Callaway Gardens is one of Georgia’s treasures. Its 13,000 acres of lush gardens are just the beginning of what there is to enjoy at this hideaway just outside of Columbus. This started as place to protect the native azalea blooms and became a full-service resort. Whether you visit for an afternoon or a week of summer vacation, you’ll find a host of things to enjoy—a butterfly conservancy, white-sand beaches surrounding a family-friendly lake, and trails join golf courses and resort accommodations perfect for all types of vacations.

Callaway Gardens also hosts a full-schedule of events throughout the year as the gardens change according to the season. The Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament draws crowds in the summertime, followed by the Sky High Balloon Festival over Labor Day and the Christmas light displays at the end of the year.

Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center

Whatever the time of year, you’ll be prone to a flight of fancy when you step into one of the top attractions at Callaway Gardens., the Cecil B. Day Butterfly center, named for the founder of Days Inn and an important person in the history of Callaway Gardens and Georgia. Underneath the glass, the tropical conservatory provides a home to more than 1,000 colorful butterflies from some 50 species. Every week, new butterflies emerge from their cocoons and begin to spread their wings, flying among the tropical plants. Even as the weather changes outside, it remains toasty and warm in the conservatory. But this is a living exhibit, changing from season to season and rewarding return visitors. Along with the butterflies, you’ll also find a delightful gift shop under the glass and an art exhibit in the lobby.

Georgia Map

Callaway Gardens Weddings

With so much beauty to go around, Callaway Gardens is a fantastic place for a wedding. Besides providing a lovely setting, Callaway Gardens has the staff and know-how to make your event one to remember. Several places throughout the gardens are popular for weddings, especially the Ida Carson Callaway Memorial Chapel and the Boat House Lawn for ceremonies. The Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, overlooking Mountain Creek lake, is another popular place to tie the knot. Callaway Gardens also offers a host of places for the reception, including the lakeside Mountain Creek Conference and the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl. A skilled catering team put together custom menus and provide top-notch service for weddings large and small. No matter where the ceremony is, a honeymoon at Callaway Gardens is a delightful escape from the ordinary with many choices for overnight accommodations and full range of activities to enjoy,

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park

Just minutes away from Callaway Gardens, adventurers have even more choices for experiencing the Georgia outdoors. A hiker’s dream, Roosevelt State Park boasts more than 40 miles of hiking trails — 23 of those miles comprise the Pine Mountain Trail. The park’s namesake once looked over this stunning scenery, and today a statue in his honor is located here. He visited Georgia looking to find relief from polio in the warm springs. Today’s visitors find relief from the hustle and bustle as they kayak, canoe, and search for geocaches. The park also is a popular choice for camping near Calloway Gardens.

Lodging Near Calloway Gardens

Along with camping at Roosevelt State Park, there are many options for lodging near Calloway Gardens. If you’re looking to stay within in the park, you will have many choices. The elegant Lodge & Spa at Callaway Gardens is part of Marriott’s top-flight Autograph Series. The resort’s 150 guestrooms provide a comfortable and elegant place to stay, complete with balconies overlooking the beautiful scenery. In-park accommodations are also available at the Mountain Creek Inn, while vacation rentals are an option at the Mountain Creek Villas and the Southern Pine Cottages. In nearby Pine Mountain and LaGrange, you’ll find a host of places to stay, including Hampton Inn, and, fittingly, a Days Inn.