It’s kids play on Tybee Island during spring and summer, with plenty of activities to keep the most active children busy and entertained. Whether your little one likes history, nature, the ocean, or a combination, they’ll find a lot to love along the Georgia coast.
History in Tybee Island
For the history-loving kid, head to Fort Pulaski National Monument, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors must buy a recreational use permit, but youth 15 and under are admitted for free.
Rooms of the fort are preserved with period furnishings to give visitors an idea of Civil War-era life. The fort is also surrounded with nature trails, including an overlook trail where visitors can get a look at Cockspur Lighthouse, which is closed to the public. There are daily ranger programs as well as guided tours. Or explore the grounds on your own.
History buffs will also enjoy a visit to the Tybee Island Museum and Battery Garland at Fort Screven. Fort Screven dates to 1897 when it helped defend the Eastern Coast. The museum there has been open since the 1950s, so generations of young people have wandered its concrete gun batteries and outbuildings.
Fort admission includes a visit to Tybee Island Lighthouse, and what’s more adventurous to a kid than a lighthouse? The Tybee Island Lighthouse Station and Museum guided sailors safely into the Savannah River since construction in 1732. The lighthouse tower has 178 steps that provide far-reaching views once you reach the top. Adults and kids ages 12 and over can take an evening guided tour of the lighthouse and watch the sun set. It’s one of Tybee’s most cherished landmarks!
A Lesson in Tybee Island Marine Life
Young marine biologists can get up close to aquatic life at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, visitors can get hands-on experiences with beach walks, marsh treks, turtle talks and more. Exhibits include baby alligators, spider crabs, clown fish, snakes and more. Get behind-the-scenes tours or watch feeding times. There’s also a Touch Tank of live marine invertebrates.
Of course, there are few things kids love as much as being at the beach or on the water. The Tybee Pier is perfect for casting a line or enjoying a picnic (or both).
Or let them run around and explore the beaches of Tybee Island. South Beach, North Beach, and Mid Beach all offer stretches of pristine sands perfect for building sand castles, hunting for sea shells, or splashing in the ocean.
And Southern Belle Vacation Rentals has your accommodation needs covered. We have family-friendly cottages and condos with plenty of amenities to keep kids busy. Some of our homes offer pool or beach access, along with everything your family needs for a Tybee Island family vacation.
