1. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Leopold’s is a Savannah institution, and their homemade, premium ice cream is well worth the wait! If you find yourself on Broughton Street, hop in line and get excited because it moves pretty quickly. Coke and coffee floats, ice cream sundaes and other old fashioned treats round out a visit to this one-stop shop for nostalgia and indulgence. Be sure to check out River Street’s two incredible candy shops: River Street Sweets and Savannah’s Candy Kitchen!
2. Step Into Another Time
- Walk through the Webb Military Museum to see military artifacts from the Civil War through Operation Desert Storm. Original uniforms, gear and equipment from every branch of the military bring stories of heroism and sacrifice to life.
- Passing through City Market? Stop in at America’s only Prohibition Museum to get a glimpse of some of history’s most notorious rumrunners, gangsters, flappers and other towering figures that shaped America’s 20s and 30s.
- Among Savannah’s most unique offerings are the Telfair Museums, three distinct historical experiences accessed via a single ticket! Hear about life in Savannah from the perspective of both slave owners and the enslaved at the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters, experience a rotating cast of world-class exhibits and family-friendly activities in the striking Jepson Center and immerse yourself in the splendor of 19th century art and architecture at the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Hotels Near By
3. Hit the Beach
No trip to Savannah is complete without a visit to “Savannah’s Beach,” Tybee Island. This breezy, laid back beach destination is a major change of pace you won’t want to miss. Here, water sports, wildlife, fresh seafood, and happy beachgoers abound. Get some sun, gather shells, play in the sand and surf, climb to the top of the lighthouse or bike the island. Looking for a place to stay?
- Try TripAdvisor’s top-rated hotel, the Hotel Tybee, which is right on the beach and features two pools, a tiki bar, bicycles and beach chairs for guests and more!
- Also be sure to check out the Sandcastle Inn, a pet-friendly hotel just steps from all the best of Tybee with the island’s only saltwater swimming pool!
4. Board a Boat
- See the sights and the friendly dolphin on one of Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure Tours! These thrilling excursions pass by historic lighthouses and the amazing Fort Pulaski, creating wake that the dolphins love to play in. With places in the sun and the shade, snacks and drinks on board and the option to bring your own, Captain Derek has your dolphin sighting adventure covered!
- If you and the kiddos haven’t yet taken a Savannah Riverboat Cruise, you still have a totally different side of Savannah to see! Climb on board the Georgia Queen and spend an hour and a half on the river that put Savannah on the map. Listen to historic tales of the Savannah River, its importance as the gateway to a modern, global port and float by Old Fort Jackson, home of one of the oldest and largest original artillery pieces in the United States! River Street and the Savannah skyline will never again look quite the same.
5. Get Outside for an Adventure in Nature
Savannah is a city known for her Southern charm, quaint squares and complicated history. Sometimes, though, it’s nice to escape the urban setting and reconnect with the outdoors. From the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge and Oatland Island Wildlife Center to the islands off Georgia’s coast, there are plenty of chances to trek through nature. Pack your hiking shoes and see the array of wildlife that calls Savannah home. (Note: if it’s the wildlife your kiddos are most interested in, get up close and personal with the marine life at the University of Georgia Aquarium!) When spring comes and the azaleas are in peak bloom in March, there’s no better time to get outside!
6. Go Bananas at a Baseball Game
Take the kids out to enjoy America’s favorite pastime at the legendary Grayson Stadium, where baseball greats such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb and Jackie Robinson all played during Minor League exhibitions. This may be the most fun you have all summer. But don’t be fooled by the constant entertainment. The Savannah Bananas play in one of the top prospect leagues in the country. This year’s season runs from May 27th to August 28th. Get tickets now before they’re gone!
7. Discover Savannah’s Historic Sites at Your Own Pace
Even a simple stroll through Savannah is like a trip through time. But while antebellum homes and forts abound, there are other, less obvious historical sights that also figure prominently into Savannah’s early history. One of America’s oldest Jewish Congregations, Mickve Israel was founded in 1733 alongside the founding of Savannah, and it houses the oldest Torah in America. Georgia’s very first synagogue (built in 1820) is considered one of TripAdvisor’s “15 BEST Things to Do in Savannah” and this gothic beauty was named one of Condé Nast Traveler‘s “Most Beautiful Synagogues in the World.”
8. Explore Downtown on a Guided Tour
There are so many ways to get to know Savannah; it’s easy to make your visit as unique as your family! And, don’t worry about having to leave your furrier family members behind — there are plenty of dog-friendly activities in Savannah!
- Hop on and off at your leisure with pet-friendly Old Town Trolley Tours.
- Watch the historical re-enactors of Old Savannah Tours bring nearly 300 years of history to life.
- Strap on a “fun helmet” and a headset to zip around town with Segway Adventure Tours in Motion — no previous experience required!
- If it’s Savannah’s history that interests you, head over to Savannah Cruzers, which promises two full hours of Savannah’s most fascinating origins stories.
9. Visit Bonaventure Cemetery
Just in case you haven’t made it here yet, we’re giving Bonaventure — widely considered one of the ten most beautiful cemeteries in the world — its own category. It serves as the final resting place for many famous people. Its setting blew the mind of naturalist John Muir way back in the 1860s. It is often described as an outdoor museum set in a Victorian garden. If you’re big on walking, you’d be hard pressed to find a more beautiful place to do so. But you won’t want to miss out on the stories that make this destination so special!
- Savannah Cruzers is an inclusive, family-friendly and pet-friendly golf cart tour operator that will spirit you through these 100+ acres and give you the full Bonaventure experience.
- Or, if you’ve been dying to try a Segway or an e-bike, check out the 90-minute tours offered by Savannah Segway!
Try These Restaurants
10. Fall in Love with Forsyth Park
Bring the kids to one of two playgrounds and some chalk to sketch your masterpiece on the sidewalk. Enjoy outdoor concerts, playing fetch with the family pet, soccer or Frisbee in the open fields or a family game of basketball or tennis on one of the courts on the park’s south side. Grab your lunch or coffee and pastry to go have a picnic on the lawn!
Visiting Savannah with smaller children? Check out these ideas for Navigating Savannah with Little Ones.
Or, now that you’ve done your homework for the family part of the trip, check out this guided wine and shopping tour just for you and the gals…