Some 300 miles southeast of Atlanta, Georgia lies a city both rich in history and culture. Savannah, Georgia is the oldest city in the state of Georgia and the county seat of Chatham County. Savannah was established in 1733 and was the first state capital of Georgia.

This week I traveled to Savannah to explore River Street and other historical landmarks within the city. One of those spots would be the now-famous cemetery “Bonaventure.” It’s located on the bluff of the Wilmington River just east of the city. The cemetery became famous when it was featured in the 1994 novel “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”

I enjoyed walking the grounds in the well-kept historical cemetery. Along with some of the graves that date back more than 100 years is also a special section dedicated to World War II veterans. There’s no charge to visit the cemetery on your own, but guided tours of this cemetery and other well-known spots in Savannah start at around $20 for adults.

Tybee Island

You can’t go to Savannah and not visit Tybee Island. This Georgia barrier island called Tybee includes the city of Tybee Island with a population of nearly 4,000 people.

I’ve always loved this beach vacation spot, one because it’s not filled with the hustle and bustle as most beaches are in Florida, and two because the people are full of that Georgia charm — and the seafood is excellent. I had shrimp scampi and crab legs with a side order of hush puppies.

So this summer when you’re looking for a place close to home with a lot of hospitality rich in historical landmarks, check out Savannah as well as Tybee Island.