Your Family’s 5-Day Guide to Savannah, Georgia With Kids-Friendly Eats, Activities and More
Planning your next family getaway from the DFW area? Savannah, Georgia delivers the kind of charm and adventure that keeps both parents and kids entertained. With cobblestone streets, Spanish moss and 22 grand historic squares, this walkable Southern city makes an ideal destination for families craving something beyond the usual beach trip.
Here’s how to spend five unforgettable days exploring Savannah with your crew.
Day 1: Explore the Historic Squares
Start at Johnson Square, the oldest and largest of Savannah’s 22 landmark squares, and walk the grid along Bull Street. Kids will love spotting Chippewa Square, the site of the Forrest Gump bench, while parents can admire Madison Square’s notable architecture.
Duck into the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist for a genuinely stunning interior — entry is free.
For lunch, head to The Pirate House where pirate lore and a casual buffet of Southern staples keep little ones entertained. Spend the afternoon along River Street for shops and sweeping views of the Savannah River.
Once the kids are tucked in — or if you have older ones who love a good scare — catch a ghost tour. Savannah is widely considered one of the most haunted cities in the U.S.
Day 2: Forsyth Park, Art and Ice Cream
Morning calls for a walk through Forsyth Park, a 30-acre green space with the iconic 1858 fountain that’s popular with locals on weekends. Let the kids run while you soak in the scenery.
Visit the SCAD Museum of Art, housed in the oldest surviving antebellum railroad depot in the country. Then explore the Victorian District on foot for ornate painted houses and quieter streets than the tourist core.
Grab lunch at Goose Feathers Café, then browse Broughton Street for local boutiques and vintage shops. The can’t-miss stop? Leopold’s Ice Cream, open since 1919.
Day 3: Beach Day at Tybee Island
Start the morning at Bonaventure Cemetery, which is free to walk and open to the public. You can also sign up for a guided tour.
Then head to Tybee Island, about a 30-minute drive, for an afternoon at Savannah’s low-key beach town. Climb the Tybee Island Lighthouse, the oldest and tallest in Georgia, for panoramic coastal views. Swim or walk the shore before grabbing a seafood dinner at The Deck Beach Bar or Fannie’s on the Beach.
Day 4: History and the Best Lunch in Town
Explore the Savannah History Museum and Battlefield Memorial Park, which both remember lives lost in the Battle of Savannah, the second-bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War.
Tour the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, one of the most candid historic house museums in the South, restructured to fully share the stories of both free and enslaved residents. It’s a meaningful learning moment for older kids.
For lunch, try Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room, a Savannah institution serving boarding-house style Southern food since 1943. Expect a line — doors open at 11 a.m.
Walk the lesser-known squares like Calhoun, Whitefield and Columbia for a quieter, more residential feel in the afternoon.
Day 5: One Last Adventure
Choose your own ending. For a slow morning, grab coffee at The Sentient Bean, browse City Market and revisit a favorite square. For active families, try a kayak or paddleboard tour through the salt marshes with a local outfitter. Savannah’s waterways are underrated and accessible.
Practical Tips for Families
Getting around: The Historic District is walkable. Rent a bike or use rideshare for Tybee Island, about 18 miles from downtown. The free dot shuttle loops through the Historic District.
Best time to visit: March through May and October through November offer the best weather. Summers are hot and humid with peak crowds.
Where to stay: Downtown and the Historic District put you within walking distance of most attractions. Airbnbs in the Victorian District offer a quieter, more residential feel.
Fun parent perk: Savannah’s open container laws allow drinks to go in a 16 oz plastic to-go cup while you walk the squares in the Historic District.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
