Listen, we all love Savannah's historic squares and charming cobblestone streets, but when the humidity hits 90% and you start melting like a praline in July, it's time to seek refuge indoors. Lucky for us, the Hostess City has more air-conditioned havens than you can shake a sweet tea at.
The Escape Company | Prohibition-era puzzles
Located on Whitaker Street, this isn't your average escape room where you're handcuffed to a radiator. The Escape Company transports you to 1920s Savannah with their "Speakeasy" room, complete with a hidden bar called The Hideaway Lounge where you can celebrate your escape—or drown your sorrows if you didn't make it out.
They've got rooms ranging from creepy Victorian mysteries to prison breaks, perfect for groups who want to test their friendships in climate-controlled comfort. Open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 8 p.m. Book your escape and grab a cocktail afterward.
American Prohibition Museum | Bootlegging with benefits
Speaking of speakeasies, this City Market gem is the only museum in the country dedicated entirely to America's "dry" years—though thankfully, it's anything but. With 13 galleries, life-like wax figures that'll make you do a double-take, and authentic moonshine stills, you'll learn why Savannah was particularly bad at being sober. The museum caps off with Congress Street Up, their not-so-secret speakeasy where you can sip period-accurate cocktails.
Open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., though the speakeasy stays open later for those who need to "research" Prohibition-era drinks more thoroughly. Adults pay $14, and yes, the cocktail at the end is worth it. Get your tickets and learn why Prohibition failed spectacularly.
Graveface Museum | Oddities for the brave
Tucked away at the far end of River Street, this museum is where true crime meets carnival sideshow in the most fascinating way possible. Home to the world's largest collection of John Wayne Gacy paintings and authentic Ed Gein artifacts, it's definitely not for the faint of heart or small children. The museum covers everything from serial killers to cult artifacts, plus there's a pinball arcade called Creature Castle because why not?
Open Thursday through Monday from noon to 7 p.m. General admission gets you access to both the museum and unlimited pinball for 24 hours. Check out their collection if you dare.
Bull Street Library | Literary refuge
Before you roll your eyes at the library suggestion, hear me out. This Carnegie beauty isn't just for bookworms—it's a 66,000-square-foot palace of free Wi-Fi, comfy chairs, and blessed AC. The genealogy room is perfect for tracking down which of your ancestors was responsible for your heat intolerance.
Plus, they host events, have a solid collection of local history, and won't judge you for camping out all day with your laptop. Open Sunday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday and Tuesday until 7 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday until 6 p.m. Find your next read or just enjoy the AC.
Telfair Museums | Triple threat of culture
This isn't one museum but three, giving you options depending on your mood. The Jepson Center serves contemporary art in a sleek, modern building that looks like a spaceship landed in historic Savannah. Kids can get hands-on at the Children's Art Museum inside, while adults can pretend to understand abstract expressionism. T
he Telfair Academy houses 19th-century American art in a mansion that'll make you wish you had a trust fund. Don't miss the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters for a sobering but essential look at Savannah's complex history. Plan your artistic escape.
Savannah African Art Museum | Free cultural immersion
This hidden gem offers a FREE escape into the art and culture of 28 African countries—yes, you read that right, free as in no admission fee whatsoever. The collection spans everything from intricate masks to sculptures and cultural artifacts that tell stories spanning centuries. It's one of those places that makes you feel cultured and educated without trying too hard, plus the smaller crowds mean you can actually see the exhibits without playing human bumper cars.
Perfect for families looking to add some culture to their day, or anyone who appreciates art. Explore the collection and expand your horizons.
Jewish Educational Alliance | Pool paradise
The JEA isn't just for members of the tribe—they welcome everyone to their aquatic oasis. With both indoor and outdoor pools (the indoor one's heated to a toasty 84 degrees year-round), you can swim laps or just float your troubles away. The indoor pool hosts water aerobics if you're into that sort of torture, plus swim lessons for all ages.
Individual passes start at $61 per month with a joiner's fee, but the family rate is a steal at $82. Pool closed for maintenance from noon to 12:30 p.m. weekdays, otherwise dive in. Check out membership options and pool schedules.
UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium | Underwater wonders
Sure, it's a 30-minute drive to Skidaway Island, but this hidden gem is worth the trek. Georgia's first saltwater aquarium features 16 tanks of local marine life, most caught by staff right off our coast. The touch tank lets you get handsy with horseshoe crabs and sea urchins, while the nature trail offers a chance to spot wild dolphins if you're lucky.
It's small enough to see everything in an hour but engaging enough to linger. Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Adults $8, kids $6. Plan your underwater adventure.
Ghost Pirates Ice | Chill out literally
When hell freezes over in Savannah, it happens at the Civic Center. Home ice for our ECHL Ghost Pirates, they offer public skating sessions where you can pretend you're training for the Olympics or just cling to the wall for dear life.
General admission is $12, kids under 12 pay $9, and skate rental is $4. Check their calendar for public session times, which vary based on the hockey schedule. Find out when you can hit the ice.
Bowlero Savannah | Strikes and sips
With 50 lanes, arcade games, and a full bar, this Tibet Avenue spot proves bowling isn't just for birthday parties anymore. They've got cosmic bowling if you want to pretend you're in a nightclub while wearing rented shoes, plus food that goes way beyond nachos (though they have those too).
Night Strike specials offer unlimited bowling for $15.99 after 8 p.m. on weekdays. Open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and midnight on weekends. Reserve your lane and practice that turkey.
Frames N' Games | Pooler's play palace
If you don't mind the drive to Pooler, this spot combines bowling, laser tag, arcade games, and a full restaurant under one roof. It's basically the Swiss Army knife of entertainment venues. Open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. on weekends because Pooler knows how to party.
Prices vary by day and time, so check before you trek out there. See what strikes your fancy.
Savannah Children's Museum | Outdoor fun, sort of
Okay, technically this one's outdoors, but hear me out—it's in the old Central of Georgia Railway building with covered areas and misters for hot days. The exploration maze, sensory garden, and hands-on exhibits keep kids busy while parents can hide in the shade. Plus, they're opening an indoor STEAM center with a mirror maze in late 2025, so relief is coming.
Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed Sundays. It's $10 per person over 18 months. Check if they're open before heading out.
Exhilarate Savannah | Bounce your troubles away
This Tibet Avenue mega-complex is what happens when you combine trampolines, climbing walls, obstacle courses, and arcade games with adequate supervision. It's marketed for kids but let's be real—adults need to burn off steam too.
They host adult nights where you can relive your childhood without side-eyeing someone's mom. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Friday, until 10 p.m. Saturday. Jump into the action and pretend you're still young.
Making the most of your indoor adventures
Beat the crowds with strategic timing. Museums are blissfully empty first thing in the morning, while active venues like bowling alleys and trampoline parks are best after dinner when both crowds and temperatures drop.
Location clusters save gas and sanity. The American Prohibition Museum and Graveface Museum are both near River Street, while Pooler packs Frames N' Games, and Bowlero into a small radius. Plan your day by neighborhood to minimize time in the heat between venues.
Follow the money-saving breadcrumbs. During peak summer, venues get desperate and drop unadvertised deals on social media. Sign up for newsletters and watch their Instagram stories for flash sales on everything from bowling to museum tickets.
Know your audience's energy curve. Kids? Hit the trampolines and laser tag early when they're fresh, then wind down at museums or the library post-lunch. Adults? Start cultural in the morning when your brain still works, then graduate to activities involving adult beverages as the day progresses.
Embrace the AC without shame. Even born-and-raised Savannahians know when to surrender to the heat. These aren't just rainy day alternatives—they're survival strategies for June through September.
