12 Unforgettable Things to Do in Savannah, GA with Kids

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A trip to Savannah, Georgia brings you right into a landscape of shaded city squares, historic brick streets, and quick access to the ocean. When you are planning a travel route filled with family-friendly activities, choosing places where kids can play outdoors without missing out on local history makes the whole trip run more smoothly. At Mighty Tree Properties, we enjoy pointing our guests toward the most practical stops around town. This list covers twelve of the top things to do in Savannah, GA with kids so you can easily build out your daily schedule.

1. Play and Unwind at Forsyth Park

You will find this thirty-acre park sitting in the middle of the historic district. It has two separate playgrounds, each completely fenced off so younger toddlers do not mix into the bigger kid areas. The ground under the equipment uses thick rubber padding instead of woodchips, and the swings accommodate infants up through older children.

A splash pad sits right near the play structures, giving kids a quick way to cool off when the Georgia heat picks up. You can grab coffee or cold drinks at the Collins Quarter café right next to the equipment, then sit on one of the shaded benches under the live oaks. The paved pathways around the perimeter stay flat and clear, making it easy to push heavy double strollers.

2. Explore Outdoor Exhibits at the Savannah Children’s Museum

Set inside the roofless brick ruins of an old 1800s railway carpentry shop, this outdoor museum offers a setup you will not see in most cities. Kids can run through a tall hedge maze, build structures out of oversized foam blocks, and climb through sensory gardens.

The entire venue stays contained within the old brick walls, so you can easily keep eyes on your children while they explore the puppet stages and crawling tunnels. Local staff host short craft workshops and story readings throughout the morning. If you plan to visit, try to arrive right when they open to catch cooler temperatures before the sun hits the open courtyard.

3. Ride the Free River Street Streetcar and Ferry

Moving around the riverfront is easy on young kids because you do not have to drive. The city runs the Savannah Belles Ferry, which is a free boat that crosses back and forth between River Street and Hutchinson Island. It takes about three to five minutes each way, putting you right on the water next to giant commercial cargo ships.

If the kids get tired of walking the downtown streets, look for the free “dot” express shuttle. These buses loop through the historic district every ten minutes. Hopping on a free ride gives little legs a break, cuts down on street parking fees, and keeps you moving between sights without moving your car.

4. Take an All-Ages Trolley Tour of Historic Downtown

A hop-on, hop-off trolley tour lets you see the central city squares without forcing everyone into a long walk. The open-sided buses let in a steady breeze, and the raised seating makes it easy for children to look over the sidewalk crowds. Drivers usually dress in period clothing and tell fast-moving local stories that hold young attention spans better than standard museum panels.

The biggest benefit for families is the flexibility. You can jump off at any assigned curb stop when someone needs lunch or an urgent bathroom break, then board the next trolley that comes down the street. It keeps your day moving at your own pace without forcing you to deal with traffic or car seats.

5. Touch Marine Life at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

You can reach this oceanfront center by driving about twenty minutes east of downtown Savannah to Tybee Beach. Inside, the main draw for kids is the series of low touch tanks. Staff members stand right at the tanks to show children how to pick up local sea life safely, including small horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and hermit crabs.

The rest of the building holds clear tank displays with live jellyfish, local marsh fish, and sea turtle conservation exhibits. It takes about an hour to walk through the entire building. Stopping here first gives kids a good idea of what creatures live in the water before you spend the afternoon out on the sand.

6. Climb the Tybee Island Light Station & Museum

Just a short drive away from the Marine Science Center sits Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse. If your kids still have energy to burn while you are on this side of the island, you can buy tickets to climb the 178 steps up to the top of the 145-foot tower. The spiral staircase inside gives children a fun physical challenge, and the lookout deck at the top offers a full view of the Atlantic Ocean, the river mouth, and the surrounding beaches.

At the base of the lighthouse, you can walk through the original lightkeeper houses and a small coastal defense museum. Kids can check out giant Fresnel lenses, historic uniforms, and vintage artifacts from the island’s military past. It takes about an hour to explore the grounds, making it an easy companion stop while you are already out at Tybee Beach.

7. Step Inside the Georgia State Railroad Museum

Located in Tricentennial Park, this site sits on the grounds of a preserved 1800s train yard. Kids can walk straight into old wooden passenger cars, climb inside real steam locomotives, and pump an actual manual handcar along a short track section. On select days, the museum runs short diesel train rides across the grounds.

The center of the property holds a massive concrete turntable used to rotate giant train cars into repair bays. Because almost everything sits outdoors across open field space, children can move around freely without tight crowds. It is a solid stop if you have kids who like heavy machinery or hands-on historic equipment.

8. Spot Wildlife Along the Trails at Oatland Island Wildlife Center

This nature center sits about ten minutes east of downtown, tucked inside a marshy coastal forest. A two-mile trail loop takes you down dirt paths and wooden boardwalks to see native animals kept in large outdoor habitats. Kids can spot gray wolves, bobcats, cougars, and alligators along the route.

Near the entrance, there is a small barnyard section where toddlers can look at sheep, cows, and chickens up close. The paths stay flat and wide enough to fit double strollers without any issues. Benches sit under the trees every few hundred yards, so it is easy to stop for water or a quick rest in the shade.

9. Spark Imagination at the Jepson Center’s ArtZeum

When the afternoon heat gets too high, head over to the Jepson Center on Telfair Square. This airconditioned museum features a two-story indoor area called the ArtZeum that is built specifically for young kids. Instead of quietly looking at paintings on a wall, children get to touch, climb, and build everything in this wing.

Kids can play with giant foam building blocks, pose against magnetic art walls, and interact with digital light displays. The whole area stays cool, enclosed, and bright thanks to the large glass windows. It is a reliable indoor option if you need to escape a sudden summer rainstorm or beat the midday heat.

10. Book a Family-Friendly Ghost Walking Tour

Savannah has plenty of ghost tours, but a few local companies run early evening walks made for families with younger kids. These tours start before the sun goes down and stick to historical legends and old neighborhood stories instead of blood or jump scares.

Guides often hand out small EMF meters for the kids to hold, which keeps them busy as you walk between the squares. It gives older kids a fun reason to pay attention to the history without getting bored. Walking around at dusk also means you get to see the old gas streetlamps turn on across the historic district.

11. Watch Cargo Ships and Sample Treats on River Street

Taking a stroll down River Street gives kids plenty to look at right at water level. You can stand near the stone railing along the plaza and watch multi-story container ships move down the narrow river channel. The sheer size of the boats passing right next to the sidewalk is usually enough to stop kids in their tracks.

While you are on the waterfront, drop into local candy stores like Savannah’s Candy Kitchen. Workers stand at large marble tables near the front windows making fresh pralines, and they hand out warm samples as you walk in. Grab a paper bag of sweets or a caramel apple, then find a bench along the river to sit and eat.

12. Stay at a Family-Friendly Lodging

Where you decide to stay usually sets the tone for the whole trip. Standard hotel rooms fill up fast with suitcases, strollers, and various equipment, leaving very little floor space for kids to move around and play. Picking a private vacation rental gives everyone their own bedroom, actual closet space, and room to spread out. At Mighty Tree Properties, our homes give families a comfortable setup to come back to after a long day of walking the city. Having a full kitchen means you can throw together quick breakfasts without waiting in line at restaurants whenever the kids go hungry. Plus, you do not have to worry about keeping the kids entertained, as our rentals are designed with a well-thought-out game room that can have them engaged for hours giving you more time to relax before their bedtime.

Our vacation rentals in Savannah also feature spacious backyards with various amenities ranging from relaxing hot tubs to a refreshing swimming pool. You can also fire up the BBQ grill and enjoy delicious meals outdoors with your whole family. Located in peaceful neighborhoods across the area, our vacation rentals keep you tucked away from heavy traffic while remaining just a short drive from central Savannah’s famous squares, historical sites, and Tybee Island’s beaches. It makes finding a comfortable layout for your group simple, regardless if you enjoy staying in or exploring out the city.

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Make the Most of Your Family Trip to Savannah

A successful trip here really comes down to simple logistics, like catching shade under the live oaks when the afternoon heat hits and making full use of the free ferries and shuttles to save little legs. It should feel easy and comfortable not just for your kids but also for you. Whether your day involves watching giant cargo ships dock on River Street or spending a quiet morning at the Forsyth Park playground, Savannah gives you plenty of easy ways to keep kids entertained without overcomplicating your schedule. Keep a bottle of water handy, grab fresh pralines along the riverfront, and enjoy your time exploring the coast.

We hope you enjoyed reading and found this list helpful for your planned family trip to Savannah! Don’t hesitate to contact us for more tips and information regarding your visit to this beautiful city. We look forward to giving you a warm welcome to Savannah!