Georgia Trip Help Needed!
 

We live in the Phildelphia area and are planning to visit Georgia after Christmas leaving to drive down on the 26th. We aren't sure if we will have enough time to visit both Savannah and Atlanta, or have to choose between the two. We would really like to be home by New Year's Day, and it's about a 13 hour drive from here to either destination. We don't want to spend our entire vacation driving, but we would also like to visit both destinations. Is it doable for us to visit both, see all the attractions, and have enough time to drive there and back? (we like to drive down in one day and stop overnight on the way home)If it's necessary to choose between the two, which is the better choice?

It is a four hour drive between Savannah and Atlanta, with a whole lot of NOTHING in between. Having lived in Atlanta and visited Savannah, I would suggest sticking to Savannah. It doesn't sound like you have a great amount of time and Savannah is a nice two day visit. Tybee Island is about ten miles east and you are on the coast of the Atlantic there.

Atlanta is a big urban city. You could certainly find many things to do, but it would be hectic.

Definitely Savannah

Thanks for the input. I've been leaning towards Savannah anyway, because it sounds like it's quite beautiful!

Drive down the coast and visit Charleston for several days and then ONE day in Savannah.

No one visits Atlanta. Go to Savannah. Take in Charleston and Beaufort.

I took a trip to visit Georgia and the Carolinas. I spent 1 1/2 days in Savannah, 1 day in Hilton Head, 2 days in Charleston, 1 day in Columbia and 2 days in Charlotte. The roads are great and the drive was lovely.

If you drive down on the 26th and drive back on the 31st that gives you enough time to spend 2 nights at each location with the 4 hour Atlanta - Savannah drive in between. Personally, I would consider flying into Atlanta and out of Savannah or vice versa...its only $222 per person on US Air + rental car. Don't know what your budget is though. Savannah is worth about 1-1/2 days. Contrary to what some of the above posters say, there is enough to do in Atlanta to keep you entertained for a couple of days...CNN studio tour, Atlanta History Museum, Zoo Atlanta and Buckhead shopping for example. The idea of skipping Atlanta and doing Charlston instead is also a good one, although if you fly it will cost you more.

As a Brit, definately Savannah & Charleston with a stop in Beaufort for lunch. Park the car and walk two of the most fascinating cities in the US. For fans of the book Midnight In The Garden Of Good & Evil, you can now visit The Mercer House in Savannah but DO NOT mention the shooting as I did!!

Gawd that drive between Atlanta and Savannah or Atlanta and Charleston is HELL.

Any reason why Georgia? You could shoot straight down I-95 and hit Charleston in under 10 hours. Savannah is around an hour south of the Charleston I-26 exit.

Actually the reason we are thinking of going to Georgia is because we visted Charleston last year at this same time after Christmas. We basically saw everything there was to see in Charleston and don't plan on going back this year, but many attractions in Georgia sound quite beautiful.

We did the drive between Savannah and Atlanta last July and although it was boring, we did not find it to be "hell" at all. On the other hand, if I-95 between Charlston and Savannah is as bad as I-95 elsewhere I'd avoid it.

IamBooth, can you tell us why 'No one visits Atlanta?'

GoTravel just hates Savannah and Atlanta. Always has something negative to say whenever either subject comes up.

The drive from Atlanta to Savannah is boring but nothing close to "hell". I've driven it countless times but have experienced no negatives...traffic, congestion, road construction. Just an uninterrupted drive on a smooth stretch of interstate that creates no problems but provides no diversion. Hmmm...sounds like it's meeting the goal of the interstate highway system splendidly. Pretty far from "hell" for me.

Why don't visitors like Atlanta? My guess is that it's not the same kind of city as NY, Boston, Philly, etc. It's not a planned city so navigation can be confusing. The roads curve and wander and there are too many "Peachtree" streets to count. But, it's a delightful place to visit IF you are coming with realistic expectations.

Enjoy Savannah definitely - and Atlanta if you decide you have time to see both.

starrsville, I don't hate Savannah or Atlanta.

Savannah is one of my favorite cities anywhere and I spend quite a bit of time there.

My stepson lives in Atlanta and I visit quite frequently. I also love to go to Altanta for a Braves game. What I dislike about Atlanta is the heat of the summer and the traffic.

I would be interested to know what gave you the impression that I hate (for the record, I like to avoid using the word hate because it is such a strong word) Savannah and Atlanta.

Why the 13hr drive - uggh! I'd opt for flying as well. Fly into ATL and see that city and then drive over to Savannah or fly into Charlotte and drive down to Savannah and skip Atlanta - that'll cut your drive in 1/2. You are wasting a whole day w/ your drive.

I wouldn't really go to Atlanta. It's a difficult city at best. Drive down the coast, enjoy Wilmington, then Charleston and Savannah (for a day, as I think I said).