Callaway Gardens

In the 1930s, Cason Callaway, a textile executive, and his wife Virginia began buying up worn-out cotton land in these hills, drawn in part by a rare native azalea that grew there. They set about restoring the exhausted soil and forest, planting extensively and nurturing the land back to health.

The Callaways opened the gardens to the public in the 1950s, wanting others to experience the beauty they had rebuilt. Their vision, that a ruined landscape could be healed and shared, gives Callaway Gardens a story much like other great restoration projects, a place made beautiful again by deliberate care rather than left untouched.

The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center is one of the gardens' signature attractions, a glass conservatory where thousands of tropical butterflies fly free among the plants, sometimes landing on visitors. It is a warm, humid, tropical world under glass, a striking contrast to the pine woods outside.

Spring is the flowers' great moment, when the azaleas for which the gardens are famous burst into bloom across the woodland in waves of pink, white, and red. Other seasons bring their own displays, from summer wildflowers to the horticultural center's indoor gardens, so there is always something growing.

Beyond the gardens proper, the grounds hold lakes with beaches, miles of biking and walking trails through the pine forest, and open spaces for recreation. The resort setting means families can spread a day across the water, the trails, and the flowers, moving between them by bike, trolley, or car.

One of the most beloved spots is the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel, a small stone chapel with stained-glass windows set beside a quiet lake, built in memory of Cason Callaway's mother. Its rustic beauty and peaceful setting make it a favorite for reflection and a popular place for weddings.

Spring is the headline season, when the azaleas bloom and the woodland comes alive with color, drawing visitors from across the region. Summer is warm and green, ideal for the lake beaches, the trails, and the butterfly house.

Fall brings cooler air and turning leaves in the surrounding hills, while winter is famous for a large drive-through and walk-through light display that transforms the gardens into a nighttime spectacle. Each season gives the grounds a different character, so repeat visits rarely feel the same.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Callaway Gardens, in Pine Mountain in western Georgia, is a beautiful and expansive garden resort and nature destination, beloved for its stunning gardens, natural beauty, and family attractions. Spanning thousands of acres, Callaway features spectacular display gardens famous for their azaleas and seasonal blooms, a butterfly conservatory, woodland and lakeside trails, a beach and lake, a resort, and family activities, all amid the scenic foothills. Especially renowned for its springtime azalea displays and its butterfly center, it blends horticultural splendor with recreation and nature. A delightful destination for garden lovers and families, it charms visitors through the seasons. With its gardens and attractions, Callaway Gardens offers a spectacular destination in Georgia.

You can stroll the spectacular display gardens famous for azaleas and seasonal blooms, visit the butterfly conservatory filled with free-flying butterflies, walk or bike the woodland and lakeside trails, relax at the beach and lake, stay at the resort, and enjoy seasonal events and family activities. The stunning gardens, the butterfly center, the trails, and the lake and family attractions are the draws, making it a rich blend of horticulture, nature, and recreation. Its spring azaleas and butterfly house are highlights. With its gardens and attractions, Callaway Gardens offers a rewarding experience in Georgia.

Spring is spectacular, when the famous azaleas and countless blooms burst into color, one of the most beautiful times, while summer offers the beach, lake, and lush gardens, fall brings color and seasonal events, and the winter holiday season features a popular light display, making the gardens rewarding in every season. The butterfly conservatory delights year-round. For the azaleas aim for spring, for the beach choose summer, or visit at the holidays for lights, at Callaway Gardens in Georgia.

Yes, Callaway Gardens is a wonderful family destination, with beautiful gardens to explore, a butterfly conservatory that delights children, woodland and lakeside trails, a beach and lake for swimming and recreation, and seasonal events and family activities. Kids especially love the butterflies, the beach, and the trails, while the whole family enjoys the gardens and nature. Checking current hours and seasonal offerings before you go is wise. With its gardens, butterflies, and lake, Callaway Gardens makes an excellent family destination in Georgia.

Callaway Gardens is in Pine Mountain in western Georgia, within reach of the FDR Little White House in Warm Springs, the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Providence Canyon State Park, Wild Animal Safari, and southwestern Georgia. That makes Callaway Gardens a spectacular stop to combine with the FDR Little White House and the other attractions of western Georgia on a visit to the state.