We are taking a family vacation to Virginia, driving up 95. It's me, my husband, and our 15-year-old son. We plan to travel up to 8 hrs. each day, spending the night somewhere where we can have a meal, stretch our legs, take in a city.

He says Savannah, I say Beaufort. I've been to both cities but not within the last 9 years. He's only been to Savannah, and our son has been to neither. It is likely that we will stop at one the way up, the other the way back.

What would be your best-case-scenario for either city, including a recommended place to stay and a restaurant. Our 15-year-old is an adventurous non-finicky eater. We would prefer a place with a pool but would consider one without.

Thanks in advance for all the great advice, predictably peppered with lucious commentary fitting only the Fodors board.

Stopping at both, one on the way up and the other on the way back, would also be my recommendation. The only thing to consider, is that there will not be much for your 15 year old to see. In my opinion, a Charleston/Savannah itinerary would be better. Charleston is loaded with things to do, not to mention the charm.

OOps! Me again. When I said there will not be much for your 15 year old to see, I meant in Beaufort, not Savannah.Sorry.

I agree with Savannah and Charleston. He would like the Riverwalk in Savannah. Try the Westin hotel across the river. Take a ghost walk at night!

TG, I think your son would like staying at one of the riverfront properties....... and would enjoy that scene at night, after maybe taking in some of the squares with him in the afternoon when you've first arrived. We like the Hyatt Regency...... My sister also loves the Mulberry Inn one street back from the riverfront. We like to eat at River House and the Shrimp Factory on Riverwalk. A carriage ride of the squares, and a ghost tour would probably appeal to a teen.......

Haven't been to Beaufort but that's on my list! That's a fun idea....... a different stop coming and going. Have a great time....

whoops........ talking about Savannah, of course........

For you and your husband clearly the choice is Beaufort, but with a teenager then Savannah is the better choice, if one believes that a 15 year old can be satisfied with any choice.

Thank you all for your replies. Somehow I'd forgotten I needed to accomodate a very special passenger, my 75-pound dog. I rememebered Scarlett had booked the La Quinta when she was looking for a pet-friendly place so I opted for the one outside Savannah and managed to get a very low rate ($55). It looks nice and woodsy and will work great for us.

Cheapseater, I'm hoping the 15-year-old will give me a trade-off on our way back to FL -- he might find that he enjoys old Beauforts downtown (or not, what do I care as it won't matter, he revels in misery and angst). Last time I was there I stayed at the Frogmore on St. Helena. I'm not seeing too many hotels listed for the city so it might be the Frogmore again.

Tandoor Girl, your son will be sulking for the rest of the summer if you inflict Beaufort on him! Don't do it! (I know whereof I speak, being blessed with not only a 15 year old, but a 17 year old). It's a wonderful town--it's right up there with Charleston and Savannah for me--but it will be very boring, as in boring with a capital B, for a teen. If you stop at either Charleston or Savannah, you'll find cities with lively nightlife. You can all take walks with your dog after dinner and hear music, watch people coming and going, see the street performers, etc. Beaufort is considerably more sedate and your son will be crawling the walls long before sunset! Save the charming and lovely Beaufort for another trip!

Signed, One Who Speaks from Experience

Yikes, dln, I just got a reality check with your post. My son tolerates all sorts of whims that I put him through, but he's not looking forward to this trip this summer, he's into his homeys and is already missing them and we're not even gone. Maybe you're right. We will stop in Savannah on our way up and if he enjoys it then we could stop there again on our way back. Charleston would be nice too (and I love Charleston) but I'm wondering about what I will do with my other child, the one with four legs.

Anybody have any recs for a pet-friendly place in Charleston? I just can't imagine there is such a place but miracles do happen.

Trust me, Tandoori Girl, I am right on this one! I googled "pet friendly hotels Charleston SC" and came up with several sites, so it looks like you won't have too much trouble finding a hotel that will take your four legged baby. There were several in Mount Pleasant, which is a really nice town on the other side of the Cooper River from Charleston, and a few on the north side of Charleston, only minutes from the city center. If you do decide to stop in Charleston, take a walk along the waterfront park where the pineapple fountain is. It's really nicely done and the views are wonderful, looking at both the city and out over the water.

TandooriGirl, this is a really good Comfort Inn in Mt. Pleasant, right across the Cooper Bridge, just minutes away from historic area of Charleston. We stayed there in May, and they have a great pool, the place is very clean and the staff friendly. Plus a free decent continental breakfast. The place has been renovated in the last couple of years........ older place, but just fine...... and they take the doggies!



Comfort Inn East
310 US 17 Bypass , Mount Pleasant, SC, US, 29464
Phone: (843) 884-5853 Fax: (843) 881-6279

P.S.: When I said "great pool" above, I mean it's quite large, for a motel pool, is heated (though you won't need it heated this summer), and the setting in the center of the motel complex is quite nice. (Didn't want you to expect a lagoon, waterslide and swim-up bar!;-)

I know Mt. Pleasant, my niece had her wedding there. I'll check it out. I'm realizing that we'll be coming back the weekend of the 4th but we're still up in the air as to which day. I think I need to narrow this down quick because I hate traveling on highways when they're full of holiday traffic. AND I'd hate to find myself scrounging around at the last minute.

And I thought I'd be lounging at MY pool today. Doh!