Dockside Chat - Savannah or Charleston?

My wife and I are trying to plan a long weekend trip in September for our anniversary. We have it narrowed down between the two but can't seem to figure out which is best for us. It seems they both have a lot in common as far as good eating, carriage rides, water etc. We are not into b&b's so a hotel will fit our needs. Any thoughts on either are appreciated.

Savannah is what would happen if Charleston and Columbia had a bastard child ;)

Savannah is what would happen if Charleston and Columbia had a bastard child ;)

Is Savannah that bad? I know it has a hood, but what about the coastal areas of Savannah?

Is Savannah that bad? I know it has a hood, but what about the coastal areas of Savannah?

I don't know, really. I was just joking. I've been there once for St Patricks day and that was enough for me. We were making fun of all the "historic district" signs and I remember we kept calling it "historic, run down Savannah".

That "bastard child" comment is funny.
I've spent time in each, and will sum it up by saying my wife literally has said she never wants to see Savanah again, but asks regularly to go back to Charleston.
Charleston has more variety of places to stay, wonderful restuarants, a better water front, and is cleaner. It also has a much larger historic district, more things to do and is a better walking city.

Savannah has soul...Charleston has pretention....take your pick.

r

I live in between both. You cant beat downtown of either one. I personally like charleston better, but that's just me. A lot of partying if that's your thing, a lot of history if that's your thing. If you decide charleston definitely check out the harbor. Yorktown, eat on Shem creek, and take a tour Downtown.

...It seems they both have a lot in common as far as good eating, carriage rides, water etc....

Charleston is an 8.5. Savannah is a 4.

How about neither they both suck

Our friend, Tireless, will be here shortly to comment - I think he has a "smoking supplies shop" down there that features "Big Al Rollin' Papers"? :o;?:grin: I think he also sells DRUMS there - sign in the window says "We have BONGS!"? ;?

Regards,

Is Savannah that bad? I know it has a hood, but what about the coastal areas of Savannah?

Venture too far north (past Cannon) and you'll see Charleston's hood. I used to never leave the peninsula until I graduated and moved to Folly. Love Folly, at least during the summer. I venture dtn when it gets cooler.

How about in between? Beaufort SC. It's a lot smaller than Charleston and Savannah, and over all, a lot friendlier.

I live in chuck town, I would say there is more to do in Charleston, also if you are coming soon, Sploeto is going on which if you like artsie fartsie stuff then it is a good time to come.
If you need any specifics just let me know

i was born and raised in Savannah, been to Charleston many times as i like it better for long weekends. But hands down, no option, Savannah has a 300% better coastal class. It has deep water rivers for days, literally tons of Barrier Islands to spend day or camp on. You can leave a marina and ride all weekend and never see the same river. Many many barrier islands you can pull up to and not see another person, or some that you have 100's at, which ever is your choice. My wife loves Charleston but seems to hate Savannah, but Savannah has way more than just the Histo-ghetto districts. Tybee island, Wilmington Island, etc, many places and many beautiful restaurants overlooking deep water. You just have to venture out beyond the city limits.

Now the comment about Columbia is better, thats like saying a bad case STD's are better than a sun tan, no comparison, Columbia is the ARM PIT of the world!! Go to Columbia if you want to sweat your ASS off and want to hang out in the ghetto

i was born and raised in Savannah, been to Charleston many times as i like it better for long weekends. But hands down, no option, Savannah has a 300% better coastal class. It has deep water rivers for days, literally tons of Barrier Islands to spend day or camp on. You can leave a marina and ride all weekend and never see the same river. Many many barrier islands you can pull up to and not see another person, or some that you have 100's at, which ever is your choice. My wife loves Charleston but seems to hate Savannah, but Savannah has way more than just the Histo-ghetto districts. Tybee island, Wilmington Island, etc, many places and many beautiful restaurants overlooking deep water. You just have to venture out beyond the city limits.

Now the comment about Columbia is better, thats like saying a bad case STD's are better than a sun tan, no comparison, Columbia is the ARM PIT of the world!! Go to Columbia if you want to sweat your ASS off and want to hang out in the ghetto

Gotta grudgingly agree. Choose Savannah. Stay on the river in a waterfront hotel.

Having lived and worked in the historic district for a few decades,I've gotta love/hate relationship with Savannah...I restored properties there. Great for short term tourists, but I HATED the crime, politics, and economy. "The Book" and SCAD have reinvented downtown. It's visually better than Charleston. Certainly quirkier. Savannah was a planned city, very symmetrical, a model of urban design, a magnificent collection of architectural gems. I worked in Charleston after the hurricane, and frankly, didn't like it.

Crime in Savannah is bad. Leave your car at the hotel..the parking meters are a huge profit center for the city, and the "meter maids" are bitches. Walking is usually safe in the daytime..stay between Price Street and West Broad (Martin Luther King Blvd.)

Food? Back door of Mrs. Wilkes..get a takeout and eat in the square. I see the Crystal Beer Parlor reopened..I always liked its funky setting. Avoid the tourist traps on River street and anything Deen. Tbolt (thunderbolt) is quaint.

Drinking? Anywhere..it's a Savannah specialty.

i was born and raised in Savannah, been to Charleston many times as i like it better for long weekends. But hands down, no option, Savannah has a 300% better coastal class. It has deep water rivers for days, literally tons of Barrier Islands to spend day or camp on. You can leave a marina and ride all weekend and never see the same river. Many many barrier islands you can pull up to and not see another person, or some that you have 100's at, which ever is your choice. My wife loves Charleston but seems to hate Savannah, but Savannah has way more than just the Histo-ghetto districts. Tybee island, Wilmington Island, etc, many places and many beautiful restaurants overlooking deep water. You just have to venture out beyond the city limits.

Now the comment about Columbia is better, thats like saying a bad case STD's are better than a sun tan, no comparison, Columbia is the ARM PIT of the world!! Go to Columbia if you want to sweat your ASS off and want to hang out in the ghetto

I don't think anyone said Columbia was better...I said that if Columbia and Charleston mated, its offspring would be Savannah. You'd get the run down parts of Columbia and the history and coast of Charleston..and its hood, too. :grin:

A few months back the top Magazine that rates Cities for travel rated Charleston #1 in the US and 7 th in the world.

Conde Nast Magazine

Savannah #7 ( That is very good also.

I lived in Savannah till they found out my parents were married.

Columbia? Best view of Columbia is in the rear view mirror..........

I would vote for Charleston. Stay downtown at Market Pavilion, Planter's Inn or Charleston Place, in that order. There are tons of great places to eat, history, shopping for the wife and lots of water. Go grab a drink at one of the rooftop bars overlooking the water.

"Savannah is Charleston's dirty little sister". I've heard that about 10+ times over the last 3 years.

You really can't go wrong with Charleston. It has everything you would expect from a southern costal city, and then some. But it is a city, so you have other factors... but Charleston seems to keep the nice areas nice.

Downtown, Shem Creek, IOP, Sullivans Island, Folly, the Forts, the plantations, the rivers, the water taxi... more than you can do or see in a few days.

Downtown Charleston has a farmers market each Saturday in Marion Square. The week of 9/5 - 9/16 is Restaurant Week. Sunday, 9/30 is Southern Living's Taste of Charleston at Boone Hall Plantation. I'd plan a stay during one of these times.

Savannah is good too... You can drink in public!

My wife and I are trying to plan a long weekend trip in September for our anniversary. We have it narrowed down between the two but can't seem to figure out which is best for us. It seems they both have a lot in common as far as good eating, carriage rides, water etc. We are not into b&b's so a hotel will fit our needs. Any thoughts on either are appreciated.

I live in Charleston (since 2003) We've also visited Savannah.

I've never had any of our guests (and we've had many) have anything but a great time in Charleston. (Many have also visited Savannah)

There will be way more things to do and see in Charleston than your long weekend allows. From the Harbor venues, to the several beautiful Plantations, to the downtown, and the proximity of the beaches, all make Charleston a wonderful place to visit and recreate.

Inshore fishing is red hot in September. I highly recommend chartering one of our local guides for you and your wife. You will get a wonderful boat ride, catch lots of fish, and have a memorable day on the water. (Charlestonfishing.com for particulars. I like Capt. Mitch but there are many guides)

Did I mention the restuaurants? More variety and quality than Savannah. Restaurant quality in Charleston is very high.

Savannah is definitely worth a trip. Charleston is a place to visit and return.

Impressed with city architecture history and the FOOD.

Always wanted to vist this city, wasnt sure why other than on the water and wife surprised me with an after tax season getaway. We were there week of college graduation.

We did the carriage ride-we were lucky in the lottery and saw the battery park area. Took the harbor tour-I enjoyed wife hated but gave us water views of charleston fort sumpter and the yorktown with history thrown in.

Ate at Magnolias,pogons porch, amen(?)for oysters , rue de 69(?), Fast and french(on broad).

Pogon s was the best for our tastes.

We stayed at John Rutledge house (B&B) on Broad. Great location walking distance to most attractions save the aquarium and boat tours. I am not a B&B person but the breakfast as part of the room cost save some $$ and the shrimp & grits were the best. Not alot of variety(scrambled eggs bacon everyday and eith shrimp & grits or french toast) plus other sides like fruit yogurt bagels etc but enough to keep you going. We were served in the courtyard-we stayed in the carriage house with large room . Very accomodating staff and clean .

Pedicabs get you around easily and quickly

While living on Hilton Head I always enjoyed the evening news out of Sav. the arson jobs,murders,robbery's and burglary's. Forget the muggings, auto theft and drug deals as they are a side issue. Great place to be from, a long way from. For real laughs was this 400lb Mayor who could barley move let alone speak.

Impressed with city architecture history and the FOOD.

Always wanted to vist this city, wasnt sure why other than on the water and wife surprised me with an after tax season getaway. We were there week of college graduation.

We did the carriage ride-we were lucky in the lottery and saw the battery park area. Took the harbor tour-I enjoyed wife hated but gave us water views of charleston fort sumpter and the yorktown with history thrown in.

Ate at Magnolias,pogons porch, amen(?)for oysters , rue de 69(?), Fast and french(on broad).

Pogon s was the best for our tastes.

We stayed at John Rutledge house (B&B) on Broad. Great location walking distance to most attractions save the aquarium and boat tours. I am not a B&B person but the breakfast as part of the room cost save some $$ and the shrimp & grits were the best. Not alot of variety(scrambled eggs bacon everyday and eith shrimp & grits or french toast) plus other sides like fruit yogurt bagels etc but enough to keep you going. We were served in the courtyard-we stayed in the carriage house with large room . Very accomodating staff and clean .

Pedicabs get you around easily and quickly
You are providing excellent information for the OP to use if he stays in Charleston, IMO. But, what you did to the names of some of those restaurants, made my teeth hurt. :grin:

Not trying to mess with you, Spooled. You did give me a little grin but, that's just my Charleston smugness coming out. Magnolias, Amen Street, Poogan's Porch, Rue de Jean and Gaulart & Maliclet (Fast and French). Excellent list.

While living on Hilton Head I always enjoyed the evening news out of Sav. the arson jobs,murders,robbery's and burglary's. Forget the muggings, auto theft and drug deals as they are a side issue. Great place to be from, a long way from. For real laughs was this 400lb Mayor who could barley move let alone speak.

I moved to Statesboro, then Florida for that very reason.if it weren't for the book and SCAD Savannah would be unable to support itself. Great for tourists, lousy to live in.

BTW, my experience goes back to 1968..I've seen alot in that area, including a tiny swing bridge going to Hilton Head.

Visit Savannah, enjoy the outstanding visual aspects. NEVER! consider living there.....

Remember when the swing bridge got damaged and locked open. How about when Sea Pines was just pines and no grocery store until Gene Martin opened his IGA store. Go back enough for you.

I moved to Savannah 12 years ago and can't imagine living anywhere else. However I don't live anywhere near downtown. I live in Chatham county not Savannah. Every weekend we choose to go downtown it's like we are tourists. I Like the smaller town feel here not so overwhelming. Charleston would be my first choice to visit if you have never been to either town but Savannah is a gem as well.

As for the crime yep we have it but so does every city, our hood is just closer to the tourist areas.

Having been to both, I'd pick Charleston.....................in fact I do, I go there regularly. As for Beaufort, it is a pretty little town with a lot of history but not near as much to do as Charleston. Savannah is fun but beyond the River, a lot less appeal than Charleston.

I live in Columbia so I take a little offense at the comments. It definitely is not a place I would go on vacation but hell, there are tons of cities like that. It is a nice town (yes, hot as hell) that has many things to offer, just no saltwater so I will be moving (to the Charleston area) when I retire.

Remember when the swing bridge got damaged and locked open. How about when Sea Pines was just pines and no grocery store until Gene Martin opened his IGA store. Go back enough for you.

Yea. Lotsa changes. Gotta relative with a place on Daufuskie. Haven't been, but I'm guessing it has the primitive charm of early HH.

BTW, guess who has a huge development a couple miles from us? Ginn. He reinvented himself and got financing. Even got an exit off the interstate. It failed, just like (what was the development on the island?)

How about in between? Beaufort SC. It's a lot smaller than Charleston and Savannah, and over all, a lot friendlier.


x23456

Having been to both, I'd pick Charleston.....................in fact I do, I go there regularly. As for Beaufort, it is a pretty little town with a lot of history but not near as much to do as Charleston. Savannah is fun but beyond the River, a lot less appeal than Charleston.

I live in Columbia so I take a little offense at the comments. It definitely is not a place I would go on vacation but hell, there are tons of cities like that. It is a nice town (yes, hot as hell) that has many things to offer, just no saltwater so I will be moving (to the Charleston area) when I retire.

Columbia is 2 hours from some really nice places.

The real problem with Savannah is the tourists, otherwise it is a wonderful town from October to April :)

I live here, the problems that everyone mentions is because they dont live here. Crime isnt nearly as bad nowadays as it is made out to be. Theres places to go and places to not go. Its a great town, you can do things for days and never repeat activities. The water is great with great fishing and several great fishing guides if your into that. I havent been to charleston in years but know that it is a great place too.

If you do make it to Savannah, AJ's dockside on Tybee island is a good meal on the water, If you eat at river street eat anywhere almost all the restaurants are owned by one group. One Eyed lizzys has a balcony over river street to eat on thats private and nice. The westin hotel is nice, it is ont he other side of the river for some quiet and peacefulness and the ferry runs constantly so you dont have to drive to riverstreet.

Stay downtown at Charleston Place. It is centrally located and is close to shopping for the wife. Restaurants to visit are Basil (try the three flavor fish), Mcintosh, Rue de Jean, Fig, Magnolias, Poes on Sullivans Island for Hamburgers or fish tacos, Husk, drinks at Reds on Shem Creek (food sucks but atmosphere is nice), Rooftop Bar at the Market Street Pavillion is nice for drinks with a great view. You can take the water taxi over to Patriots Point on Friday for "Party at the Point." I would avoid just about every seafood restaurant on Market Street. Magnolias and Middleton are the better Plantations to visit. Folly is a nice laid back beach to visit. Charleston is consistently voted "friendliest city" and ranks in the top for "most beautiful people." Savannah is not bad, but it is not Charleston.

Thanks for the input, we've now decided on Charleston.

A few months back the top Magazine that rates Cities for travel rated Charleston #1 in the US and 7 th in the world.

Conde Nast Magazine

Savannah #7 ( That is very good also.

I lived in Savannah till they found out my parents were married.

Charleston #7 in the world?!?!? They must have been kidding!

Savannah is what would happen if Charleston and Columbia had a bastard child ;)


:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

I am partial to Charleston due to the fact we have a house at one of the barrier islands there

Good choice.....I spend a ton of time in downtown Savannah because it's 20 min away but whomever said it's not Charleston is right. Alot more variety of stuff in Charleston overall and yes, friendlier in a way. The crime rap on Savannah is outdated BTW. Also, watch where you walk in Charleston because there is some STUNNING women up there !

While living on Hilton Head I always enjoyed the evening news out of Sav. the arson jobs,murders,robbery's and burglary's. Forget the muggings, auto theft and drug deals as they are a side issue. Great place to be from, a long way from. For real laughs was this 400lb Mayor who could barley move let alone speak.

You hit the nail on the head with this comment. Anyone that thinks the crime isn't as bad as reported has their head up their ass. I guess they don't remember when Broughton St. was closed down at 8am 2 weeks ago due to a police chase, hostage situation, shots fired, and stand-off. These are the reasons we have concealed weapons permits. I've lived here for 29 years and I find I get less tolerable of the canadians and their crime and lack of respect for others.

Columbia is 2 hours from some really nice places.

You are absolutely right Joe. one of the nice things about living in Columbia is that I can be in the Mountains or on the beach in 2 hours or less. There are not a lot of decent size cities that can say that.

Savannah has soul...Charleston has pretention....take your pick.

r

I was thinking the same thing. We loved Savannah and look forward at going back with the kiddos some day.

I live in between both. You cant beat downtown of either one. I personally like charleston better, but that's just me. A lot of partying if that's your thing, a lot of history if that's your thing. If you decide charleston definitely check out the harbor. Yorktown, eat on Shem creek, and take a tour Downtown.

Partying in Charleston? Do they no longer make you swill 3.2 beer or buy your mixed drinks in airline bottles at exorbitant prices in South Carolina?:grin:

While living on Hilton Head I always enjoyed the evening news out of Sav. the arson jobs,murders,robbery's and burglary's. Forget the muggings, auto theft and drug deals as they are a side issue. Great place to be from, a long way from. For real laughs was this 400lb Mayor who could barley move let alone speak.

I haven't been in a few years, but Charleston north of a certain point wasn't anything to write home about either. I guess that the good news is that i heard rumor that they finally closed down that small public housing project in the middle of the historic district. :thumbsup:

jdm61, we have not had mini bottles for several years and the 3.2% alcohol limit was lifted 3 - 4 years ago.

Savannah finally got rid of blue laws about 25 years ago. Unfortunately, other counties are not as progressive..I got mandatory carded in Methingham county (Next to Savannah), and I'm friggin' old..like social security old!

There are a ton of replies I did not read but my wife and I went to Charleston in March and had a very nice time. From our long weekend I could see it as a place I'd like to return to in the future and a place I could live. +1 in my book. We stayed at the Harbourview Inn downtown which was great. Rode in the Charleston Black Cabs around town, did the dinner cruise, walked around and shopped, etc etc.

Quiet, quaint, small place for time with wife, Beaufort, SC...Better restaurants, more crowds, more sights, Chas., SC. No affiliation here but we usually stay at Rhett House Cottage House in Beaufort. Saltus restaurant is the nicest I know of there. The above restaurant list in Chas should keep you busy.

Also stayed at the Harborview in Charleston Blackwater, a really nice hotel. The wife and I both loved Charleston and Beaufort and found Savanna to be a bit seedy. We didn't feel comfortable walking thru a park late in the day when leaving.

My wife and I went to Savannah for the first time on a vacation but didn't stay long, read what happened.
My wife loves victorian homes and we got on a bus tour when we arrived and there was probably 50 peeps on the bus. Well we started out of the parking lot and I look over at this dark complected male setting to the row of seats up one from us on the opposite side with his hoodie on and he stretches over the seat in front of him and his pullover hoodie lifts up and I see a gun in his waist band. I get up immediatly stand by my seat and tell my wife to get up and head to the front of the bus exit door, she's looking at me like WTF. I follow her and I ask the bus driver to stop now, he ask what's the problem and I lean over and tell him I'm not riding on a bus with thug carrying a gun. I don't know what happened after that but we were still in the parking area so I did go back and tell the bus tour station what I'd saw. Get this, we're leaving out and we're riding around looking at some of the victorian homes in our own car, parking and walking up to some, etc. Well we get turned around on the highway and a car comes screaming out of the bank and I go what a F-in idiot. Well we don't go far and the cops are screaming past us and then a few minutes over the radio they tell of a bank robbery. We get on the interstate for about a mile or so and there's the cops with a roadblock, I look at my wife and say F this town and we've never been back, we always go to Charleston most the times if we don't go to Florida. We love the waterside the open markets and stores. There is a problem with parking so make sure you pay to park I have got a ticket, great place though and Savannah is full of thugs.

My wife and I went to Savannah for the first time on a vacation but didn't stay long, read what happened.
My wife loves victorian homes and we got on a bus tour when we arrived and there was probably 50 peeps on the bus. Well we started out of the parking lot and I look over at this dark complected male setting to the row of seats up one from us on the opposite side with his hoodie on and he stretches over the seat in front of him and his pullover hoodie lifts up and I see a gun in his waist band. I get up immediatly stand by my seat and tell my wife to get up and head to the front of the bus exit door, she's looking at me like WTF. I follow her and I ask the bus driver to stop now, he ask what's the problem and I lean over and tell him I'm not riding on a bus with thug carrying a gun. I don't know what happened after that but we were still in the parking area so I did go back and tell the bus tour station what I'd saw. Get this, we're leaving out and we're riding around looking at some of the victorian homes in our own car, parking and walking up to some, etc. Well we get turned around on the highway and a car comes screaming out of the bank and I go what a F-in idiot. Well we don't go far and the cops are screaming past us and then a few minutes over the radio they tell of a bank robbery. We get on the interstate for about a mile or so and there's the cops with a roadblock, I look at my wife and say F this town and we've never been back, we always go to Charleston most the times if we don't go to Florida. We love the waterside the open markets and stores. There is a problem with parking so make sure you pay to park I have got a ticket, great place though and Savannah is full of thugs.

Bingo! This is the Savannah I know. Too bad..there is a decent stock of victorians..I've restored a few there. However, until the city gets its' crime and parking thugs in check they're gonna have this reputation.

I would stay at Charleston Harbor Resort right on the harbor and take the water taxi over to downtown for some sightseeing, ghost tour or shopping. You are then only 10 minutes away from Sullivans Island or Isle of Palms. Enjoy