Exploring with Kids: 10 Things to Do in Savannah
10 Things to Do in Savannah
I was in Savannah over the weekend for the Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. The race was fantastic. Perfect weather. Flat course. Shiny medals. While there, my husband and I spent time exploring Savannah. It’s a very beautiful city, but not particularly kid-friendly, at least not in the traditional sense.
For example, there’s no big children’s museum, no aquarium with dolphin shows, no natural history museum. The good news, however, is that the lack of these facilities allows families to explore what’s special about Savannah, like the red doors, the squares and the riverboats. And, let’s be honest, you can probably find a children’s museum and an aquarium within 30 minutes of your home anyway.
So, take a look at 10 fun things to do in Savannah with your kids that will enable you and your family to get to know Savannah in a way that you can’t by spending the afternoon with dinosaurs at a natural history museum.
1. Count the Red Doors. In Savannah, it’s rumored that a red front door means that a house is paid for free and clear. Kids will have fun counting the red doors, particularly along Jones Street, which was named the most beautiful street in America by Southern Living magazine.
2. Hop On & Hop Off a Trolley. Take a trolley tour while in town. We hopped aboard the Old Town Trolley for a 90-minute, 16-stop trolley tour. Kids will love taking in the sights, then hopping off when they need to move their legs. It’s a great way to get your bearings before exploring on foot, too.
3. Get a Special Girl Scout Patch. For those with Daisies, Brownies and Juniors, make a stop at the Juliet Gordon Low Birthplace. Before you exit, stop in the gift shop to purchase one of several different patches to sew onto your Girl Scout’s vest or sash. You also can take a guided tour of the house.
4. Ride on a Riverboat. Head to River Street and climb aboard a paddle-wheel riverboat for a one-hour sightseeing cruise. Savannah Riverboat Cruises offers daily cruises aboard the Savannah River Queen and Georgia Queen. Kids will love watching the paddle and listening to the riverboats toot their horns.
5. Have a Scoop or Two. It’s an absolute must to stop at Leopold’s Ice Cream on Broughton Street for a scoop or two of their delicious made-on-premises ice cream. I had a double scoop: one scoop of Huckleberry Cheesecake, one scoop of Chocolate Chewies & Cream. Seriously, so amazing.
6. Explore City Market. Make a stop at City Market for shopping and splashing around in the fountains at nearby Ellis Square. You’ll find a variety of restaurants, boutiques and galleries to explore. Little ones will love taking a horse-drawn carriage ride or simply petting the horses waiting for riders.
7. Climb the Playgrounds at Forsyth Park. Take in the beautiful fountain at Forsyth Park before climbing and playing on two different playgrounds. As a bonus, look for lovely paths perfect for walks and riding bikes. Bring along some snacks and plan to spend a few hours here with the kids.
8. Go from Square to Square. Savannah is known for its 22 leafy squares that are laid out throughout the city, each with statues and park benches. Each square is perfect for relaxing, picnicking and tossing around a Frisbee. See how many you can visit and discover what makes each one different from the next.
9. Ride on a Steam Train. If your kids like trains, they’ll love the Georgia State Railroad Museum, which sits adjacent to the MLK Visitor Information Center. Plan to spend about an hour learning about the historic railcars. Time your visit right to take a ride on a stream train while you’re there.
10. Try Pecan Pralines. Head down to River Street to try pecan pralines at the original Savannah’s Candy Kitchen location. My advice: take in historic City Hall from the first-floor rotunda to admire the stained glass dome before going around the corner to River Street for sweets and treats for the little ones.
Heading to Georgia? You might also be interested in what you can do in Atlanta with Kids!
What are some of your favorite things to do in Savannah?
Photo Credit: Cliff (Riverboat)