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• Things to See & Do
• Lodging Houlihan Bridge Boat Landing/
Economical options, convenience, Savannah River Access
and homespun hospitality: that’s Put in on the southeast bank of
Port Wentworth, “Savannah’s Front the Savannah River at the Houlihan
Porch.” Exit 109, the first exit in Bridge Boat Ramp on Highway 25.
Georgia from South Carolina, is the Here you can also access St. Augustine
best place to “pitch your tent” as you Creek that flows through the Savan-
prepare to enjoy your “historical tour nah Wildlife Refuge. This fishing and
of Georgia.” Port Wentworth is Sa- boating area is also popular with
vannah’s best lodging value because canoeists, kayakers and picnickers.
the city is near both the airport and The swing bridge itself, built in 1922
its historic downtown. and rehabilitated in 1954, is eligible
Choose from at least 12 well-ap- for the National Register of Historic
pointed hotels with 805 hotel rooms, Places and still transports cars daily. Historical Markers
which makes the area perfect for Port Wentworth Cultural Arts & While exploring Port Wentworth,
large groups to gather for visits into Recreation Campus stop and read the seven markers that
Savannah and Port Wentworth. Port Wentworth is currently devel- help you understand the histori-
oping this tourism destination that cal significance of Port Wentworth.
• Recreation will include the Eli Whitney and For example, the Blue Star Memo-
Swing a club at any one of 10 Savannah River Plantation Museum, rial Highway marker at I-95 at the
beautifully-sculpted golf courses a visitors center that will include a gift Georgia Welcome Center stands as
within a 25-mile drive from Port shop, a coffee shop, and a restaurant a tribute to the Armed Forces that de-
Wentworth’s Exit 109; many of these with Wi-Fi access, a library and ar- fend the United States of America.
highly rated courses provide exciting chive area, outdoor gardens featuring
challenges against picturesque back- plants that are indigenous to this area, Historic Praise House, Churches
drops. Our Visitor Center staff can a community walking track and trail, and Cemeteries
offer suggestions as to which course a children’s playground area, and Listen quietly and you might still
might meet your skill level. both covered and open picnic areas. hear a few strains of the harmoni-
Port Wentworth Colonial ous hymns emanating from some of
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Plantation Tour these old buildings where plantation
This refuge, located one mile On this fun trolley tour, you’ll slaves lifted their voices. These praise
north of Port Wentworth on GA see and learn about historic African houses, built in the early 19th centu-
Hwy. 25, is home to a large variety American praise homes and four ry, are being restored and revived by
of wildlife including ducks, geese, Baptist churches, plantations, Civil Port Wentworth citizens who cherish
wading birds, shorebirds, and sev- War battlefields, farms and farm- their historical significance:
eral endangered and/or threatened houses, cemeteries, various roads, • Richmond Baptist Church
species including bald eagles, wood and the proposed location for the Eli • North Salem Baptist Church
storks, manatees, and shortnose Whitney and Savannah River Planta- • Mount Moriah Baptist Church
sturgeon. Nesting areas for wood tion Museum. Call 912-965-1999 for • Our Lady of Lourdes Church
ducks, great horned owls, bald more information. • White Oak Baptist Church
eagles, osprey, and swallow-tailed
kites are tucked throughout. Both
fishing and hunting are permitted in
the refuge with seasonal and geo-
graphical restrictions.
To reach the refuge, take I-95 Exit
109 to GA Hwy. 21 South, then go
east on GA Hwy. 30 to GA Hwy.
25 North. During the spring and
fall, you will usually see alligators
sunning themselves on the banks of
waterways, along with an assortment
of wading birds. For more informa-
tion, visit www.fws.gov/savannah or
call 912-652-4415. z
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Port Wentworth Community Guide 2011-2012 • www.visitportwentworth.com • 912-965-1999