Nestled into the Southern foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Callaway Gardens exists “to connect man and nature in a way that benefits both.”
Callaway Gardens is a 6,500-acre (2,600 ha) resort complex located in Pine Mountain, Georgia, just outside LaGrange, Georgia. A distance of 68 miles from Atlanta, Georgia.
The destination draws over 750,000 visitors annually.
Callaway Resort & Gardens is a treasured Georgia destination famous for azalea gardens, a tropical butterfly conservatory, a free-flight Birds of Prey show, a serene Chapel, woodland walking trails, 10 miles of paved bicycle trails, a zipline adventure course, 36 holes of golf, white sand lake beach, tennis, fishing, boating, resort lodging, a world-class spa, delicious dining and various events throughout the year.
Special events such as Celebrate Spring during Azalea Season, Symphony on the Sand, Nautique Masters Water Ski & Wake Board Tournament, Hot Air Balloon Festival, Steeplechase and its dazzling ‘Fantasy In Lights’ display.
Fantasy In Lights is a ride-through spectacular with over 8 million Christmas lights, is the South's holiday tradition that started in 1992 and continues to this day.
Guests have been making memories here for over 67 years. It’s the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with the ones you love.
Visit for the day or stay overnight and enjoy some time in the natural world.
See what's happening at Callaway Gardens.
History
The garden was originally conceived in 1930 after Cason J. Callaway discovered a rare azalea growing in the area. In the late 1940s, the development of Callaway Gardens began in earnest.
Callaway Gardens opened on May 21, 1952, as the Ida Cason Gardens, with a number of lakes, a golf course, and scenic drives. The gardens were named for the mother of founder Cason J. Callaway.
Robin Lake Beach and the Overlook Azalea Garden opened the following year in 1953.
In 1955, the gardens were renamed Ida Cason Callaway Gardens. The Masters Water-ski Tournament, now an annual event called the Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament, held its first competition in 1959.
The gardens have experienced numerous expansions following Cason Callaway's death in 1961
The Cason J. Callaway Memorial Forest opened in 1972, and was designated a National Natural Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior.
The John A. Sibley Horticultural Center opened in 1984 (closed in 2015). Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden (closed in 2015) was the location for years of TV shows about growing vegetable gardens, most notably the southern edition of The Victory Garden.
The annual Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens ran its first race in 1985. The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center opened on September 25, 1988.
In 1999, the Azalea Bowl opened as well as the premiere of the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival. In 2000, the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center was opened.
