Il Pasticio, The Lady & Sons, Savannah Bistro, Vic’s on the River…all are wonderful restaurants. But I wouldn’t risk taking junior there, especially if he were in the throws of terrible twos.

Savannah visitors with young children may want to try a few of these more kid-friendly restaurants. Not only will they have a high-chair handy, but if your tike sucumbs to a crying fit, no one will turn up their nose. They are also reasonably priced.

- Juarez, 420 E.  Broughton Street – It’s a wonderful, inexpensive Mexican restaurant that serves Chicken Fingers and French Fries (pollitos y papas). It’s a nice sized place, and no one seems to mind when your kid throws a little rice on the floor. If you need a distraction, there’s some colorful murals on the wall that are a great way to point out primary colors (they are also masterful pieces of artwork, painted by SCAD students)

- Clary’s, 4430 Habersham Street - A nice feature of this breakfast/lunch restaurant is a little play area for kids. Coloring books, toys, miniature table with tea and coffee pots sit in the front of the restaurant. So, you can enjoy an incredibly delightful short stack of blueberry pancakes while the kids entertain themselves. (Clary’s on Habersham is a few miles from the famous Clary’s on Abercorn Street. To get there, you need to head out of the Historic District toward the Southside of town).

- Screamin’ Mimis, 513 E Oglethorpe Ave - A bunch of NJ folks opened this great pizza place a few years ago, and they have a lot of tolerance for kids. There’s a blackboard or two where the kids can write on, and it’s so informal, just about anything goes. Screamin’ Mimis also delivers.

- Mellow Mushroom, 11 W Liberty St - This pizza chain is pretty kid-friendly too, and a staple for SCAD students.  The pizza is good, albeit quite different than the NJ/NY-influenced  Screamin Mimis.

- Avoid the tourist restaurants, primarily on River Street. There are plenty of wonderful places to eat throughout the Historic District. Many locals, in fact, go to Bay and Broughton Streets, where they can find diverse food for reasonable prices. A few reasonably priced local restaurants include: B.Matthews, 325 E. Bay Street, Juarez Mexican Restaurant on 420 E. Broughton Street, Saigon Restaurant on 4 West Broughton Street, Kayak Cafe on 1 E. Broughton Street.

- Pick up a free Connect Savannah at many new kiosks or stores downtown. You’ll find many free or low-cost events that are truly enjoyable.

- Stay in a Historic District Vacation Rental: There are plenty of comfortable and well-located vacation rentals available in the Historic District (thanks, in part, to the housing downturn).

These vacation rentals range from carriage houses to homes that can accommodate 10 or more people. They are highly cost-effective for couples traveling with other couples, or families. In fact, vacation rentals will decrease your lodging costs quite a bit. Most also have a fully equipped kitchen, so you can prepare a meal or two daily.

- Visit the Savannah Convention & Visitors’ Bureau on Martin Luther King Blvd. before you begin your touring to pick up free brochures, maps and advice from representatives there.

- Walking the streets provides its own storytelling. You can check out the architecture, wrought ironwork on the houses and plaques in the Historic District’s scenic squares. It will be a truly delightful walk.