Family Weekend in Tybee Island

If you are looking for a small beach town that is equally authentic and charming, while at the same time trendy – Tybee Island is for you! Tybee Island is popular with locals and welcoming of travelers, not something you see every day. This barrier island is known as Savannah’s beach (given its proximity to the city), and is everything you would hope for in a close-knit beach town.

Tybee Island has a strong sense of community. Everything from the restaurants to shops are locally owned, something that really stood out to me. You will not see big box chains here – a refreshing change of pace. The people are so kind, you will feel like a local yourself.

I have compiled a list of the three A’s: Accommodations, Adventures, and Appetite!  If you have any questions about Tybee Island or our trip please send me an email!

Accommodations

Being a vacation paradise, you can find a plethora of accommodations on Tybee Island. We stayed in a three bedroom condo at Captain’s Watch, one block from the beach and great proximity to restaurants. If you’ve followed our travels at all, you know I prefer a condo/home where our family can spread out come bedtime. This condo checked all the boxes!

The condo boasts a full kitchen, washer/dryer, two full bathrooms, and sitting room. The balcony was our favorite spot. Located on the main strip, you had a beach view and was a great place to unwind with a drink and people watch. There were several great restaurants and shops within walking distance, and we had two bikes for our use on the island.

Adventures

Tybee Island Lighthouse – Come visit the tallest and oldest lighthouse in Georgia. A 178-step climb to the top offers amazing views you don’t want to miss (both my girls were able to make it to the top on their own – whew!). The lighthouse and it’s 5-acre site and structures are all historically preserved – giving you a glimpse into life as lighthouse keeper. Our family had a great time here, and would highly recommend!

Tybee Island Marine Science Center – I love to incorporate learning while we travel, and the Tybee Island Marine Science Center was a highlight of our trip! Located in a brand new facility on the beach, here you can find rescued and rehabilitated marine life. The staff here is eager to educate and inform, answering all questions with incredible knowledge. They have a touch tank where my girls spend most of their time learning about crabs, star fish, and turtles. Tybee Island is a favorite nesting ground for the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtles, and the Tybee Island Marine Science Center plays a pivotal roll in preserving these nests. There is a playground outside that was a lot of fun also.

Fort Pulaski National Monument – Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on Cockspur Island between Savannah and Tybee Island. It preserves Fort Pulaski; during the American Civil War, the Union Army successfully tested rifled cannon in combat in 1862 there. The architecture of brick fascinates me, and is a beautiful fort to walk around. This is a great stop for history buffs and children alike, they offer children a workbook to complete pages and earn their park ranger badge. My girls took this very seriously and I am proud to say both were sworn in as official Junior Rangers of Fort Pulaski (with a great badge to go with the honor).

Savannah’s Beach – You can’t go to Tybee Island without visiting the beach! The beach is our family’s favorite way to unwind, and we enjoyed the tide pools during low tide. The pier makes for a great photo op – and you may see a great catch!

Apetite

The Crab Shack – Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere! The Crab Shack is a staple in Tybee Island, loved by travelers and locals alike. This waterfront dining experience has massive seafood platters with generous portions, delicious BBQ, and ambiance that its hard to beat. They also have a lagoon full of alligators as the restaurants welcome committee (you can feed them for a small fee).

Salt Island Fish & Beer – This shabby chic restaurant isa must visit when in Tybee, and I am pretty sure you can’t go wrong with anything ordered. We actually had a hard time trying to decide what to order since it all looked so good! The staff is very kind and welcoming of our girls – giving them markers and coloring pages.

Chamacos Tacos – This is THE place for authentic Mexican style street tacos. Chamacos tacos has happy hour from 4-6 daily and is seriously the coolest place to be in Tybee Island. They had a live band while we visited, corn hole games going, and sun-kissed patrons unwinding after a day at the beach. All of the tacos we got were delicious, the homemade salsa really gives it that extra kick, and be sure to try the barrel aged tequila old fashioned – YUM!

Until next time…