Savannah, Georgia, was established as the first city and capital of Georgia, the last of the original thirteen colonies. An essential field trip locale, families are sure to find plenty to enjoy in the coastal city, including delicious food, abundant restaurants, public parks and beaches, and fun accommodations.
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Family-Friendly Savannah Accommodations
The Kimpton Brice Hotel is a pet-friendly former Coca-Cola plant with perks like bike rentals, an outdoor pool, and daily coffee service. Read our review here. The Ann Savannah has apartments with full kitchens, an outdoor pool, and an on-site cafe, perfect for extended stays.
Set in the former power plant on the river, JW Marriott Plant District Savannah Riverfront is spread across three buildings. It hosts a museum-quality collection of fossils and minerals, along with rooftop bars and multiple restaurants. Read our review here.
The Thunderbird Inn is kitschy and budget-friendly with retro toiletries and daily Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The hotel is also “green” with solar power panels. The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa is across the Savannah River and is the largest in the city, accessible to downtown via ferry. Skidaway Island State Park offers campsites for tents and RVs, but there are also private campgrounds nearby.
Savannah Museums and Attractions
The city has several museums covering different aspects of its over 250 years of history, from famous houses to sites from your favorite films.
Graveface Arcade– Skip the spooky museum with the kids, but instead, check out the Oglethorpe Mall arcade, which has vintage-themed pinball machines and retro arcade games, including Street Fighter and Galaga. 7804 Abercorn Extension
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace– Home to the founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low lived here for most of her life, growing up and later in life when her husband died. Troops from all over the world visit the home, which includes many of the house’s original furnishings. 10 East Oglethorpe Avenue
Savannah Children’s Museum–This museum has several kid-friendly offerings like a puppetry theater, exploration maze, and garden. If that’s not enough, check out the Coastal Heritage Society’s other locations, including the Georgia State Railroad Museum, the Pin Point Heritage Museum, and the Savannah History Museum, home to the famous “Forrest Gump” bench. 655 Louisville Road
Savannah Pirates and Treasure Museum– Dig into the city’s Pirate lore at this City Market attraction with artifacts and exhibitions on the real men and women made famous by their misdeeds. Purchase your ticket before you go. 209 West Saint Julian Street Lower
Telfair Academy– This Neoclassical mansion turned art museum houses a collection of American and European works collected over the years from the Telfair family and the curatorial staff, but the most well-known piece is the Bird Girl, which graced the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. 121 Barnard Street
Savannah Parks and Gardens
Savannah’s well-preserved historic district is perfect for wandering with kids or grandparents. The city’s grid of squares and parks makes strolls pleasant and scenic. You’re never far away from a green space!
Bonaventure Cemetery– One of the South’s spookiest cemeteries is Bonaventure, located on the marsh outside of town. It’s where the most famous residents are buried, but it’s also a beautiful green space. Book a spot on a Bonaventure Cemetery tour. 330 Bonaventure Road
Daffin Park– One of the historic district’s two large parks, with playgrounds, athletic fields, picnic areas, and trails. Locals especially like the outdoor space for biking, running, and playing games together. East Victory Drive
Forsyth Park– This is one of the city’s most famous green spaces, great for kids to run around, picnic, or enjoy the fountain. There are several restaurants nearby where you can grab a bite, and a playground with slides and swings. West Gaston Street
Skidaway Island State Park– The state-managed site has a sprawling outdoor nature area with trails, wildlife viewing, picnic spots, and a couple of playgrounds. It’s an easy drive to downtown to explore forests and marshlands together. 52 Diamond Causeway
Family-Friendly Savannah Restaurants
Savannah offers Southern classics, comfort food, historic venues, and energetic eateries that fit a variety of family moods and ages.
B. Matthews Eatery– This casual yet charming restaurant in the historic district offers all-day dining, including favorites like fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits. The kids can enjoy French toast and grilled cheese. 325 East Bay Street, (912)-233-1319
The Crab Shack– It’s worth the drive from downtown to experience this Tybee Island favorite, an open-air seafood restaurant known for its massive crab legs and views of the creek. Kids love the gator lagoon, arcade, and exotic birds, but will also enjoy pizza, shrimp, and hot dogs. 40 Estill Hammock Road, (912) 786-9857
Leopold’s – The historic ice cream parlor was founded in 1919 by three Greek immigrant brothers who perfected their own secret ice cream recipes and built a beloved soda-fountain tradition. The old-school setting is the perfect place to enjoy a scoop of house-made flavors like Tutti Frutti. 212 East Broughton Street, (912) 234-4442
Poe’s Tavern– Originally opened in Charleston, this additional outpost, named for Edgar Allan Poe, brings the same menu, including burgers and tacos. The kids’ menu includes both, along with Mac and cheese and a quesadilla. 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, (912) 561-7637
The Pirates House– The historic watering hole and former boarding house has some of the best fried chicken anywhere, not to mention a stellar Southern food buffet. Robert Louis Stevenson stayed here while working on Treasure Island. 20 East Broad Street, (912) 233-5757
Vinnie Van GoGo’s– Students at the Savannah College of Art & Design flock to the pizzeria for its reasonable prices and delicious pies. The Neapolitan-style pizzas use fresh dough and mozzarella cheese sold by the slice or in full pies, but bring cash. 317 West Bryan Street, (912) 233-6394
Zunzibar– Come for the seafood and outdoor seating at this South African and coastal-inspired spot downtown. There’s also a location on Tybee Island if you need a snack after a day at the beach. 236 Drayton Street, (912) 561-7926
Family-Friendly Activities in Savannah
Get beyond the museums for fun experiences around the city, like navigating the various waterways and focusing on special interests.
Forsyth Farmer’s Market– Start your Saturday with a wander around this year-round farmers’ market in Forsyth Park. You’ll find over 70 farmers, growers, and food producers with some prepared food offerings. It runs from 9 am to 1 pm. Forsyth Park
Savannah Bananas– The social media viral minor league baseball team is the hottest ticket around, so you’ll be lucky to grab seats! But if you know it’s something you want to do, enter the lottery early. They do still play games at home.
Savannah Bee Garden Tour– The hometown honey company opens its facility for tours of the garden apiary, where the bees live, and tastings of its many products.
Savannah Coastal Dolphin Eco Tour– Hop aboard a boat to keep an eye out for the beloved Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, which swims in the estuaries around the city. Be sure to bring sunscreen and snacks for the trip.
Savannah Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour– If it’s your first time in the Hostess City, see it all from the open-air bus that allows you to see several sights in the course of a day. Wondering which one is right for you? We have a guide for that!
Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise– See the city on the Savannah River in the old-fashioned paddleboat. The cruise includes a narrated tour, and food and drink are available for purchase.
Family-Friendly Events in Savannah
There’s always something going on in Savannah, so don’t worry about finding enough to do!
St Patrick’s Day is the most exciting time to be here, but as you might expect, it can get rowdy at certain points. Visit on weekdays and early in the day on St. Patrick’s Day, watching the famous parade and seeing the Forsyth Park fountain as it’s dyed green.
The Savannah Children’s Book Festival brings authors for signings and readings targeted to children and families. Also in the spring, the SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival takes place in Forsyth Park, where artists use chalk to create masterpieces on the pavement of the park.
SCAD (the Savannah College of Art and Design) also puts on the summer Sand Arts Festival every summer on Tybee Island, transforming the sand into sculptures. Tybee also plays host to the Tybee Island Pirate Fest every fall, complete with live music, entertainment, costumes, and shouts of “ahoy, matey.”
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