a good place to sample fresh seafood. Whether attendees dine in a bungalow or an upscale restaurant, be sure they try the crab, oyster or shrimp dishes spiced up with a mix of Caribbean and American flavors.
Beaufort and Hilton Head Island, S.C.
For more history and some quiet time, attendees can head to the old seaside town of Beaufort, S.C., located an hour by car from Savannah. Here, they’ll visit the ruins of Sheldon Church, a site that was ravaged in the Revolutionary and Civil wars, and hike the nature trails of Hunting Island State Park, a 5,000-acre park with miles of Atlantic beach.
No matter what else they’re in the mood for—sunbathing on the beach, golfing, playing tennis, or shopping—they’ll find it at nearby Hilton Head Island, S.C., approximately 35 miles north of Savannah. The 12-mile-long and five-mile-wide island is the second-largest barrier island on the East Coast.
Richmond Hill and Liberty County
A 20-mile drive south of Savannah will bring travelers to the small town of Richmond Hill, where barbecues and chili cook-offs are regular occurrences. Every October, the city hosts the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival. The event draws more than 28,000 visitors to J.F. Gregory Park.
Not to be missed are attractions such as Fort McAllister, the scene of a fierce battle during the Civil War, and Fort Morris, one of the few remaining Revolutionary War-era earthwork fortifications in the country.
For More Info
Beaufort Regional COC 843.986.5400
www.beaufortsc.com
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton COC 843.785.3673
www.hiltonheadisland.com
Liberty County COC 912.368.4445
www.libertycounty.org
Richmond Hill Bryan COunty COC 912.756.3444
www.bryancoga.org
Tybee Island Council of the Savannah Area COC and CVB 912.644.6400
www.tybeevisit.com
