Self-Guided Walking Tours For Savannah and Charleston
 

My husband and I will be driving through Georgia and South Carolina in early November. We would like to allow a day in each of Savannah and Charleston to nothing buy walk around, and people watch a bit. The rest of the time, we will be running around to historic National Parks, just like we did with our children back in the day.

I am having difficulty finding really detailed maps of each city with a path, and numbered sites. I also have the usual guidebooks (Frommer's, Fodor's), but there is not enough detail. Any ideas?

Thanks a bunch in advance.

should read "to do nothing but walk around..."

we picked up a book either at a tourist info station or at a book store in Savannah that was reasonable and gave lots of information on historical buildings etc. We were able to pick up some maps in Charleston as well.Both worked out great. I don't think you will have a problem once you get there finding details books and maps.

Thanks, Shar. I guess we'll wait until we get there to worry about it. I called both visitor's bureaus, and they're sending me information, but it take three weeks.

The Complete Walking Tour of Charleston is a great little booklet for self guiding walking through Charleston. It's been around for years and I always recommend it. I have two copies, a well worn,falling apart copy, and a "new" one only a couple of years old. You can get it at the Visitors Center, the Old Exchange /Custom House, and on Amazon. It's thorough and has several walking routes.

I've been to Savannah many times, but don't know of a similar booklet there. You'll love both cities!

http://www.sandlapperpublishing.com/...our_of_cha.htm

Thanks, kathleen! We will be in Charleston on Thanksgiving Day and were planning a walking tour.

Self-guided is what I'd prefer, but are there any tour guides (private, not a group) that anyone would recommend?

For Charleston and something unique, you might prefer a Gullah walking tour.

Yes, I agree with Gretchen. Alfonso Brown's Gullah Tours are incredible and very thorough, and you'll appreciate all that he has to tell. (Google his name for his website) I also highly recommend Carol Ezell-Gilson at broadstreetbizdotcom for walking tours. I've taken most of her tours and find her knowledge remarkable. Both are Charleston natives and both have been giving tours for years. I know Carol will give private tours, and maybe Alfonso too, but I'm not sure.

Thanks very much!

Back to the issue at hand, about self-guided tours....

Thank you, kathleen, for suggesting the Nita Swann book. I did come across the title the other day, but Amazon only has a couple of used copies available via third parties. I also came across a book with a Civil War-themed walking tour:

https://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Wal.../dp/B000WYD8SU

, but Amazon only has a couple of used copies available via third parties

You seem not to trust this. If you have never used Amazon's used book service, you are missing a great source and often saving a LOT of money even with shipping. But these may be collectible and not economical for your purpose, which is also true of this service.

I would also point out, that although you asked for self-guided, your time is SO short (a day doesn't do justice to these historic cities) a guide might give you a better feel for the real history.

The link I posted for The Complete Walking Tour booklet(above) is the publisher's link, so it is direct and the book would be new. But there are gift shops and historic buildings in Charleston where you can get the book or even order the book yourself (below)

https://www.historiccharleston.org/S...ks/Guides.aspx This is a wonderful shop for authentic Charleston gifts, including books. and...

https://www.preservationsociety.org/falltours/
Another amazing shop that also conducts many tours (some are led by Carol who I mentioned above) Others are self guiding tours with tickets to some sights and lunch with lecture tours.

These possibilities should get you started in your decisions on what kind of tour/walk you want.

There is ongoing controversy on the carriage tours, so I don't suggest them.

Thank you, Gretchen and kathleen. It sounds like I have some great ideas for our walking tour. I will order the book, and download the link.

We are actually going to be in Charleston for three nights, but one day will be devoted to Fort Moultrie and the Charles Pinckney historic site. So we can walk around on our arrival day, on the Fort Moultrie day in the late afternoon, and on our day devoted entirely to our walking tour.

For Savannah, consider taking the free "DOT" express bus that loops through the historic district and stops near most of the things you'll want to see.