jvb1982

Hello, my wife and I are looking to fly to Atlanta, GA, and travel out towards Savannah for a few days, before returning to the UK. We hope to be in the USA for a week, in January 2014.

Can anyone recommend a few good places to go in and around Savannah. I love the coast, but wondered what the weather would be like at that time of year at Hilton Head Island, Tybee Island etc?

We are pretty experienced US drivers now, this will be our fourth road trip, so distances etc are ok. We were thinking fly to Atlanta, and drive to either Augusta or Macon for the first evening, then go to Savannah for two evenings, Hilton Head for two evenings, and then not to sure from there.....as long as we end up in either Atlanta, or, somewhere where we can get a flight back to Atlanta to return home.

As always, your help will be much welcomed!

Thanks

Joe

NeoPatrick

I'm not sure what your goals are. Is there a reason for going to Hilton Head, which is primarily a spring/summer/fall golfing resort area? I can't imagine why it would be an attraction at all in January. To me it's very "bleak" there in the middle of winter and there really isn't much to "see" or "experience".

Not sure what you've done before, but frankly if you're committed to the Atlanta flying in and out, and if you're not interested in visiting Atlanta itself (maybe you've done that before?) then I'd look at combining Charleston and Savannah for a couple days each. Those would be the highlights for the trip in my opinion. But don't underestimate Atlanta itself if you haven't explored it.

I'd think about going to Augusta the first night, then Charleston, then Savannah, and drive from there back to Atlanta.

Dukey1

I would personally skip Hilton Head. Some people do like beaing at the beach in the wintertime (myself included) but in terms of places to see I would concentrate on Savannah, and possibly Charleston, and in between, Beaufort, South Carolina. If you want to see the beach I would go over to Hunting Island near Beaufort which is much less commercialized than Hilton Head.

jvb1982

Thanks Dukey1, NeoPatrick.

We went to Atlanta earlier in the year for a couple of days, so really, the only reason we going to be in its vicinity is because of the airport.

My idea around Hilton Head was because i love the coast in the winter time. But by the sounds of it, from you and others have said, Beaufort might be a better bet, if only for a night.

suewoo

You might want to consider Beaufort, SC with a day trip to Hunting Island.

http://southcarolinaparks.com/huntin...roduction.aspx

starrs

Instead of Augusta or Macon, I would spend the night in Madison GA. It's one of the top 10 prettiest towns in the USA (listed as such on many lists through the years). It's a gorgeous little town with antebellum homes - "too pretty to burn" by Sherman on his March to the Sea from Atlanta to Savannah. There's a lovely small hotel in the middle of town and other hotels nearby. If you want southern cooking, eat at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle. You may even want to stop and drive around Covington GA a bit or stay in the Twelve Oaks B&B if you want to harken back to Gone with the Wind Days. The drive from Madison to Dublin is a nice drive through Georgia pines. You can then get on I 16 to finish your drive into Savannah. I too would skip Hilton Head. If you walking on a beach appeals to you, go to Jekyll Island GA. Very low key, natural island with a few hotels. If you really want to experience an almost uninhabited barrier island, go to Cumberland Island. Miles of gorgeous beaches and wild horses. It's where JFK Jr got married in a tiny chapel. The national park service ferry to Cumberland is at St. Mary's GA. If you are guests for the day or overnight at the Greyfield Inn, their ferry leaves from Fernandina Beach at Amelia Island. Cumberland is amazing no matter if it's a day trip, camping or splurge visit at the Greyfield. On Dec 31st it was warm enough for the kids to play in the ocean on Cumberland. One January day I saw snowflakes in Savannah during a walking tour with Dirk of Savannah Rambles. (Best. Guide. Ever) Your weather experience will be somewhere in between. Enjoy.

Dukey1

The driving distance (fastest route) between Atlanta-Savannah is about 250 miles. I am not certain if flying on from Atlanta to Savannah (which can be done) would be worthwhile cost-wise.

Be aware that to reach Savannah by air you do not HAVE to go through Atlanta coming from the UK. USAirways has connections from Charlotte; United has connections through Dulles.

flygirl

I would suggest basing in Savannah for your four days. You can visit Beaufort from there, Charleston in a very long day, and spend the rest of your time visiting Savannah. You won't find much of interest on Hilton Head Island in the winter. It's very residential and most of its fun is to be had out of doors and unless you plan to golf in January (which you undoubtedly can do), why bother.

The beaches on Tybee are fine for walking or sitting with a beach chair in winter and are closer than Hilton Head.

Ackislander

Starr's knows Georgia from the evidence of this post.

Daniel_Williams

I was in Charleston in December 2011 and Savannah December 2012/January 2013. Going to Tybee Island near Savannah and Isle of Palms near Charleston, while it certainly was not "beach weather", I enjoyed walking on the beach in both and sitting in a restaurant with sheltered outdoor patio in both overlooking the water. Maybe I'm weird, but I find I like beaches when it's around 50 or 60 degrees; it's more peaceful with far fewer people. There's a lighthouse and an interesting fort nearby if you like history.

starrs

Thanks, Ack
If I know anything, I do know the drive from Atlanta to Savannah. I drive it often for business - and have for many years. I often take different routings, just to see new stuff. But without a doubt (in my mind anyway), the Atlanta - Madison - 441 to I 16 routing to Savannah is MUCH more interesting that 75 via Macon, especially if one is interested in seeing something interesting along the way.

Another good overnight option along that route is the Ritz Carlton at Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee.

jvb1982

Thanks All, some really useful comments, most tending to lean towards Tybee for beach. *Daniel_Willianms* i agree, a beach in the winter is somehow better. *Starrs* i may pick your brain on the drive nearer the time

Gretchen

If you can fly to Charlotte cheaper or the same, you will be about the same distance, I think, with the possibility of stopping off in Charleston on the way to Savannah. Hilton Head--nope.
You are 3.5 hours and then another 2 (?) to Savannah. Nothing against Macon and Augusta, but I think Charleston is a LOT more inviting.

starrs

Without question, Charleston is MUCH more inviting

Gretchen

Yes, beaches ARE fun in the winter also, but there are some that are a lot more interesting (and historic) than Hilton Head--and closer to the coast--for example, near Charleston.

JanetKMR

I'm a beach in the winter person as well.

My SD and SIL were underwhelmed by Savannah. OTOH, they were so impressed with Charleston, they moved there...lol.

Gretchen

Well, if we're voting, I'm with Janet's kin--more time in Charleston, none in HH, and Savannah if you must.

starrs

Here's my 2 cents -
Charleston is wonderful. It really is. "Charleston" for visitors = the waterfront. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Walkable. Compact. Most visitors stay in that area.

Then they come to Savannah.
The waterfront in Savannah is River Street.
20-30 years ago, River Street had some pretty cool stores.
Not now.
So if people come to Savannah and just visit River Street - and maybe even City Market the response is "meh".
I know it's my response.

My response to New Orleans was "meh". I went for years for business and was entertaining VIP clients. We went to the best restaurants. Customers wanted to go to Bourbon Street. I pretty much hated New Orleans.

On my last business trip to New Orleans (years ago), I stayed at the Dauphine Orleans (instead of the convention hotels) and started wandering the streets of New Orleans. If you avoid Bourbon Street, you could almost pretend you are in Paris.

I LOVE New Orleans now. Still don't like Bourbon Street but love the rest.

Back to Savannah.
I still don't like River Street. It was pretty cool when the pirate ships (tall ships) were in for a weekend. But 9/10 times I go to Savannah, I never set foot on River Street.
20-30 years ago, you wouldn't set foot anywhere else...because the rest of the historic district was "iffy" as far as safety goes.

Then SCAD came in. I remember when it was just in a couple of buildings. Now they have renovated 100 buildings and are using them and college age kids are walking all over the HD. People who moved out of town have moved back in. In the days of "The Book", the HD was a very iffy place to "live". Savannah is FAR different than it was 5, 10 and especially 20 years ago.

The charm of Savannah is in its squares. Strolling the squares is the best part of Savannah - IMO. That's something you didn't want to do 30 years ago. About 20 years ago the pedicabs started appearing and then you could ride through the HD at night if you didn't want to walk. But now Savannah stretches out from the river to Forsyth Park and it's a great place to be and explore.

River Street? Not so much.

There will never be An Answer to the Charleston/ Savannah debate. I love Charleston. Really, I do. But I love Savannah more. I'm convinced that folks who dislike Savannah on their first visit is because they haven't seen the rest of Savannah.

Of course, I could be wrong.
I often am

And yes, I'd skip Hilton Head and would replace it with Jekyll or another island.

BumbleB6

I totally agree with the reply above mine. Went to Savannah for a week two years ago in late March. Beautiful city, interesting history and architecture. HD is lovely and the many European-style squares are part of what make this city so charming.
River Street is alright for one afternoon's stroll. Then I'd focus the rest of the time on the rest of the HD in Savannah and not look back to River Street. Just souvenir shops and mediocre restaurants. I do recommend you go there, at least once, just to see the riverfront and the old brick-paved streets in some places (but you'll see this in the HD as well).
I also recommend staying in Savannah the whole 4 days with maybe a visit to Charleston. (I've not been to Charleston but I've heard nice things about it. Next time..)
As for the beach, Tybee Island is less than half an hour's drive from Savannah. I personally wasn't impressed with Tybee Island or the beach there, but it's nice enough.

In late March, it was in the 70s and low 80s, so it should be cool inJanuary, but probably not too much cooler.

If you get a chance, head out to Skidaway Island State Park for a short hike, or visit the old Fort Pulaski on the outskirts of Savannah on the way to Tybee.

Michael

You might want to take a look at my trip report of a week in Charleston and Savannah; click on my name to find it.