Are you looking for ideas for your next vacation?  Want to go somewhere, but can’t decide exactly where?

Perhaps you should check out one of the Top 10 US Cities to Visit.  Of course, whether or not a city is the best is a subjective opinion – but Conde Nast Traveler has taken a poll of its readers collective subjective opinions and come up with 10 American Cities that you’re most likely to enjoy visiting.  With cities from across the country highlighted, there should be a great vacation destination for everyone.

Top 10 Best Places To Visit In The Us

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge - Best US City to Visit

1.  San Francisco, California

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of San Francisco, California is The Golden Gate Bridge.  Residents rave about the culture and the year round mild weather that’s never too hot or too cold.  Visitors to San Francisco can stay in some of the country’s most eco-friendly hotels and enjoy organic dining.  UpTake’s own Cat Lincoln shares insider information on San Francisco via podcast.

Read More »

Exit to Savannah

I’d like to blow all of my credibility as an expert on visiting Savannah, Georgia right off the bat:

I’ve been there once for about two hours.

That being said, I loved every minute of it, took copious notes, and am eagerly planning my return.

I don’t know much about what to do in Savannah, Georgia – but I can tell you with confidence where you should start your trip to this small southern town.  (And you should listen to me because the second I pulled into Savannah I asked a tour guide where I should go if I only had an hour to spend there.  A novice who asks an expert is almost as good as an actual travel expert.)

Head to River Street.  Immediately.  River Street is the perfect place to spend an afternoon or a daytrip in Savannah.

Savannah River Street

River Street is a narrow cobblestone road that runs along the Savannah River on the northeast edge of town.  You’ll want to drive very slowly and watch for the trolly tours.  Trust me on the drive slowly bit.  (And also?  Wear a bra.  I’m serious.)  Street parking is limited, but you’ll find several small parking lots with reasonable meter rates.

River Walk long Savannah River

Although I pulled down River Street to find a place for lunch, I was instantly distracted by the river walk.  I live 20 minutes from the ocean and white sandy beaches.  I am not easily impressed by water, especially something as mundane as a river.

But something about this water and this river is so calming.  Words like “rolling” and “rambling” come to mind when you stand along the banks.  The bridge that spans the river and the massive ships that sail under it are beautiful.  I know this because I took approximately 152 pictures of said bridge and said ships.

Once I managed to tear myself away from the water, I found a new love across the street.  (What can I say?  I’m fickle.)

Gift shops.  No.  Gift boutiques.  Block after block of cute little storefronts with handmade jewelry, tacky souveneirs, and knick knacks galore.  You could spend hours wandering in and out of these shops.

River Street gift shops

Of course at some point, you’ll need to eat.  This is an especially good idea if that was the excuse you gave for driving 20 minutes out of your way in the first place.

River Street Restaurants

Apparently someone named Paula Deen has a restaurant in Savannah and she’s kind of a big deal.  But if you didn’t wake up early enough to get your name on a reservation list for dinner and you’d like to find a place you can walk in and get a meal, River Street offers several options.  All of them specialize in seafood.  Personally, I recommend River House Seafood & Bakery becase that’s the only place I ate in Savannah (and it was fabulous).

As you head further down River Street, you’ll find more shops, more places to walk, and a famous statue.

The Waving Girl Statue in Savannah

The Waving Girl Statue is a tribute to Florence Matus, a Savannah resident who used to live along the river and waved at the ships as they sailed by.  No one knows why she waved at the ships, but the story is part of local Savannah legend.

Spending time along River Street in Savannah is definitely more about seeing than it is doing.  Fortunately, “seeing” is often much less expensive than “doing”, which is why Savannah is a great place for a cheap vacation.  It’s a slow paced destination that can provide the perfect backdrop for a day of relaxation or a romantic getaway.

All photos by Britt Reints.

This local’s perspective on Atlanta is written by Kat Harris. Kat lives right outside of Atlanta and loves to drive into the city for a family outing or a romantic getaway. That is-when she can find the time. She is a busy mom and an active blogger. Check out her blog, Sunshine and Lemonade. I enjoyed reading about the large southern city of Atlanta. I would love to take a stroll down some of its stately neighborhoods as well as spend some time doing “retail therapy” at the city’s many shopping avenues. Enjoy!

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Atlanta and its residents?

Diverse, congested, vibrant, political, eclectic

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area in Atlanta?

There are a lot of neat neighborhoods around Atlanta. Decatur has a vibrant “hippy” feel to it – with farmer’s markets, great restaurants (One is Watershed – which is partly owned by Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls), bars (Brick Store Pub is well known for their high gravity Belgian brews), and great people watching opportunities. Another one is Grant Park/East Atlanta near the Atlanta Zoo. This neighborhood has some beautiful craftsman style homes built in the 1920’s – and some amazing Victorian houses – complete with the gingerbread fixins. And one other to look at is either Druid Hills or Buckhead – to see some mansions and “old” money in the city.

3. Which cuisine do you think Atlanta does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant)

I don’t know that there is one thing that Atlanta does best. It’s one of the great things about Atlanta is that there are so many very good examples of all different kinds of cuisine. Favorite restaurant: Five Seasons Brewing company. It’s a brew pub (they make their own beer) – and even they have an eclectic menu. Second favorite: Watershed in Decatur – Excellent southern cuisine.

4. What is the best free thing to do?

There are free things to do in Atlanta? Besides paying for parking – you can walk around Centennial Olympic park. They have a fountain to splash in…and a great playground for the kids. During the summer they have movies on the lawn; at Christmas time there is a great light display.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

Retail Therapy. Atlanta has some of the best shopping!

6. List the best family friendly activity?

There are lots of things to do: Six Flags and White Water…Braves games…Georgia Aquarium…Stone Mountain Park…and the Botanical Gardens by Piedmont Park has a fabulous children’s garden.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

Not exactly in Atlanta – but on the north side of town – Chateau Elan (which has spas and a winery)…on the south side…Callaway Gardens.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about? In three sentences or less.

The perfect day would begin when the Aquarium opens (get there early to avoid most of the crowds) followed by lunch at the Varsity (the world’s largest drive-in restaurant – and home of the yummiest, greasiest, artery clogging onion rings). Next, drive out to Stone Mountain Park and either walk up the mountain to work off that lunch – or if you can’t do that, take the cable car up to the top to see the views. And finish off your evening by parking yourself on a blanket on the lawn in front of the carving on the mountain to watch the laser show after dark.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

I love to go to the Aquarium. I could sit and watch the Beluga whales all day! And they are about to expand the aquarium to include a whole wing for dolphins.

Another activity – for the grown-ups – that is so fun is to see the play “Peachtree Battle.” It is now the longest running play in Atlanta (beating out “Driving Miss Daisy”). The play is about an old moneyed family whose favorite son is getting married to a black Hooters waitress.

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?

“How do you get around to do all these things?”

In Atlanta…you need a car. The public transportation does not get you everywhere you need to go…and Atlanta is a commuter town…so even grabbing a cab is not an easy option. There is so much to do…but it is all spread out – sprawl is the name of this town…and you are going to need a car to see and do all the wonderful things Atlanta and vicinity have to offer.