Savannah/Tybee Island - budget ideas

[HayGan]

We are heading to Tybee Island for a week in June. This is a jam packed year for us for vacations so I looking to save whereever I can yet not deprive the family of fun I'm looking for some budget ideas in the Tybee Island/Savannah area like where is the best place to get groceries, what are some inexpensive activiites (Savannah ghost tours, etc.) as well as good ideas for good yet inexpensive food.

Any suggestions?

 

[clm10308]

Went a couple of years ago with a girl scout troop, so I don't know about groceries, but based on my experience, I would say to skip Paula Dean's restaurant. There was a seafood place down on the river that the girls liked much better for half the cost. I can't remember the name right now, but I will edit this when I remember it.
On Tybee, the beaches are free, but you may have to pay for parking. There is a marine science center right on the beach that the kids liked. The lighthouse was fun but the stairs were a killer for me. I don't remember the cost of the intrance fees. Fort Pulaski National park is close by. It is an interesting place to spend a couple of hours, but it gets really hot there.

Probably the place that was the most fun for the kids was the Candy Kitchen store where you can watch them make candy and get losts of free samples.

 

[charming23]

We spent a few days there a few years ago. Here is what I remember

You do have to pay to park on Tybee Island at the Beach. It was not too expensive and you could buy a pass to last all day long, and it was good at any of the parking lots that charged you to park.

We stopped a Piggly Wiggly store on the way out to Tybee Island from Savannah. The prices were good, plus the was a Target close by as well.

Also on that road was Barnes Restuarant. They had wonderful food and very cheap.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

Downtown Savannah in Ellis Square, there is a water -spray fountain play zone. But let me warm you, it is VVEEERRRYYYYY slippery !

Budget wise, skip Paula Deens, it is ohhh so good, but more like once in a life worth paying for.

Do go to Leopolds Ice cream, they have a sandwich service counter inside, yum.

We too stopped at Piggly Wiggly on the way to the beach, we got Subs, those things are STUFFED, we easily could have shared 1 sub between 2 girls.

Ride the Savannah Belles, they are free. They are slow as all get out, but they are kinda fun to ride from side to side of the river.

All the buses are free on the weekends. and not all of the buses look like big city buses, some of the are like half buses and some of them are even large vans.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

We have been to Savannah twice with a 3rd trip scheduled in March. We camped on Tybee Island the first time we went. We did a dolphin tour it as 15 for adulta and 8 for kids.We also walked up the Lighthouse and visited the area there. The beach of course was fun and free. My DD and her friends had a good time chasing the crabs at dusk. They have a marine science center there. It's 4.00 to get in and they also have beach or marsh walks for 10.00. I think at that time of year they also offer a turtle walk where you can watch the turtles come ashore and lay their egs. We did this at Jekyll Island. They have a turtle sanctuary where they doctor injured turtles to be released back into the sea. It was 6.00 adults and 5.00 for kids. The walks were 6.00 for both kids and adults.In savannah we walked along river street. They have shops and resturants. The candy store is a do not miss. They offer samples. We took a hop on/off trolley tour and saw the historic district. Savannah's historic district is easy to walk. They have cute little squares that you could grab lunch and have a picnic in. Forsyth Park is the biggest square. You will find people playing scoccer, freesbie, roller blading and walking/ jogging. It's the one with the famous fountain. We toured the Julliette Gordon Low house. She is the founder of the Girl Scouts. The ghost tour we did was the Sorrel Weed House. They let you use EMF detectors on the tour. It's the most haunted house in Savannah and the TAPS crew did a show here. It was 20. for adults and 10 for kids. Savannah has many ghost tours for all ages, price ranges and some even go out during the day. I'm not sure if your kids would like it but mine loved it. There are 2 forts near Savannah, Fort Pulaski and Fort Jackson. Fort Pulaski was full of history but it was hot when we were there. They offer a ranger program for kids.

There is a small grocery store on Tybee Island and a Publix between Savannah and Tybee Island. The address is 4717 Hwy. 80 East. On Tybee island we have ate at the Crab Shack. Fun place for kids. My DD loves to feed the alligators even if we don't eat there. They also have birds at the gift shop. A-J's Dockside resturant is pretty good. It's right on the river. We also like the ice cream at Sugar Shack.They serve food also but we haven't tried it. We also liked Bubba'sOyster House. Like most of Savannahs resturants it was a little pricey but if you eat a late lunch/early dinner it's better. We would eat dinner about 3-4. In Savannah we have ate at Spanky's. They have great chicken fingers and huge burgers. If your looking for southern food we liked Mrs. Wilkes Boarding house. It's served family style at big tables. They only serve lunch from 11 to 2. People line up and wait. We went late in the day and had a long wait, next time i'd go before opening so it's not a long wait. It was 18. for the adults and kids were half price. Not sure if it's in your budget but the food was amazing. Better than Paula Deen's. I've heard that the Pirate House is a good place to eat as well but we haven't been. It's on the list for March.

I hope this helps. Have a great trip!