I'm traveling with three friends to Hilton Head for a long weekend. We are planning a daytrip to Savannah. We will most likely be there during the day on Saturday, March 18th. I'm curious as to what type of tour would be best to have an overview of the city and if anyone can suggest a particular tour agency (or one's to avoid). We plan on eating sometime at the Lady & Sons and spending some time walking around the area, but thought a tour to start the day might be good.

This is the day after the St Patrick's Day Parade. The Party on River Street will still be going on. I don't know if the tours will be in operation. According to the Chamber of Commerce, we are expecting over 300,000 extra people for the Parade. A good many of them will still be here on the 18th. If you like wild public parties (think Marde Gras in New Orleans) you will have a ball. The city will be in a mess because the Sanitation Dept. will not have been able to clean up completly.

I am not trying to talk you out of coming, in fact I encourage it. I just want you to be aware that Savannah is not going to be normal. It will be fun, the city will still be beautiful, but it's going to be different.

If we can change our plans to visit on Thursday the 15th do you think that would be a better plan?

Yes. Very much so.

If you can, it will be far better for touring. For your information, the Parade in Savannah is reputed to be the second largest in the nation.

Hilton Head also has a parade. I am not sure it's on the 17th or the day before. If you are interested, you might want to check.

We'll be in Atlanta on the 15th, driving to Hilton Head on the 16th, but I guess instead of coming to Savannah on Saturday, we could just see it on the way. Any specific tours to look into?

I like Old Trolley Tours and/or one of the carriage tours out of City Market. I don't have a preference for carriage companies. Savannah Walks does great walking tours based on different interests.

That would make better sense. Come into Savannah on I-16, this takes you directly into the HIstoric District. Leaving for Hilton Head would be over the Big Bridge, ( you can see it for miles) and then on to Hilton Head.

If you left Atlanta early in the morning, you would get here in time for lunch, then spend 2-3 hours walking or driving around. Then, on to HHI on US 17 (over the Talmadge Bridge) to the road to HHI. It's well marked

I've done two of the Savannah Walks; both had excellent guides. I would definitely recommend them.

We've done Old Trolley Tours and really liked them. You can get on & off and different spots, which is nice, and their guides/drivers are very informative (though some were better than others depending on the trolley).

We ate at Lady & Sons last summer and it was good, but not great. You feel a bit like cattle being hearded around while you wait. If you are there for lunch the day you are there, we absolutely LOVED Mrs. Wilkes. You eat family style and the table is just covered with all sorts of fabulous and interesting dishes. Not to be missed.

While on Hilton Head, get a loaf of the Key Lime Pound Cake from Sigee's - yum! I'm making myself hungry!! If you need any HH restaurant suggestions, let me know (we go every summer).

We LOVED the Sante Fe Cafe in HH - jalapeno cornbread stuffing, mmmmm - outside, upon the rooftop cantina, with a margarita - I'm drooling just thinking about it.

Oops! Make that Old Savannah Tours trolley. Sorry. Just drove past one and realized my mistake.