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Countdown to Savannah: Fun for Kids in Savannah

In early 2007, we started our official Countdown to Savannah. Each Sunday, we posted a different topic about this special city where we met for our first Great Slow Travel Gathering in Spring 2008.

With 63 posts over 14+ months, we learned a lot about the many facets of this historic, hospitable and intriguing American city. Our weekly posts touched on Savannah's history, famous people, architecture, food, culture, surrounding area and much more. We hope this information acquaints you with Savannah, entices you to visit this historic city, and prepares you for a very memorable trip.

Take Your Kids or Find Your Inner Child

While there are unlimited things to see and do in this great town, what follows is a list of places to go that may hold special interest as family activities. But please don’t let that hold you back if you think you’re an adult – find the inner child in you while you’re in Savannah and check out some of the fun.

Aquarium at Skidaway Island

http://www.uga.edu/aquarium/publicAquarium.html Newly renovated. Children under 3 are free; Ages 3 to 12: $2; Ages 13 to Adult: $4; Seniors: $2; Operated by the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service which offers natures trails and Georgia’s marine life. 30 Ocean Science Circle, (912) 598-FISH (3474). Open Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm, Saturday noon – 5pm.

Broughton Street

Savannah’s main street has a wide variety of interesting things to find in the shops here. Enjoy new discoveries! You will have a map in your welcome bag to help guide you to the city's sites.

Café Gelatoh

http://gelatohhh.com Recommended by Rand McNally. Italian ice creams and refreshments. City Market.

City Market

http://www.savannahcitymarket.com Four blocks of restored grain warehouses filled with restaurants, art galleries and shops to discover. Between Montgomery on the West and Whitaker on the East and West Bryan Street on the North and West Congress street on the South. Times the business are open varies according the business. SlowTrav "Countdown to Savannah" article

Forsyth Park

Laid out in 1851 and named for Governor John Forsyth, it’s a wonderful place for a picnic, to fly kites, play tennis and feed (bread or peanuts) the wildlife in the area. The park is bounded by Whitaker Street on the west, Drayton Street on the east, East Gaston on the North, and Park Avenue on the South. SlowTrav "Countdown to Savannah" article

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/birthplace/visitus.asp Where the founder of the Girl Scouts of America was born and raised. Owned and operated by the Girl scouts of America. 142 Bull Street, (912) 233-4501 open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am – 4pm Sunday 12:30pm – 4:30pm closed Some Holidays. SlowTrav "Countdown to Savannah" article

King-Tisdell Cottage

http://www.kingtisdell.org A regional African-American history and culture museum placed in a charming Victorian “gingerbread” house. 514 East Huntington Street, (912) 234-8000 open Tuesday – Friday 1pm – 4:30pm and Saturday 1pm – 4pm

Leopold’s Ice Cream Shop

http://www.leopoldsicecream.com/index.html For 50 years it was the place to be to enjoy a cooling treat. Recently opened by Stranton Leopold, famed movie producer and native Savannahian, the shoppe’s walls are adorned with movie memorabilia, plus actors’ photos and well wishes. 212 East Broughton Street. (912) 234-4442.

Massie Heritage Interpretation Center

http://www.massieschool.com Formerly the Massie School which was one of Georgia’s oldest chartered schools. 207 East Gordon Street, (912) 651-7022 open Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Mighty 8th Air Force Heritage Museum

http://www.mightyeighth.org Experience the story of American air power. Displays and interaction exhibits range form WWII – present day. 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, (912) 748-8888 open daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Norwood Stables

http://norwoodstables.com Horse back riding and lessons offered. Call for rental rates of horses and lessons and hours of operation. 2304 A Norwood Avenue, (912) 356-1387

Oatland Island Education Center

http://www.sccpss.com/Schools/Other+Educational+Centers/Oatland+Island+Institute/ A wildlife center, it offers special events through out the year and gives visitors delightful animal experiences. 711 Sandtown Road, Savannah, (912) 897-3773 open Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm and Saturday 10am – 4pm.

The Pirates’ House

http://www.thepirateshouse.com A Savannah landmark since 1753, was an inn for sailors and today a restaurant. 20 East Broad Street, (912) 233-5757 Open 7 days a week, 11:30 am- 9:45 pm. Lunch buffet.

River Street

http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com Another restoration of warehouses that has become a collection of restaurants and shops to discover. There is a park and pier where children of all ages may feed the wild life, catch a river or dolphin tour, watch the ships come or go and discover historic points of interest. There are several accesses to River Street down the ballast stone ramps and staircases leading from Bay Street and Factor’s Walk. Parking is not permitted on the street itself but, there are several parking lots. Take quarters or obtain one of the two-day historic district parking passes from the front desk ($8.00). SlowTrav "Countdown to Savannah" article

Roundhouse Railroad Museum

http://railga.com/oddend/roundhouse.html The oldest antebellum railroad in the U.S. 601 West Harris Street, (912) 651-6823 open daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Savannah History Museum

http://www.chsgeorgia.org/shm/home.htm What was once the passenger depot for the Central of Georgia Railroad now hosts many exhibits of Savannah history. 303 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., (912) 238-1779 open Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Ships of the Sea Museum

http://shipsofthesea.org Now resides in the Scarborough House, built in 1819 for William Scarborough, the principal owner of the U.S.S. Savannah. 41 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., (912) 232-1511 open Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Skukuzoo

http://www.skukuzoo.com Offers an indoor putt golf, playground and arcade inside Savannah Mall. (912) 921-7216 open Monday – Saturday 10am – 9pm and Sunday noon – 6pm.

Telfair Museum of Art

http://www.telfair.org Oldest art museum in the South. 121 Barnard Street, (912) 232-1177 SlowTrav "Countdown to Savannah" article

Tybee Beach

http://www.tybeevisit.com Savannah Beach! Just follow Highway 80 to Tybee Island, or take President Street east. Enjoy the day … and don’t miss a walk out on the pier. SlowTrav "Countdown to Savannah" article

Tybee Lighthouse & Tybee Museum

http://www.tybeelighthouse.org One of the most complete lighthouse stations which has been guiding ships for the past 270 years. Open daily 9am – 5:30pm closed on Tuesdays, St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Vinnie Van Go Gos - Pizza

http://www.vinnievangogos.com Streetside hip pizza in City Market.

Whistle Stop Café - of fried green tomatoes fame

If trains are your thing, then here is the place for you! Served in train cars you can believe you’re are riding the tracks as you eat. Next to the Savannah History Museum, (912) 651-3656 open Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4pm and Saturday & Sunday 9am – 4pm.

Mrs. Wilkes’ Boarding House

http://www.mrswilkes.com If good old southern cooking is what you want, then here it is! You are served in true boarding house fashion here. Recommendation: plan to have lunch VERY early. Sometimes they sell out by 1:00 p.m. 107 West Jones Street, (912) 232-5997 open Monday – Friday 11am – 3 pm SlowTrav "Countdown to Savannah" article

Wormsloe Historic Site

http://gastateparks.org/net/go/parks.aspx?LocationID=7&s=0.0.1.5 Breathtaking avenue there lined with live oaks. A home built by Noble Jones in 1739-45 to assist in the protection of Savannah should there be an attack by the Spanish. 7601 Skidaway Road, (912) 353-3023 open Tuesday – Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm.

Movie Cinema’s around Savannah

Carmike Cinema 10
511 Stephenson Avenue
(912) 353-8683
Eisenhower Cinemas (6)
1100 Eisenhower Drive
(912) 352-3533
Regal Cinemas Savannah 10
1132 Shawnee Avenue (Behind Savannah Mall)
(912) 927-7700
Wynnsong 11
1150 Shawnee Avenue (behind Savannah Mall)
(912) 920-1227

Resources

All About Savannah: Links to many information pages about Savannah (where to eat, where to stay, places of interest, getting around town, and more)

Author: teaberry is a nurse anesthetist who enjoys hiking, gardening, family, traveling, reading, playing piano, art, cooking, and anthropology - not necessarily in that order.

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