We are planning a long weekend in Charleston and Savannah. I just discovered that while in Charleston (10/8-10), it will be the Fall Tours of Homes & Gardens and Taste of Charleston festival.

Are these events worth going to? Do I need to get tickets in advance? Any other events in either city I should be aware of?

In Charleston, we'll be staying at the French Quarter Inn. In Savannah (10/6-8), we're staying at the Green Palm Inn.

We will have a car.

I went to Taste of Charleston a couple of times years back and didn't think it was worth the hassle. The Fall Homes Tour, however, is well worth your time and money. You may want to get tickets in advance.

If it's your first trip I also recommend you take a carriage ride first thing. You can get oriented and learn some neat history too.

Thanks.

You ought to look and see if anyone is having an oyster roast.

Sullivans Island Fire Department does big oyster roasts when they're in season. Pick up a copy of the City paper to see who else is holding one. People do them as fundraisers often. SO fun.

I did get tickets for the house and garden tour! I will look into the carriage ride and oyster roasts.

I see there are several companies that do the carriage tours. Is there any one in particular we should use or are they all more or less the same? Is it necessary to reserve that in advance or can we just show up?

I will be looking for restaurant recs as the date approaches, and possibly setting up some reservations for dinner as well, but that can wait since we're not going until Oct.

The carriages operate on a lottery, so they don't pick what route you'll take. All of them are good.. You can just show up at the market, get in line, and get on the next available carriage.

Stop by the Official Visitor's Center on Meeting Street (not one of the many high-pressure time share sales agencies that call themselves "visitor centers") and they may have some coupons.

Look through this forum, TA, and Chowhound for some great restaurant recommendations.