Is Wormsloe Historic Site Worth Visiting?

The term, “Made in the Shade” takes on a whole new meaning at Wormsloe Historic Site!

The former plantation features a jaw-dropping 1.5 mile oak-lined drive that’s been featured on the cover of more magazines than I can remember, and it’s just as pretty as you might imagine.

Is it worth visiting, though? I’ll share my thoughts below…

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Getting There

Wormsloe is located approximately 10 miles from the Visitor Center in Savannah’s Historic District. You’ll need a car or will have to take Uber or Lyft to get there.

You can also book a guided tour. This tour goes to both Wormsloe and Bonaventure Cemetery.

NOTE: The most popular annual event at Wormsloe is the Colonial Faire & Muster. It falls on Super Museum Sunday this year, so that means you can enter the park for free on February 9, 2025!

Wormsloe Historic Site Photos

The entry gates and the oak alley at Wormsloe are stunning, there’s no denying that! In fact, the avenue of oaks is one of the most iconic shots you can take in Savannah.

View looking down the tree-lined drive at the entrance to Wormsloe Plantation in Savannah with dark branches overhanging a mile-long dirt road. Bright pops of spring greenery are visible between the branches, and Spanish moss is hanging from the limbs

Detail shot of an acorn atop the gates at Wormsloe. Trees draped in Spanish moss are visible in the background

My Top Tips for Photographers

The best time to photograph the tree-lined drive is when the site first opens in the morning. There are fewer visitors then, so you have a better chance of capturing the oak alley without as many trams or people in your photos.

For moodier shots like the ones above, visit on a cloudy day or after it has just rained.

If you’re a professional photographer or plan to take photos for commercial use, please note that you need to fill out forms in advance and extra fees may be involved.

The entrance to Wormsloe Historic Site in Savannah framed by beautiful old Southern live oaks and sunlight streaming through the Spanish moss

Quiet southern dirt road at Wormsloe Historic Site lined by oak trees with moss-covered branches overhanging the road

The photo above is a good example of how the trees look after the resurrection fern has “sprung back to life” after a significant amount of rain.

It usually takes 4 to 5 hours for the ferns to fully resurrect, and the length of time they stay green depends upon how much rain fell.

If it hasn’t rained recently, the resurrection fern will be dry and brown, and the branches of the trees won’t look nearly as vibrant.

Hiking Trails at Wormsloe

I don’t think many first-time visitors to Wormsloe realize the site has 3+ miles of trails to explore! In fact, the trails are the main reason I visit.

You can fit at least 7 miles into your workout if you walk the trails and the entire length of the entry drive.

They wind through maritime forests and along the marsh, and you should spot plenty of squirrels and birds along the way. I often hear owls when I’m visiting closer to sunset, and I’ve seen plenty of deer.

Dogs are allowed on the trails at Wormsloe, but you need to keep them leashed. If you’re walking small dogs, be sure to keep an eye out for alligators near the water!

A scenic trail through the maritime forest at Wormsloe Historic Site lined with pine trees and saw palms

Historic marker at Wormsloe Historic Site displaying facts about life in Colonial Savannah

Informational signs along the trails display short history lessons and interesting facts about Wormsloe, so be on the lookout for those.

A Colonial Christmas at Wormsloe

If you want a living history lesson about life on the Georgia Coast during the 1700s, the Colonial Christmas event at Wormsloe is a good way to experience it.

Re-enactors dress in period costumes and demonstrate what it might’ve been like to live in a coastal setting during the 18th century. The event includes caroling, blacksmithing demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, and a hunt for Yule logs to burn.

A man and a woman dressed in Colonial attire stand on the dirt next to a makeshift outdoor kitchen. A small cabin with a sloped roof is visible behind them and there is a large stack of firewood piled alongside the home. Some of the trees in the background are bright yellow

Outdoor scene at Wormsloe Historic Site of a man and woman dressed in colorful Colonial-era attire. Each holds a leather folder and they appear to be singing to an audience. The man is snapping his fingers along to the tune

A man and woman dressed in period attire reenact a Colonial Christmas at Wormsloe Historic Site. The man is wearing a colorful vest over a white shirt and holding up a lantern, while the woman has on a white bonnet, and is wearing a skirt and shirt with a protective apron covering the front of her attire

A small, wooden table with pottery bowls, a wooden cutting board, a metal pitcher, and a cast iron pot. The bowl in the foreground is filled with chopped fresh veggies, while the cast iron pot is filled with cooked greens

You’ll also see what Colonial-era homes looked like during the holiday season.

For example, did you know Christmas trees weren’t common back then? The decor was simple and made from evergreen plants the residents found on the property.

A rustic brick fireplace with greenery decorating a mantle made from a solid chunk of wood. The floor is covered in straw and there is a stack of wood to the left of the fireplace

Is Wormsloe Worth Visiting?

If you’re a first-time visitor to Savannah, I think Wormsloe is worth seeing at least once — especially if you’re visiting for 3 or 4 days and have time to venture to the outskirts of the city.

If you’ll only be visiting for a couple days, it’s better to focus your time exploring the Historic District and the many historic landmarks you can find in that area.

The Pros

The main two reasons I enjoy visiting Wormsloe are to walk the trails and to take nature photos. If you like doing either of those two things, you’ll probably enjoy going out there, too!

Wormsloe is family friendly
The entry fee is reasonable (currently $12 for one adult)
There are bikes available to rent and use on the trails
The avenue of oaks offers memorable photo opportunities
The trails offer a variety of views, from marshes to maritime forests
You’re likely to spot multiple types of wildlife along the trails
It’s a great place for birdwatching
The living history demonstrations offer hands-on learning opportunities
You can see some of the oldest tabby ruins in the state at Wormsloe

The Cons

The biggest drawback to Wormsloe, in my opinion, is that the history lessons could be more thorough. I hope they plan to expand the museum at some point to include more exhibits!

The museum could be more informative
The heat and humidity can be oppressive during the summertime
Mosquitoes and sand gnats can be bad during the warmer months

Plan Your Trip: Wormsloe Historic Site

Where is Wormsloe Historic Site located?
Address: 7601 Skidaway Dr, Savannah 31406
Hours: Monday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 4: 45 p.m. | Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Restrooms: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center, but none on the trails
Time to Allot: Plan to spend 1.5 hours or longer if you want to hike the trails

What else is popular in the area?
Pin Point Heritage Museum | 3.7 miles
Bluff Drive on Isle of Hope | .7 miles

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FAQs About Wormsloe

Was Wormsloe a plantation?

Yes, Wormsloe was a plantation for many years. The Jones family’s servants grew crops of mulberry trees, cotton, corn, rice, berries, and vegetables.

Were there slaves at Wormsloe Plantation?

Yes, enslaved families worked the land at Wormsloe. Many began as indentured servants and then became enslaved once slavery was legalized in the state of Georgia.

Can you visit the Wormsloe house?

No, the Wormsloe home is privately owned and is separate from the areas where visitors are allowed to roam. Sometimes you can get a peek at it through the vegetation, though.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the trails and on the trams, but they aren’t allowed inside the visitor center or the museum.

If you have any questions about Wormsloe Historic Site, please ask in the comments below!

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Erin authored the Savannah First-Timer's Guide and loves helping first-time visitors plan their trips. She lives in the artsy Starland District and enjoys exploring Savannah's hidden gems, as well as the surrounding Lowcountry.