Callaway Gardens

Pine Mountain, GA

By Carol Muse Evans

Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, is a secluded vacation resort with something for everyone, from places to sit back and enjoy nature to great ways to get out and get moving within the beautiful gardens.

Callaway offers great golf, swimming, boating, biking and even fly fishing, but there are lots to do to exercise the mind and the imagination here, as well.

With nature walks and educational experiences such as the birds of prey show, the Horticultural Center, the Butterfly Center and even films and exhibits, Callaway does offer more information about the world around us, particularly those of animals and plants. 

This man-made landscape preserve was created by Cason and Virginia Hand Callaway to offer families a place to find “beauty, relaxation, inspiration and a better understanding of the living world.”  And there’s always something new to discover in the Gardens, no matter what season you may visit.

Summertime brings Florida State University’s “Flying High Circus” to the Gardens’ Robin Lake Beach, and visitors can see scheduled performances daily under their “big top.” Boating enthusiasts can rent sailboats, canoes and motorized Suncats.  At the beach, bask in the sun on the man-made beach around the lake, try paddle boating, take a swim and even play a round of miniature golf.

If serious golf is your game, Callaway’s Mountain View Course is ranked among the top U.S. Courses by GOLF DIGEST and GOLF magazines.  Play a round of golf, or enjoy tennis on either clay or hard surface at The Tennis Center.  Fly-fishing and regular fishing are also available, along with skeet shooting and the 7.5-mile Discovery Bicycle Trail.  Bring your own bikes, or rent your own.  You can even rent a “bicycle built for two.”

One of the most popular attractions to all ages is the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, the largest free-flight butterfly conservatory in North America.  See numerous types of butterflies up close in their own recreated habitat, along with cocoons and a “butterfly in progress.”  A variety of tropical birds can also be found here.  A fascinating short film about the life of a butterfly is also part of this exhibit.

Constantly changing floral displays are featured in an indoor/outdoor setting at the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center.  If you think you recognize that garden, you may have seen it on television.  Callaway’s Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden is the Southern location for the PBS series, “The Victory Garden.”  You can also see an early pioneer home in the Pioneer Log Cabin nearby.

The very popular Birds of Prey Show, presented several times daily, has recently added a two-year-old bald eagle to its line up of fascinating and near-extinct birds.  Learn more about all the birds, see a flight demonstration and learn about how to preserve these natural American wonders.  One of its demonstrators handles Auburn University’s mascot eagle during football season.

Seasonal trails make breathtaking nature walks, such as the Wildflower Trail, the Rhododendron Trail and the Holly Trail.  In spring, the Azalea Bowl is in full bloom where there are literally azaleas in bloom everywhere.

If children are visiting, Callaway can be both an educational experience as well as a fun one.  In addition to the regular attractions here including art displays and the film, “The Road to Extinction,” explaining why some of our wildlife is or is nearly extinct, The Gardens offers a variety of scheduled educational Discovery Programs for all ages, from butterfly gardening to ecology hikes.

Spring brings the Easter Eggstravaganza at Robin Lake Beach with an Easter Sunrise Service followed by the Easter Brunch at the Callaway Convention Center and the Plantation Room Restaurant. Spring celebrations also include “Celebrate the Arts!” bringing performing and visual artists bring their many different art forms to the Gardens.

Summer brings a number of major events to the Gardens, including the Master’s Water-Ski Championship in May, the Fourth of July Celebration including a Fireworks display, the Sky High Hot air Balloon Festival each Labor Day Weekend and the PGA Tour’s Buick Southern Open in early Fall.

Callaway Gardens is a great place to spend a day, but if you plan to stay longer, consider one of the on-site lodging. The Callaway Gardens Inn rooms and are located close to restaurants, tennis and meeting centers.  Callaway Gardens Cottages are fully equipped and spacious, while the bit-more-luxurious Callaway Gardens Villas, also fully equipped and very private.  Prices do vary seasonally, packages are available, as well, and most offer a discounted room. Accommodations in the Gardens’ include admission to the Gardens and its many activities. Callaway does offer a yearly membership and occasionally web site specials, as well, so check the web site frequently.

Right outside the park is the charming Pine Mountain Club Chalets Family Report and Conference Center.  These fully furnished homes accommodate six and include a resort pool, playground, lake and even miniature golf, with rates starting at $140 a day or $780 a week.

Great restaurants with southern cuisine abound at the Gardens, such as the Veranda, the Mountain Creek Café and Champions. Nearby Pine Mountain restaurants also offer a change of pace. Nearby Crickets Restaurant offers Cajun and Creole fare in a casual setting.

For more information on Callaway Gardens and Pine Mountain, Georgia, visit http://www.callawaygardens.com or http://www.pinemountain.org.  Or call Callaway toll free at 800-282-8181.  Spring daily admission cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children.  Children five and under are free.  The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST daily.

- Carol Muse Evans is a Birmingham-based freelance writer.