Savannah Squares and Parks with Kids: A Family Guide to the Best Green Spaces
find the best Savannah squares and parks with kids, from Forsyth Park's playgrounds to Ellis Square's splash fountain.
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Savannah Squares and Parks with Kids
Last updated July 2026. Savannah's historic district works like an open-air playground, with 22 squares spaced a few blocks apart so a restless toddler never has to wait long for the next patch of grass. Sorting savannah squares and parks with kids by what a child actually gets to do there, rather than by history alone, turns a walking tour into a trip kids ask to repeat. Forsyth Park anchors the list, but the squares in between add short bursts of running room, fountains, and shade for the walk.
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The pre-flight checklist, carry-on packing list, and in-flight survival plan we use on every family trip — from toddlers to teens.
Essential Logistics for Visiting Savannah Squares and Parks with Kids
Getting a stroller through the historic district takes some planning. Many square interiors and side streets still have original cobblestones and uneven brick paths, while the main sidewalks along Bull Street and the square perimeters are smoother concrete. A jogging stroller or one with larger wheels handles the transitions better than a compact umbrella stroller. Heat and crowding both shape the best time to go.
- Getting around: the free DOT Express Shuttle loops through downtown Savannah and stops near several squares and the riverfront, a useful backup when small legs give out.
- Walking distances: most squares sit two to three short blocks apart along Bull Street, so a stroller can cover four or five squares in under an hour.
- Stroller strategy: stick to the paved perimeter sidewalks around each square rather than cutting across the cobblestone or brick interior paths.
- Timing: mornings before the Georgia heat builds, and before evening ghost-tour groups fill the sidewalks, are the calmest windows for kids to run.
- Parking: garages near Forsyth Park, including the Whitaker Street Garage, put families within a short walk of the park's playgrounds without circling for street parking.
The Big Three Parks for Active Play
Three parks do the heavy lifting for burning off kid energy in and around Savannah. Forsyth Park is the obvious first stop, but two others are worth the short drive when a bigger space or a pool is on the wish list.
While the four curated squares each deliver distinct rewards—water play, history, sculpture, ice cream—they can feel repetitive, explaining why guides to three parks highlight Daffin's pool and Mother Mathilda Beasley's dog-park as necessary alternatives for longer family outings.
- Forsyth Park: two separate playgrounds split by age, so toddlers and older kids each get equipment sized for them, plus the fountain plaza and wide lawns for running.
- Daffin Park: a pool and playground about 10 minutes from the historic district by car, a good option when the squares start to feel repetitive.
- Mother Mathilda Beasley Park: a modern playground near a dog park, useful if the family is walking a dog along with the kids.
Forsyth Park: The Crown Jewel for Families
Forsyth Park is the largest green space in the historic district and the one stop worth building a whole morning around. The two playgrounds are separated so toddlers are not sharing equipment with much bigger kids, which cuts down on collisions on the climbing structures. The landmark fountain sits at the park's north end and doubles as a photo stop and a place for kids to cool off near the spray on hot days; check current status locally for any seasonal maintenance closures before counting on it. Beyond the play equipment, the open lawns give kids room to run that the smaller squares simply don't have. On Saturdays, a farmers market sets up in the park, which turns a playground visit into a longer outing with food stalls to browse between play sessions.
Curated Savannah Squares for Kids
Not every square rewards a stop with young kids in tow. These four are worth the detour for a specific reason each.
- Ellis Square: a ground-level splash fountain that turns on and off in a pattern kids can chase, plus quick access to City Market for a snack break afterward.
- Madison Square: a good spot for an impromptu history lesson, with the Sergeant Jasper monument to point out, and cafes nearby for a coffee-and-snack stop.
- Troup Square: home to an armillary sphere sculpture and a dog-shaped fountain that tends to catch kids' attention faster than a historical marker would.
- Wright Square: close to candy shops and ice cream stops, useful as a reward stop near the end of a walking loop.
The Survival Guide: Bathrooms, Snacks, and the Spanish Moss Rule
Savannah's historic district is short on public restrooms, so it helps to know the reliable stops before a small bladder becomes an emergency. The Savannah Visitor Center and the cafe at Forsyth Park are the two most dependable options; public libraries downtown are another fallback when a private business restroom isn't available. For snacks, Leopold's Ice Cream and Parker's Market both sit within walking range of the square route and make good reward stops for tired legs. One more rule worth setting early: Spanish moss hanging from the live oaks looks touchable, but it commonly hosts small insects such as chiggers, so the guidance is look, don't touch, and keep kids from picking it up off the ground.
- Bathrooms: Savannah Visitor Center, the Forsyth Park cafe, and downtown public libraries.
- Snacks: Leopold's Ice Cream and Parker's Market for quick stops between squares.
- Spanish moss: look, don't touch, since it can harbor insects.
Square Traffic Safety
Savannah's squares are technically traffic circles, with cars and delivery vehicles rolling around the perimeter of each one. That layout is easy for adults to forget once inside a shaded, park-like square, but the edges function as real intersections. Keep an eye on kids near the outer walkways where a square meets the street, especially at the corners where cars turn in and out.
A Low-Stress Walking Route Through Savannah Squares and Parks with Kids
For a single loop that keeps a stroller on manageable surfaces, start at Monterey Square and work north along Bull Street toward Forsyth Park, stopping at whichever squares match the day's energy level.
Despite Forsyth Park's status as the crown jewel, the suggested route starts at Monterey Square, working north with strategic stops before arriving at Forsyth—a pacing strategy that builds momentum rather than beginning at the major destination.
- Start at Monterey Square, sticking to the paved perimeter sidewalk.
- Walk north along Bull Street toward Madison Square for a history-and-cafe break.
- Continue to Wright Square for a candy or ice cream stop.
- Detour a block to Troup Square for the armillary sphere and dog fountain.
- Finish at Forsyth Park for the playgrounds, fountain, and open lawn.
Squares to Treat as Quick Pass-Through Stops
Some Savannah squares are beautiful, but they work better as shade breaks than active kid stops. Use them when you need a bench, a quiet snack, or a calmer route between bigger play areas.
- Chatham Square: leafy and residential, with benches and shade, but little to hold a child’s attention for long.
- Columbia Square: useful for a short pause near the Davenport House Museum, though the fountain area is better for looking than running.
- Lafayette Square: pretty and central near the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, but it feels more like a photo stop than a play stop.
- Pulaski Square: shaded and peaceful, with room for a quick rest, but not a must-do if kids need fountains or playground equipment.
These squares still help break up a stroller walk. Just pair them with Ellis Square, Troup Square, or Forsyth Park when children need something more active.
For trip-planning details, see Visit Savannah official tourism site.
Pair this with our broader Savannah tourism attractions guide for the full city overview.
Further reading: Savannah on Wikivoyage · Savannah on Wikipedia
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Savannah's squares free to visit?
Yes. All of Savannah's historic squares are open, public green spaces with no admission fee.
Which square has the Forrest Gump bench?
Chippewa Square is associated with the film's bench scene, but the actual bench used in the movie is now held in a museum rather than sitting in the square itself.
Is Savannah walkable with a double stroller?
It's manageable but takes planning. A side-by-side double stroller is often easier to steer around the paved perimeter sidewalks of the squares than a tandem stroller, though a tandem fits narrower sidewalk sections more easily; either way, avoid cutting across cobblestone or brick square interiors.
What is the best park for a picnic with kids?
Forsyth Park's open lawns give the most room to spread out a blanket while kids alternate between the playgrounds and running around nearby, making it the most practical picnic base in the historic district.
How much walking should a family plan for around the squares?
Most squares sit two to three blocks apart along Bull Street, so a route covering four or five squares plus Forsyth Park adds up to a few miles; the free DOT Express Shuttle is a useful backup for tired legs partway through.
Free guide: Stress-Free Flying with Kids
The pre-flight checklist, carry-on packing list, and in-flight survival plan we use on every family trip — from toddlers to teens.
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