Which city would you recommend? They are both very appealing. We are in Atlanta in August for about five days and then want to extend and take another two or three days. Which one would you suggest? And why?

Thanks.

It will be very hot in either Savannah or Charleston in August. My personal favorite is Charleston. The architecture is wonderful (stately southern homes) and it has great little artsy shopping areas and good seafood resturants. Treat yourself to a B&B if you can. There are lots of nice ones with lots of history behind them. Find a big wrap around porch and sip iced tea in the afternoon! Ahhhh after seeing the sights.

Unless you are flying into either Charleston or Savannah, I'd skip this. To drive will take you around 4-5 hours of hard driving to either city and the heat and humidity in both cities will drain you.

When I say hard driving I'm speaking of all interstate both ways.

I'd fly into either Savannah or Charleston for the three day getaway.

Architectually both cities are a toss up. Charleston edges out Savannah for shopping and dining but attraction wise they are about the same.

6 of one - half dozen of the other.

Either. Savannah will be closer to Atlanta.

Everyone has their favorite - S over C, or C over S. It's all personal opinion. I prefer Savannah IF you get off River Street and out of City Market and stroll the squares and slow down. If not, then Charleston.

How nice both cities are I would not go there in August.We were there in Sept.last and we could not stand the heat.PAul

Savannah is a shorter, easier drive. I would not drive all the way to Charleston for a couple days.

Let me just state I didn't mean skip the cities because of the heat and humidity. I meant the grueling driving, short time there, and combined with the heat and humidity would ruin the trip for me.

If you can stand the heat in Atlanta for five days, then you probably won't mind walking around in the heat in Savannah. It doesn't cool off in the evenings either.

Since you are going to be this far South, it would be a shame to miss either of them. Drive down to Savannah, drive around town, maybe down to the beach, spend the night and then drive up to Charleston.

I know, I know!! that's a lot of driving for a couple of days, but at least you can say you have been there. I sure hope you have good air conditioning in your car!

Two summers ago we drove from New Orleans to Nashville Tenn and didn't find that too hard. Would it be harder than that?

Are you saying there are no scenic drives to Charlston or Savannah?

No, both drives are interstate.

I think that I-16 to Savannah is a nice trip. It's through mostly heavy woods. No tacky, junky spots. Last year the right-of-ways were planted with multitudes of wildflowers. Very Nice!!! Some stretches will have road side plantings of crape myrtles trees. I think they would be in bloom in August.

I agree. The drive is boring, but not negative in any other way. Good roads. Fill up your gas tank and hit the road. Stop in Macon or Dublin (Metter if you have to) for bathroom/ snack breaks. It's an easy drive - 4 hours for me and I do it every month or so. Plan to leave Atlanta during non-rush hour traffic times.

So, it is four hour drive to Savannah, right? How long is the drive to Charleston? Thanks.

The drive FOR ME is 4 hours. The drive for YOU depends on where you will be in Atlanta for 5 days.

Suggestion - use Mapquest to determine the route. Or tell us where you will be in Atlanta and what time of day you will be leaving and we'll give you an estimate of how long the drive to Savannah will be.

I'm not sure what some responders are calling a "hard drive". Its only 4 hours to Savannah and what maybe 5 1/2 to Charleston. A hard drive is Oklahoma City to Atlanta or Atlanta to DC (overnight) non-stop with no sleep. Now THATS a hard drive. The drive from Atlanta to Savannah will be over before you know it.

As far as the heat goes yeah it'll be hot, but so what its summertime. Its SUPPOSED to be hot. Its really not that bad. Maybe I've just gotten used to the humidity in the south, but I really dont find it that bad.

I was just in Savannah this past late July.... I survived and I believe you would too. In other words I believe some people blow the heat/humidity thing out of proportion. If it gets too hot for you to take you can always head for the beach.

As far as personal preference, its about even, although I havent been to Charleston in about 10 years so my memory about that city is a little foggy. Both places would keep you busy for 2-3 days.

I am thinking about maybe doing a Civil War oriented tour of some sort. Do any of you have comments about this kind of side trip from Atlanta? Or where I could find out more about that kind of trip?

We are staying downtown at the Hyatt...

Savannah. Both cities are wonderful and similiar in many ways. Charleston is the bigger draw but you should have a wonderful time in Savannah. We go about once every two years and love it more each time. I'd stay on River Street, enjoy some great food nearby (not on River Street) and stroll through the historic district, be sure to drive out to the cemetery.