A Touch of the South 

Road Trip: Charleston to Savannah to Vero Beach

Considering a visit to Charleston, SC? You’re in for a treat. With a rich 300-year history, Charleston is one of America’s most beautifully preserved architectural and historical treasures. The city has been described as a “living museum,” with perfectly preserved antebellum mansions, churches and museums that welcome close to four million visitors per year. As a port city with rich cultural history, may we suggest some water-themed destinations? 

No trip to Charleston would be complete without a visit to the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point. Enjoy a hands-on glimpse of maritime and military life aboard a true piece of American history. Drop by the South Carolina Aquarium to connect with 5,000 sea animals including sea turtles, sharks, horseshoe crabs, sea stars and urchins. Then take a small boat ride to Fort Sumpter to view where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Love the arts? Don’t miss the Spoleto Performing Arts Festival held annually in the city around late May. 

Did Charleston whet your appetite for all things southern? Hop in a car for a two-hour trip to charming Savannah, GA! Referred to as “The Hostess City of the South,” Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and has a long and colorful history, attracting millions of visitors annually. Established in 1733 when British General James Oglethorpe and 120 passengers landed on the site, Oglethorpe named the thirteenth and final American colony Georgia. Oglethorpe planned the city in a series of grids, and 21 of the original 24 squares are preserved today. 

Savannah is a highly walkable city, but if you don’t feel like walking, there are many bikes and trolleys you can catch. As you walk or ride and disembark, you can read the plaques in each square to appreciate the history of the area. Don’t forget to visit Chippewa Square so you can say you’ve been to the park bench where Forrest Gump was filmed (remember the floating feather? It lands on a bench in Chippewa Square). For shopping, visit the Downtown Design District on Whitaker Street between Charlton Lane and Gaston. You’ll feel like you’re in a centuries-old European village! And for local flavor, don’t miss stopping by the SCAD shop (The Savannah College of Art and Design) at 340 Bull Street to pick up unique and artsy student creations. 

Be sure and bring your appetite when you come to Savannah. The city’s restaurant scene features longtime favorites as well as brand new spots. For contemporary flavor, check out the Fast Radish on West Congress Street. Looking for a beach experience? Travel just 20 minutes from Savannah’s Historic District to visit Tybee Island and splash in the waves, dig your toes in the sand and enjoy a sweet treat at the Savannah Praline Company.Craving more beach time? Looking for a great golf destination? Take a road trip to Florida’s Vero Beach, a haven for golf, water sports and fishing. Peaceful beaches, museums, nature tours make Vero Beach a terrific destination and in important part of the region known as the Treasure Coast. Vero Beach offers a fine selection of shops – oceanside, historic downtown and outlets. You’ll also find museums, art galleries, and parks, some of which offer access to a network of rivers where manatees roam. Be sure to visit the McKee Botanical Gardens, which has garnered national attention in publications like Better Homes and Gardens. And golfers, don’t miss Sandridge Golf Club, owned and operated by Indian River County. The facility boasts two 18-hold championship layouts designed by Ron Garl. For more than 20 years, both courses have been maintained with an unmatched passion and love of golf. Considering Florida’s reputation as one of the finest public golf destinations, Sandridge Golf Club is a must-play experience for serious and casual golfers alike.