Goodwood Museum & Gardens

Imagine a place where time seems to have slowed down among century-old oaks and blooming azaleas. Goodwood Museum & Gardens is a unique historic estate located in the heart of Tallahassee, USA. Covering 20 acres, it stands as a living testament to the evolution of Southern life, having transformed from a 19th-century cotton plantation into an exquisite museum complex.

The centerpiece of the estate is the magnificent antebellum main house, built in the mid-19th century. Inside, the original furnishings of the owners' family have been preserved: from delicate porcelain and textiles to works of art, creating a unique atmosphere of domestic comfort from bygone eras. The estate is rightfully listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

In addition to its architectural heritage, the site is famous for its splendid gardens. Here, formal rose gardens, camellia alleys, and picturesque trails under the canopy of centenarian trees harmoniously coexist. Goodwood Museum & Gardens is not just a museum, but an important cultural landscape where architecture from different decades meets Florida's natural splendor.

For more information about events and special tours, you can contact the estate administration directly. Goodwood Museum & Gardens is open to communication with visitors and frequently hosts private events.

The highlight of your visit will be a tour of the main house-museum. Here, you can examine authentic 19th- and 20th-century interiors in detail, including rare examples of Southern decorative arts. Guides share fascinating stories about the lives of the estate's residents, turning a simple room tour into a true journey through time.

Be sure to set aside time for a walk through the extensive grounds, which feature 20 historic structures. You will see an old water tower, guest cottages, and even a greenhouse from the beginning of the last century. Each of these buildings completes the overall picture of a 1920s country estate, when an atmosphere of social leisure and high-society receptions prevailed.

Nature lovers should bring a camera and embark on a botanical journey through the gardens. Depending on the season, you will find lilies, roses, or delicate azaleas in bloom. Goodwood Gardens is also a popular venue for gardening lectures and cultural exhibitions held regularly outdoors, blending history with the modern community.

Finding Goodwood Museum & Gardens is easy, as the estate is located at 1600 Miccosukee Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308. If you are driving from the city center, the most convenient way is to head east on the US-27 (Magnolia Drive) highway and then turn onto Miccosukee Road. You can use the coordinates 30.45656, -84.2568176 for navigation. Free parking is provided on-site for guests.

For those who prefer public transportation, the city's StarMetro bus routes are available. The nearest stops are on Mag Lab Blvd or directly on Miccosukee Rd, from where the museum entrance is a 10–15 minute walk. It is recommended to check the schedule on the carrier's official website in advance.

The most comfortable way to reach the estate from outlying areas or from Tallahassee International Airport (approximately 20–25 km away) is by taxi or ridesharing services such as Uber or Lyft. The trip from the airport takes about 25–30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Outdoor enthusiasts can also reach the estate by bicycle, enjoying the shady streets lined with century-old oaks.

The history of this site began in 1834, when botanist Hardy Bryan Croom purchased vast lands in the Red Hills region. Initially, it was a thriving cotton and corn plantation where dozens of people worked. However, after the founder's tragic death in a shipwreck, the estate changed hands several times, gradually transforming from an agricultural enterprise into a refined country residence.

In the early 20th century, in 1911, the estate was acquired by Fanny Tiers, who initiated a large-scale modernization. It was during this period that Goodwood Museum & Gardens began to take on its modern appearance: the old house from the 1840s was updated, and decorative landscape elements such as pergolas and a water tower were added. The plantation finally evolved into a "landscape for leisure."

A new chapter opened in 1925 with the arrival of Senator William Hodges and his wife Margaret. They turned the estate into a hub of the city's social life, adding a tennis court and a swimming pool, and significantly expanding the plant collection in the gardens by planting rare varieties of lilies and camellias. Thanks to the efforts of the foundation established after Margaret's death, today we can see the estate in almost the same condition it was in during the 1920s.

To leisurely explore all the beauty of this historic location, a typical visitor will need between 2 and 3 hours. This is ample time to participate in an organized tour and explore the landscape design on your own.

We recommend setting aside about one hour for a visit to the main house-museum, where guides share fascinating stories about the former owners. The remaining time is best spent walking through the 20 acres of gardens and inspecting the additional historic buildings, such as the greenhouse and guest cottages. If you are planning a photo shoot or simply want to relax in the shade of the oaks, it is worth planning for a half-day visit.

Goodwood Museum & Gardens welcomes visitors on a set schedule; however, operating hours may change depending on the season or private events. Currently, the museum is open from Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. On Saturday, there is a short window for visits — from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

Monday and Sunday are closed. Since tours of the main house are very popular and take place at specific times, visitors are strongly encouraged to check for current information on the museum's official website before their trip or to book a tour in advance.

A stroll around the estate's surroundings will allow you to immerse yourself even deeper into the atmosphere of Florida's state capital. Near the historic estate, there are many interesting locations, from government buildings to modern entertainment centers, that will make your itinerary rich and varied.