History always has been, is, and always will be a favorite topic of mine, whether I am in a classroom, traveling or simply killing time at work or home. Nothing excites me more than to learn of the origins of a place, artifact, or even people. It could be down to the simplest thing such as the history of how popcorn became a symbol of film, the expansion of an empire, or the origins of a single city. In regards to city, despite drastic life changes in 2012 relocating to Greenville, Sc, I am within a 4 to 5 hour reach via car to two colonial cities of the U.S.: The cities of Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.

The low country is very beautiful in this area of the south. It reminds me of my life in Florida but with it’s own identity plus a twist of history. Both cities are so rich in history and offer so much to do and see. But in certain aspects, they are very different. Most people, at least the ones I know in the South Carolina’s upstate have different feelings to each city. One liking Charleston over Savannah or vice versa. In traveling to each city for about a weekend within a month and a half apart, this allowed me to tell the similarities from the differences. So I felt it’d be pretty neat to add my two cents of what I like and dislike in these local travels. This is the game of Charleston Vs. Savannah. 🙂

History – Charleston

When it comes to history, both cities fall well into this category having history far beyond the signing of our declaration of independence. But not only is Charleston an older city and a larger one over Savannah, It played key roles as a icon of the original colonies as well as the Civil War. I mean, this is the very place that started the Civil War firing the first shot at Fort Sumter. Sadly Charleston history is so long, that it has been destroyed by not only warfare but even a few fires. Add an earthquake to that also.

Culture – Savannah

This one ventures further away from fact and into opinion. My opinion may be shot down, or not, but I personally feel Savannah has more culture. Charleston alike Savannah, including much of the coastal Carolinas, still have a historic touch of culture. Gullah and Geechee cultures, for example, still exist blending in within modern day society. On a separate note, I personally felt more preservation of culture in Savannah within the confines of it’s historic center and even it’s outskirts. Although Savannah is a multicultural city with people of all cultures from all over, different ages, colors, no matter where you are from, all seem to engage together as one whole culture in this beautiful city.

Scenery – Savannah

Not knocking Charleston once again but Savannah hands down is probably one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen. While much of Charleston has a combination of very old architecture, to old architecture mixed in with new, Savannah seems to have far more preservation in all of it’s architecture in its historic center. While Charleston has it’s relaxing walks along the harbor with views of its new bridge and Battery Park, Savannah’s layout is dressed with numerous squares and parks every two blocks to walk or ride through. Savannahs Forsyth park is enough to make you love the city. Driving through Charleston, you drive through streets with many large and old trees and otherwise open sky. In Savannah, Spanish Moss dominates the streets and creates it’s own dimly lit atmosphere. Maybe I didn’t look well in Charleston, but something brings out the art in me at 18/19th century railings, something I saw almost everywhere in Savannah. Last but not least, the cities riverfront does so much justice, with views of the water, port, as well of it’s own new bridge. You may get lucky enough to watch a large ship roll by also.

Personality – Savannah

Savannah once again and hands down wins with one. I am a traveler that loves to have fun wherever I go. In saying that, yes I am bound to do the usual “touristy” thing if it is prevailent. But when I travel, I do my best to seek out an activity or a place better known to be more off the beaten path. Savannah is no hidden treasure, but in my perspective, I feel that way for it. I don’t know of a city yet nor have not heard of any place in the world that comes anywhere close to what Savannah is like. History, trees, architecture, diversity, beaches, marshes, good food, and still so much fun.

Tourism – Charleston

Charleston takes the flag on this one as I felt Charleston was far more touristy. This is probably most people that I know or have met praise Charleston so much more. This can be positive or negative. Maybe its me, and I am not judging them, but I didn’t care too much about this. The tourism is right in your face in Charleston and is EVERYWHERE, from walking tours to horse carriages. I guess you can title this a family friendly city and no I don’t have my own family. Knowing how I like to travel, I like to do my own thing, explore at my own pace, and fall in love with self discovery. This is probably why I like Savannah much more than Charleston, because I felt more at my own pace and not in the way of a million tour guides. Biking around Savannah’s beautiful squares, streets and riverfront was enough to fall in love.

Nightlife – Savannah

I honestly cannot put an immediate debate on one over the other. In Charleston, my nightlife experience was a bit brief and not fully explored but I did get a good taste of it. The people there surely can party their asses off, I mean, it is a big college city. After spending 4th of July in Savannah, I have no complaints over the nightlife. There are many bars to choose from and a few clubs, some of which are rooftops overlooking the riverfront and bridge. Similar for Charleston as well. Living in a country that is over policed with too many laws varying between city, county, and states, no place in the U.S. that I have traveled to allows you to carry an alcoholic beverage around with you in the streets like Savannah does (as long as it was in a plastic cup). This is something so simple, and its the little things that count. Why not walk out the bar and walk along the water with a delicious brew for the evening. That right there gets a huge plus for Savannah.

People – Savannah

This one is a difficult one for me to break down. When I mean people, I mean locals, the people who live there and better yet the people who were born and raised there. Unfortunately, I didn’t really come across any true natives of either city. So knocking that out of the way I judge based on the people that live there. Maybe it’s because of the commercial differences between these two cities that make a difference, but because Charleston seems much more commercial, I felt Savannah’s people were a bit more hospitable, you know that “southern” hospitality one thinks of. Close to it! While the residents call Savannah home, I have met numerous people, from mutual friends to even the pedicab person finding themselves moving back home from Charleston. No bueno!

Cost – Tie

Due to the prioritization of preserving just about EVERYTHING in both of these cities, from monuments, décor, to the real estate and everything that sits on old land, the costs in both cities are pretty high. Cost of living is not cheap and that goes for lodging in travel. Through AirBnb, we could have had a group stay on a boat in Charleston Harbor but the previous guests had destroyed the plumbing, ruining our stay. Fortunately we had the privilege to stay with friends outside the city center cutting our spending by 75%. But the search for places in the city alone, was incredibly high for a weekend. Half of the outskirts lay close to the beach not making prices any different. As for Savannah, the costs of lodging are about the same. A nice place in Savannah for a weekend through AirBnb, was about $340, but it was totally worth it.

Beaches – Savannah

For Charleston, you are left with two beaches with good proximity: Folly Beach and Isle of Palms, unfortunately I only had the opportunity to check out Folly Beach. In my opinion, I wasn’t too fascinated with it. I think the large pipe sticking out of the ground was a grand reason and didn’t seem very clean. Next time, I will visit Isle of Palms, a beach with a better reputation. In comparison with Savannah’s nearest beach, Tybee Island sea oats are what separate the beach from the shore homes and streets, just like the Jersey shores iconic picturesque beaches.

My Pick……DRUM ROLL!!!!

Savannah

Given my taste, style, desire, and experiences, Savannah is my favorite city between Charleston. While Charleston flourishes with a more commercial tourist, college atmosphere, I feel more off the beaten path in Savannah. In my eyes, although Savannah is a popular city, I feel as if it were still a hidden gem beneath those beautiful spanish moss trees and between those numbers of squares. While Charleston history outdoes Savannah, the scenery is enough to stand out in my mind for as long as I live. And as far as my party life goes, nothing beats having a drink anytime of day walking around a historic street on a beautiful riverfront watching a beautiful sunset.