Savanah Activities

[LisaR]

Hi,
We are going to HH for the first time in March. We would like to spend a day in Savanah. Our kids are 5 1/2 and almost 8. Both actually enjoy touring older homes and are pretty big history buffs, considering their ages. Can anyone make any suggestions on good things to do there with the kids? I have a lot of links to Savanah tours but there are so many it is overwhelming. Ideally, I would like to so some self guided tours so we can zip through the things that bore the kids and slow down at the spots they find interesting. Thanks for any info.

Lisa

 

[Tommy]

Take one of the Trolly/Bus tours (Grey Line Trolly Tours I think). You can start off at the train station museum, and buy a tour ticket. The trollys run around with a guided tour which allows you to get off at any stop, look around, and then get on the next one that comes by (I think about every 30 minutes). The ticket includes one home tour on the way.

Your kids would love the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum, which is out on the interstate by the airport. If they are history buffs, go out toward Tybee Island and visit Fort Jackson, and Ft. Palaski, both Civil War forts. Ft. Palaski has a video presentation and is really a neat fort.

http://www.graylineofsavannah.com/

http://www.mighty8thmuseum.com/

http://www.15thregtscvols.org/savannah_2001.htm

 

[westjones]

If your children are girls, and if they are into 'Girl Scouts', you could always visit the home of Juliette Low (founder of Girl Scouts). If we had time on our trip to HHI I would love to go there, but this is our first trip to HHI and we are only staying two nights, so I have a feeling we will want to hang out at the resort.

Have a great trip!
DJ

 

[CarolA]

The Savannah Vistors center has walking tours that should help you.
I second the recommendation on the Juliette Low house just because they are good with kids. The Andrew Low house tends to be the exact opposite about kids.
The waterfront is good too, usually there are some big ships to see.
It is a beautiful city just to walk around in.

 

[JR]

Definitely stop at the visitors center. You will see signs to it after you cross the bridge going into town. They have brochures on self-guided tours and a good map.
Just walking around the different squares is enjoyable.
The home of Johnny Mercer is on one of these squares. If you have seen the movie and/or read the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", the house that Jim Williams lived in is on one of the squares.

JR

 

[yearlightbuzz]

If you get a good tour guide, they will let you know about all the movies that were filmed in Savannah. The ones that come to mind right away are: Forrest Gump, General's Daughter, the one w/Julia Roberts when she is a horse gal (ok not the best description) but she peers in a bar's window to see her husband cheating on her. The best overall movie for Savannah is "In the Garden of Good and Evil" or something close to that (not a movie I would say to watch w/the kids). Savannah is really great. I grew up more of a Charleston fan, but was really impressed w/ Savannah on only one trip.

 

[Tommy]

The Julia Roberts movie is "Something to Talk About".

 

[VWL'sownBeastn'Belle]

I would recommend a walking tour. We took 1 (I'm sorry I don't remember the name, but the office is in the same square as planter's inn). It was the highlight of our savanah vacation. We spent 2 days there and really enjoyed it. Don't miss the Gryffindor tea room. It looks like an old pharmacy, but serves great tea.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas. It sounds like there will be plenty to keep us busy!

Lisa

 

[mb168]

There are tons of tours here including horse carriage tours. Another trolley tour other than Grayline mentioned is Old Town Trolley, both are very popular. There is also a "Midnight" tour that highlights movie spots. Both are very popular. We are laid out like a checkerboard so it's very easy to get around here, all roads run N-S or E-W. Walk north and you'll hit the river, hard to get lost. There is soooo much history here I wouldn't even know where to begin. BTW yearlightbuzz, Charleston and Savannah are sister cities.

 

[MSFAM]

We visited Savannah before HH with our 8 and 4 YO. They absolutely loved the city, and keep asking when we will return. They were particularly intrigued by all of the legends of haunted houses - some of them quite recent hauntings! There are a number of walking tours based on that theme. We also took a horse and buggy tour, and visited the Railroad Museum. Walking along the River and visiting the shops was also a treat. We stayed in a beautiful hotel right in the heart of the city, I believe it was Holiday Inn (or some similar chain) - but not like any HI I've ever stayed in before - more like a small luxury hotel with lovely inner courtyards. Have a great time.

 

[BobH]

There is a Riverboat ride that lasts about 1 hour. There is a great candy shop across from where the boat docks along with some great places to eat. Savannah is a very, very nice city that operates at a pace that northerners would do well to imitate.
If you don't have it try: http://www.savannahvisit.com.
Your kids may be too young to appreciate but I think most adults will love it.

 

[goofy4dvc]

If you or kids like lighthouses, you can go all the way to the top of the Tybee Island lighthouse for a terrific view. Lots of history there also. Have fun. We certainly did.

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

Another must while in Savannah is Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House on Jones Street (just look for the line to get in)--food is served family style and is delicious--very informal--you even have to carry your dishes to the kitchen when you're done.

Juliette Low house is great especially if your children are girl scouts. Absolutely love Savannah and its charm.

 

[mb168]

Mrs. Wilkes died last year and the restaurant is closed. They had her grandson on TV the other day and they are considering reopening it in a few months with him and his mother managing it.