savannah or charleston?
 

am planning a vacation with spouse and two offspring ages: 22 and 16 from NYC.
Was going to go to Myrtle Beach and Savannah and Charleston. Seems like it may be too much. So want to know if i have to choose between going to Savannah or Charleston, which one is the one that is the most- MUST SEE. We are going for one week only.

I have been to Savannah a few times, but not to Charleston, yet. We planned on going to Charleston, from Savannah, on our last trip there in May, but we crammed way too much into our itinerary. The distance is not that far between. I think that you could stay a few days in both Charleston and Savannah, if you wanted. I may be wrong , but I hear Myrtle Beach is mostly about shopping.

I have only been to Charleston and it is beautiful. Good luck!

A few years ago I visited both cities during the same trip. Charleston was better. There was much more to do in terms of historical sights, plantations, and other interesting places to visit. Comparing the two cities, the only advantage Savannah had was the weather, which (at least during the week I visited) was considerably less humid than Charleston.

If you decide to visit Savannah, try to also see Beaufort, a lovely town nearby.

Many posts on here re: this exact topic. I believe you'll find that Charleston wins, hands down. Certainly gets my vote as well.

I live an hour from Savannah and two hours from Charleston. I visit Charleston several times a year, but haven't been to Savannah in five years.

There is more to see and do in Ch. as it's a larger city, but Sa. is my choice for charm. Take an hr and drive the wildlife refuge north of town. A one day trip from Ch. to walk about the historic district, visit the squares, and have lunch would give you a taste. Enjoy.
tmsgt

Is Myrtle Beach required? I'd do my beach time just outside of Charleston or Savannah so I could see both.

Savannah definitely gets my vote. I like both, but Savannah has a more authentic feel to it imo. I love all of the live oak trees and the squares and its fun to walk around at night when all of the gaslights are lit.

Tracy

sounds like some good advice.
So, what beaches would you all recommend that are near Charleston and Savannah. If we could just stay in those two cities and also get in a good beach close by, while at same hotels, that would be great! Trying to move around as little as possible. Any suggestions for great beaches? you all have been a help!

If it were me, I would rent a house on Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, or Folly Beach. I would stay there and drive in to Charleston for sightseeing, etc. That way you get the best of both worlds...the city and the beach. Downtown is only about a 20 minute drive from any of those beaches.

Agree - Isle of Palms is probably your best choice for Charleston given it's closeness to downtown and it's wide selection of places to stay.

The beach at Savannah is Tybee Island, which has the same quality of beach, but is a little more working class.

I am more partial to Seabrook or Kiawah outside of Charleston.

Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms are very close to one another. IOP is more commercial, having hotels, houses/condos to rent as well as the end of IOP is Wild Dunes, a gated community with houses and hotels, golf, etc. Sullivans is more residential, but there are houses for rent there too. Folly is more laid back than the other two, big surfing town, very eclectic, fun. Sullivans and IOP are about a twenty minute ride from downtown Charleston, and like another poster said, stay there and make day trips into town for the best of both worlds. (Folly is around 20 min away too)

if you are flying to charleston what is the closest airport

The closest airport is Charleston International. It is just a 15 min. ride into downtown.

I live just outside Charleston. You couldn't pay me to go to Myrtle Beach! All tourists. Beachtime from Charleston is easy. Kiawah and Seabrook are nice, but gated, and pricier than IOP or Folly. Sullivans, while not gated, is expensive as well, as there are no condos or hotels, only large homes. Charleston proper is wonderful and walkable. I love Savannah too, but it's every bit as humid there right now as here. But hey, it's the South in August. When are you traveling?

Could anyone help me with a question? We are thinking of moving to Charelston South Carolina. I now live in arlington, virginia. I am worried about the humidity. it can get humid here but only for about a month and a half. How humid is charelston (mt. pleasent area) and for how long? thanks so much!

I agree with suewoo about doing Charleston and Savannah. Take your pick of the above mentioned beaches in Charleston. In Savannah, it's Tybee Island, or drive an hour plus north to Hilton Head...I especially like HH's public beach off Folly Field Rd. If you go to Tybee, I would think you would be happiest with the north end of the island near the lighthouse area. It's more residential, nicer residential, than the area by the pier.

keysda, it's humid. For months.