Savannah works better than most historic cities for families because the outdoor spaces are legitimately interesting, not just filler between museum stops. There are alligators in the wildlife refuge, wolves at the coastal wildlife center, and a 4.9-star playground right next to the city's most famous fountain. Spring and fall are the best seasons — Savannah heat in summer is serious (90°F+ with high humidity), and morning scheduling discipline is required from June through August. This itinerary is built around that reality.
Day 1 — Historic District and the Waterfront
Morning (9am–noon): Start at Forsyth Park Playground (free, rated 4.9). The playground sits next to Savannah's most-photographed fountain and under Spanish moss-draped oak trees — kids play while parents actually enjoy the setting. Spend 45–90 minutes. Then walk to Rotary Club of Savannah Children's Playground (free, rated 4.8) nearby for a second play option before the day heats up.
Head to Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center (free, rated 4.7) — a NOAA-operated marine sanctuary visitor center with exhibits about the ocean ecosystems scientists are actively studying just off Georgia's coast. Budget 1–1.5 hours. Note: Closed weekends and has a midday break on weekdays — confirm hours before you build this into Day 1.
Afternoon (noon–5pm): Lunch near the Historic District, then walk River Street along the waterfront. A World Apart (rated 4.8, pricing unclear — verify before visiting) is on River Street and worth checking out; its historical immersive format appeals to older kids and teens. Browse the waterfront, watch the ships, and let kids lead the pace.
For older kids and tweens ready for something interactive, Encryption Escape (rated 4.8, family of 4: $80–$120) is the best escape room in Savannah by review count — 610 reviews at 4.8 stars. Book a private room at least a week ahead on weekends. The Historic District location makes it easy to combine with a waterfront afternoon.
Evening: Dinner in the Historic District. Easy walk back to accommodation if you're staying downtown.
Day 1 total estimate (family of 4): $0–$120 depending on whether you do Encryption Escape.
Day 2 — Wildlife and Nature Day
This is the day families remember most. Start early — Savannah wildlife is best before the day heats up.
Morning (9am–noon): Drive to Savannah Coastal Refuges Visitor Center (free, rated 4.6) first — 30 minutes of exhibits and context make the subsequent wildlife drive significantly better. Then drive to Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (free, rated 4.6). The Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive is 4 miles through 29,000 acres of coastal wetlands. Alligator sightings on the banks are routine — not a maybe. Drive slowly, windows down, and budget 2–4 hours for the full experience.
Afternoon (noon–5pm): Lunch packed from a grocery stop (no food at the refuge). Drive to Oatland Island Wildlife Center (rated 4.7, family of 4: $25–$40). Adults $8–$10, children $5–$6. Wolves, bison, cougars, alligators, and black bears on a 1.75-mile shaded coastal trail. The natural setting — Spanish moss, tidal marshes, ancient oaks — makes the whole walk beautiful. Budget 2–3 hours. Arrive as early in the afternoon as possible for best wildlife viewing.
Evening: Lower-key dinner near your accommodation. Kids are legitimately tired after a full wildlife day.
Day 2 total estimate (family of 4): $25–$40.
Day 3 — Museums, Parks, and Departure
Departure-friendly activities that end by noon or early afternoon.
Morning (9am–noon, pick one track):
Track A — Museums: Georgia State Railroad Museum (rated 4.5, family of 4: $40–$60; adults $12–$15, children 3–18 $6–$8, under 3 free). Actual historic locomotives, a working turntable, a rail yard kids can walk through. Budget 1.5–2 hours. Then Jepson Center & Telfair Children's Art Museum (CAM) (rated 4.5, family of 4: $50–$70) if you want a second museum. The Children's Art Museum section is hands-on making and doing — not a traditional museum experience.
Track B — Science and Beach: Drive to Tybee Island (40 minutes). Tybee Island Marine Science Center (rated 4.5, family of 4: $30–$50; adults $10–$12, children 5–17 $7–$9, under 5 free) in the morning — touch pools with live animals, then walk outside to the actual beach. Tybee Island beach access is free. Bring a cooler; beach concessions are expensive.
Track C — Free Parks: Daffin Park (free, rated 4.6) — 86 acres with a lake, athletic fields, and basketball. Lake Mayer Park (free park access, rated 4.6) — 75-acre lake, playground, skate park, paddle boats. Both are excellent for a low-key final morning that lets kids run before a long drive or flight.
Day 3 total estimate (family of 4): $0 (Track C) to $90–$110 (Track A) to $30–$50 (Track B).
What This Trip Will Cost
| Activity | Family of 4 | |---|---| | Forsyth Park Playground | $0 | | Gray's Reef / Coastal Refuges Visitor Center | $0 | | Savannah National Wildlife Refuge | $0 | | Oatland Island Wildlife Center | $25–$40 | | Encryption Escape (optional) | $80–$120 | | Georgia State Railroad Museum (Track A) | $40–$60 | | Tybee Island Marine Science Center (Track B) | $30–$50 | | Daffin Park / Lake Mayer (Track C) | $0 |
Budget 3-day total (no escape room, Track C Day 3): ~$25–$40 Mid-range total (no escape room, Track A or B Day 3): ~$65–$100 Splurge total (with escape room, Track A Day 3): ~$145–$220
Not including food, lodging, or transportation.
Practical Tips for Your Savannah Family Trip
- Savannah heat is real June–August. Schedule all outdoor activities before 11am and after 4pm. Midday belongs at indoor venues — museums, escape rooms, The Bunny Hive.
- Parking in the Historic District: Paid garages off Bay Street are the most reliable. Street meters exist but fill fast on weekends. Budget $10–$20/day for parking downtown.
- Wildlife refuge timing: The Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive is best in the morning when alligators are active and temperatures are manageable. Late afternoon is second choice. Avoid midday.
- Gray's Reef is weekdays only. If Day 1 falls on a weekend, move Gray's Reef to Day 3 and swap in Baldwin Park (free, rated 4.8) or the Savannah Botanical Gardens (free) for morning outdoor time.
- Tybee Island is 40 minutes from downtown — factor in drive time when planning Day 3 around a departure flight.
- Pack food for wildlife days. No food at Oatland Island, no food at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. A packed lunch saves $30–$40 and keeps the schedule flexible.
- The Bunny Hive Savannah (rated 4.8, $30–$50) is the toddler insert for any day that needs an indoor climate-controlled option — slot it in when heat or toddler meltdown demands a redirect.
Plan Your Visit: Book Encryption Escape at least a week ahead if you're going on a weekend. Everything else can be day-of. The wildlife refuge requires no reservation, no ticket, and no planning beyond packing water and a packed lunch.