For a romantic road trip, add Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia to your road trip planner. These two cities dish up hearty helpings of Southern Hospitality spiced with an intoxicating combination of romance and charm. And with only two hours between cities, it's not a long road trip unless you're driving from your own home in another state. Actually, if you DO happen to live less than an 8-hour drive away from either one of these cities, I WOULD make this a triangular road trip and include fun and interesting stops along the way. Otherwise, it would be best to fly into either the Charleston or Savannah International Airports, then rent a car for the duration of your stay so you can spend the bulk of your time "being there" instead of "getting there and back again".
Two hours apart, but each city has distinctive flavors.
Charleston simmers with history. There's a rich mix of "Old South" charm, dotted generously with historic homes, landmarks, and historic districts, all of which make Charleston one of the most popular southern destinations in the United States. You'll find cobblestone streets with shops lined on either side.
A Going Places user had this to say about her stay there: "Charleston has a gorgeous historic district full of luxurious mansions, restaurants, shops, and museums… This is the city where the Civil War began so it's filled with history and fascinating stories. If you go here, you have to go to the market and take in a ghost tour. The nearby plantations are a real sight to see as well and the beaches are spectacular. You'll need at least a week to really appreciate everything there is to see here and the Port City Java coffee shops are really charming. Try to stay at a B&B if you can, they run about the same price as a regular hotel but you get more personalized care and a nice touch of true Southern Hospitality."
Add one or more of these Charleston Districts to your road trip planner to fully explore the city.
- Downtown District -Besides historic churches, buildings, and landmarks, you'll find plenty of opportunities for shopping. Downtown is a convenient starting point for getting to know Charleston as it is a vibrant combination of old and new, offering diverse attractions suitable for just about anyone.
- Historic District - The Historic District is the oldest part of town with many preserved buildings and homes. Try some walking tours like the Historic Homes Walk , which will allow you to learn more about this amazing architecture dating back to the mid-18th century. And don't forget to check out the old houses like the Heyward-Washington House or the Nathaniel Russell House.
- Mount Pleasant District - The Mount Pleasant District is known for its fine dining. And this district holds more than its share of diverse dining establishments. It's also the home of one of the biggest naval & maritime museums in the world, Patriot's Point. Tour boats are available from Mount Pleasant to view Fort Sumter , the site where the Civil War began.
- North Charleston - North Charleston is the main business and transportation location for the southern half of the state. Both the International Airport and Amtrak Station are located here. Adding to the bustle of North Charleston is the 14,000-seat North Charleston Coliseum,
home of the South Carolina Stingrays ice hockey team.
Next week we’ll
explore Savannah, but there’s no time like the present to start adding all the
Charleston things to do in your road
trip planner.
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