Savannah: Bonaventure Cemetery & Wormsloe Tour with Cookie Stop

Summary

Walk Savannah’s moss-draped Bonaventure paths then wander Wormsloe’s live oaks and tabby ruins with a cookie tasting finale

You’ll walk beneath ancient oaks in Bonaventure Cemetery with a local guide sharing Savannah stories, then ride out for Wormsloe’s iconic live oak avenue and historic tabby ruins. Enjoy lunch at a favorite spot before sampling cookies at Byrd’s headquarters. It’s a day full of quiet moments and unexpected flavors—you might find yourself lingering on something you didn’t expect.

What’s the experience like?

It started with a quiet “Hey y’all, watch your step,” from our guide as we shuffled under those huge, drooping oaks in Bonaventure Cemetery. I was honestly more nervous about tripping over tree roots than ghosts, but the guide—Miss Carla, born-and-raised Savannah—knew every story behind the stones. She paused by Gracie Watson’s grave and let us just stand there for a minute. You could hear the river somewhere nearby, and I swear the air even smelled different—like old flowers and damp stone. I didn’t expect to feel so much walking through a cemetery, but it kind of sneaks up on you.

Afterwards, we piled back into the van (which picked us up right at our hotel downtown—huge relief) and headed out toward Wormsloe State Historic Site. That drive down the avenue of live oaks is something else—sunlight flickering through all that Spanish moss, just endless green overhead. Our guide pointed out how the plantation tabby ruins were made from oyster shells (“tabby” is a word I’d never heard before), and Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin—probably butchered it. The museum was small but had these odd little artifacts that made me wonder about all the people who lived here centuries ago.

Lunch was on our own at this local spot Carla recommended (I had shrimp and grits for the first time—don’t judge), then we finished at Byrd Cookie Company headquarters. Never thought I’d eat so many tiny cookies in one go, but they hand out samples like it’s Halloween. There was this lemon one that tasted like summer afternoons. I still think about that view back at Bonaventure though, with the river shining past all those old stones… you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bonaventure Cemetery and Wormsloe Tour

• Tour Bonaventure Cemetery
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Drive down Wormsloe oak-lined road
• Walk to Plantation Tabby Ruins
• Visit Wormsloe museum
• Shop and taste at Byrd Cookie Company

Top questions

How long does the Bonaventure Cemetery & Wormsloe tour take?

The tour is a half-day experience including both sites plus stops for lunch and cookies.

Is hotel pickup included for this Savannah tour?

Yes, complimentary pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Savannah's historic district.

What do you see at Wormsloe State Historic Site?

You’ll drive down the famous live oak avenue, walk to 18th-century tabby ruins, and visit the site museum.

Are food or drinks included on this tour?

The tour includes tastings at Byrd Cookie Company; lunch is on your own at a recommended local restaurant.

Can infants or small children join this day trip?

Yes, infants can ride in prams or strollers or sit on an adult's lap during transport.

Do you get to walk inside Bonaventure Cemetery?

Yes, there is a guided walking tour through Bonaventure Cemetery along its paths and notable gravesites.

What’s included

Your day includes complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off from Savannah’s historic district hotels, guided walking tours of Bonaventure Cemetery and Wormsloe State Historic Site with time to see the plantation tabby ruins and museum exhibits, free time for lunch at a favorite local restaurant (on your own), plus shopping and tastings at Byrd Cookie Company headquarters before returning to town.