Southern Walkable City

Savannah with Kids: A 2026 Family Guide

Spanish-moss squares, river ferries, and a low-key family weekend.

Pack the perfect travel companion

The Sunlight Kids activity book series, sized for your child's age. Ships from Amazon.

Ages 2-4Ages 4-6Ages 6-8

Why families love Savannah

Savannah is smaller and quieter than Charleston, which can be a feature with toddlers — fewer crowds, easier strollers, a series of 22 walkable squares with playgrounds and shade.

It's a perfect 3-night family weekend trip, especially as a stopover on a longer South Atlantic road trip.

Best time to visit Savannah with kids

March–May and October–November. Summer is hot, humid, and crowded with St Patrick's spillover (March 17 is wild).

Top kid-friendly things to do in Savannah

  • Forsyth Park

    Big central park with playground and fountain. Free.

  • Savannah River walk + ferry

    Free water-ferry rides across the river. Kid-thrilling.

  • Tybee Island Lighthouse + Beach

    Best for ages 4-6Best for ages 6-8

    Climb the lighthouse with kids 4+; play on the beach next door.

  • Old Fort Jackson

    Best for ages 6-8

    Small historic fort with cannon firings — great with kids 6+.

  • Bonaventure Cemetery

    Best for ages 6-8

    Famous historic cemetery. Strangely kid-fascinating for 6+.

  • Telfair Children's Art Museum

    Best for ages 2-4Best for ages 4-6

    Tiny but kid-shaped art space. Good rainy-hour stop.

Keep them busy on the plane, in the car, at the hotel

The Sunlight Kids books were made for exactly these moments.

Ages 2-4Ages 4-6Ages 6-8

Where to stay in Savannah with kids

  • Historic District

    Walkable, charming, with the squares everywhere. Best base.

  • Tybee Island

    Beach base 20 minutes east — quieter, with day trips into the city.

Eating out with kids in Savannah

Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House (lunch, kid-tolerant of slow service) is the must. Leopold's Ice Cream is a hot-day must. The Pirates' House is touristy but kid-fun.

Day trips from Savannah

Tips for visiting Savannah with kids

  • Skip St. Patrick's week (mid-March) with young kids — chaos.
  • Wear sneakers — uneven brick everywhere.
  • Free ferries are the easy kid-thrill. Run them 3–4 times a trip.
  • Reserve the Mrs. Wilkes lunch by 11am; the line forms early.
  • Most squares have benches — the trip works in small loops.

Savannah with kids: FAQs

  • Is Savannah good for kids?

    Yes — small, walkable, and easier with toddlers than Charleston. Quieter pace.

  • Savannah or Charleston for families?

    Savannah is quieter; Charleston has more kid-attraction infrastructure. Pick Savannah for a slower weekend; Charleston for fuller programming.

  • How many days in Savannah with kids?

    Two to three nights is plenty. Combine with Tybee Island for a longer beach-and-city trip.

  • Where to stay in Savannah with kids?

    The historic district near Forsyth Park. Tybee Island if you want to base at the beach.

  • Is Savannah stroller-friendly?

    Mostly — historic district sidewalks have bumpy patches but the squares and main streets are fine.

Make the trip even better

Travel days are long. The Sunlight Kids activity books make them feel short.

Ages 2-4Ages 4-6Ages 6-8