93EXCivic
93EXCivic UltimaDork
5/31/12 9:25 p.m.

My fiance and me want to take a road trip over the summer and neither of us have been to Charleston or Savannah. What stuff is there to do there? I know Fort Sumner and beaches.

T.J.
T.J. PowerDork
5/31/12 9:37 p.m.

Last time I was there I visited Turky's.

Wasn't really much there to see (Turky's - not Charleston). Either his website is broken or my browser and/or internet connection is playin with me.

I spent two summers in high school in and around Charleston. I was at work most of the time and under 21 all of the time.

nicksta43
nicksta43 HalfDork
5/31/12 9:38 p.m.

We honey mooned in Savannah. I recommend a dinner cruise. Some good night life down by the river. Tybee island is not far and pretty cool.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/31/12 9:54 p.m.

Savannah is a neat town, but I'll be honest: It can be hot as Hades in the summer.

The railroad museum is cool: http://chsgeorgia.org/home.cfm/page/RoundhouseRailroad.htm

I also like old forts: http://www.nps.gov/fopu/index.htm

Where you guys staying? We did a B&B in downtown. I'm not much a B&B kind of guy, but it was nice staying someplace that had a bit of character. Plus they had these amazing chocolate chip cookies.

Toyman01
Toyman01 GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
5/31/12 9:56 p.m.

Lots of history to see in Charleston and Savannah. They both have forts galore. Charleston also has Patriots Point with the Yorktown and a couple of other ships, plan a full day for that. Magnolia Gardens is a pretty cool visit as is Boone Hall Plantation. A couple of hours north will get you to Brookgreen Gardens and Myrtle Beach.

Walking through downtown will let you peek in all the gardens. There are some really cool nooks and crannies down there. Lots of good food too. The dinner cruise is a pretty good idea too.

Sput
Sput New Reader
5/31/12 9:57 p.m.

I was in Charleston the past two days, spent a lot of time in both cities.

Charleston; If you're a history buff, Patriot's Point is a must. USS Yorktown plus others, then a trip out to Fort Sumter. For her, downtown Charleston is great. If you can afford it, stay at a B&B down there. Great walking, shops, bars, restaurants, etc.

Savannah; River Street / Bay Street is where it's at. Great food, shopping, bars, etc. You ara allowed to walk River Street with drink in hand. Restaurants, I recommend the Olde Pink House, 17Hundred90, and the Chart House. Unless you like overpriced fried foods, stay away from Lady & Sons (Paula Deen).

Both cities have good beaches, you'll just need to drive out to them. If you're a golfer, you're close to Heaven.

TAKE YOUR BUG SPRAY! The baseball team is called the Sand Gnats for a reason. After Beryl came through and the temperature was above 90 today, the bugs are out big time.

93EXCivic
93EXCivic UltimaDork
5/31/12 9:57 p.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens:

Not sure where we are staying yet. She grew up in New Orleans and I spend a lot of time outside in the summer in AL so I don't think the heat will be to bad.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/31/12 10:10 p.m.

We stayed here http://www.savannahbnb.com and got one of their "cottages": converted stables, basically, but quiet and pretty neat.

Toyman01
Toyman01 GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
5/31/12 10:17 p.m.

The last time we stayed in Savannah, we stayed here.

http://www.elizathompsonhouse.com/

peter
peter Reader
5/31/12 11:48 p.m.

Downtown Charleston is fun to walk around. I walked it with a friend this year, just wandering and chatting. Last year I took a tour with Charleston Sole and got a friendly, knowledgeable tour guide and a small group. Good for learning a bit of history and some fun chatting.

If you're into art, don't worry, you can skip the Gibbes Museum (sorry Charleston). A very eclectic collection of local art that's... just skip it, ok? :)

Magnolia Plantation was extremely pretty when I was there last spring, not sure what it's like in the summer. The Audubon Swamp Garden nearby is a great way to see lots of nature up close and personal. I was there just before dusk, when all the birds were settling in for the night. They were EVERYWHERE and varied from common to quite interesting birds of prey. Binoculars not required, but might be nice.

I also did a blackwater kayak trip - it was supposed to be a guided tour, but the guide's dog got sick so she simply arranged for it to be a rental. Still a fun time. Bring sunscreen, prepare to say hi to gators of varying sizes, and don't try to get out of the boat! I sunk about up to my thigh in mud, thinking I was stepping out onto solid shoreline where I could take a leak...

For me, Charleston is all about the eating. Personal favorite is FIG. Exquisite food, excellent service. On both counts, above and beyond. Damn good restaurant.

I was terribly disappointed by SNOB, (Slightly North of Broad), but have heard good things from other people, so maybe I just got an idiot cook who doesn't know that rare tuna isn't white throughout...

My friend and I had an excellent meal at Blossom, even though we could only be seated at a tall bar table (she's 5' -1"). Half a notch down from FIG in my book, but worthy.

I've heard good things about Husk, but couldn't get in.

That's what I know about Charleston...

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