{Worth the Drive} Savannah, GA

Like Charleston, Savannah is another short trip that offers plenty for both parents and young kids.  To me, the best part about Savannah is that the trip through town to go eat or shop can be as much fun as your ultimate destination.  The city provides endless squares with fountains, statues, gazebos, and the like to stop and enjoy with kids of all ages.  Below are other fun and inexpensive ideas to keep everyone entertained:

Tybee Collage

 

  • Ellis Square is a destination in itself.  It has a large splash park, big grassy area, ice cream shop, restrooms, a candy shop, and several restaurants including Wild Wing and Vinnie Van Go-Go’s pizza (cash only).  There are nicer restaurants here as well, but we haven’t been impressed with them.
  • River Street: The Hyatt Regency is about halfway down the street and has an outside elevator that makes traveling with a stroller easier.  We save this area for night, and walk along the dock while the street performers play fun music. There are lots of places to eat here, we’ve found The Shrimp Factory and One Eyed Lizzy’s (Mexican) to be good, affordable and kid friendly.  After dinner there are candy and ice cream stores to explore.  This is where the market place is located which is always fun to wander through and can be really exciting for little ones.  FYI-there are lots of bums downtown and especially along River Street.  Panhandling is illegal, so they offer you and your kids handmade items instead of asking for cash directly.
  • Savannah Visitor Center: This is located in an old train complex and has a small café inside.  It also houses the Savannah History Museum ($7 adults, $4 ages 2-12) which is kid friendly and includes a little movie theater.  Most trolley tours depart from the back parking lot.
  • Savannah Children’s Museum: A huge playground that is a blast! Lots of fun stations to discover. $7.50 for ages 1 and up, closed Mondays.
  • The Magic Puppet: A toy store with cool, unique toys the kids can try out.  There’s also a stage in the back for hosting birthday parties and a tortoise in the front window.
  • Horse drawn carriage rides: What kid doesn’t love horses? Getting pulled through the city to enjoy the scenery is even better!
  • Trolley tours: Swap the horses for a trolley, winning!  Trolley tours cool you off in the summer with a nice breeze and smell better than the horses.
  • Tybee Island Beach: A beautiful 30 minute ride down highway 80 brings you to Tybee Island.  This is a great beach because it is flat and wide, so those of you with little runners can let them go free.
  • Savannah Civic Center: Check beforehand, they may have something fun going on while you’re there.  Or, don’t check, like me, and maybe you’ll be surprised to learn that Elton John happens to be performing on your birthday!
  • FYI: The Savannah buses travel throughout the historic area and are free so grab a map from your hotel before you head out.

Savannah Collage

 

 

Previously featured: Charleston

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    A New Orleans girl turned Georgia peach and stay at home mom to 2 daughters. Before taking the leap into full time mothering, I worked at at an Atlanta-based advertising agency. I have lived in Smyrna for almost 10 years and am still not sure how I managed to find a job more chaotic and unpredictable than advertising.