the airport to downtown is quite a hike. And the area around the airport is basically a stop off of I95. There is a musuem there that my kids like (Mighty 8th Airforce Museum.)

there is a few fun playgrounds in Forsyth park (with a cafe/bathrooms.) It is quite a bit north of the river, so you might want to drive.

My kids liked the trolley tour and taking the water taxi (free) from River St over to Hutchinson Island (nothing interesting over there for the kids - they just liked being on the boat.)

Also, you can go to Tybee Island to go to the beach and get some seafood. It is fun to walk around 16th/Tybrisia street (junky gift shops/ice cream/etc.)

Have fun!

- a Savannah native

I agree with the suggestion for Mrs Wilkes. They only do lunch, I think, so get in line just before they open. We've been twice (albeit years ago) and I don't remember it being a very long wait, besides everyone else in line is a tourist too, so it's generally a happy atmosphere, not like waiting at the DMV or something!

The Olde Pink House gets good reviews AND they take reservations:

http://www.opentable.com/the-olde-pink-house-restaurant?ref=10069&ttr=1&scpref=41

Some good suggestions here:

http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-central/secrets-savannahs-historic-district-00400000007618/

I agree with their suggestion to stop in at the SCAD gift shop....unique, local, arts/crafts and different from all of the other stuff you will in Savannah:
http://www.shopscad.com/

Yep! That's a big part of the reason for the long lines. We never had the patience with kids in tow to give it a try.

Isn't Lady & Sons owned / run by Paula Deen?

so Mrs. Wilkes seems like the place everyone says to go instead of Lady & Sons... but both seem like they have really long wait times. is there any way to avoid a wait? like if we were there really early or really late?

Mrs. Wilkes Kitchen!!! Like eating at Grandma's house, literally.

Suggestions...http://savannahslowride.com/ sans kids. Don't worry, you can make it up to them by going to the //www.savannahchildrensmuseum.org/ and River Street. Cheap hotel within walking distance to the historic district is http://thethunderbirdinn.com/ don’t even ask if it is safe...it is. And for goodness sake, don't come during St Patrick's Day

thanks! op here. i just booked a hotel near the airport for $48 on hotwire. crazy, i didn't even realize hotels ever went that low...

The nice thing about staying right in the historic section is that you can maximize your time there and really soak up the culture...on the other hand it can be quite pricey and also noisy sometimes (old buildings, late night party-ers in the streets below, horse carriages clomping past, etc). If you find a cheaper option outside the historic district, I think you can park at the main visitors center. This is also an easy place to get on the trolley which which take you all over the historic district. At least I remember doing that during one visit. You might want to double check on that.

actually, that's a good point. i'm trying to figure out where to stay too. it seems like all the historic district hotels are $200+ and i'd prefer to go cheaper. i can find hotels near the airport for a quarter of the historic area. will driving and parking be a hassle? (i feel like there's no way it could be more of a hassle than driving in downtown dc, so i could handle it...)

Will you be staying in the heart of old Savannah or outside of town?

Considering the ages of your kids, it might be fun to do a carriage ride or the trolley tour. Good way to get around the city without wearing out the kids and they might enjoy the excitement of hopping on and off at different spots.
http://www.trolleytours.com/savannah/kids-corner.asp

Forsyth park is great. Beautiful fountain for family pics and playground for the kids to burn off energy before hitting the road.

I can't remember any specific restaurants to recommend, but it is a great city for wandering. Have fun!

i trust you all. i don't know why, but i do.

we're stopping in savannah on the way down to orlando, one night, with a morning and afternoon.

i've heard that savannah is beautiful and historic and that it's all about the walking... but not exactly sure exactly where or how this should happen.

also, all of the restaurant reviews i see all seem to indicate that a line forms out the door on a regular basis. every good restaurant forms lines out the door at all times of the day??

we'll have a 2yo and 9yo so i'm most worried about not wanting to commit suicide by the end of the day. also i would like "real" southern food.

anyone?