Find the Best Things to Do in Midtown
By Amy Pine
About Midtown
Photo courtesy of Byrd Cookie Company
There’s some debate in Savannah as to which parts of town comprise Savannah’s Midtown, but one thing is certain: the lovely area boasts beautiful residential neighborhoods, great restaurants and a number of unique, locally owned shops. Notable residential areas include Habersham Woods, Kensington Park, and Ardsley Park, a popular neighborhood with gorgeous early 20th-century homes. Some of Midtown’s best restaurants and shops are found in Habersham Village, the 12 Oaks shopping center and Abercorn Walk. Midtown also features several hotels, which are reasonably priced and convenient to all areas of Savannah.
Eat
Once upon a time, the best restaurants in Savannah were Downtown. Today, Midtown gives the Historic District a run for its money. The Habersham Village area features a number of good restaurants, among them Bella's Italian Cafe, Hirano’s and Bar Food, while the nearby Blue Turtle Bistro on Paulsen Street is a popular spot for locals. The lunch bar at Byrd Gourmet Marketplace is a great place to go for soups, salads and sandwiches. Midtown also features several good ethnic restaurants, among them Saigon Flavors and Sushi-Zen. And you're always guaranteed a good meal at Toucan Cafe and its sister restaurant Sweet Potatoes. If you stop by Sweet Potatoes, be sure to try the restaurant's corn pudding and homemade biscuits.
Party
Midtown Savannah may not have a ton of options for those seeking nighttime fun, but the bars and clubs that grace the area are well worth the trip. Older locals like to hang out and get their groove on at Doubles Nightclub in the Quality Inn Midtown. Pub 29 on Paulsen Street is a great late-night hangout spot that draws a steady crowd of locals. One of the best finds in Midtown is bar • food in Habersham Village. If you head to this popular local bar, be sure to try the bleu chips, potato chips with melted brie and blue cheese, and a Jim Williams, a fruity cocktail named after the infamous real-life character from John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Stay
Midtown Savannah features a number of conveniently located and reasonably priced hotels. The Hilton Garden Inn Midtown and Hampton Inn & Suites Savannah Midtown are both relatively new and offer clean, affordable rooms. Other popular choices in Midtown include the Fairfield Inn, Quality Inn Midtown and Courtyard by Marriott. If you need a hotel with a little extra space, plan to book a room at the Homewood Suites, which offers spacious two-room suites with fully equipped kitchens.
Shop
Forget about chain stores. Midtown Savannah boasts a number of unique, locally owned shops. One advantage to shopping in Midtown is the readily available parking. It’s easy to park storefront in Habersham Village at stores such as Bay Camera Company, Habersham Beverage, and Punch & Judy, the city’s oldest baby and children’s shop. The 12 Oaks shopping center boasts several outstanding locally owned businesses, among them BlueBelle Boutique, BlueBelle Bridal Salon, Globe Shoe Company and Kitchenware Outfitters. For one of the tastiest shopping experiences in Midtown, head to Byrd Gourmet Marketplace, home of the world famous Byrd Cookies. In addition to free samples of all of its delicious cookies, Byrd Gourmet Marketplace features gourmet items such as sauces, dressings, jams and crackers, along with unique gifts items.