Savannah Itinerary for Families

On my first trip to Savannah this past summer, it stole my heart! I expected history, majestic tree-lined streets and squares, and ghost stories, but I didn’t expect the city to be so fun. Since I went on a girls’ getaway, my family didn’t get to explore with me. But I put together our Savannah itinerary for families so we will be ready!

And, I made it for you, too. This Savannah itinerary for families even includes a pirate treasure hunt for kids (with an answer key for parents) to keep the whole family engaged on historic tours.

When to visit Savannah with kids

Savannah is popular year-round, but some months are better than others for families. Because of the haunted history of the city, Savannah is quite popular in October. The city hosts an enormous St. Patrick’s Day celebration in March as well, the busiest week of the year. Hotel rates are higher during these seasons and restaurants get even more crowded, so keep that in mind when scheduling your visit.

Perhaps the best time to visit Savannah, if school and sports schedules allow, is September or November. These months have the lowest hotel occupancy, so rates drop. Fewer visitors mean restaurant reservations are easier to come by and trolley tours aren’t over-crowded. Mild temperatures mean comfortable exploration. And when you’re considering your Savannah itinerary for families, smaller crowds mean places are easier to see.

Savannah Itinerary for Families

So, now that we have the prelimaries taken care of, here’s your Savannah itinerary for families.

Day One

Morning: Start your vacation with a hop on/hop off trolley tour. Start the tour anywhere on the route. Hop on/hop off all day long. I suggest taking most of the tour the first morning to get a feel for the city and learn its history. Because Savannah is such a popular vacation destination, I recommend you buy tickets in advance as they do sell out. And, when you buy tickets online in advance, you’ll get discount pricing! Cha-ching!

Pro Tip: Some tour operators are better than others — if yours is boring, hop off and catch the next trolley.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at Zunzi’s, Goose Feathers or Leopold’s.

We even have a guide to the best casual restaurants in Savannah for easy planning. It even includes the nearby squares so you can find good food close to where you are!

Afternoon: Tour a home or two. Between tours, let kids run off some steam in the squares. One of the most popular tours is the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Tour. Especially, if you’ve read the book or watched the movie, you’ll love the tour.  Purchase tickets online to save!

For those with Girl Scouts in the family, a visit to the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace might be perfect. Her family history is preserved and shared by caring docents.

Dinner: Kids will enjoy dinner at The Pirate’s House, offering great food in a location suitable to pirates old and young. Reservations are strongly recommended —  when I went the standby wait was more than two hours. The restaurant sits on the site of the original Inn at Savannah, built for visiting seamen:

Around 1753… [when] Savannah had become a thriving seaport town, one of the first buildings constructed… was naturally an Inn for visiting seamen. Situated a scant block from the Savannah River, the Inn became a rendezvous of blood-thirsty pirates and sailors from the Seven Seas. Here seamen drank their fiery grog and discoursed, sailor fashion, on their adventures from Singapore to Shanghai and from San Francisco to Port Said.

That’s right! This is where sailors got “shanghaied” to serve for bloody pirates on the high seas. Don’t worry, though, the resident pirate at The Pirate’s House is entertaining. Kids can get in on the action, too, with paper pirate hats and eye patches. After dinner, explore the restaurant. The book Treasure Island was inspired by the stories told within these walls.

Evening: Head to the riverfront (near the restaurant) and catch the free ferry ride across the river. Take a camera and get some photos of the city! And that’s just one of many free things to do in Savannah!

Day Two

Morning: Savannah’s History Museum, the Georgia State Railroad Museum and Savannah’s Children’s Museum are located together at the Tricentennial Park Battlefield area. Parking is at the Visitor Center: 303 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, GA 31401. Purchase a ticket to all three areas at a discounted rate. Spend the morning here, eat lunch at the Whistlestop Cafe on the grounds and enjoy a train ride (included with the price of admission). For more information about these attractions, read this article: Frugal Family Fun in Savannah.

For something truly unique — and very southern — head to the American Prohibition Museum next to the City Market at Ellis Square. This one-of-a-kind museum transports visitors to the 1920s and the era of flappers, moonshine and so much more. This fully immersive experience brings 200 years of history to life, making it fun. Save time and money by purchasing tickets in advance. The museum is open every day except St. Patrick’s Day.

Afternoon: Beach lovers might enjoy spending the afternoon at Tybee Island, “Savannah’s beach.” Besides beach activities, families can explore Fort Pulaski, the Marine Science Center, or the Tybee Island Lighthouse.

Wormsloe Historic Site offers kids space to run, though the ancient oak trees draped in Spanish moss might slow them down for an astounded look. A short video at the history center shares the history of the site. From there, families can explore the grounds to discover the ruins of the original house and other historical treasures. Keep an eye out for lizards — they’re quite happy here.

Day Three

Morning: Visit the Jepson Center, a modern art museum affiliated with the Telfair Museums. Jepson Center features Artzeum, a hands-on museum experience for children to explore art.  Admission rates vary. Jepson Center offers a package deal for greater savings.

Lunch: Enjoy one of the restaurants mentioned on day one.

Afternoon: Explore the city squares, riverfront, or visit the fire station (free) or head to the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, which highlights Savannah’s rich sea history. A Titanic exhibit is also on display here.

A Pirate’s Gift for Parents

I mentioned at the start of this Savannah itinerary for families that I have a special treasure hunt for the kids. It’s also a gift for parents as it helps keeps kids engaged all day!

Savannah’s rich pirate history is fun for kids. And here’s a treasure hunt to make it even more fun. Print as many as you want for your own personal use. Enjoy your trip to Savannah!

To download yours for FREE, click here:  Kids Treasure Hunt Savannah. If you are unable to download the treasure hunt, please contact me and I can email it to you.

Have you been to Savannah? What do you recommend for families?