Start with a gentle reset at Forsyth Park: give yourselves about 45 minutes to stretch your legs under the live oaks and see the famous fountain. The park is free and daily; in late December, aim to arrive before sunset, which is around 5:20 p.m. Bring a light layer—the squares and open lawns can feel chilly once the sun drops. From the park, it’s roughly a 20-minute walk to Gryphon, or a short rideshare if the children are flagging.
Have dinner at Gryphon, a memorable spot in a former pharmacy near Madison Square. Budget about $20–$35 per person and allow 1–1½ hours. Because this is holiday week—and Gryphon may keep limited hours—check its December 21 schedule and book ahead before setting out; with nine people, confirming a table is especially worthwhile.
After dinner, stroll around Lafayette Square for about 30 minutes, taking in the historic homes around the square; the walk from Gryphon is only a few minutes. Then continue to the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, a short walk away, to admire its striking exterior. Step inside only if it’s open—visiting hours can vary, and it may be closed by evening. Both stops are easy to do on foot, but a rideshare back to your lodging is a sensible end to the first day with children in tow.
Start at Clary’s Cafe on Abercorn Street, a relaxed diner for breakfast before a full day of sightseeing. Budget about $10–$20 per person and allow an hour; it’s popular, so a short wait is possible with nine people. Then walk about 10 minutes to Mercer Williams House Museum on Monterey Square. The guided tour takes roughly 1–1½ hours and focuses on the house’s history and furnishings, as well as its connection to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Tours run at set times, so book ahead for your group and check the holiday-week schedule.
From the house, walk north about 15 minutes to Telfair Academy, a historic mansion filled with American and European art. Allow 1–1½ hours; admission is generally around $20 for adults, with discounts and free admission for younger children, and the ticket typically covers the Telfair Museums sites. Check the museum’s current hours before setting out. Finish with an easy stroll to Chippewa Square, just a few blocks away. Give yourselves about 30 minutes beneath the live oaks; the famous Forrest Gump bench was a movie prop and isn’t permanently in the square.
Head south to The Collins Quarter at Forsyth for dinner, about a 15–20-minute walk from Chippewa Square. It’s a good spot for a mixed-age group, with a broad menu and a lively but comfortable atmosphere; plan on $25–$45 per person and reserve ahead for nine, especially during the busy holiday week. The day’s stops are all walkable, but if little legs are fading, a short rideshare can save the group a trek.
Start at Savannah City Market, where the open-air lanes and galleries make an easy first wander. Most shops open around 10 a.m.; give yourselves about an hour, and check individual holiday hours before setting out. From the market, it’s roughly a 10-minute walk northwest to the SCAD Museum of Art, housed in a striking restored railroad depot. Plan on 1–1½ hours; Wednesday hours are typically 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and admission is usually about $10 for adults, with discounts and free admission for some ages. Confirm the museum’s holiday-week schedule and ticket details before you go.
Head east to The Pirates’ House for a spirited lunch in one of Savannah’s oldest buildings. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the museum, or a quick rideshare if little legs need a break; reserve a table for nine, especially this close to Christmas. Budget roughly $20–$40 per person and allow 1–1½ hours. After lunch, stroll River Street for about an hour, watching the cargo ships and exploring the waterfront. The old cobblestones are uneven, so comfortable shoes—and a hand for younger children—are useful.
Continue west along the river to Plant Riverside District, an easy waterfront walk from River Street. Give yourselves about an hour to browse the indoor market and public spaces; it’s a welcome warm-up if the December breeze picks up. Shops and food counters can keep different holiday hours, so check ahead if there’s something specific you want to see. From here, you can walk back into the Historic District or call a rideshare rather than retracing the riverfront with tired kids.
Leave downtown around 8:30 a.m. and drive about 20 minutes southeast to Wormsloe State Historic Site. The oak avenue is the star, but save time for the paths and historic grounds too; allow 1½–2 hours. Admission is roughly $12 per adult and $5 per child ages 6–17 (younger children are generally free). Since it’s Christmas Eve, confirm the site’s hours and last admission before you go—holiday schedules can change—and aim to arrive early rather than risk a shortened visit.
From Wormsloe, it’s only a few minutes to the Isle of Hope Historic District. Take your time along the quiet waterfront streets, enjoying the old homes and marsh views; a slow drive is easiest for a group of nine, with a brief walk if you find a safe place to park. Allow about 45 minutes, then drive roughly 25–30 minutes to Bonaventure Cemetery. Its sweeping live oaks and historic graves reward an unhurried self-guided walk; give yourselves 1½–2 hours, wear comfortable shoes, and check the cemetery’s holiday access before setting out.
Finish at The Wyld Dock Bar, about a 15–20-minute drive from Bonaventure, for seafood by the water. Budget around $25–$45 per person and call ahead about Christmas Eve hours and a reservation—especially with six adults and three children, as holiday service may be limited. The waterfront setting makes a relaxed end to the day, but have a backup dinner plan in mind in case the kitchen closes early.
Christmas Day is the day to confirm before you set out: Skidaway Island State Park is generally open for outdoor recreation, but check its current holiday gate and trail information. Leave downtown around 8 a.m.; it’s roughly a 20-minute drive south via Truman Parkway and Diamond Causeway. Give the trails 1½–2 hours for an easy walk and marsh-wildlife spotting. Georgia state parks typically charge a $5 daily parking fee per vehicle, so bring a card and dress for a breezy walk.
From Skidaway, allow about 40–50 minutes to reach Fort Pulaski National Monument on Cockspur Island, then budget 1½–2 hours for the fort and grounds if it’s open. The fort is typically closed on Christmas Day, so verify the National Park Service’s holiday notice before making the drive; if access is confirmed closed, admire the island’s approach from public roads rather than counting on entry. Continue to Tybee Island Beach—about 15 minutes from the fort—for a bundled-up 1–1½-hour shoreline walk. The beach is free, but daylight is short in December, with sunset around 5:20 p.m.; keep an eye on the time and expect wind off the water.
Drive back to the Historic District for your Christmas meal at The Olde Pink House; allow roughly 30–40 minutes from Tybee, depending on traffic. Holiday service is not guaranteed, so call or check the restaurant’s booking page well ahead and don’t build the day around dinner until you have a confirmed reservation. If it is serving, plan on about 1½ hours and roughly $35–$65 per person before drinks and gratuity; parking downtown can be limited, so allow extra time to find a space.
Have breakfast at B. Matthew’s Eatery in the Historic District, where Southern comfort-food favorites make a relaxed send-off. Allow about an hour and budget roughly $15–$30 per person; with nine people, a reservation or an early arrival is wise. If your departure schedule allows, walk over to the Andrew Low House Museum on Lafayette Square next. Its guided tours typically run during daytime hours, but check the December 26 schedule and last tour before committing; allow about an hour and expect an admission charge.
Drive west to Savannah Botanical Gardens for a quieter final stroll among the gardens and shaded paths. A 45-minute visit is plenty, and the grounds are generally open during daylight hours; check current access details before you go. Then continue north toward the South Carolina line for the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. If you have a car and a comfortable time buffer, the refuge’s wildlife-viewing drive can make a memorable last stop—allow about an hour, check the route’s current status, and keep an eye out for birds and alligators from the car.
The refuge is a detour from central Savannah, so work backward from your flight or onward travel time and leave a generous buffer for the airport or highway. Pack up before breakfast, keep luggage secured and out of sight while you’re sightseeing, and skip the refuge drive if it would make your departure rushed.
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