Are you looking for an opportunity to get back to nature for a day? Do you prefer a longer stay with adventures and maybe some pampering? Wherever you are on the spectrum, Callaway Resort & Gardens has something for you. Don’t let the “Resort” part of the name scare you away. Callaway is a great place to go for a day trip. As a matter of fact, there is so much there, and so many events throughout the year, that it’s a great place to go for frequent day trips. However, there is also a full-service resort on site, along with restaurants and a spa, if you want to stay for a few days.
Callaway Resort & Gardens is 2,500 acres filled with hiking and bike trails and world-class golf. For those of you wanting to get wet, spend some time at the on-site lakes. With the largest man-made white sand beach in the world, Robin Lake is the perfect place to enjoy water sports or work on your tan.
Exploring Callaway Gardens
Perhaps the best starting point for exploring Callaway is the rustic Discovery Center. Here you can enjoy the interactive kiosks and get an overview of the Garden’s history. The Discovery Center also has an education wing, a gift shop and art exhibits. Just outside of the center are a café, Treetop Adventure Zip Lines, a MEGABUGS! Exhibit (interactive scenes with over 70 ginormous insects), the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Garden, bicycle rentals, and an amphitheater where you can watch the Birds of Prey show.
If flora and fauna are your things, don’t miss spectacular display of azaleas at Callaway Gardens in the Spring. With over 3,000 native and hybrid azaleas (including 700 different varieties), the 40-acre Azalea Bowl and the Overlook Azalea Garden are not to be missed. You will find the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds in residence each spring, feeding on those beautiful azaleas. Tulip and topiary displays can be found in Cason’s Garden at Calloway Gardens. But wait!!
Spring is not the only season to visit Callaway. Summer brings blooming Crape Myrtles of all colors; Fall brings Kingfishers and thousands of Blue Morpho Butterflies; the Holly Trail in Meadowlark Garden is beautiful in winter, as are the Japanese Maple Trees and the golden hues throughout the gardens. Whatever the season, Callaway Gardens provides a beautiful backdrop for your outdoor exploration.
As mentioned above, the Fall at Callaway brings the Blue Morpho Butterflies. When you visit the Day Butterfly Center in September, you will see hundreds of these iridescent butterflies – the largest collection in the world! If you can’t make it in September, not to worry – there is always something going on at the Butterfly Center; weekly classes and tours, plus Monarch Tagging in the Fall, and of course you can walk through and see butterflies at any time of the year.
Although there are many lakes at Callaway Resort & Gardens, Robin Lake Beach is the place to be for summer adventure. There is so much to do – from the floating obstacle course, to swimming, mini golf, to volleyball. If you want something fast paced, book a tubing experience or rent a jet ski. For something a little more low-key, try fishing on Mountain Creek Lake. Something in-between? Canoe and kayak rentals are available.
For the golf-lover, there are two beautiful courses at Callaway Gardens: the beautiful Lake View Course, and the more challenging Mountain View Course. If you’re looking for something light-hearted, putt-putt golf is also available. For golf packages, rates and tee times, click here.
There are some really great events that go on in Callaway throughout the year. Running races and triathlons are held in the spring and summer. There is a butterfly festival every September, and a hot air balloon festival every Labor Day weekend. Fall brings Pumpkins at Callaway, a fantastic festival of pumpkins, lights and even a corn maze. The Festival of Lights runs from mid-November through New Year’s Day and serves as the grand finale for the series of incredible events throughout the year. There is a drive-through route to see the lights for those unaccustomed to a chill in the air.
Throughout the year you can find various workshops at Callaway Gardens. Pop in to plant a salsa garden, build a bat house, learn about birds, or make a wildlife friendly wreath. There is always something to learn and do.
Callaway Resort & Gardens isn’t all outdoor activities. There is a wonderful summer concert series, with varying artists weekly. Organ concerts are held at the chapel on the premises (which is also available for weddings!). Need a place to host a group party or plan a field trip? Give Callaway Gardens a call.
There is so much to do at Callaway, you might want to consider staying over. Available for overnight stays are villas, cottages, and a hotel. If pampering sounds good to you (when does it not??), there is a spa inside the Lodge Hotel. Entrance to the gardens is included with all accommodations. To see availability and special packages, check out their website.
If Callaway Resort & Gardens sounds like an amazing place, it’s because it truly is. We can’t get there often enough. If you’re looking for a great GA vacation, or just have an empty day on your calendar, think about making a visit.
