Tybee Vacation Rentals Concierge and Tybee Information Site

Tybee Island and Savannah are beautiful–lots of history, charm and beauty; but not far away you can get similar good things. Beaufort, South Carolina is only about 1 1/2 hours from Savannah–easily reachable for a day trip from our area. It is filled with Revolutionary War and Civil War history, and is even older than Savannah, founded in 1711. Many plantation and estate antebellum houses still exist there, and you can take a carriage ride to hear the history and tales of the area.

Several houses are so old there, that they still have the musket holes in the walls where settlers use to fight Indians. Pirates roamed the waters, and you can see another home where the proprietor hosted the pirates so that they wouldn’t rob her and burn her home. You can visit the house where the decision to secede from the Union took place (South Carolina was the first state to secede). You can see the stately mansions that face the harbor, take a stroll down the waterfront, see the houses where some famous movies were shot (Prince of Tides, The Big Chill, Forrest Gump), and see the old Beaufort church with their interesting graveyard. The denouement is the Chocolate Tree–a delectable shop filled with chocolate delights. In short, it’s a jewel of a city.

One of the great events the city runs is the Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens being held October 22-24. You can get a peek at some of the private homes and mansions, and view the spectacular gardens of the old South.

The Candlelight Walking Tour will be held on Friday, 10/22 from 5:00-7:30 and 6:00-8:30. For $40 you can stroll to and through 6 houses located on the Point, a distinctive neighborhood within the city’s National Historic Landmark district.

On Saturday, 10/23 is Ramble Around Beaufort, a wonderful combination of houses that gives visitors a clear picture of the various historical buildings that together weave together the tapestry of the Lowcountry’s architectural styles from simple to grand. Times are 10:00 – 3:00 or 11:00 – 4:00. $40.

The Hallelujah Singers will perform on Saturday, 10/23 at 7:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church. $25

On Sunday, 10/24 experience culinary Beaufort at Kitchens & Cuisine. For $40 you can visit private kitchen where local chefs will prepare regional specialties. Five chefs, five houses!

For information go to: www.historicbeaufort.org or call 843.379.3371.

Have a workout in the best place possible – on the beach! from 7:00-8:00 am every Wednesday and Friday through October Ann Carroll will offer her wonderful yoga classes at the Gulick Street Walkover at North Beach. Enjoy the early morning breeze while meditating and calming your mind before your hectic day. There is a  $10 donation – bring a blanket or beach towel.  All levels are welcome!

The annual Tybee Island Boat Parade will be held Sunday, December 5th at 5:30. Decorate your boat and come out to start the holiday season. This year’s party will include food, fun and entertainment provided by Roy and the Savannah Steel Drum Band! The event takes place at the Crab Shack.

As a concierge, I get all kinds of questions. Where are the best junk shops? Where are the boats that will take you shelling? Are there storage units on Tybee? Where can I find a babysitter? And I’m glad to say we have answers for all.

The one question I get more than any other, though, is “where do the locals go?” Now every local will have their own favorite spots, but my opinion on where we like to go (I am a local) is as follows. These are the ones I hear locals speak about all the time.

Huc-a-poos- by far a local favorite. They have the largest pieces of pizza I’ve ever seen anywhere , and they have some delectable wraps. There’s an outdoor area for seating, a children’s corner, a cornhole game (they have tournaments here, too), great beer and drinks at affordable prices. There’s free parking, friendly servers, and friendly people. A local always sees someone they know, and you can be dressed up or in your comfortable clothes and feel fine either way. The owner, Eric, is a nice, good guy who contributes to the community and is as friendly as they come. Cute, too. 

Doc’s Bar-  I’d be committing a huge crime by not putting Doc’s on our list. It is by far the most popular, oldest, hangout of local Tybee-ites. There are some people that have been going there so often, and for so many years, that they are local celebrities. Ms. Sylvia is one of those. She’s way up in years (celebrated her 100th recently at Doc’s), plays and sings a little when in the bar every weekend. Doc’s is full of friendly people, music where locals sit in and sing a song or two, pool tables, and history.

The Quarter Bar- this wonderfully crazy place has THE best burgers on the island. I don’t know what they do to them (and maybe I don’t want to know) but they are terrific. Whenever my husband is having a bad day, I just mention, “let’s go to the Quarter,” and he’s alive again. A while back, they had underwear hanging all over the main room, but they “cleaned up.” It’s creeping back though; you just don’t want to ruin a good atmosphere. It’s part of what makes The Quarter so lovable; that and the friendly “upper echelon”  locals who all hang out there. The back room has several pool tables and there are TV’s all over so no big game or sporting event is missed. During football season you have noisy and friendly bantering for the favorites. Great.

Cafe Loco’s- There probably isn’t one permanent resident on Tybee that doesn’t know Joel, owner of Cafe Loco’s, his wife April, or his two adorable children. They are often at the restaurant and bring a warm and family feeling to the establishment. Cafe Loco is on the Lazaretto Creek and you can watch the sunset while sipping great Loco drinks and eating their good food. Their specialty is wings, but anything they serve is good. They happen to be next to Captain Mike’s Dolphin Tours–a local icon–so you can do the tour and have lunch or dinner both together. Parking is free in their lot. Loco’s has great music and often brings in some name-bands (Drivin’ and Cryin’) for an evening or two. Marsh and Creek views with the sun going down–beautiful!

Sundae Cafe – locals all know that coming to Sundae Cafe for lunch is the ticket. You get a lot of food for an affordable price. Their special for the day is where the best bargains are, and no matter when you eat here, the food is absolutely wonderful. And for many, their simpler items are the best–chicken salad, the pecan green salad, meatloaf–and the desserts, oh my gosh! It’s unpretentious, warm, friendly and just plain good!

The American Legion- every town has one and Tybee’s lucky to have their own Post 154. Housed in an old gymnasium belonging to Ft. Screven, the Legion is the “everyman” hangout. There’s bingo on Friday nights, horseshoe tournaments on Saturday, line dancing on Wed., Karaoke every Sunday, music, and you can rent the Legion for a dance, wedding or family reunion. The drinks run freely, patriotism is alive and well, and everyone can find a friend at the Legion.  

Those are the top local  places that most residents go to. There are other favorites, and some will argue with my choices here; but no matter where you go on Tybee, you will be assured of a good meal, friendly people, and a happy time.

The Savannah CraftBrew Fest organizers are calling for all “sudsers” to enter their own brews in a BJCP sanctioned competition. No professional or commercial entries will be accepted. This is a “session-style” competition geared towards beer categories with an Original Gravity equal to or less than 1.060. Registration deadline is August 25, 2010.

Rustle up some suds and enter the contest. Event is Labor Day Weekend, September 3rd and 4th. Register: savannahcraftbrewfest.com/contest