Top 10 family attractions in Savannah

Awesome recreational activities, fascinating cultural attractions and even a delicious all-American candy store…the historical city of Savannah has all the ingredients needed for a fun family holiday. Savannah is well known for being a hub of culture and history – but did you know that there’s tonnes of things here that every generation would enjoy?

From wilderness parks offering a quintessential spot to camp under the stars and museums created especially for kids, to wildlife preserves with incredible animals and spooky walking tours, a trip to Savannah will be one you won’t forget in a hurry.

#10

Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthplace

Where: 10 E Oglethorpe Ave

What: Savannah’s first National Historic Landmark is a very popular pastime for those hoping to delve into the city’s culture. Everyone knows about America’s beloved Girl Scouts, and this historic building is the birthplace of the founder, Juliette. Still owned and operated by the Girl Scouts as a memorial and program centre, Scouts from all over the country flock here, and it’s a great attraction for others, too.

Best for adults and kids: Get the family all together for a fascinating guided tour, taking you through the diverse museum filled with Juliette’s artwork, uniforms from over the years, Juliette’s diary and the first ever Girl Guide register.

#9

River Street Sweets

Where: 13 E River St

What: Quench the family’s sweet tooth with a trip to this wonderful candy shop. Mostly known for their wicked pralines, this enticing store has a huge array of other deliciously sticky sweet treats, including bear claws, pecan pie and chocolates.

Best for adults: All homemade, it’ll be great knowing that you took the kids somewhere cool and out of the ordinary for their sweet treat. Try some hand stretched peanut brittle, or treat yourself to some nostalgic old-fashioned candy.

Best for kids: After tasting one of the decadent free praline samples, we’re certain the kids will get incredibly excited here. What could be more drool-inducing than shelves full of toffee apple, jelly beans and sweeties? Get ready for a long reeling list of sugary snacks they want to bring home with them.

#8

Forsyth Park

Where: Drayton St & W Gaston Street

What: The ultimate gathering spot not only for visitors but for locals too, this expansive city park is the ideal spot for a chilled afternoon soaking up the sun and immersing yourself with the more relaxed city vibes. Why not grab yourself a picnic and delve in to tasty treats as you people watch and get to grips with the Savannah lifestyle.

Best for adults: The amphitheatre in the northern side of the park is a hotspot for local musicians, dancers and comedy acts. Take a seat on the grass and enjoy the al fresco entertainment, or get up and embarrass the kids with a spot of dad dancing as guitarists strum a melodious beat.

Best for kids: The playground area here is perfect for adventurous kids looking to play and meet new friends as mum and dad relax nearby. In the heat of the day, take the kids to the fun interactive spray pool for a cool down that will guarantee lots of laughs and excitable screams.

#7

Dolphin watching

Where: Nearby Tybee Island.

What: What could be better than seeing bottlenose dolphins in the wild? Hop on a Dolphin Magic Tour and you’ll be able to sail alongside these magnificent creatures, all the while taking in views of some of the city’s greatest attractions, including Fort Jackson, Four Pulaski, and the Waving Girl statue – created for Florence Martus, who turned herself into the unofficial greeter of ships at the Port of Savannah.

Best for the adults: A touch of history and culture with the excitement of seeing wild dolphins diving amongst the waves. You’ll find this trip hard to beat.

Best for the kids: The joy of seeing a dolphin up close will be exciting in itself, but the captain and first mate’s fun commentary add even more charm to an already ultra-cool day.

#6

Take a Creepy Stoll haunted walking tour of Savannah

Where: Meet at the Colonial Park Cemetery - 201 West Oglethorpe Ave

What: If your kids are a big fan of Halloween and love being spooked, you’ll love embarking on this scary walking tour. Don’t worry, the stories are age appropriate – so much so, that the local Girl Scouts earn a patch if they take the tour.

Best for adults: Strolling through the Savannah Historic District at night is a great new way to experience the city’s culture, all the while hearing about its spooky past.

Best for kids: Savannah by Foot have small children in mind, telling stories that will still get the heart pumping, but won’t cause any nightmares. Educational yet fun, it’s a great evening out for the family.

#5

Jepson Center for the Arts

Where: 207 W York St

What: One third of the three Telfair Museums, the Jepson Center is a phenomenal contemporary art museum that offers a chic and sophisticated place to enjoy the city’s modern artists. We love the Free Family Days where the whole gang can enjoy fun, educational activities together, including creating their own art projects and family DIY.
Best for adults: Although very child friendly, the museum still has an elegant feel, which will be well loved by those who enjoy contemporary artwork and stylish architectural design.

Best for kids: The Artzeum here certainly has creative children in mind. Featuring reproductions of artworks from the Telfair collection, this is a fun space for kids to create their own artwork out of everyday items.

#4

Skidaway Island State Park

Where: 52 Diamond Causeway

What: This truly picturesque park borders Skidaway Narrows, a part of Georgia’s Intracoastal Waterway. If you’re a family who loves to set up camp and live in the wilderness, this is the ideal park for you. Gorgeous walkways wind through soaring oak trees and past beautiful estuaries, with cosy campsites dotted within the forest.

Best for adults: Plenty of nature trails make this the perfect opportunity to indulge in a hiking trip, ready to tucker out the kids so you can unwind with a drink by the campfire.

Best for kids: The park’s abundance of indigenous wildlife will keep kids on their toes as they look to tick off their list of awesome animal sightings. Elegant deer, curious fiddler crabs, egrets and raccoons roam this landscape.

#3

Oatland Island Wildlife Centre

Where: 711 Sandtown Rd

What: A zoo-like preserve home to dozens of wonderful animals roaming in their natural habitat, Oatland Island has all you need for an exciting family day out. The centre is divided into different exhibits, including Predators of Georgia abundant in cougars, bobcats and red fox, and Wolf Wilderness, an exciting area home to grey wolf, eastern indigo snakes and nine-banded armadillo.

Best for adults: Whilst the kids enjoy safe animal encounters and learn about their favourite wildlife, mum and dad can wander through the preserve and enjoy the exhibits in their own time.

Best for kids: Younger wildlife enthusiasts will love Toddler Tuesday, where a small group of little explorers spend the day enjoying nature walks, live animal encounters and crafts. With only 15 students per session, you may want to book early.

#2

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Where: Cockspur Island

What: A 19th century fort once occupied by the Confederate Army during the Civil War, this National Monument is now a great way to delve into the city’s war history. Adults and kids alike can spend hours exploring the moats, tunnels and drawbridges, and the fort is even home to 11 protected wildlife species, including loggerhead sea turtles, manatees and peregrine falcons.

Best for adults: This fort is steeped with interesting history. We’re certain your jaw will drop when you see the craters from the Battle of Fort Pulaski in 1862.

Best for kids: Head to the fort on Saturday and catch sight of the awesome cannon firings – always a hit with younger visitors. There’s a great Junior Ranger program for kids aged 6-12 too, ideal for learning more about the fort in a fun and educational way.

#1

Tricentennial Park

Where: 30 Fahm Ave

What: Consisting of three brilliant museums: The Savannah History Museum, Georgia State Railroad Museum and the Savannah Children’s Museum, this awesome complex offers a whole day of fun that the whole family can enjoy. Spot the famous bench from Forrest Gump, discover the last standing antebellum railroad in the USA, and spend an afternoon getting crafty together.

Best for adults: The History Museum and Railroad Museum have plenty of cool artefacts that will excite every age. The former highlights the city’s cultural, artistic and musical contributions to the state, whilst the latter offers a great train ride around the museum to see historic steam and diesel locomotives.

Best for kids: Given its name, it will come as no surprise that the Savannah Children’s Museum offers a splendid outdoor and indoor playground for the kids. After spending their day getting lost in mazes, discovering the exploration station, wandering through the sensory garden and trying on costumes, you may find they don’t want to leave.