Savannah’s proximity to Tybee Island (20 minutes from historic downtown) makes visiting our beautiful city even more exciting.  It opens up enormous possibilities for relaxing family reunions, splashy outings for kids, and even romantic getaways for couples.  Personified by the locals who reside here, Tybee is remarkably comfortable in its own skin. 

Unlike so many commercially overdeveloped beaches elsewhere, Tybee retains its natural historical and ecological value.  Day-trips are popular for those who enjoy scouting, and there is abundant wildlife on land and at sea.  The area is also a nesting area for Loggerhead sea turtles, so visitors are encouraged to avoid interrupting them when possible.  The Marine Science Center is a great link for information on The Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project.

Take a dolphin cruise or rent a bicycle and tour the Old Savannah-Tybee Railroad Trail.  This scenic 6 ½ mile portion of the railroad is perfect for joggers, walkers, and family cyclers.  The trail head is adjacent to Fort Pulaski.  You could visit the fort first and leave your car inside the park while checking out the trail.  There is, however, parking alongside Highway 80, but it is not always easy to navigate a good spot.  The Tybee Lighthouse and The Tybee Museum are also great places to take kids.

 While kids and families have a blast on the Island, there are definitely a few places to kick back and enjoy cold drinks and live music. Many restaurants double as bars, growing more adult-oriented as the evening progresses.  Café Loco offers live Blues music , seafood, and a casual atmosphere.  By far, the more interesting places are “dives.”  Most people enjoy the casual nature of the island, the laid-back dress code, the live music, the games, and the cold drinks.  There is plenty of local charm to discover here.

Before you leave Tybee, be sure to eat a few good meals. If possible, schedule a brunch at The Breakfast Club.  Omelets are prepared with fresh vegetables and made to order right in front of you.  Hearty portions enable you to split a meal with someone, which will also save a few dollars. The Crab Shack at Chimney Creek is a traditional favorite.  Outdoor seating is imaginatively conceived, and the seafood is fresh and filling.  The gift shop even houses a few birds, interestingly enough.  There is also a gator lagoon, so there are no excuses for not enjoying a visit to this hugely popular Tybee Marina.

With so much preserved natural history, it’s amazing that Tybee manages to subtly weave contemporary amenities into its design.  Be sure to check out the restored Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion while on the South End of the beach.  There are fishing supplies for rent, art vendors, shops, picnic tables, eateries, and restrooms.

A visit to Tybee Island is even enjoyable in the off-season.  Join the Tybee Island Pirate Fest in October near Columbus Day weekend.  Why not attend the annual Christmas Parade the first week of December, complete with decorated floats?  Whether visiting Tybee for a day or a week, the enveloping atmosphere of the Island invites you to pack away the stress and just relax into whatever floats your boat!

You don't have to actually stay on Tybee to enjoy all it has to offer. Because it is close to Savannah, you can visit Tybee for a day trip while lodging in Savannah. One option for in-town lodging is Savannah Getaways, a consortium of absentee property owners who rent upscale historic district homes out to vacation and business travelers to this coastal Georgia destination at highly competitive rates by the day, week or month. Visit their website at www.savannahgetaways.net

              International Racers Gear Up to Break Away at Tybee

                                       By David Norman

 

Question: What has 240 wheels and rolled through the low country

     from Tybee to Savannah on the twenty-first of April? 

           

            Answer: The Tour de Georgia (presented by AT & T)

 

 

Medalist Sports, the management company for the Tour de Georgia, chose Tybee as the starting point for this year's highly prestigious 600 mile-long bicycle race. Fifteen racing teams, comprised of eight cyclists each, competed in April.  This was the event's sixth season, but the first time that the race had begun at Tybee, although Savannah hosted the Prologue of the Tour in 2003.   Stage One of the seven day, multi-city, seven-stage event began at the lighthouse on Tybrisa Street and covered 71.8 miles through Chatham County, ending at the Savannah Civic Center

 

                                    TOUR DE GEORGIA STAGES

 

Stage 1 (Monday, April 21st--Tybee Island to Savannah)

 

Stage 2 (Tuesday, April 22nd--Statesboro to Augusta)

 

Stage 3 (Wednesday, April 23rd--Washington to Gainesville)

 

Stage 4 (Thursday, April 24th--Road Atlanta, Braselton--Team Time    Trial)

 

Stage 5 (Friday, April 25th--Suwanee to Dahlonega)

 

Stage 6 (Saturday, April 26th--Blairsville to Brasstown Bald Mountain)

 

Stage 7 (Sunday, April 27th--Atlanta circuit race)

 

For complete race results and information view the Official Press Release.

Or Visit the official race website at http://www.tourdegeorgia.com

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2008 Annual Memorial Health Tybee Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5K Race was held Saturday February 2nd Info at RunTybee.com Congratulations to the winners: Jeff Kosiorek of Oxford, MS, Men's Marathon - 2:41:26 Kristina Yanosek-Tyler of Atlanta, Women's Marathon - 3:03:19 Scott Mindel of Savannah, Men's Half Maraton - 1:12:13 Michelle LaFleur of Savannah, Womens' Half Marathon - 1:17:38 Leo Foley of Savannah, Men's 5K - 16:42 Lauren Grant of Savannah, Women's 5K - 19:30

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