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Adventure: Your Guide to Callaway Gardens





This past weekend we had the opportunity to go to Callaway Gardens, and we shared with others what we loved about this special place. Callaway Gardens is about an hour from Atlanta, and is about forty minutes from Columbus, Georgia. The gardens provide the perfect environment for many outdoor activities, there are events all year long, and its the perfect location for a wedding or relaxing getaway. Check out my family's favorites in our guide to the gardens. Read about what adventures and events you can attend year round.

Callaway Gardens sits on 2,500 acres, and activities and events happen in different sections throughout the gardens. Trails connect the different sections of the gardens, and they can be used for walking, biking, running, and I have even seen rollerblading. Check each section below for adventures and events.


Robin Lake Beach

The beach entrance is located right off of highway 27, and typically this entrance is only open during the summer season, weekends, and the Fantasy In Lights season. Robin Lake is one of the largest man made lakes in America, and it was specifically built for the Master's Waterski and Wakeboard Tournament that is held here during Memorial Day weekend. This tournament features professionals from all over, who come to show off their water ski and wake boarding skills. While visiting Callaway, you can choose to take lessons to water ski or tube behind the same boats professionals use, like the G Series from Nautique.



Robin Lake also offers sandy beaches, chairs for lounging, aqua island (which is Callaway's inflatable trampolines and more that are in the water), a beach bar for food and drinks, putt-putt, a playground, showers to rinse off all that sand, and a gift shop. During the summer, you will find events at the beach like the Flying High Circus that is put on by students from Florida State University. If you are looking for more adventure, trapeze lessons are offered from the professionals. The circus is included in your admission price to the gardens. Other events include, Symphony on the Sand (a live orchestra right by the water) , movies on the beach, and Fourth of July Celebration.


During labor day weekend, be sure to check out the Hot Air Balloon Festival, which hosts hot air balloons from all over, and provide the perfect backdrop for pictures.

During the Christmas season, Fantasy in Lights begins in the same area of Robin Lake. This famous light show was mentioned in the "top 10 display of lights in the world", and it features thousands of lights that create memorable Christmas scenes. The circus tent may feature acrobatics in the summer, but between November to January, this tent is used as Santa's Christmas village. Inside there is plenty of Christmas shopping available, pictures with Santa, light displays and shows on the beach, and your one stop shop for that hot cocoa to warm you up.



Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center

The butterfly center at Callaway Gardens is home to more than just butterflies. In this glass building, you will walk among thousands of butterflies with some even landing on you, check out beautiful plants and flowers that serve home to these flying beauties, and even see the turtles swimming in a pool underneath a waterfall. Within the Butterfly Center, you can also see a close up display of the different stages of butterflies. Cocoons hang in front of glass windows, so that you are able to see the butterflies emerge from their cocoons. There are many events here as well as opportunities to work with the butterflies. During September, you can check out the Butterfly Festival and the release of the Blue Morpho butterflies.


Just a short walk from the Butterfly Center is the Pioneer Cabin. This cabin is close to 200 years old and showcases what it was like to live during the pioneer days. Step inside the cabin to see where they cooked, where they slept, and how they made their own quilts. Outside of the cabin are more walking trails, and a garden that houses many vegetables and herbs. Pioneer days is an event that is held at the cabin, where they showcase how one lived during this time period.




Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel

Just a short bike ride or drive through the woods will lead you to the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel. This hidden gem sits between a small waterfall which runs into a beautiful lake. This small chapel was built in memory of Ida Cason Callaway, who is Cason Callaway's (Callaway Gardens founder) mother. This beautiful chapel is home to 6 stained glass windows that allow light to pour into the chapel. On one wall is four stained glass windows that represent the four seasons of the year. One event that you must attend is the Organ Concert that is from 2-4 pm daily. You are able to go inside to listen to the organs playing, but it is just as beautiful to hear them playing throughout the wooded area. This chapel is a very popular spot for weddings and other events.


Directly across from the chapel is the Callaway Brothers Azaela Bowl. This is actually one of my favorite areas to run through, because it has so much shade and hearing the waterfall is very relaxing to me. During the springtime, over 3,000 azaelas will bloom and they are almost every color of the rainbow. With the lake nearby, the azaelas reflection in the water makes for the best pictures!


Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center

The Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center can be accessed from the main gate that is located right off of highway 27. Once you are at the Discovery Center, you are greeted by a sculpture of Virginia Hand herself with a sculpture of her dog as well. Virginia Hand Callaway was the wife of Cason Callaway. The artist who created the sculpture actually added a secret message underneath the sculpture. See if you can find the secret message on the sculpture - I'll give you a hint; if you were crawling around you would be able to see it better. 

Once inside the Discovery Center, you are greeted with a wall of windows that overlook the lake and walking bridge. This center can be used for receptions and other events, but it is mostly used for information, there is a gift shop, an art museum, and rooms for children's activities and other educational events. Our favorite part is a little small room, that showcases many birds, snakes, and other small animals that are on display. There are always activities for little ones to do, including a coloring station.


Outside of the Center there is cafe, a walking bridge where you can feed many turtles, and a sidewalk that will lead you to the playground. The playground is our favorite spot, because this is where I begin and end all of my runs. I am able to finish a run, and then let my little one get out and play. I love that this playground is in sections, giving plenty of room for smaller children to play on one side, and older children on the other side. There are plenty of swings, ropes for climbing, and even a zip line. In fact, surrounding the playground is the Treetop Adventure. This adventure is a zip-lining adventure and ropes course that is 30 feet in the air, allowing you to trek through the tree tops canopy. They even host events where you can do it under the light of a full moon. 

Next to Treetop Adventure, there is a bike rental shop. Callaway Gardens can definitely be admired by driving in your car, running or walking, but I will say that riding a bike throughout the gardens is a completely different experience. Throughout the gardens there are plenty of bike racks, making it possible for you to rent bikes and visit many sections of the gardens at your own pace. Bikes are offered for adults, children and even carriers for the little ones, and are available to rent.


Close to the Discovery Center, the Birds of Prey Show is offered year round. This show showcases birds of prey (animals with talons), and most of them are birds that were injured. Sit for a 20 minute show to see owls, eagles and hawks soar above your head. Just be careful, once the show starts, it is recommended that you do not stand or wave... you might have a new friend make a landing on you. Birds of Prey Show times can be found at the information desk at the Discovery Center.


Overlook Azaela Garden Trails 

Within this area of the gardens, you will find the boating and fishing house. Here you are able to rent boats to take out onto the many lakes here at Callaway Gardens. If you have kayaks of your own, be sure to bring them to kayak on the lake that is also in front of the Discovery Center. Lessons are available for fly fishing, along with fishing competitions and other various events. 

Callaway Gardens is well known for their 18 hole golf course which has also had the honor to host the PGA Buick Challenge. This golf course is situated all throughout the gardens and has many lake views. Across from the golf course, also sits the tennis pro shop and tennis courts. 


Lodging at Callaway Gardens
  • Lodge and Spa: (this resort has a view of Robin Lake and beach, Spa packages and services are available at this hotel. This is also where many of the activities for the Steeplechase take place.)
  • Cottages: (private cottages that are tucked in the woods, each cottage has access to swimming pools, kitchen, and fireplace)
  • Villas: (larger homes for bringing the whole family)


Food at Callaway Gardens (that we have tried)
  • The Country Store and Kitchen: the food here reminds me of Cracker Barrel, country cooking, the best biscuits that are brought before your meal, and drinks served in mason jars
  • Cason's Tap Room: this restaurant is located at the Lodge and Spa and it also has a full bar. There is an outdoor patio with live music, full bar and delicious food.
  • Discovery Cafe: stop here for a quick snack, ice cream, chicken tenders or to refill your drink. 
  • Callaway's Ice Cream Truck: find this truck throughout the gardens for a large helping of ice cream.

* There are other bar options available near Robin Lake Beach.*



Quick Tips for Callaway Gardens
  • Consider a yearly membership to save money and to get discounts.
  • Consider biking throughout the gardens to enjoy the whole experience.
  • We went to Fantasy In Lights on Christmas Day and there were hardly any crowds.
  • Military and Veteran Discounts are offered.
  • Children 5 and under are free.
  • Are you a runner? Run here to take advantage of the trails and the shade.


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