Built right alongside the banks of the Savannah River, two hundred year old cotton warehouses and counting houses have been converted into a fascinating line of boutiques, pubs, art galleries, hotels, inns and eateries. Here in historic Savannah, the bone-jarring cobblestone avenue subtly suggests that River Street is best seen on foot. All along the busy waterfront, tempting aromas fill the air and lively music beckons to Riverwalk visitors. The Savannah River area is not only a busy commercial waterway, but one of the most popular tourist destinations in the South.
   First settled in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe and 120 of his followers, it was here on a bluff overlooking the Savannah River that the 13th American Colony of Georgia gained a foothold. Oglethorpe laid out the city in a grid pattern, complete with 24 public squares. Said to be America's first planned city, the design established wide streets and excellent river access. By the 1800s, Savannah was one of America's leaders in cotton and rice exports. Known as Factor's Row, warehouses lined the riverfront, built tall enough so that upper floors were at street level on the top of the bluff. Cast-iron catwalks and bridges connected the buildings to Bay Street and the heart of the city. Steep cobblestone streets climb the bluff-line, connecting River Street with the remainder of the city and giving Savannah’s riverfront its unique appearance.
   Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966, Savannah was spared several times from destruction. After burning everything in his path during the 1864 March to the Sea, General William Sherman was so impressed by Savannah's beauty and charm that he could not destroy it. During the 1950s, a group of women banded together to save Savannah again. The Historic Savannah Foundation is credited with saving the beautiful architecture from the wrecking ball, the cornerstone of Savannah's appeal. Receiving much attention from John Berendt’s book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Savannah is now one of the country's most popular vacation destinations, entertaining more than six million guests every year.

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