We were super excited to see what Savannah was like. All the pictures we saw showed the amazing old oaks with the Spanish Moss hanging down and we were excited to see for ourselves if it really looked as magical as it seemed! Here is our list of all the things to do in Savannah with kids that we recommend.
Savannah has a magical feel to it and screams old city charm and new city elegance.
Here are our top recommendations on Things To Do In Savannah with kids:
- Walk The City – FREE and so beautiful!!
- FREE Ferry Ride
- Land and Sea Combo Tour
- River Street Sweets Candy Store
Table of Contents
21 Things To Do In Savannah, GA With Kids:
We started our visit by going to the visitor center to see what they would recommend for things to do in Savannah with kids. From there we decided to walk from River Street out to Forsyth Park and back. We would see a lot of the famous squares in Savannah the city is known for and get a good feel of the city by walking through.
Not really knowing what we were doing we headed down to River Street and ended up driving right down River Street. I wouldn’t recommend it. It was super busy with people and cars and you are driving on a cobblestone road! The bikes on the bike rack were bouncing away.
We found a place to park in a parking garage (there are quite a few a street over from River Street) and headed out.
Walk the City
Along the way you will see a bunch of the squares. You can stop to take a break on a bench or by a fountain, or just enjoy the beauty as you walk through.
If traveling with another family this small group walking tour is another good option. Explore the history and character of Savannah with a guide. Learn the secrets and stories that make Savannah America’s Most Haunted City. It is about 3 hours but the time flies and the kids are sure to love it.
Savannah Land and Sea Combo Tour
This unique tour begins with a 90-minute open-air trolley ride in the city before moving to a 90-minute riverboat cruise. Experience the history of downtown and then cruise down the Savannah River and see Old Fort Jackson. Kids will love it! Pick up at select hotels and the Savannah Visitors Center.
Old Town Trolley Tour
Another great tour is the Old Town Trolley Tour. This tour gives you unlimited use of the trolley all day. Enjoy 15 stops along the route that include historical landmarks, top tourist destinations, and local gift shops. The Trolley Tracking App allows you to know where the trolleys are at all times. This is great when traveling with kids to reduce wait times!
Savannah Underground: An Immersive Ghost Hunt
For families with kids 13 and older this Ghost Hunt is a really cool experience. You will complete a ghost-hunting training session onboard a trolley and then begin a 45-minute adventure with some of Savannah’s scariest history including stories of Savannah’s Civil War past. For teens, this ghost tour may be the highlight of their trip to Savannah!
Check out these great places to eat in Savannah!
Free Ferry Ride
They have a free ferry that runs in a triangle and will take you across the river and then back to River Street. I mean it’s FREE so of course you should do it! The kids liked being out on the water so it was worth it and made our recommendations of things to do with kids in Savannah, Georgia.
Biking Around the City
Biking also makes our list of things to do with kids in Savannah, Georgia. You’ll find bike tours like the Savannah Guided E-Bike Tour and the Pedal Through History Savannah Bike Tour or you can just enjoy biking as a family. It’s a great way to explore the city.
Historic Savannah Segway Tour
If you have some older kids the Historic Savannah Segway Tour is a great thing to do with kids. Explore historic downtown via this unique transportation on this great guided tour. This tour is designed for age 16+.
Tybee Island Dolphin Tour
An additional Tybee Island tour idea is this dolphin tour. You’ll have a good chance to see bottle-nose dolphins. Kids will also love seeing over a hundred reptiles at the alligator pond. You’ll get views of Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island Lighthouse, and Tybee Island Lighthouse. However, this tour is 5 hours in length so plan to do a day trip to Tybee Island.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
First, verify when the church is open (and not in mass) and stop in to view the amazing architecture. If we didn’t have 4 young kids with us, we would have sat and stayed longer.
However the minute we walked in, Cannon and Knox went straight for the baptismal font thinking it was a splash pad. Then proceeded to slam down every kneeling bench. We quickly knew it was time to go! We snapped a couple of pictures and moved on.
This is one of the many beautiful historic sites in Savannah – if you are kids can handle things like that :).
Forsyth Park
This is the park with the lined walkway that you see in all of the pictures of Savannah. And it was beautiful. They were setting up for a Martha Stewart-esque wedding, which unfortunately meant they had a tent set up right in the amazing walkway.
It was still worth going to Savannah historic district to see the fountain and they had 2 large playgrounds for the kids to play on so it’s a really kid-friendly area. We hung out here for a while before making our way back. It is about 1 mile to walk from River Street to Forsyth Park. This is a must on the list of things to do with kids in Savannah, Georgia.
Want more?! Check out this post on Things To Do At Forsyth Park!
River Street
This is like a mini Bourbon Street. There are restaurants, shops, pubs, and more. The street was bustling on the weekend, but luckily a bit quieter when we came back on a weeknight! We found plenty to look at and taste as we walked the street as well as several nice park benches down by the river. This is an excellent people-watching spot!
River Street Sweets Candy Store
Oh yeah! They give out free praline samples! The samples were super yummy. They also have homemade fudge, ice cream, and a candy wall. Everyone picked out a treat and we headed to the riverfront walkway to eat our candy. Definitely, another must when in Savannah with kids.
Sweet Potatoes
Although we didn’t eat here, we have heard great things about this local restaurant. The home-cooked food is delicious and you really get a taste of southern Savannah cuisine. They even offer dishes for special diets so everyone can enjoy a meal here.
Leopold’s Ice Cream
Leopold’s Ice Cream is definitely one of our things to do with kids in Savannah, Georgia. The kids can choose from Tutti Frutti, Peanut Butter Chippy, Lemon Custard, and more flavors. You’re bound to find one you like, too! They’ll even ship all over the United States, so if you crave some Leopold’s when you get back home, just get online and place an order.
Moon River Brewing Company
Anytime you get to a restaurant where 1 – you can eat outside and 2 – they have toys for the kids to play with you know you are in the right place! Craig really enjoyed their micro-brewed Taterlicious Harvest Ale with pumpkin seeds and pie spices on the rim. And everyone liked their food. They also turned on the Cubs playoff game on a huge projector out in the beer garden. Score!
Georgia State Railroad Museum
Take the kids to visit the Georgia State Railroad Museum. They’ll love the train ride around the rail yard. Then you can walk around and look at the different shops and old rail cars. It’s so fun for the whole family that it’s definitely one of the things to do with kids in Savannah, Georgia!
Girl Scout First Headquarters
Have a Girl Scout in the family? This is where the Girl Scouts started with founder Juliette Gordon Low. It was declared Savannah’s first National Historic Landmark in 1965 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The Juliette Gordon Low birthplace is also here. A must see for any Girl Scout!
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Every kid loves an outdoor experience with animals. At the Oatland Island Wildlife Center you’ll find exhibits with a cougar, alligator, bobcat, and more. It’s like a mini zoo. Some of the exhibits close at 4:00 pm so make sure to get there early.
Jepson Center
Another good museum option is the Jepson Center. The art exhibits showcase historical pieces as well as modern art. The kids will love the hands-on children’s museum and studio. Plus, it’s a 5-minute walk from the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace so you can easily visit both in a few hours.
Savannah Children’s Museum
One of the best things to do with kids in Savannah, Georgia is to visit the Savannah Children’s Museum. The kids will spend hours enjoying the exploration maze, reading nook, sensory garden, and all of the other exhibits. Make sure to arrive early because it closes at 2:00 pm.
A few other options are the Savannah History Museum, the City Market and the Waving Girl Statue.
Where To Stay
Vacation Homes
There are a lot of VRBO options for families when staying in Savannah, Georgia. You can check out the homes in the Thomas Square area or in Dixon Park.
Hotels
If you’re planning on just a quick getaway to Savannah for one or two nights, these hotels are near the city.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Savannah Downtown/Historic District
Here are lots of great hotel options in Savanah that work well for families too.
Campgrounds
If you’d like to take your RV to Savannah, there are multiple campgrounds to check out.
We were only in Savannah, GA for a few days, but we now we want to be back. It was a really neat city and we loved looking at the old buildings, walking through the streets, and seeing the lanterns lit by fire. It’s also a great family-friendly city!
Have you been to Savannah with kids? If yes, what was your favorite part? Also, let us know if you have any other things to do with kids in Savannah because we definitely want to make it back there!
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She loves being outside and exploring new places which is all made better when doing it with family and friends!
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Where would you recommend for hotel. I really like your pics and am thinking about visiting savanah.
Unfortunately, we can’t help much as far as a hotel goes in Savannah. We stayed at an RV park just outside of the city. Sorry!
Our family fell in love with Savannah! 9 hours driving from Washington, DC with 5-years-old and 7-years-old but the this beautiful town definitely worth it! My son shares his experience in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIiUjkALejQ&t=324s. Hope other kids will watch it and be willing to visit Savannah.
Savannah is great.
Thanks for the free ferry mention! I have read four blogs already planning our trip up to Savannah and no one mentioned a free ferry! They didn’t have kids though lol.
LOL, free is good with kids 🙂 Have a great trip!
If you have children, you must visit the Georgia State Railroad Museum and also the Savannah Children’s Museum! Lot’s of fun and low cost!