Southern City

Charleston, South Carolina 
 CharlestonCVB.com 
 [843] 853-8000 or 1-800-868-8118 
 Park the car, and walk when you visit Charleston. The narrow streets are pedestrian friendly. (You can park in a garage at the visitors center at 219 Meeting Street for $10 a day; metered parking is free on Sundays and after 6 p.m.) The Governor's House Inn in the historic district is my favorite place to stay for the comfortable rooms and wide porches that invite relaxation and for the off-street parking at no extra charge. I can walk almost anywhere, day or night, and feel safe.

Walking tips: Stroll to The Battery, to the shops on King Street, to The Market area, and to restaurants on East Bay and Meeting Streets. Along the way, peek into lovely gardens tucked behind wrought iron fences and catch glimpses of everyday life in this charming city. --Karen Lingo

2. Savannah, Georgia
 SavannahVisit.com
 [912] 644-6401 or 1-877-728-2662

 3. Atlanta, Georgia
 Atlanta.net
 [404] 521-6600 or 1-800-285-2682

(left) Charleston, South Carolina: Your favorite Southern city radiates historic splendor, particularly along Church Street.

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