Tybee Island Attractions For A Perfect Family Vacation

This year, as New Year’s Day was approaching I heard about  the New Year’s Eve Extravaganza on Tybee Island, Georgia.  Well, ringing in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display over the ocean at Tybee Pier sounded like a blast. This popular annual event is free and open to the public.  I had been to Tybee once before when my daughter was a baby and I decided it would be lovely to go back.  I am so glad I did because watching the fireworks over the Tybee Island beach waves with my family was the best New Year’s Eve I have ever had. Seriously. It was a truly memorable occasion and I am very thankful for it.

I was provided with a place to stay by Tybee Vacation Rentals in order facilitate a review.

Tybee Island Vacation Rental

We arrived a couple of days before New Year’s Eve and we checked out our accommodations which were provided by Tybee Vacation Rentals. We stayed at the Bikini Bottom and my kids got a kick out of the name. It was so wonderful to have our own little home at the beach. Not just a hotel room, but a nice home complete with a kitchen and a washer and dryer.

The Bikini Bottom decor was super cute and beachy and the it had a nice open layout with everything we could possibly desire from plenty of space for the kids to run around to a dishwasher and a nice fenced backyard.

I absolutely loved Biniki Bottom and Tybee Vacation Rentals was easy to deal with. They were very pleasant at check in and provided a packet with lots of Tybee Island info and stuff to do while visiting.

I also loved that Bikini Bottom was so conveniently located. It was right along the main strip so we could walk to the beach on either side of the island and we could walk to dinner and breakfast if we didn’t feel like cooking in our awesome kitchen that everything from a blender to knives. And to tell you the truth with so many great restaurants nearby, we hardly felt like cooking at all…

Tybee Island Attractions and Tybee Island Restaurants

Day 1 on Tybee Island, GA-

Tybee Island Beach and Pier

We checked in, parked our car and unloaded our stuff then headed off to explore. We were super lucky and the weather was fantastic. It was warm in the sun and we strolled along the beach. My kids ran into the waves and got wet! They just couldn’t resist.

My daughter built a sand castle and my husband and I just decompressed listening to the waves crash. Then we walked out onto the Tybee Island Pier and watched a few surfers in the waves nearby.

We passed the Tybee Marine Center and it looked like fun but I told my kids we would come back because I was hungry.

StingRay’s Tybee Island Restaurant

We walked along the strip checking out the shops and restaurants until we reached StringRay’s Seafood. Some folks had recommended it and it had a lovely balcony area for dining outside in the sun so we decided to try it out. We got a huge seafood platter and some other baskets to share it it was very yummy! We enjoyed eating the crab, shrimp, and fish to our hearts content!

Sunset on Tybee Beach

Then we went to explore the beach in another area of Tybee and enjoy the sunset over the water. Finally, we headed back to our beach house and relaxed.

Day 2 on Tybee Island, GA

I had lots of big plans for day 2, we were going to walk on the beach, visit the Tybee Marine Center, the Tybee Island lighthouse, station and museum, and the Oatland Island Wildlife Center. We didn’t fit everything in but we started with a fabulous breakfast.

The Breakfast Club, Tybee Island Restaurant

We headed down to The Breakfast Club for breakfast. Who could resist with a name like that? We sat at the bar and watched the buff gym guys make us breakfast. The prices were not cheap but the quality and size of portions made the prices well worth it. My kids had waffles and pecan waffles- delicious! My husband and I went for omelet specials. They loaded mine up with Italian sausage and spinach and it was so good and my grits were per-fect! My husband loved his roasted red pepper and chorizo sausage omelete and amazing hashbrowns. I recommend everyone try this place!

Tybee Island Lighthouse

Ordered by General James Oglethorpe, Governor of the 13th colony, in 1732, the Tybee Island Light Station has been guiding mariners safe entrance into the Savannah River for over 270 years. The Tybee Island Light Station is one of America’s most intact having all of its historic support buildings on its five-acre site.

The view from the top of the Tybee Island lighthouse was amazing and we also got to tour the lighthouse keepers quarters which was a great lesson in history for the kids as they got to see things like wood burning stoves and see the way people used to live.

Tybee Island Museum

Then we checked out The Tybee Museum which is located in the Battery Garland of Fort Screven which was constructed between 1898 and 1899. There was a rich history which was conveyed through exhibits, photos, artifacts, and videos and I found it a truly enriching experience for myself and my kids.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center

I was drawn to visit Oatland Island Wildlife Center by the promise of seeing a pack of wolves but there was much more to be seen as well. We started out with a Critter Encounter in the main building where a naturalist told us the history of the place and introduced us to 6 different animals. We got to pet a baby alligator, a King Snake, and an armadillo.

We got to look up close at screech owl, a opossum, and a flying squirrel. We loved it. Then we got to take a 2 mile hike around the property and observe foxes, bobcats, a mountain lion, and wolves. We loved it.

Tybee Island Social Club

We headed over to Tybee Island Social Club for dinner since we had heard good things about it. It was an interesting mix of upscale and relaxed island feel. I liked the atmosphere. My kids split a burrito. My husband got Surf and Turf Nachos and I got the Romesco Fish. We all liked our meals. I ate the entire Romesco Fish with all of it’s yummy cauliflower puree and roasted red pepper gravy. I thought it was delicious but a bit on the small side. They also had a very fun selection of cocktail drinks and I enjoyed the Scientist quite a bit.

Day 3- Savannah, GA

We drove into Savannah to check out the beautiful city. It reminds me so much of New Orleans (which is where I went to college at Tulane University) with it’s stately, beautiful homes and huge Live Oak trees all hung with Spanish Moss.

Goose Feathers Cafe, Savannah, GA

My husband found this gem online so we showed up to try Goose Feathers Cafe out and found a pretty long line out the door! However, the line moved fast and the operation was handled very efficiently reminding me of La Madeline’s in New Orleans. I thought we totally over ordered but leave it us piggies to finish it all! My husband and I both had the Eggs Benedict and the eggs were poached perfectly. Delicious. My kids split a waffle with fruit and whipcream. And we all shared a sticky bun, an almond croissant, and a blueberry cream croissant! Yum. I’d go back in a heartbeat!

Savannah Shops and Parks

Next, we parked and walked around and looked at shops and parks. We played on the playground at the Forsyth park and we strolled down by the river.

We passed the old Cotton Exchange. It was really pretty and we enjoyed the day in Savannah. I also enjoyed the “gophers” and pralines at Savannah’s Candy Kitchen. So much that I went back an got more on the way out of town!

We absolutely loved our family vacation to Tybee Island. It was almost an 8 hour drive from Nashville but it was well worth it. I look forward to going back again! I hope you found my guide useful when choosing your Tybee Island Attractions and Tybee Island Restaurants.

Have you been to Tybee Island? If not, will you add it your family vacation destinations list?