Jim Morekis - Moon Charleston & Savannah (Moon Travel Guide)

the Mills House Hotel in Charleston.

No doubt about it: The travel spotlight is shifting South. Taking their place alongside old favorites like Paris, New York, and San Francisco are the smaller but just as delectable destinations of Charleston and Savannah, each now enjoying an unprecedented boom in visitor interest.

As more and more people discover the subtle, compelling charms of these two Southern gems, the inevitable comparisons begin. Stereotypes abound, such as the famous adage In Charleston they ask what your mothers maiden name is, and in Savannah they ask what youre drinking. But the truth is that Savannah can be just as obsessed with arcane genealogy, and anyone whos ever spent a weekend night in downtown Charleston knows that city is no stranger to a carousing good time.

The key difference between the two is mostly physical. Charlestons charms are more serendipitous, its architecture more Caribbean. The compact, winding downtown means a new surprise awaits you around every corner. Thats the magic of Charleston.

Savannah, with its more spacious downtown, has more room to breathe, to walk, and to stretch out. And there are those matchless, tidy squares, still studied as marvels of urban design. Savannahs classically Anglophilic architecture tends more toward the stately. While both cities love a good time, Charlestonwith its vast selection of nationally renowned restaurantsis definitely more of a foodies paradise. Savannah, on the other hand, loves nothing more than a boisterous party.

a headstone in Magnolia Cemetery

the ruins of the Old Sheldon Church near Beaufort

Savannahs River Street

Perhaps we should be talking instead about the things that tie the two together. Charleston and Savannah share a parallel history; stubborn individuality and defiance against the norm have been constants, as evidenced by their key roles in the American Revolution and the Civil War. The entire area has in common a rare natural beauty, with the South Carolina Lowcountry and the Georgia coast together composing the largest contiguous salt marsh in the world and one of the planets unique ecosystems. Kayakers are at home paddling in the blackwater of the ACE Basin or the vast Okefenokee Swamp. Beachgoers are amazed at the underrated quality of the areas serene strands.

Most of all, however, the greatest treasure of this region is its people. The folks down here love a good story, a good conversation, and a good laugh. Its not just the fabled Southern hospitality; its a joie de vivre born of great weather and proximity to the ever-invigorating rivers, marshes, and ocean.

the Jekyll Island Club

Hunting Island Light.

a carriage in Charleston

Historic Tours: Learn about the historic downtown areas of Charleston and Savannah in a number of unique ways (

Southern Cooking: Some of Americas finest award-winning chefs ply their trade in these southern cities, serving up dishes both homestyle and high style ().

Festival Fever: From St. Patricks Day in Savannah to Spoleto in Charleston, these cities love their cultural eventsand know how to have a good time at them ().

Cemetery Scenery: For both intriguing American history and scenic beauty, check out Bonaventure Cemetery () in Charleston.

African American Heritage: Charlestons history is black history, from the somber remembrances of the Old Slave Mart Museum to the vivid legacies of Porgy and Bess and Cabbage Row ().

Touring Great Houses: Some of the nations finest house museums are here, including the Regency-era Owens-Thomas House () in Charleston.