In April, we spent a long weekend in Florida at The Island Fort Walton Beach Resort. It was my first time in Fort Walton Beach which is about short 10-15 minute drive from Destin, Florida.

The resort recently underwent a $15+ million dollar renovation which makes its location on 600-ft. of private sugar sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico even that much more impressive! Although the weather didn’t cooperate, we made the best of our stay and enjoyed the amenities The Island and surrounding area had to offer!

We checked into our beachfront room on Thursday – our room was super nice, the bathroom was spacious and most importantly, the bed was so comfy and luxurious! It’s very rare that you come across a comfortable bed outside your own. Our beach front views were amazing as well and we enjoyed drinking our morning coffee on the front patio. When possible, I try to book rooms with beachfront views because it’s not everyday you wake up with the ocean just steps away!

WHAT WE DID:

Located right in front of the Tripp Tide Beach Bar is a turfed area with cornhole boards and chairs which is spacious enough for kids to run around and adults to play a friendly game of cornhole! I’m a game girl – I love outdoor games and card games so having cornhole boards at the resort was super fun. The Island also had some tournaments over the weekend that you were able to participate in.

It rained almost the entire time we were there, but if was sunny, I would have been frequenting the grotto swim-up bar. Such a fun amenity for the adults! Even though it rained, The Island staff made sure to keep us informed of the activity changes throughout the stay, along with happy hour specials they were running (all via text – so convenient!). We went to happy hour at the Island Grille a couple of times and ordered some wine, wings and a personal pan pizza (when on vacation, right?!). We also ate at the breakfast buffet at the Island Grille one morning and it was a m a z i n g. Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day, so I ended up going back for plate number too after this spread (because calories don’t count on vacation!). It was very convenient to have places to eat at the resort – which were all good and affordable!

Shop the look!

Below is a list of some of the amenities and dining options at the resort. To save 20% off of your stay, click the below link and use code SOCI (20% off) with the following link – https://cli.re/ozqqDq at checkout.

 

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AMENITIES:

• 329 Rooms (ours was beach front – highly recommend!)
• Two pools (one is heated!)
• Outdoor Hot Tub
• Iconic Grotto swim-up bar (hello adult cocktails!)
• Beach Chair + Umbrella Rental
• Access to a Fitness Center
• Daily live music entertainment at sunset by the Tripp Tide Bar
• Free parking
• Gift shop at The Island Market
• Other activities (weather permitting) include the following: free yoga session to guests on the Island Green, Pool Party DJ (Every Thursday – Saturday) , we have a live DJ on the pool deck to play your favorite songs, dive in movies by the Cabana Pool and visits by mermaid Misty who meets and greets guests at the Grotto or Cabana pool.

ONSITE DINING:

• Island Fish House
• Island Grille
• Tripp Tide Beach Bar
• Grotto Swim-Up Bar
• The Island Coffee Truck

I am very much looking forward to making another trip to The Island – hopefully sans rain in the near future! Let me know if you have any questions about the resort/area! Oh and don’t forget to use the following link and code to get 20% off of your stay: SOCI (20% off) with the following link – https://cli.re/ozqqDq at checkout.

XO,

One of the things I love most about Savannah is the endless amount of things to do and see.  And the best part? Most of it is outdoors! Whether you’ve been to Savannah before or not, I recommend combining some historic sight-seeing, with some of the new spots! I’ve listed some of my favorite spots to take friends and family when they come visit.  Honestly, most of them I like stopping by myself every now and then too.  

1. FORSYTH PARK + THE FOUNTAIN

Forsyth Park + the fountain: Iconic for Savannah, most everyone knows and loves Forsyth Park! It’s beautiful and grand – a space where you can play a game of flag football, set up a picnic + pop some champagne, run, walk or just take a leisurely stroll with a coffee in hand (from Collins Quarter).  Oh, and the Farmer’s Market is always a good idea too (on Saturdays). The best times to see the fountain are in the early morning hours or during the week.  

2. GO ON A TROLLEY TOUR!

Go on a Trolley Tour with Old Savannah Tours: You can get a lay of the land and see some of Savannah’s historic sites on a trolley tour.  Old Savannah Tours has the classic white trolleys (which are my absolute favorite!) and they are great to work with! You can select from the following tours: on/off tours, ghost tours, land and sea tours and a 90 minute tour.  Tickets can be purchased here.

3. GO TO THE STARLAND DISTRICT

Go to the Starland District: Not necessarily downtown, but one of my favorite areas in Savannah.  Go into Starland Strange (such a cool photo op too!), for some shopping and ice cream or stop into Starland Yard for some outdoor fun, food trucks and more! Some other fun photo ops are the murals located at 41st and Bull Street.  AND two of my favorite restaurants are in this area: The Vault and Squirrels Pizza.  Two Tides Brewing Company is also near Starland Yard and is a fun little spot. Water Witch is also in the area (right next to Squirrels and is tropical oasis to grab a drink in.  

4. TAKE A SHORT DRIVE ALONG BLUFF DRIVE

This quintessential street will have you wanting to pack your bags and move to the hostess city! Bluff Drive is home to some of the best views of the intracoastal waterway and has gorgeous homes along the street.  You can drive along Bluff Drive and see Wormsloe in one trip as you pass Wormsloe on your way to Bluff Drive (in Isle of Hope).   

5. VISIT WORMSLOE HISTORIC SITE

Wormsloe Historic Site: Savannah is well known for her moss-filled oaks and Wormsloe is the best spot to see them.  You can drive through the site and take pictures in the middle of the breathtaking century old oaks.  Note: there is a small fee to drive through the the site.  You can also go into the museum and see the tabby ruins. There’s a fee to get in and take pictures – it’s $10 per adult 

6. SEE EVERYTHING IN PLANT RIVERSIDE + JW MARRIOTT

Plant Riverside + the JW Marriott: River Street’s newest section and one that I frequent often because there are so many great restaurants and things to do in Plant Riverside and the JW Marriott (what used to be an old power plant).  A definite must see is inside the JW Marriott (pictured is the life size chrome dipped dinosaur).  The JW Marriott also has some great places to eat and drink: Savannah Tequila Company, Graffito’s Pizza, the Baobab Lounge, Myrtle + Rose and the Electric Moon Skytop Lounge.

7. WALK THROUGH E. SHAVER BOOKSTORE

Go into E. Shaver bookstore – local bookstores are always fun to go into and I normally find a great print or souvenir in them as well. E. Shaver has been around since 1975 and is great place to grab your favorite book! I recently purchased a black and white print of Forsyth Park.  I bought a frame off of Amazon and framed the print for less than $50.  

8. GO TO SEE THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHEDRAL + GRAB A WAFFLE AT MIRABELLE 

Walk to the The Cathedral at St. John the Baptist: It’s picturesque – both outside the cathedral and inside! I recommend going earlier to avoid the crowds! If you’re a coffee+waffle lover like myself, make sure you walk across the street and grab both at Mirabelle. You can sit outside with a great view of the Cathedral!

9. WALK ALONG RIVER STREET

Probably the most popular street in Savannah, River Street is full of restaurants, shops and bars to pop into it. If you’re a fellow sweets lover, I always make time to stop into River Street Sweets – to snack on while you walk and take home with you (the pecan pralines and turtles are my personal favorites!). Hueys is great for brunch (they have beignets!), the Chart House is good for dinner and Tubby’s is a good casual spot to watch the container ships come in.

10. EXPLORE SAVANNAH’S 22 SQUARES

Walk through Savannah’s 22 squares throughout the city – Wright Square, Chippewa Square, Lafayette Square are 3 of my favorites! They’re all beautiful and unique with benches to sit and people watch a while! (you know it’s fun!) Johnson Square is the oldest and largest square and is a must see as well! It’s beautiful! 

11. EAT, DRINK + SHOP IN CITY MARKET 

City Market: A classic, City Market normally has live music on the weekends, has little shops you can pop into and some restaurants and bars. A couple City Market favorites are: Girabaldis (a fancy dinner spot), The Grove (great for rooftop drinks, brunch, appetizers, etc.), Sorry Charlies (good spot for drinks+rooftop) and The Little Duck Diner (lunch/brunch).

12. WALK THROUGH A CEMETERY + GO ON A GHOST TOUR

Bonaventure Cemetery: Bonaventure Cemetery has been a cemetery since 1846 and is located within the city limits and has been remarked as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world (and I agree!). The cemetery is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Colonial Park Cemetery: Colonial Park Cemetery has served as Savannah’s cemetery for more than a century and contains over nine thousand graves.  Colonial Park Cemetery is approximately 6 acres in size and is located in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District. The cemetery is open  from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November – March and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. March – November.

Most all ghost tours make a stop at this famous cemetery! Various types of fun ghost tours are available, but the Ghost Pub Tour is my favorite.

13. GO TO TYBEEE ISLAND FOR A BEACH DAY

Go to the beach! Tybee Island is about a 35 minute drive from downtown Savannah and is well worth the drive if you’re a fellow beach lover like myself! Make sure you download the parking app to make things a bit easier when you go. Some of my favorite restaurants on the island are The Deck (waterfront), Hucapoos (great pizza, but they do not have A/C – best to avoid it in the summer months!), Sundae Cafe, The Sugar Shack (great ice cream!), AJs Dockside, Agave, Pier 16 and The Crab Shack.

14. HISTORY LOVERS: Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace + More!

History Lovers: Savannah is rich in history and these museums/spots would be great for the history lover: Telfair Museum, Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace (founded the girl scouts), The Owens-Thomas House, city squares and more!

15. SHOP ALONG BROUGHTON STREET

Shop along Broughton Street: So many fun shops and restaurants along Broughton Street! A few favorites are: The Paris Market (I could walk around for hours in the Paris Market! Also a great spot for coffee and some sweet treats!), The Edition, Dress Up, Savannah Bee Company (go in for a mead tasting + get some honey comb for your charcuterie board), J. Parker, Chive Restaurant and Bar, The Ordinary Pub, The Broughton Common, Leopold’s (famous for the ice cream – make sure that you go at the right time because the line to get in is almost always a long one!) and The Coffee Fox.

Leopold’s is the most popular place to grab some ice cream in Savannah. The only catch is – the lines are so long so make sure you go at the right time (the middle of the week always seems like the best time to go!). After 4+ years of living in Savannah, I think I have only seen a short line a handful of times, but it’s definitely worth it!

18. STOP IN A BREWERY OR DISTILLERY

Go to a distillery or a local brewery: Ghost Ghost Distillery has a fun cocktail flights and games to play indoors and Service Brewery is across the street which is veteran owned and normally has a food truck or two on the weekends. Two other brewery options are Two Tides Brewing Company which is located in the Starland District and Southbound Brewing is also a great spot for brews and games!

19. TAKE A STROLL ALONG JONES STREET

Walk along the iconic Jones Street and stop into One Fish Two Fish! In my opinion, Jones Street is one of the prettiest streets in Savannah (maybe one day I’ll own a home on this beautiful street!). Every home is unique with its own spin on southern charm. One Fish Two Fish is a cute store near Jones Street and I always like to pop in when I’m in the area.

A little partial, but I sure love my city! Feel free to send me a message if you have any travel questions!

XO!