Oatland Island Wildlife Center

Oatland Island Wildlife Center is Savannah's best low-cost family outing and a lovely nature walk for anyone: a 100-acre wildlife preserve and environmental education center on the marsh east of the city, run by the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, where a two-mile trail loop winds through maritime forest and along salt-marsh boardwalks past habitats for more than 150 animals. The collection focuses on species native to Georgia and the Southeast, and the animals are mostly ones that cannot be released to the wild. The headliners are gray wolves, American bison, pumas and bobcats; alligators bask in their marsh enclosure; red foxes, deer and armadillos appear along the way; and an aviary area holds birds of prey including eagles, owls and vultures. A heritage farm section with sheep, hogs and a cow, and historic outbuildings, rounds out the walk for younger children. The setting is a large part of the appeal: the trail is shaded by live oaks and pines, the boardwalks open onto wide views over the marsh, and the pace is gentle, with benches and viewing platforms throughout. Admission is inexpensive — a fraction of a typical zoo ticket — and children under four are free. Fit: families first and foremost, couples or solo travelers who want an easy nature walk with wildlife, and anyone looking for a calm, shaded break from the city's busiest attractions.

The property has an unexpected history. The land was cleared for cotton as part of the McQueen family plantation in the eighteenth century; in 1927 the Order of Railway Conductors opened a retirement home here, the stately white-columned building that still stands near the entrance; after it closed, the federal government used the site, and from the 1940s until 1973 it housed public health and Centers for Disease Control laboratory work before the CDC consolidated in Atlanta. A local teacher then campaigned for the property to become an environmental education center, which opened to the public in 1974; the school system took full control in 2004 and renamed it the Oatland Island Wildlife Center in 2007. That educational mission shapes the visit: signs are clear and informative, and the staff and volunteers are focused on teaching rather than entertainment.

Making the most of it: arrive soon after opening, when the animals are most active and the trail is coolest, and walk the full loop rather than cutting back — the wolves and bison are at the far reaches, and the marsh boardwalks are the scenic highlight. Wear comfortable shoes; the trail is mostly unpaved and can be muddy after rain, and strollers with large wheels manage better than small ones. Bring water and insect repellent in the warm months. The center hosts seasonal family events and programs, from campfire nights to holiday festivals, so check the calendar if your dates line up.

Practicals: open daily from mid-morning to late afternoon, with the last vehicles admitted about an hour before closing; plan at least an hour, two for the full loop at a relaxed pace. It closes on a handful of holidays, including Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year's Day and July 4. The center stays open in light rain but may close for severe weather. It is about ten to fifteen minutes east of downtown off the Islands Expressway, on the way toward Tybee, so it pairs easily with Old Fort Jackson or a Tybee afternoon. Military members visit free on several patriotic holidays. A realistic family plan is a morning at Oatland, a picnic or lunch on the way back toward the city, and an afternoon at Old Fort Jackson for the cannon firing, which together make one of the best-value days Savannah offers children. Adults without kids should not dismiss it: the marsh boardwalks are among the prettiest easy walks near the city, and the quiet of the trail is a welcome contrast to River Street and the squares on a busy weekend. Allow extra time for the gift shop and the wolf habitat, which children rarely want to leave.