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Planning a Family Trip to Savannah? Here’s What to See, Where to Eat, and Why It’s One of Georgia’s Best Historic Cities for Families
Savannah has been one of our family’s favorite getaway destinations for years. We’ve visited several times throughout different seasons – bringing our corgi, Grebee, on previous trips and, most recently, visiting over Fourth of July weekend with our newborn. No matter how many times we return, Savannah always feels welcoming, walkable, and full of history.
One of the biggest reasons we love visiting is how easy the city is to explore. Whether you’re pushing a stroller, walking your dog, or simply enjoying a relaxing weekend, Savannah has a slower pace that makes it perfect for families.
Staying at The Westin & Taking the Free Savannah Ferry
For this trip, we stayed at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, located directly across the Savannah River from the Historic District. While many visitors stay downtown, we’ve actually grown to love staying across the river because you still get incredible waterfront views while avoiding some of the downtown traffic.
The biggest perk is the Savannah Belles Ferry, a completely free water ferry operated by the city. The ferry generally begins running around 7:00 AM each morning and continues until approximately midnight, with boats arriving about every 20-30 minutes throughout most of the day. The ride itself only takes around five minutes.
Instead of searching for parking, you simply hop aboard and arrive directly at River Street. Our newborn loved the gentle ride across the river, and honestly, it’s one of our favorite parts of every Savannah trip.
Exploring Historic River Street
River Street is the heart of downtown Savannah. Originally lined with cotton warehouses during the 1800s, the brick buildings have been transformed into restaurants, boutiques, galleries, candy shops, and local businesses while preserving much of their original charm.
Walking along the historic cobblestone streets while watching massive cargo ships pass by on the Savannah River never gets old. There are countless little shops to browse, plenty of places to stop for food, and benches scattered throughout if you simply want to relax and enjoy the view.
Don’t Miss River Street Marketplace
One of our favorite places to browse is the River Street Marketplace.
This outdoor collection of small wooden storefronts features dozens of local artists and small businesses selling everything from handmade jewelry and artwork to candles, soaps, clothing, home décor, and souvenirs. It’s one of those places where you never know what you’ll discover, making it worth walking through even if you aren’t planning on buying anything.
Learn Savannah’s Incredible History
Savannah was founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, making it Georgia’s oldest city. Today, much of the original city layout still exists, with 22 historic public squares connected by beautiful streets shaded beneath enormous live oak trees covered in Spanish moss.
Simply walking around the Historic District feels like visiting an outdoor museum. Nearly every block has another beautiful church, historic mansion, monument, or hidden courtyard waiting to be discovered.
Our Favorite Savannah Tours
If you’re visiting for the first time, taking a tour is one of the best ways to learn about the city’s fascinating history.
During the day, we’ve really enjoyed Old Town Trolley Tours, which allows you to hop on and off throughout the city while learning about Savannah’s history.
If you’re visiting at night, we highly recommend the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour. Savannah is often called one of America’s most haunted cities, and even if ghosts aren’t your thing, the stories and history shared during the tour make it incredibly entertaining.
Another fun option is the Savannah Riverboat Cruises. Growing up, one of my favorite Fourth of July memories was watching Savannah’s fireworks from the riverboat. Years ago, the boat positioned itself almost directly beneath the fireworks, creating an unforgettable experience. This year, while watching from our hotel room, we noticed the boats remained farther away, likely due to safety precautions and river traffic, but it still looked like an amazing way to experience the celebration.
Spend Time at Beautiful Forsyth Park
No Savannah trip is complete without visiting Forsyth Park.
The 30-acre park is home to Savannah’s famous white fountain, wide walking paths, playgrounds, picnic areas, and huge open lawns where families gather throughout the day. Around the park, you’ll also find local coffee shops, bakeries, boutiques, and plenty of shaded sidewalks perfect for an afternoon stroll.
Savannah is Surprisingly Dog Friendly
One thing we’ve always appreciated about Savannah is just how dog-friendly the city is.
We’ve brought our corgi, Grebee, on several trips, and he’s always had an amazing time. Many locally owned shops place water bowls outside for passing dogs, restaurant patios often welcome pets, and you’ll see dogs walking throughout the Historic District.
Many hotels – including several downtown and waterfront properties – also welcome dogs for an additional fee, making Savannah one of the easiest cities we’ve visited with a pet.
One of Our Favorite Evening Activities
One of our favorite nighttime activities – especially during the Christmas season – is taking a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Historic District.
Several companies operate throughout downtown, and it’s a relaxing way to experience Savannah after sunset while learning even more about the city’s history.
More Historic Attractions Worth Visiting
If you have extra time, Savannah offers plenty of museums and historic sites worth adding to your itinerary.
Some of our favorites include:
- Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
- Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
- Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
- Telfair Museums
- Mercer-Williams House Museum
- Colonial Park Cemetery
Even if you don’t go inside every attraction, walking past these beautiful historic buildings is part of what makes Savannah so special.
Where We Like to Eat in Savannah
Over the years we’ve developed several favorite restaurants around the city.
Growing up, our family’s tradition was eating at The Broken Keel along River Street. It still has fantastic river views, although on this visit we felt the food wasn’t quite as memorable as we remembered, and prices were a bit on the expensive side.
If you’re looking for something sweet, Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is an absolute must. Watching fresh pralines being made through the front windows is almost as fun as eating them.
For a romantic dinner, we always recommend The Melting Pot. It’s one of those restaurants where dinner becomes an experience rather than just a meal.
Our favorite discovery this trip, however, was Franklin’s. Their breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, and coffee were all outstanding. The real surprise was their banana pudding latte – it reminded us of some of the incredible dessert coffees we enjoyed while traveling through South Korea, which is about the highest compliment we could give it.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Savannah with a Baby or Dog
Whether you’re visiting Savannah with a newborn, young kids, your dog, or simply planning a relaxing couples getaway, this city truly offers something for everyone.
From free ferry rides across the river and historic cobblestone streets to beautiful parks, incredible restaurants, fascinating history, and one of the most walkable downtowns in the South, Savannah continues to be one of our favorite places to visit. We’ve made memories here as kids, with our dog, and now with our son – and we’re already looking forward to coming back again.
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