Everything You Should Know About Visiting Savannah with Children

In the South, there’s a humorous saying that how you greet someone can reveal much about your roots. In Atlanta, they ask, 'What do you do for a living?' In Charlotte, it’s 'Where are you from?' In Charleston, they want to know, 'What’s your mother’s maiden name?' But in Savannah, the question is, 'What are you drinking?'

The drinks aren’t necessarily strong; it’s more about the fact that the Hostess City is overflowing with Southern charm—there’s always a pitcher of sweet tea ready to greet visitors of all ages.

Alongside the warm welcome from locals, there’s also a wide array of attractions, activities, and thoughtfully designed streets that invite families with children to make this their next vacation hotspot.

Is Savannah a kid-friendly destination?

The leisurely pace and lush green spaces of Savannah's famous squares attract families to every nook and cranny.

The wide, smooth streets are rarely crowded, and shaded courtyards are easy to explore on foot. As America’s first planned city, one might wonder if founder James Oglethorpe envisioned a place bustling with mothers pushing strollers and children playing in its beautifully maintained squares. Public garages are conveniently scattered throughout downtown, allowing families to park easily and stroll through the town, even with a double stroller.

However, don’t be misled by this charming city’s pace or the easygoing Southern accent. From Tybee Beach to the riverfront, playgrounds to cemeteries, and trolleys to the Savannah Belles Ferry, this city offers a rich variety of landscapes and modes of transportation to keep families entertained and active.

Top activities in Savannah for families with babies and toddlers

Experience interactive fun at the Children’s Museum

While the mornings are still crisp, make your way to the Children’s Museum, a vibrant maze located outdoors on the grounds of a historic train station. Within the brick archways of the former Central of Georgia Railway Carpentry Shop, little ones can satisfy their curiosity through interactive play. They can navigate a colorful maze made of wooden panels, construct towers with Legos or oversized blocks, and enjoy sliding down twisting chutes or climbing walls.

Unlike the typical bustling indoor play spaces found in other cities, Savannah’s Children’s Museum offers a calmer atmosphere, where the outdoor setting reduces noise and creates a relaxed play environment that parents will appreciate.

Entry to the play area is through the Georgia State Railroad Museum, allowing little ones to also see real rail cars.

Wander through the squares of downtown Savannah and Forsyth Park

The rich history of the South comes alive in the old town’s streets, where live oaks adorned with Spanish moss, marble and cast iron statues, and Georgian architecture reveal stories from its colonial and post-Civil War eras.

While exploring on your own is an option, a 90-minute guided walking tour offers deeper insights into the legends of the tall Yamacraw chief Tomochichi, who helped Oglethorpe settle the area; Catherine Greene, who welcomed Eli Whitney and aided him in creating the cotton gin; and General William Sherman, who mysteriously spared Savannah while torching many other Southern towns during his campaign against the Confederates.

For little ones who might struggle with a 90-minute walk, a hop-on-hop-off trolley tour allows all-day access to around 15 stops, making it a great choice for restless kids or families needing frequent breaks.

Have fun splashing at the Riverside Fountain

As a coastal town in the South surrounded by marshlands, Savannah tends to heat up no matter the season. While winter temperatures hover in the sixties, providing some relief, those who explore the city on foot will likely find themselves warming up quickly.

To beat the heat, children can run through the streams at the splash pad located just outside the Plant Riverside District, which also features clothing, beauty, and gift boutiques for parents to enjoy local shopping. This district offers a variety of restaurants and event spaces along the Savannah River.

Top activities for kids in Savannah

Indulge their sweet tooth at the candy shops

The decadent delights at River Street Sweets are sure to attract the attention of young ones. With displays brimming with an array of mouthwatering gummy and chocolate-covered treats, including freshly glazed pecans, crunchy brittle, and colorful lollipops, there's something for everyone.

Guests can watch as staff prepare Georgia pecans in copper kettles, coating them with a luscious blend of cream, butter, and sugar to create their famous pralines.

If you’re looking to cool off, brave a few extra minutes in the humidity to wait for a treat at Leopold's Ice Cream. A rich scoop of Chocolate Chewies & Cream in a crispy waffle cone or a refreshing fizzy float makes for the perfect midday refresher.

Explore wildlife at local sanctuaries

Apply sunscreen and insect repellent for a fun adventure through Savannah’s marshlands. At the Savannah Wildlife Refuge, kids can explore coastal habitats in search of alligators, migratory birds, and turtles while wandering the miles of flat, short trails through the freshwater marshes and coastal woods.

If you're using a rideshare service to reach the refuge, make sure to ask to be taken directly to the main wildlife viewing area rather than the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is far from the wildlife drive, and there’s no transportation available between the two locations, which also has unreliable cell service.

For families who prefer an indoor experience, the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium offers the chance to see various creatures. View marine animals like alligators, seahorses, and longnose gar in one of its 16 tanks, and even interact with species like the knobbed whelk or hermit crab at their touch tanks.

Enjoy a beach day at Tybee Island

Spend a day by the frothy shores of Tybee Island, crafting sandcastles and splashing in the waves. Count yourself fortunate if you manage to find a spot to set up your umbrella and lay out a towel, as visitors from all walks of life flock to Tybee Beach, particularly during the summer months.

Families with young children can enjoy a day lounging on the beach, while those with kids aged five and older can rent jet skis or kayaks to explore with their little ones. Rental options are conveniently located near the beach pier and pavilion.

Important: Dogs are prohibited on the beach to help safeguard sea turtles and local bird populations.

Top activities for teens and tweens in Savannah

Look for dolphins along the shoreline

If your tween or teen rolls their eyes at what they see as cheesy tourist activities, change the narrative by heading out on the water for a dolphin cruise. The playful sounds of these marine mammals are sure to brighten even the most jaded teen’s mood. And if you don’t happen to spot any dolphins, simply being on the water—especially during a sunset cruise with the coast aglow—is a delightful experience in itself.

Experience the thrills of a historic cemetery

As night falls, the turrets above the squares and the marble columns of mansions create eerie shadows in America’s most haunted city. Tweens looking for stories to share at their next sleepover will find plenty on a ghost tour. Knowledgeable guides lead groups through historic cemeteries, grand mansions, and former battle sites, recounting tales of residents who, during the Yellow Fever outbreaks of the 1700s and 1800s, were mistakenly buried alive after being thought dead. For an extra thrill, adventurous teens can opt for a tour in a hearse.

Be sure to bring a camera, as guides suggest that some ghostly encounters might be captured in your photos.

Enjoy a live performance at the Plant Riverside District

The historic power plant site from 1912 has been revitalized and comes alive after dark. The sounds of blues music fill the air from restaurant speakers, while vibrant live performances illuminate the grand event spaces within.

Before the show, take a stroll through the Grand Bohemian Gallery (which closes at 6pm), explore the curated collections in the local boutiques, and savor a Neapolitan pizza at the quirky Graffito.