Due South: Savannah’s New Irish Gem

Plus: An iconic tiki bar reopens; a visit to Sea Island’s Colorado resort

PHOTO: COURTESY OF WEXFORD

A peek inside Wexford.

Step inside Savannah’s newest Irish pub, Wexford, and you’ll feel like you’ve crossed the Atlantic. Designed and built in Ireland before being shipped to the Historic District, the tavern is a tribute to Savannah’s deep Irish roots—right down to the framed 1850 newspaper ad that once invited immigrants to the city. With authentic dishes like shepherd’s pie and Guinness-tinged pot roast, plus live music and cozy booths filled with Irish memorabilia, it’s a slice of the Emerald Isle in Georgia. And with St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon, the festivities are just beginning.

Colorado Springs. Colorado is one of my favorite Western states to visit any time of year, but I especially love the winter, trading windswept beaches and Florida’s lingering humidity for snow-capped peaks and brisk mountain air. During my recent trip, I spent several days exploring Colorado Springs and the city’s legendary resort, the Broadmoor.

Opulence in the Outdoors: The Broadmoor is the sister property to Sea Island in Georgia, and both resorts share striking similarities. Founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose, American entrepreneurs and philanthropists, the Broadmoor opened in 1918, ten years before the Cloister at Sea Island. Both properties are of grand design and are regarded as national treasures. (They are now owned by the Anschutz family.) Year-round pursuits at the Broadmoor include falconry, guided hikes, bike tours, and even ziplining.
The Broadmoor’s Little Sister in the Sky: Perched atop Cheyenne Mountain at 9,100 feet (3,000 feet above the main resort), Cloud Camp is an all-inclusive luxury retreat—and one of three wilderness experience properties at the Broadmoor. The property offers outdoor activities (such as archery, hiking, and lawn games), incredible views of Pikes Peak, and even a pickleball court. I enjoyed sitting on the wraparound porch with a glass of wine at sunset and sharing meals with other guests at the hand-hewn communal table. When departing the Broadmoor en route to Cloud Camp, be sure to opt for the mule ride partway up the mountain.
Rocky Mountain Highs: While in town, you’ll want to take the nine-mile journey to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and visit the highest zoo in the country, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. You can also hike through the sandstone rock formations at Garden of the Gods. Colorado Springs makes award-winning small-batch whiskeys, too—including the acclaimed spirits produced at 291 Colorado Whiskey by former Georgia and Tennessee resident Michael Myers.