Page 8 - Port Wentworth NCG 2011
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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
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