I've decided to treat myself to a weekend away this fall, somewhere in the southeastern quadrant of the US. I will be traveling solo, and don't like to drive - I would like to wander around a city mainly for photography (architecture, street life) and some sightseeing. In short, I'm looking for someplace with lots of street activity and culture, and a distinctive look. (New Orleans comes to mind, but I've aready been there). Any recommendations? Thanks!

Savannah?

Thanks, I'll check it out!
(Ashamed to say that I've traveled lots of places overseas but wouldn't even know where to start here at home!)

Charleston and Savannah are equal competitors for what you're describing. But I feel the historic district of Charleston is much more compact and perhaps even more exciting architecturally.

I haven't been to Charleston in many years, but we were in Savannah a couple of months ago.
Definitely walkable and picturesque! We are planning on going back in the fall.
Email me and I will send you photos

Charleston! In terms of architecture, etc...in our mind, it beats out Savannah, which we do like. But a definite vote here for Charleston!

Charleston S.C. !!!!!!!!!!

Well, looks like I will be doing my homework on Charleston (and Savannah too) here on Fodors and at the library. Thanks for the responses! Will come back with more specific questions...

I would recommend Charleston too. It isn't going to provide the street life photos of New Orleans, but you can find a few such shots at the market and in the parks. The scenic and architecture shots abound. I am an avid photographer and have written a couple of illustrated Charleston travelogs on my Web site. www.oneeyed.homestead.com. You can do fine in Charleston without a car (large but compact historic area and tons of fabulous restaurants right together), but driving is easy there and opens up opportunities for trips to Ft. Moultrie, several plantations, the Citadel, and beaches. You could walk to the tour boat for Ft. Sumter. One leaves from around the Aquarium.

Dan, I'm enjoying your website, thanks!

I love both Charleston and Savannah. When comparing the two cities on these boards and elsewhere people usually favor Charleston. It's true that Charleston has the upscale shopping and dining that Savannah just doesn't seem to have.
But Savannah is fantastic! And for your purposes of "to wander around a city mainly for photography (architecture, street life) and some sightseeing" I think Savannah is right on target. IMO you just get a slice of life perspective in Savannah that you don't get in Charleston.
Both cities are great and I hope you find the time to eventually visit both.

Charleston has much better shopping and dining options but both Charleston and Savannah are beautiful.

You will not be disappointed with either.

You could do both.

Tying in with the recommendations for Charleston and Savannah, I have to speak up for Asheville, NC.

While not historic in the sense that those two Low Country Southern belles are, Asheville is nevertheless the place where originally Charlestonians and Savannahians went to cool off, and later came to get funky. Asheville really hit stride in the late 1800's and boomed until the 1930's and has preserved a vast majority of its magnificent buildings constructed during that period -- including a dazzling collection of art deco buildings. Art deco is, in fact, the city's signature style.

Asheville is known for its nightlife, street life, and its very distinctive look -- all the things you're looking for! Plus, as we recover from the damage done by Hurricane Ivan, we would genuinely appreciate your business.

If you're interested, please don't hesitate to ask me any questions that might come to mind, but in the meantime if you'd like to see some pictures of this city and perhaps get a feel for what I've mentioned here, visit this website:

www.ashevilleimpressions.com

Asheville is lovely. However, Nutella wanted a place where she doesn't need to drive. I believe Asheville is spread out too much. I loved Biltmore Estate and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway when visiting this area.

I vote for Charleston, mainly because you can get a hotel room or B&B in the Downtown area and be able to walk just about everywhere. I stayed at The Mills House on Meeting Street a couple weeks ago and loved it. I felt very safe being a single woman (but I didn't venture out much at night, except one rainy evening to go 2 blocks to have a nice dinner at Diana's, a local diner.)

The pictures in this City are magnificent and you won't be disappointed. Take a nice carriage ride and if the weather is good, take a boat tour of the harbour and Ft. Sumter.

Dan -- I loved your website. I'll go back to read the rest of the travelogs. You truly have a knack for writing about your travels... and your daughter seems to be a delight! Thanks for sharing your photos and logs.

Any votes for St. Augustine? It is definitely picturesque. It has a different flavor than Charleston or Savannah. It's more Spanish; they are more deep south.

Checking back again on this website, I'm delighted to see some more people offering recommendations - thanks again!

Count me in for another vote for Charleston. It is my very favorite city in the US.