3 day outdoor vacation itinerary in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia is one of my favorite US vacation destinations. This year, I was thrilled to finally experience Savannah with my family. Savannah, Georgia and the surrounding areas, including the irresistible cottage beach town of Tybee Island, is accessible by all modes of transportation. You’ll find multiple daily non-stop flights arriving into Savannah/Hilton Head International, along with quick access off I-95 if traveling by vehicle.
Complete mix n’ match itinerary for Savannah
In this post, explore a complete itinerary for a 3 day family vacation in Savannah, Georgia. I’ve compiled a variety of proximal family-friendly activities and plenty of food recommendations. Mix n’ match as you like! All of the suggestions, including dining, are outdoors or offer open-air options.
All of the properties mentioned have gone above and beyond in response to COVID-19. Many have detailed policies on their websites with cleaning protocols, mask requirements, capacity, and ventilation updates. Savannah’s travel industry has responded well to traveler concerns to ensure a responsible and safe experience.
Where to stay
Savannah offers a plethora of family-friendly places to stay. From swanky hotels and retro accommodations, like The Thunderbird, to BNB’s, historic inns, and vacation rentals.
We chose to stay at the Perry Lane, a relatively new hotel offering all of the family perks you could ask for. The Perry Lane Hotel evokes a posh Alice in Wonderland feel in its whimsical decor, over-the-top amenities, and subtle fun quirks. The hotel staff was on point our entire stay – even providing the children milk and cookies every afternoon. Our room was spacious, thoughtfully decorated, and well-appointed. The bedding was luxurious, featuring goose down pillow tops for an ultra-plush sleep.
All public spaces at the Perry Lane Hotel are open, airy, and playful. The Perry Lane’s rooftop is expansive, offering a pool, bar, chic quiet spaces, and game areas. The rooftop provides the ideal space to unwind outdoors in between exploring the city.
Day 1:
Walk, ride, history, playgrounds, feast
I love Savannah’s walkability. Restaurants, shopping, entertainment, sights, are all accessible by foot. For points of interest that may be more than little feet can handle, Savannah offers nostalgic open-air trolleys. First, trolley’s are amazing. Second, every kid loves a trolley. Third, the ride gives a chance to recharge. A trolley will serve as both a break and entertainment – Miracles on wheels.
Consider the Savannah Trolley Tour Pass. You can hop on and off as you please, plus your driver will entertain/narrate along the way! Stops include River Street, Bay Street, City Market, Forsyth Park, Cathedral of St John, and various historic home sites like the Mercer House and the Pirates House.
Tip: Hit River Street’s waterfront for cobblestone streets, shops, and to admire the massive barges and ships that travel up the river. Our kids were fascinated!
Parks and playgrounds
While you’re walking about, be sure to check out Savannah’s Squares. Unique to Savannah, each of the 22 squares offer lush places to relax, while taking in the local history. Chippewa Square may feel familiar as it was the site of the bus stop bench scenes in Forrest Gump!
Whether on foot or by trolley, Forsyth Park is a must-visit in Savannah. Pristine and sprawling, Forsyth Park embodies all of Savannah’s charm in one central location. You’ll find people watching galore, outdoor music, historic homes bordering the park, and the centerpiece 160-year-old fountain surrounded by ornamental ironwork (decorative iron also has a unique history in Savannah).
Tip: While the kids will love the fountain, Forsyth Park also has a rocking playground. We always map out playgrounds when traveling with the kids. Free time to play = more stamina to walk about with us. The twins enjoyed the Forsyth Park playground for over an hour – there are plenty of features and it’s well shaded.
Walking the city, playground time, river ships, and various historic stops on the trolley will take up the bulk of the day, especially when you factor in meals. We typically regroup for an hour or so midday and again before dinner at our hotel or vacation rental to give the kids (and us) a little regeneration time.
Day 2:
This way to the beach
Tybee Island, Savannah’s Beach Town neighbor.
While in Savannah, spend at least one day on Tybee Island. Tybee is one of Georgia’s barrier islands offering ultra-wide beaches, warm waters, and extremely gentle waves. Photos do not do the beach justice, although, they made our holiday card!
We were so glad to spend time exploring all the island has to offer. Be sure to visit the Tybee Island Light Station, Georgia’s oldest lighthouse. Also, consider bicycle rentals to explore the island in a way that keeps the kids happy while you’re at it! BEACH BONUS: The beach rock jetties have crabs hiding in them – Our kids spent a good 2 hours tracking their hard-shell friends down!
As for where to eat, Tybee Island has plenty of outdoor options. Visit Tybee did a great job compiling this outdoor dining list.
Tip: For Tybee Island, plan for the whole day. If your vacation allows for more time, consider staying on Tybee Island for a few days to make the most of the trip!
Day 3:
Scenery, cemeteries, shopping, ghosts
This will be your last day in Savannah and the kids may be over walking even though you’re not. Today you’ll want to psyche them up for Savannah’s spooky side! This will get them excited about historic locations and checking the area out – anything with the possibility of ghosts is awesome.
Today’s stops:
- Wormsloe State Historic Site: Reminiscent of the movies, Wormsloe provides a breathtaking trail cloaked in a canopy of live oaks and Spanish moss leading to the tabby ruins of Wormsloe, the colonial estate of Noble Jones. Enjoy over 7 miles of trails, gravesites, and a historic museum. Plan to take a family photo here.
- Bonaventure Cemetery: Beautiful, lush, and eerie all in one. Featured in the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Bonaventure Cemetery is a must-visit. Currently guided tours are not available, however, the society offers an app for a self-guided tour. That’s also a more manageable option with kids.
- Shop local: Be sure to shop around the SCAD area for original artistic finds in fashion, collectibles, and decor. Broughton Street also boasts plenty of shopping, including my favorite shop, The Paris Market and Brocante.
- World Famous Ice Cream: No visit to Savannah is complete without enjoying an ice cream (sundae) from 100+ year-old Leopold’s. Leopold’s sundae creations are classic fountain shop perfection! Plan for a little wait in line. I recommend steering clear of the post-dinner and lunch rush.
Next, head back to where you’re staying to unwind a bit before dinner and your evening entertainment!
Haunted ending
For your last night book a ghost tour hosted by Blue Orb. Ghost tours are the best in the evening for added creepy value. You’ll learn about Savannah’s paranormal side, all while exploring what you may have missed by day – Plus sneak in educational value for everyone!
Where to eat in Savannah
Savannah has one of the best culinary scenes. You’ll eat A LOT while in town! While many of the restaurants are designed for adults, you’ll have no trouble finding family-friendly restaurants with magnificent menus.
Here are a few of our favorites to try during your stay. All of the recommended restaurants offer outdoor dining and takeout. To-go is always an option too. With so many squares and parks, Savannah is ideal for al fresco dining. Our kids love it when we pick up food and picnic outdoors!
Lunch/Brunch
For lunch, I highly recommend Soho South for eclectic ambiance and southern fare with a modern twist. My favorites are the Bloody Mary’s and Chicken with Waffles.
Other suggestions:
- The Collins Quarter – Elegant and quaint, children welcome. Think West Village meets Melbourne Australia with a dash of the South.
- Zunzi’s – Zunzi’s is a South African inspired counter order restaurant. The food is oh-so-good! Outdoor seating is available right on Broughton Street.
- Fox & Fig Cafe – Extensive vegan-style menu with plant based foods and a great coffee bar.
- The Starland Cafe: Curbside or delivery. Easily one of the best sandwiches in town.
Dinner:
For dinner, head to Treylor Park or Hitch. Both restaurants are run by the same owners and feature similar menus. Determining location depends on if you’re closer to SCAD or Bay Street when hunger strikes. Plan to devour the waffle nachos – Sinfully delicious nonsense one might conjure up in college. Chicken, ranch, dill, waffle fries, and all the other good things make this the culinary concoction of foodie dreams.
Other suggestions:
- Cotton & Rye: A little more trendy and upscale, but children are still welcome. Excellent outdoor dining space and a unique + flavorful menu.
- The Flying Monk Noodle Bar: Fresh, handmade noodles are served in a variety of Asian dishes. Absolutely delicious. Outdoor seating is limited.
- Bella Napoli Italian Bistro: As close to Italy as you can get in America. The food is Italian perfection. Coming from this Italian girl, this is a big accolade. Very small, authentic restaurant with limited sidewalk seating. I suggest a weeknight.
That’s 3 days in Savannah with kids!
While there are 1 million more things to do for families in Savannah and Tybee, this itinerary covers three jam-packed days of exploring, eating, and entertainment, while traveling with kids.
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