Savannah gets real rain — afternoon thunderstorms are common May through September, and coastal systems can dump a full day of gray sky on a trip that was supposed to be parks and squares. The indoor lineup here is surprisingly deep. You can fill an entire day without a car, without a long drive to Pooler, and without spending more than $100 for a family of 4. Here's what to do when the forecast goes sideways.
Best Indoor Museums and Cultural Spots
Jepson Center & Telfair Children's Art Museum (CAM) is the top indoor museum call on a rainy day. Rated 4.5, family of 4: $50–$70 (adults ~$20, children 5–17 ~$10, under 5 free). The Children's Art Museum section is designed for hands-on making and doing rather than looking — interactive art installations, creative exhibits, activity stations. Kids who typically shut down in traditional museums find CAM engaging because they're always building or creating something. The Telfair Museums pass covers Jepson Center plus two other Telfair properties — best value if you're in Savannah for multiple days. Budget 1.5–2.5 hours.
Georgia State Railroad Museum is a mix of indoor and covered outdoor space — the historic locomotives and rail yard are partially sheltered, making it workable in light rain. Rated 4.5, family of 4: $40–$60 (adults $12–$15, children 3–18 $6–$8, under 3 free). The working turntable demonstration, when it runs, is genuinely impressive. Budget 1.5–2.5 hours. Wear comfortable shoes for the outdoor rail yard sections.
Tybee Island Marine Science Center is primarily indoor — the touch pools and exhibits are inside even if the beach connection is outside. Rated 4.5, family of 4: $30–$50 (adults $10–$12, children 5–17 $7–$9, under 5 free). Touch pools with live sea creatures, sea turtle and shore bird exhibits, and educational programs. It's 40 minutes from downtown Savannah on Tybee Island — only worth the drive if rain is light enough that the beach is still an option afterward.
Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center is free and fully indoor. Rated 4.7, $0 for a family of 4. NOAA-operated exhibits about the marine sanctuary off Georgia's coast — ocean ecosystems, marine life, conservation science. Open Tuesday–Friday only with a midday break; check hours before driving there.
UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium is fully indoor and one of the best-value paid options. Rated 4.6, family of 4: $25–$40 (adults $8–$10, children $4–$6). A working university marine research facility where kids lose track of time at the touch tanks. Closed Sundays.
Entertainment Venues
Encryption Escape is the top entertainment pick for rainy days — 60 minutes of focused puzzle-solving in a climate-controlled space, and there's a reason it has 610 reviews at 4.8 stars. Family of 4: $80–$120 (~$20–$30/person; book a private room). The Historic District location means you can walk from most downtown hotels. Book at least a few days ahead; it sells out on rainy weekends when everyone has the same idea.
The Escape Company (rated 4.7, family of 4: $80–$120) and Escape Room Entertainment (rated 4.8, family of 4: $80–$120) are both in the Historic District and serve as alternatives or additions if Encryption Escape is booked. Book private rooms at all three — the experience with strangers in the room is fundamentally different.
The Bunny Hive Savannah (rated 4.8, family of 4: $30–$50) is the rainy day answer for toddler and preschool families. Boutique indoor play space designed specifically for under-6s — everything at their scale, climate-controlled, clean, and safe. Weekday mornings have smaller crowds and a more relaxed experience.
Fun Zone in Pooler is a partial indoor option — go-karts are outdoor, but the arcade, mini golf, and laser tag portions are covered. Rated 4.7, family of 4: $80–$140 (go-karts $10–$12/person, mini golf $8–$10/person, arcade cards $10–$20 each, food $25–$40). Open Thursday through weekend only. Worth the 20-minute drive to Pooler if you want the go-kart track specifically.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park (rated 4.1, family of 4: $60–$90) is fully indoor and solves the energy problem on a stuck-inside day. Jump sessions $15–$20/person per hour. Buy passes online. Grip socks are mandatory — bring your own.
Exhilarate - The Adventure Zone (rated 4.1, family of 4: $60–$100) packs laser tag, bowling, mini golf, and a climbing wall into one center. The mix of physical activities keeps energy high for 2–3 hours. Check the website for combo packages.
Free or Low-Cost Indoor Options
Savannah Coastal Refuges Visitor Center — free. Good for 30–45 minutes of exhibits about coastal Georgia wildlife refuges. Closed weekends.
Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center — free. The best free indoor stop on a rainy day, full stop. Genuinely substantive exhibits, not just brochure racks. Open Tuesday–Friday.
For families with toddlers, The State Botanical Garden of Georgia (free grounds access, rated 4.8) has a tropical conservatory that may have admission — check botgarden.uga.edu before visiting. The conservatory is the covered option here when it's raining outside.
Quick Picks by Age Group
Toddlers (ages 0–4): The Bunny Hive Savannah — designed specifically for this age, climate-controlled, $30–$50 for a family. This is the answer. Full stop.
Big kids (ages 5–12): Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center (free, 1–1.5 hours) + UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium ($25–$40, 1.5–2.5 hours). Full science morning for under $40 for a family of 4.
Or: Jepson Center & CAM ($50–$70) for kids who lean creative over scientific.
Tweens and teens (ages 12+): Encryption Escape is the obvious first call — 610 reviews at 4.8 stars, Historic District location, $80–$120 for a private room. If that's booked, The Escape Company or Fun Zone (go-karts) are the alternatives.
All ages — complete rainy day under $100: Gray's Reef (free, 1 hour) + lunch in Historic District ($40–$60 food, not included here) + Georgia State Railroad Museum ($40–$60) = $40–$60 in activities for a family of 4. That's a full, complete indoor day.
Bottom Line: Savannah's rainy-day lineup is anchored by a genuinely strong free tier (Gray's Reef, Coastal Refuges Visitor Center) and two solid indoor entertainment tracks: museums for learning-oriented families and escape rooms for adventure-oriented ones. Start with the free options, add one paid anchor appropriate for your kids' ages, and the day doesn't feel like a loss.