We are Ryan and Monica Hoffmann, proud parents of special needs children. It took a long time to get here, but we have been to 33 US states in the past 4 years and we are just warming up.
When you visit Savannah it is easy to see why everyone holds it in such high regard. There are few cities in the USA that can match its beauty and ambiance, and when combined with all the fun things to do in Savannah GA with kids this weekend, we’re looking at one of the best cities to visit in the country for attractions and good times.
The city of Savannah holds several impressive designations. It is known as Georgia’s first state capitol, America’s first planned city, and America’s most haunted city. It is famously known as a Civil War town, mercifully spared from destruction by the Union Army because of its beauty.
Often times, when people think of Savannah, they reflect on a tragic time in our nation’s history. Simultaneously, they romanticize oak trees strewn with moss curving over a carriage road.
Equal parts tragic and romantic, Savannah occupies a conflicted place in the heart of the American story.
In 1966, Downtown Savannah was designated a National Historic Landmark District. It is here you will spend most of your time when visiting.
What follows is a list of ten fun things to do in Savannah GA with kids this weekend, as well as some places where we found delicious food. We hope you enjoy!
Must-Do attractions are typically the reason we’ve decided to visit.
The streets of Savannah are one of the South’s great treasures. These squares, homes, and buildings have been designated one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States of America. Of all the things to do in Savannah GA, this is the one must-do.
The city is so beautiful that when General Sherman of the Union Army sacked it in 1864, he chose to not burn it down. That’s saying something, too, because the general liked to burn cities.
Downtown is adorned with 24 city squares. Each square is a small to medium sized park, symmetrically embedded within the neighborhoods of the city like a grid. These beautiful, ornate respite-plazas break up the monotony of buildings and houses, and are arguably the most charming attribute of the city.
Some squares are elaborate, dressed with gardens, fountains, and monuments, yet others are little more than benches, pathways, and oaks. We have placed a map toward the bottom of the article that shows the entire historic district with all the squares.
Our personal favorite squares are: Chippewa, Johnson, Monterey, and Madison. *If you walk due north from Forsyth Park you will hit all four.
Should-Do attractions receive a strong recommend.
Dubbed by some as the most beautiful street in the USA, Jones Street is a residential street in the heart of Savannah’s historic landmark district. This unforgettable, brick-paved lane is adorned with moss-hung trees, patriotic flags, and beautiful, 19th century, Greek revival homes.
Jones St. is bisected by Bull St., creating West Jones and East Jones. Here’s a map. The best stretch is between Tattnall Street and Lincoln Street.
An early morning or evening stroll is one of the best things to do in Savannah GA.
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This Georgia barrier island has been a popular vacation spot since the late 1800s, and is the perfect escape after several days of beating your soles on the historic streets of Savannah.
Tybee island is home to over three miles of clean, wide beaches; a quiet, restful place with a relaxed vibe. The surf side town is a bit worn down and funky, and there’s nothing wrong with that — are these towns ever anything but that?
The pulsing heart of Tybee is a 1-block strip that connects to the Tybee Beach Pier. Be sure to catch a sunset here!
The Colonial Park Cemetery on Abercorn St. opened in the mid-1700s. It serves as the final resting place for many of the city’s earliest citizens, including Confederate soldiers and African-American slaves.
This cemetery is considered one of Savannah’s most haunted sites, but the most ghoulish thing you’ll see in the daytime is a computer programmer.
Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous by the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, has over 100 acres of beautifully dressed paths, historic graves, and ornate tombs. In 1846, the Bonaventure Plantation was repurposed as a cemetery because the existing cemeteries were near capacity.
We would recommend visiting both cemeteries — they are among the most interesting things to do in Savannah GA.
Colonial Park is easy to find as part of the city square system.
Bonaventure requires a drive outside of the historic landmark district, although it is superior.
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Savannah is located at the mouth of the Savannah River and remained an important port city for the cotton and lumber industries for many years. River Street is where all the port activity took place.
These days River Street is a shopping / eating / strolling / tourist-y hub on the Northside of the city. The old cobblestone streets are still intact, which makes for beautiful photos. There are even dolphins swimming around in the river!
For a beautiful afternoon, we would recommend walking from the Waving Girl Statue to the Alida Hotel (map), staying close to the river as much as possible.
The Cathedral Basilica is a stunning Catholic Church located on Abercorn and Harris, just south of the Colonial Park Cemetery. This is the most easily recognized landmark in the city due to its unmissable 214 feet high spires. It features 81 stained glass windows, 16 gargoyles, and took over 90,000 copper nails and 45,000 slates to construct.
Over the years the Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist has endured fires and hurricanes, seeing multiple repairs and refurbishments. The most recent renovation took place in 2000, at the end of which the cathedral was rededicated.
Anyone can enter the Cathedral Basilica, and we recommend that you do. It is one of the most beautiful things to do in Savannah. The chapel opens at 09:00 — a $3 donation is appreciated.
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Forsyth Park might be the most famous attraction in all of Savannah. It is the largest park in the National Historic Landmark District, a 30 acre promenade of gardens, fields, and memorials.
The central feature of the park is the above pictured fountain. The double-sided approach to the font is picturesque with oak trees curving over the pathway. Because of the fountain’s beauty and romantic aura, it is often the site of proposals, engagement photo shoots, and weddings.
Directly north of the park (across the street) on Bull Street is the Armstrong House. This might be the most beautiful mansion in Savannah; a classic monstrosity that should be contemplated thoroughly. There are a few interesting statues in the yard, one of butts and another of a wild boar.
Who puts a statue of butts in their yard? Or a boar? Man, rich people get away with everything.
You will want to make reservations far ahead of time for The Olde Pink House. It is arguably the most well-known restaurant in Savannah.
The food is superb. The setting is elegant. And the prices are surprisingly affordable!
They are known for their crispy scored flounder, chef’s fried chicken, fried pork chop, and other delicacies.
Arches Bar is in the basement and has a separate entrance. Inside is the darkest, most mysterious bar / restaurant we’ve seen, the kind in which you might find pirates and politicians planning their plunders.
Located on 23 Abercorn St. across the street from beautiful Reynolds Square.
Could-Do attractions are worthwhile, but we don’t strongly recommend them for one reason or another.
Known for their “Award-winning, homemeade, super-premium ice cream,” Leopold’s Ice Cream has been a Savannah institution for generations. The shop was founded in 1919 by three brothers from Greece who learned the art of candy and dessert making from an uncle.
The walls of Leopold’s Ice Cream are covered with signed photographs from Hollywood movie sets — the current owner, Stratton Leopold, is a Hollywood movie producer with significant accomplishments.
Most importantly, the ice cream at Leopold’s is superlative, perhaps the best we’ve ever tasted. Great tasting ice cream is definitely one of the best things to do in Savannah GA.
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Broughton Street is the classic downtown shopping district where all the modern stores are found. Many of the cities restaurants and clothing stores are here. The famous Leopold’s Ice Cream shop is located at 212 E. Broughton.
Marche de Macarons (photo above) is found just north of E. Broughton on Abercorn St. Maple Street Biscuit Company serves mouthwatering food at 220 W. Broughton.
You will find anything your heart desires on Broughton Street, from a fancy fondue dinner to an old English Pub. Looking for a T-Mobile store? How about Banana Republic? Let’s say, what you really need is a plate of noodles served by a monk that can fly. Here’s a MAP.
Mirabelle’s serves waffles covered in delicious toppings. A heavenly, must-eat kind of place. The Peach Cobbler was ridiculous. We went twice in three days.
Wormsloe Historic Site is the oldest standing structure in Savannah, an 822-acre plantation built in 1739 by James Noble. The plantation is renowned for it’s tree-covered drive.
The first public art museum in the southern US, founded in 1883 by local philanthropist Mary Telfair.
The birthplace of Girl Scout’s founder, Juliette Low.
This is the oldest black church in North America. It was known as a safe house on the Underground Railroad.
We spent three days strolling the streets of downtown Savannah, taking photographs and eating delicious food. In a way Savannah is a lot like Charleston or NYC, because the location itself is the attraction. The streets and historic homes are so captivating there is no need to pay for more than a few activities.
Traffic is light. Parking is abundant. Getting in and out of the city is a breeze. Savannah is an easy place to visit, however…
For one, the people are of Savannah are not very friendly. Despite being much smaller and accessible than places like Los Angeles and Seattle, Savannah has a similar, isolating vibe.
Eye contact, smiles, and hellos make society better. Most southern cities are on board with a friendly attitude, which made the lack of it stand out in Savannah.
Savannah has a homeless problem. Some of the city squares are crash pads to addicts. It is unnerving when they congregate.
We are currently living in Charleston, a similar historic city two hours up the highway, and we have seen nothing resembling this across our downtown area. Savannah is clearly permitting this for some reason to their detriment.
We believe neither of these downsides should prevent anyone from visiting historic Savannah. Everywhere you look is something picturesque. We took well over a thousand photographs and had a great time.
We just wouldn’t want to live here.
Thank you for stopping by our website! We are the Hoffmann family, a full-time RV family that has split residence in Seattle, Washington and San Antonio, Texas. We have special needs children that we homeschool, and work travel assignments for the Veteran Affairs Hospital. If you would like to learn more about us, check out our Start Here and Biography pages. In the meantime, God bless and travel happy!
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