<p>Hello, my wise friends! We are currently thinking of going to Charleston and Savannah in April with another couple. Our plan is to stay at a bed and breakfast but then what? There appears to be a lot to do so I could use some help in sifting it all through. I did see that there is the US Yorktown aircraft carrier so I know that will be on the list. What is your favorite thing to do in these cities and where do you like to stay and eat? All suggestions appreciated. I think we will be flying in to Charleston and renting a car. Probably doing 3-4 days in Charleston and 1-2 in Savannah. Thanks!</p>
<p>I don’t “get” Savannah … at all. So I can’t help you with that destination. But I LOVE Charleston!</p>
<p>A lot depends on your interests and your willingness to walk. Charleston “South of Broad” is a walking city of parks, restaurants, brewpubs, colonial architecture, historical sites, and of course other walkers. You could spend a half-day at the Battery just soaking in the sights and people-watching. I prefer walking around town to see historical buildings and the many ways residents present those properties. The city stays open well after midnight (and if you’re there during a hot spell you’ll appreciate that). If you do decide to leave the historic center city, there are beaches and restaurants close by to the south. There are also a few plantations nearby. I’m told the gardens at Magnolia Plantation are beautiful, but I’ve never been. Maybe next trip.</p>
<p>The horse drawn carriage tours in Charleston are nice.</p>
<p>Have spent a lot of time in Charleston as D went to school there, but never been to Savannah. Lots of great restaurants, one of our favorites is Hominy Grill, another outstanding one is Husk (pretty pricey), also SNOB–the choices are endless as it’s a great restaurant town. The carriage tours are a great way to get an overview of everything, then you can strike out on your own. As for plantations, Drayton Hall is the only original plantation house from the 1700s still standing as all the rest were burned in the Civil War and rebuilt. Also, if you are there on a weekend, the Hunley is really interesting–it’s a Civil War submarine that was raised about a decade ago. Check the hours, at least it used to be only open on weekends. Do a google search for the Charleston Visitor’s Bureau for info. There are some very nice B&B’s right in the center of town. Have fun!</p>
<p>Also anxious to hear more about Charleston. Going to combine a visit with a NY trip in March. Anyone have any hotel, B&B recommendations in good locations to points of interest?</p>
<p>jshain, our favorite place to stay in Charleston is the Charleston Place Hotel which is right downtown and convenient to lots of things without needing to take the car out.You can walk just about anywhere from there. Charleston is a great walking town.</p>
<p>We used to live in Charleston; now live in GA and go to Savannah often - in fact, I just got back from there a couple hours ago. The architecture in both places is among the top attractions - they both feel more European than American. In Charleston, the key attractions are South of Broad Street. It’s not a large area geographically, so just get SoB and wander. The barrier islands around Charleston are particularly great - especially Isle of Palms and Kiawah. The trawlers leave from and return to Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant, just across the Cooper River Bridge. There are great seafood restaurants all along Shem Creek.</p>
<p>Savannah’s much like Charleston, but there are 23 squares sprinkled throughout the Historic District that each have a different ambience. Those are the highlights of the downtown. River Street along the Savannah riverfront is a tourist mecca. A convenient way to park is to go to the Trade and Convention Center on the north side of the river where the parking is plentiful and free, and then take the free ferry across the river to River St. I really like the Eliza Thompson House - an 1847 B&B or small hotel - as a place to stay, and the Rocks Restaurant on the bottom level of the Bohemian Hotel along River St.</p>
<p>alwaysamom, Thanks for the hotel recommendation in Charleston. Wasn’t able to book with Charleston directly online (getting an error message with a note to check back) and rooms not available through Orbitz, Kayak, etc. for the dates I need in March. Their reservation dept. at the hotel closes at 8 PM EST and I’m on the west coast. Guess I’ll call tomorrow.</p>
<p>gadad and alwayamom, Do you have a recommendation for something (else) in the historic district of Charleston?</p>
<p>gadad, I checked out the Eliza Thompson House and it looks great but they are filled for most of April. Jshain, I am glad you’re here. The more information the better. I have been also reading threads on the tripadvisor forum for Charleston.</p>
<p>We liked the French Quarter Inn in Charleston. A few yrs back I got great advice on both charleston and savannah on CC. Definitely do the horse and carriage in Charleston.</p>
<p>@ Onward
I just booked my (King) room in Charleston at a B & B called Elliott House Inn. It was midnight here in CA and I called the Inn directly to see if they had a better rate than what was on the internet. Ronnie, the front desk person, was so friendly I decided not to shop around for accommodations any more and booked it. I must have spent 15 minutes on the phone with him explaining everything about their Inn, tours, attractions, etc. (He probably doesn’t have much going on at 3 AM his time!). Their AAA or AARP rate was $179 plus taxes (Sat. night was $259). This B & B got pretty good reviews (4 stars) and he said he was working the day I’m checking in and he would personally give me the largest, quietest, nicest room they have.</p>
<p>I live on the GA coast and go to both places often. You might want to consider a visit to Hilton Head instead of going to Savannah. Charleston and Savannah each have unique things to offer but have a similar vibe. Of the two cities, Charleston is a bit more polished and tourist friendly. It all depends on what you like to do on vacation. Hilton Head is more relaxing and outdoorsy. It has nice beaches, golfing, good dining, bike trails, dolphin tours, etc.</p>
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<p>Thanks,Jshain. I will check that out. Deega123, I will also look at Hilton Head. I understand exactly what you are saying about Savannah. I have been there before but the other couple and my husband have not. I was also thinking of going to Beaufort rather than Savannah but I hadn’t thought about Hilton Head.</p>
<p>Onward, you could stay on Hilton Head and go to either (or both) Savannah or Beaufort from there. We have a second home in HH and often visit those cities. It’s less than an hour to either of them. If you’re thinking of HH in April, you should have a look at accomodations ASAP because that is high season. In addition, there is a PGA event there in April which will mean that that week is likely already booked everywhere.</p>
<p>A couple of other nice Charleston places to stay are the Planters Inn and the Harbourview Inn. I haven’t stayed at either but have visited friends who were, and they’re both beautiful.</p>
<p>I also highly recommend the carriage tour in Charleston. There are several companies that offer this but after researching online, chose one that had the better reviews (sorry, I don’t remember which it was!). However, the striking thing about the horse/carriage tour was that our guide was an architecture student and we learned SO much about the history of the city. Even our two young nieces who were with us were fascinated by the tour. It’s probably one of the best I’ve taken. Normally, those horse and carriage rides are fun, but this one was much more than that. </p>
<p>I live in the south and have visited both Charleston and Savannah several times. I’d also concur with a couple other posters who have suggested that the two cities are quite similar in sensibilities. If it were me, I’d pick Charleston over Savannah as well. Savannah, while lovely, feels to me like a smaller Charleston. I’d probably opt for the Hilton Head Island idea–it’s a complete beach community so very different than Charleston. If you do end up visiting both cities, the thing I did love about Savannah was all the wonderful little pocket parks there.</p>
<p>PS SNOB, a restaurant in Charleston, was terrific.</p>
<p>Charleston is the finished version of Savannah which is still a little ragged. Both are short drive from great beaches. Antique shopping is excellent as are restaurants. Also stayed at Charleston Place.</p>
<p>Many people from New Orleans love Charleston and say it reminds them of home. Lots of kids go to College of Charleston because of this appeal. Looking forward to reading this thread, as I’ve always wanted to go, too.</p>
<p>We’re planning to go to Charleston in the fall, so this thread is informative. Keep the suggestions coming for hotel/B&B, restaurants & other things not to miss.</p>
<p>We visited Charleston & Savannah 3 summers ago. Loved Charleston! D2 has College of Charleston on her college list and I’m so excited that it gives us a chance to go back. Echoing what others have said: the horse drawn carriage ride was wonderful as well as a haunted Charleston walking tour we took one evening. Hominy Grill was amazing (best Shrimp & Grits ever!) We also enjoyed spending time walking around the lower end of Charleston overlooking the water.</p>
<p>Savannah left us a little disappointed. I have no need to go back. We went to Paula Deen’s restaurant (Lady & Sons) and that was yummy; D1 and I enjoyed visiting the Juliette Gordon Low home (founder of the Girl Scouts) as I had been a GS leader and she had gone through scouts through her bronze award. The riverwalk area was kind of tacky. It reminded me of Seaside Heights on a riverbank, but not as busy. We did go to a brew pub (Moon River Brewing) that DH enjoyed.</p>
<p>I thought I would get back to all of you and tell you that we are now booked at the Park Avenue Manor in Savannah and at the 4 Unity B & B in Charleston. I can’t wait to go. Now I am going to start looking at attractions and restaurants. Thanks to curiouser, I think we will check into SNOB (the restaurant0. Carriage rides are a definite to do. Other than that, I think we will go to Middleton Place and Drayton Hall. I was thinking maybe going to Beaufort for an afternoon and a dinner. DH wants to go see the US Yorktown. I will come back with a follow up.</p>