Choosing a base: Atlanta versus Savannah versus the coast
Atlanta works best as a first stop because everything shortens: Hartsfield-Jackson is a 20-minute MARTA ride from Downtown, and the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and Children's Museum of Atlanta sit within a few blocks of Centennial Olympic Park. Stay in Midtown near Piedmont Park for space and stroller-friendly sidewalks, or Downtown for walkable sightseeing. Hotel rates cluster higher downtown; Midtown and Buckhead often run lower for the same standard. Buckhead suits families with a car.
Savannah is the opposite pleasure: flat, compact, and best explored on foot or by trolley. Forsyth Park has a playground and open lawns, and the Historic District's squares give children room to run between stops. Tybee Island is 20 minutes further for a beach afternoon. If you are mixing both cities, the drive on I-16 takes about four hours. Families with toddlers usually do better choosing one: Savannah for a slow long weekend, Atlanta for museums and day trips.
Mountains, lakes and the north Georgia towns
North Georgia is where local families go in summer and leaf season. Blue Ridge, about 90 minutes from Atlanta, pairs the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway with easy river tubing and the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge. Helen, a Bavarian-styled town an hour east of Blue Ridge, has shallow river wading at Unicoi Hill Park and the Alpine Mini Golf. Cabins with kitchens are the practical choice here; book well ahead for October weekends, when rates peak.
Further west, Cloudland Canyon State Park near Trenton offers short rim trails with railings that suit older children, and Amicalola Falls near Dawsonville has a boardwalk to the falls base that works with a stroller. Skip the full staircase to the top with small children. Lake Lanier, 45 minutes north of Atlanta, is the low-effort option: swimming beaches, boat rental and Margaritaville's water park. Summer is busy; May and September are quieter and cheaper.
The coast: Tybee, Jekyll and Cumberland Island
Tybee Island's north beach has calm water and lifeguards in season, and the pier area is a short walk from most rentals. Jekyll Island, south of Savannah, is the better pick for cycling: 20 miles of flat paths, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and Driftwood Beach, which children treat as a climbing frame. Cumberland Island, reached by ferry from St. Marys, is a day trip rather than a base, and the ferry and daily visitor numbers are limited, so reserve early.
On the coast, the practical rhythm is morning beach, midday shade, late afternoon outings. July and August are hot and humid, with afternoon storms; late April to early June and September into October give kinder weather and lower rates. If your children are under five, I would book Tybee over Jekyll for the walkable beach and shorter transfers; for ages six and up, Jekyll's cycling makes it the stronger family stay.
Practical tips and what to skip
Book accommodation with breakfast and a pool where you can. Atlanta's summer heat makes an afternoon swim a real reset, and free breakfast saves a daily negotiation. Ask about parking before booking in Savannah and Atlanta: garage fees add up, and Historic District hotels often have none. Car seats should be arranged with rental companies in advance. Take the Peachtree Center and North Avenue stations as anchors for downtown sightseeing; MARTA is easier than driving with children.
What to skip: the Stone Mountain summit walk with young children in summer (ride the cable car instead), long driving days between Savannah and the mountains, and downtown Atlanta on a home-game weekend unless you have booked parking. Coastal rentals for July should be booked months ahead. The 7-day funnel on this site shows strong interest in the big three cities, so lock a room early once your dates are firm, then build the itinerary around it.