Solo trip…. Any help please!

Question

If anyone can help me please as I’ve just started looking into Georgia / South Carolina - rather than New Orleans and Nashville.

Savannah looks fab and in ideal world I would like to, visit (and stay) at a plantation, go horse riding, visit some towns with Character like Savannah and also add on Memphis. Does anyone have any recommendations? I would also like to not drive but happy to use Amtrak.

Is it possible to find somewhere as a base and then do day trips? I’ve tried to find some organised tours but they mainly seem to be New Orleans / Nashville routes.

Answer

Your plan to explore Georgia and South Carolina sounds wonderful, and both states offer a mix of history, southern charm, and natural beauty! Since you're considering a solo trip without driving, using Amtrak and exploring these regions through day trips is a great idea. Here’s how you can structure your trip to experience Savannah, the plantations, and some nearby towns, while still including a visit to Memphis. I'll also suggest some day trip options and recommend how to organize your time.

Base City: Savannah

Savannah is an excellent base for your trip. It’s a city rich in history and charm, with plenty of character, great food, and beautiful architecture. Savannah is also close to several plantation homes, coastal landscapes, and unique small towns, making it a good spot for day trips. You can easily stay in Savannah and take day trips to nearby plantations or towns without the need for a car.

Plantation Visits: For a true Southern experience, consider visiting the following plantations near Savannah:
- Olde Pink House (a historic restaurant in Savannah itself, housed in a former colonial plantation home).
- Georgia’s Coastal Plantations – While there are no large plantation hotels where you can stay overnight in Savannah proper, nearby plantations such as Booth's Plantation and Wormsloe Historic Site offer tours of their grounds.
- Horseback Riding: Some plantation estates, like Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, offer guided horseback riding tours, or you can explore the stunning scenery along the Ogeechee River. There are several equestrian tours that depart from Savannah as well.
Day Trips from Savannah: Savannah is well connected by train and bus to nearby towns and natural areas. Here are a few day trip ideas:
- Charleston, SC – This beautiful historic city is just a couple of hours by Amtrak from Savannah and offers charming streets, historical tours, and fantastic food.
- Beaufort, SC – Another charming Southern town, perfect for exploring antebellum architecture and enjoying quiet waterfront strolls.
- Tybee Island – A short bus or taxi ride away from Savannah, Tybee Island offers lovely beaches and a relaxed vibe.

Memphis and Travel Logistics

As for adding Memphis, it’s a bit further than a typical day trip from Savannah, but you can take Amtrak’s City of New Orleans route, which travels from Chicago to New Orleans, and you can get off in Memphis. This would be a great addition to your trip, but it would require a longer travel day or an overnight stay. Memphis has a rich musical history, with iconic spots like Beale Street, Graceland, and the National Civil Rights Museum.

Possible Memphis Day Trip Option: While it’s tough to do Memphis as a one-day trip from Savannah due to distance, consider taking a night train from Savannah to Memphis and spend a couple of days exploring. Amtrak does have routes with sleeper cars if you prefer a more comfortable long-distance journey.

Organized Tours

If you’re open to organized tours, you might want to consider smaller, regional tour companies that offer day trips from Savannah to nearby cities and plantations. While many of the popular tours focus on New Orleans and Nashville, there are some private and smaller group tours that explore the South Carolina and Georgia coast or the Civil War-era plantations in this region. If you prefer more flexibility, you can arrange custom day trips with local guides or consider guided walking tours in Savannah to learn about the city’s history and architecture.

In summary, Savannah is a great base for your trip, and you can easily take Amtrak to nearby towns for day trips. For plantations and horseback riding, you’ll find several options just outside the city. Memphis will be a longer journey, but Amtrak offers a comfortable option if you want to add it to your itinerary. Enjoy your southern adventure!