The first time I visited Savannah, GA, was over 10 years ago with my mom. Having grown up north of Charlotte, NC, we often went to Charleston, SC, if we took a road trip to any cute southern towns. Back then, I loved Savannah on sight. The vibe was a little calmer than Charleston, but I think it was honestly the Spanish moss-lined squares that really got to me. There was something more real about Savannah to me, less southern preppy and commercial.

Now, between having revisited Charleston just a few months ago and heading to Savannah to meet a friend for a lunch-and-hang this past weekend, my opinion has taken a complete 180. Savannah felt… almost forgotten. It no longer felt charming and simple on a small scale but it seemed as though those “in charge” lost how to keep it inviting while still holding the spirit of the area. By no means do I think it should be “relevant” or here to entertain the tourists. It just felt a bit tired, instead of feeling like something preserved in history while still holding appeal for those strolling around.

Seeing as I recommended Savannah to my friend who was meeting me (who had never been to either Charleston or Savannah) I was truly bummed. But, that doesn’t mean I didn’t still appreciate the mossy trees, lunch at Collin’s Quarter, colorfully aged buildings, or the cat in E. Shaver’s bookshop. Here are some of my shots from a day spent walking this historic town in the land of peaches:

I’m honestly not someone to pit one city against another, I was mainly more surprised at how underwhelmed I felt (when I’d previously fell in love). If you’re looking for more information on things to do in Charleston, SC, check-out my guide for How to Spend the Perfect Easy Weekend in Charleston here or my recommendations for 5 Places to Visit in Charleston Outside of the Historic District!

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