Renuka Christoph
In a fast paced lifestyle, the metrics for a perfect vacation should result in slow and easy. Find relaxation and family fun in Tybee Island, GA.
Located just outside of Savannah, Tybee Island offers a simplistic charm with unique shopping and beachside activities. The 2.7-square-mile barrier island off of the Atlantic Ocean has something for all ages including riding bikes, fishing, parasailing, surfing and kayaking.
Enjoy a scenic boatride on Captain Mike’s Dolphin Tour. Look for playful dolphins as they chase the shrimp boats. The informative and relaxing tour also offers historical facts and island history.
Named after a Native American word for “salt,” Tybee Island has been a popular vacation spot for more than a century, offering miles of public beaches, a popular fishing pier and abundant wildlife.
The island, located just 15 miles east of Savannah’s National Landmark Historic District, has a rich and fascinating history all its own. Over the years, a number of different flags have flown over Tybee Island, claiming this coastal paradise for Spain, England, France, the Confederacy and even bands of pirates.
Fort Pulaski National Monument, a historic 1847 fort located just west of Tybee Island, played a key role during the Civil War, when Union troops bombarded this Confederate fortification with rifled canons. Tour this brick fort for insight into our nation’s history.
History buffs will want to check out the Tybee Island Lighthouse, which has the distinction of being one of the nation’s oldest and tallest lighthouses, originally built in 1773. Climb its 178 steps to enjoy one of the most breathtaking views in Georgia. Don’t miss the Tybee Island Museum, located in an 1898 coastal Georgia artillery battery at Fort Screven, for impressive artifacts and enlightening exhibits about the island’s rich history.
Also near the lighthouse and museum is a fully restored 1920’s Tybee Raised Cottage, which represents the island’s defining historic architectural style. Raised cottages are thought by many local historians to be unique to Tybee Island.
Known as “Savannah’s Beach,” Tybee Island first became a popular vacation destination in the 1800’s, when ocean breezes were recommended as all-natural remedies for a host of ailments. Early visitors arrived on Tybee Island via steamship in the years following the Civil War. However, the Central of Georgia Railroad built a train line from Savannah to Tybee Island in 1887, making the beach more accessible.
By the 1920’s, the road now known as Hwy. 80 connected Tybee Island with the mainland, making auto transportation the preferred method of travel for daytrippers and vacationers. With its spacious dance floor, the popular Tybrisa Pavilion on the strand served as a frequent stop for decades for popular musicians ranging from Duke Ellington to Cab Calloway.
Although the original Tybrisa Pavilion burned in a fire in 1967, the Tybee Pier and Pavilion opened to the public in 1996. Today, Tybee Island welcomes visitors from near and far to enjoy the laid-back charm of this coastal haven.
Local dining options vary from casual to formal, conducive for all budgets, promising fresh catch and local southern hospitality.
A great choice of stay is the Desoto Beach condos. The resort offers full ocean view balconies as well as spacious accommodations, allowing for guests to feel at home on the beach. Visit www.renttybee.com for reservations.
Tybee Island is a great destination for Tennessee travellers, offering all the simple pleasures of island life. For more information, visit www.TybeeVisit.com.