Wormsloe Plantation: Tours and Guided Visits

Walk in the footsteps of idealistic colonists at Georgia’s Wormsloe State Historic Site. The former plantation, just minutes from Savannah, is a relic from pre-revolutionary times. Wormsloe Plantation was founded on the values of British colonists wanting to create a self-sufficient utopia in Georgia.

Now a state-protected historic site, experience the story of the United States from European settlement through the emancipation of the slaves on a Wormsloe Plantation guided tour.

Discover more about Wormsloe Plantation, one of the most beautiful sightseeing tours in Savannah, Georgia.

Where's Wormsloe Plantation?

The Wormsloe Plantation is located 15 kilometers southeast of Savannah near the Isle of Hope. You can reach Wormsloe in less than 20 minutes from historic Savannah via the Harry Truman Parkway.

What can you see at Wormsloe Plantation?

Tabby ruins

While you won’t see an imposing antebellum mansion here, the history of the place is dazzling. The plantation’s original 1740 structure, now in ruins, is the oldest remaining building in Savannah. The fortified tabby home, built of a mix of limestone, oyster shells and sand, served as a dwelling and as a defensive outpost against Spanish invasion along the Skidaway River.

Museum

Take a moment to browse the displays at the plantation’s museum. Learn about the ideals that lured Noble Jones and his compatriots from England to Georgia. Hear how Noble, a humble British carpenter, became a major player in the colony and how his family has maintained part of the estate into the 21st century.

See artifacts from the First Nations who occupied the area before the arrival of the Europeans. Absorb a film detailing how Noble Jones turned this swath of swampland into a prosperous estate. Process the fact that he did that with the work of countless slaves.

Colonial life area

The Wormsloe Historic site hosts reenactments, demonstrations, and events are held throughout the year at the site’s recreation of a colonial village. Learn about skills the European settlers needed to survive here, witness stagings of battles from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and hear the stories of the marginalized people who helped build Georgia.

Wildlife spotting

Enter the estate’s stone arch and follow the nearly 2 kilometer oak-line parkway that leads you to the parking area. Wormsloe’s live oaks draped in Spanish moss house a wealth of species, from other plants to mammals and birds. The park’s trail system winds through forest and along marshlands where you may spy herons, deer, crabs and racoons.

Which Wormsloe Plantation tour should you choose?

Get ready for a day filled with history and natural beauty. Wormsloe Plantation tours also take you to Bonaventure Cemetery, one of Georgia’s most picturesque resting places. Begin your outing with a 2-hour guided tour of Bonaventure Cemetery. Take in the serene landscape and haunting sculptures as you pass by graves of actors, politicians and artists.

Before moving on to Wormsloe Historic Site, you can indulge in the local cuisine and sit down to a meal in one of Savannah’s most celebrated eateries. Savor the coastal southern flavors of barbecue, seafood and more at Erica Davis Lowcountry Restaurant. Menu highlights are fried green tomatoes, seafood po’boys and classic southern sides like grits, collard greens and fried okra.

At Wormsloe, explore the grounds at your own pace. Wander the nature trails to the 18th-century tabby house ruins, the colonial area and marsh, as well as the park’s museum. Try to spy the 19th-century Jones-De Renne family home through the trees, still occupied by Noble Jones’ descendents today.

After discovering Wormsloe, head to Byrd’s Famous Cookies, one of Savannah’s most renowned confectionaries. Don’t miss a sample of their key lime or peach cooler cookies and savory benne bits. Tour and taste before heading back to central Savannah.

How much does a Wormsloe Plantation tour cost?

Wormsloe Plantation tours cost US$65 per person. Tour packages include transportation to the Wormsloe Historic Site, Bonaventure Cemetery, Erica Davis Lowcountry Restaurant and Byrd’s Famous Cookies.

Entry fees to the historic site and guided tours of Bonaventure Cemetery and Byrd’s Famous Cookies are provided in the price. Enjoy lunch at your own expense.

Where do Wormsloe Plantation tours start?

Meet your transportation to Wormsloe Historic Site at Gray Line Savannah at the corner of Turner and Martin Luther King Boulevards. Some tours can provide pickup at hotels in downtown Savannah.

When is the best time to visit Wormsloe Plantation?

The best times to visit Wormsloe Plantation are in the early spring or fall to take advantage of pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Tours operate rain or shine. Taking a tour at the beginning of your visit can be a great way to get tips and ideas from your guide on how you’d like to fill the rest of your time in Savannah.  

Travel tips

• If you visit the plantation during the summer, bring insect repellent.
• No food or drink other than water is allowed in Bonaventure Cemetery.
• Wear shoes and clothing appropriate for several hours of walking.
• Bring a bottle of water and rain gear.