4 days - New Orleans, or Charleston & Savannah?

[ArtichokeAardvark]

DH and I are going to a wedding in southern USA next spring and we've decided to tag on an extra few days holiday before we fly home. We will spend Sunday travelling to wherever we decide on, and then have 4 full days Monday - Thursday before flying home Friday afternoon (so have a half day Friday to play with too).

We can't decide between either 1) go to New Orleans for all 4 days, or 2) fly to Charleston for 3 nights and then drive to Savannah on Wednesday for another 2 nights.

We want a good mix of sightseeing, good food, and most importantly being able to switch off and relax (it's our first holiday without kids in 5 years!). Not massively interested in noisy bars and clubs, but do enjoy live music and having a few late drinks while people watching! I also love beautiful architecture and gardens, but think we'll get that wherever we go.

I've never been to any of the three, DH has been NO before but is happy to go again as he went as a pre-teen so would be a very different vibe.

Any thoughts or recommendations? Final factor- we're going to be there over St Patricks Day which I know the US does in style!

We were surprised at how unbothered we were about New Orleans and how much we loved Savannah! No idea about Charleston though, sorry.

I vote Charleston/Savannah (although I've never been to New Orleans!).

We have travelled a lot and Charleston is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Stunning architecture, a very European feel and some fascinating history.

Savannah is also lovely. The bus tour of all the squares/mansions is excellent - that's from someone who normally avoids any sort of guided tour like the plague.

Totally agree with previous posters, New Orleans wasn’t all that for us! We loved Charleston!

And if you pick Savannah (which we also loved) please read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil!

Wow, unanimous so far - thank you! And love a book recommendation too :)

You can visit the mansion where the actual events of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil took place. The film of the book was shot there too. I hesitated to recommend the film in my post as it has Kevin Spacey in it.

I’ve been to all of them and would probably pick Savannah/charleston. We loved New Orleans but it was intense! As great to party, and found all of the history fascinating but it wasn’t a relaxing place at all. We were also always aware of being in the right areas to stay safe.

Savannah really goes crazy for St Patrick's day! I have family there -it's a great place to visit. And if you're driving you could hop down to Tybee for the beaches and the boho vibe.