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-   -   Never been to The South! (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/never-been-to-the-south-826797/)

vivi Feb 16th, 2010 09:35 AM

Never been to The South!
 
I have 6 days in mid-March and have never seen The South. Was thinking Savannah and Charleston, is this do-able? 3 nights in each? Or is it possible to stay in Charleston the whole time and do a day trip to Savannah or a few side trips (maybe Beaufort?)
Mainly interested in historic districts, southern ambience, walking, people watching, sight seeing. Not a fine diner or a shopper. Will be alone.
Lovers of the South--please tell me your favorite spots!
THANKS!

doug_stallings Feb 16th, 2010 10:04 AM

That's definitely do-able. I'd check into some of the atmospheric B&Bs so you'll have a chance to mingle with other guests. In Savannah, Paula Deen's famous restaurant The Lady and Sons has a buffet, making it quite possible for a single diner (but you have to make priority seating reservations nonetheless by about 9:30 am on the same day --- in person). But there's plenty of good food to eat even if you are not a fine-diner.

There are also plenty of sights to keep you interested for 3 days in each place (more actually), and you'd have time to run out to Beaufort too. Take taxis at night; it's not really safe to walk alone at night in either city. And the cities are reasonably close together, making it quite possible to see both in the same trip.

Echnaton Feb 16th, 2010 11:08 AM

Doug is, of course, right. Stay three nights in both cities.

In Savannah, most of the sightseeing is obvious: The Old Town with is stately mansions and oak-covered streets and the riverfront. However, do not miss the Bonaventure Cemetery (read "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" first) - it is extremely romantic. A drive to Tybee Island is also a good diversion, maybe combined with a visit of Fort Pulaski and a hike through the marshes (Skidaway Island State Park Trails).

whitefield82 Feb 19th, 2010 08:05 AM

I agree with the above, we actually just got back from our first trip to both Savannah and Charleston (week long trip). We loved both cities but Charleston was less touristy in our opinion, Savannah's river street area is amazing, but the shops are all very touristy. We were advised in Savannah by local to not walk around the historical district at night (meaning South of Bay Street)b/c the immediate surrounding areas are pretty sketchy. So that was a bummer for us. However in Charleston we walked the whole historic area at night both nights and felt very safe. As far as restaurants:
Savannah: locals told us to avoid "Lady and Sons" (Paula Deen's place) b/c the food is not all homemade anymore and she's never there so it's losing it's charm. Referred us to "Uncle Bubba's" (Paula's uncle's place)in Tybee Island which has great Southern-style seafood! We really enjoyed it there. Enjoyed "Moon River Brewery" as well for some good local brews.
Charleston: "Southend Brewery", amazing place, great brisket(a first for me). "Magnolias"...best food/service of our trip!

Totally agreed that Tybee and Ft. Pulaski is a must, it's also nice to walk around Forsyth Park in Savannah. In Chalreston the Battery is fun to walk, sandwiched between gorgeous house and the water.
We stayed outside of Savannah b/c we were there longer, we stayed at the "Baymont Inn and Suites" in Garden City...that place was really good! They have an amazing breakfast included (which cut down out costs significantly)and it's a really short drive to the historic district, we felt like we didn't miss anything by staying outside. The room was huge and we felt safe in the area, highly recommend if you don't want to spend a lot. In Charleston we stayed at the "Andrew Pinckney Inn," pretty place, free internet in lobby, nice rooms and GREAT location to walk everywhere...didn't need our car the whole time!
Whatever you do, you'll have a great time, I'm sure!

Cranachin Feb 19th, 2010 10:17 AM

vivi--

Glad to hear you have the opportunity to visit the South.

Just keep in mind that Charleston and Savannah reflect but one facet of the South (and even there some would say two!), in the same way that the Northwest is more than just Seattle, the Southwest is more than just Santa Fe, the MIdwest is more than just Indianapolis, etc.

Enjoy your trip!

Rielle Feb 19th, 2010 07:51 PM

Sounds divine! Post a trip report when you return!

Gretchen Feb 20th, 2010 04:14 AM

I'd at least weight it a bit more to Charleston. More to do, more restaurants, more side trips. You will truly love it all. I have always felt Charleston is our "European" city, in its walkability and ambience.

palmettoprincess Feb 20th, 2010 04:55 AM

I just heard Charleston's Mayor Riley speak on building a city. The man loves his city. His philosophy is beauty attracts beauty and good attracts good. The ciy has taken a lead in beautifying the city and rehabbing houses and private owners have jumped in. His goal is to make families feel safe walking downtown, because more families will come downtown.

After seeing his slides I want to go back to Charleston!

gail Feb 20th, 2010 10:51 AM

mid-March? You do not want to be in Savannah on St Patrick's Day or even perhaps the weekend before - 2nd or 3rd largest St. Pats day celebration in the US. Actually big drunken fest - fun if you are a 22 year old male but it makes it very difficult to see anything and it certainly is not relaxing.

vivi Feb 21st, 2010 02:14 PM

Oh ugh, thanks for the St Patrick's Day warning!

Appreciate everybody's replies! I have been reading several travel books on Charleston and Savannah and think it all sounds great!

bachslunch Feb 23rd, 2010 03:09 PM

For restaurants here:

--The Lady and Sons is okay, but for this cuisine in Savannah, would highly recommend Mrs. Wilkes as your first choice. Note that they are only open Monday through Friday for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm and a line starts forming at about 10:30 am, plus they accept cash only. But the food is amazing.

--there are plenty of places to eat in Charleston, but would definitely recommend SNOB as a must.


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