Callaway Gardens - Old School Southern Getaway

Southern families have long cherished Callaway Gardens, a getaway that's “a place of relaxation, inspiration and a better understanding of the living world” according to its mission statement. This unusual 4,600-acre botanical garden and family resort is owned and operated by the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, and includes a garden, hotel, preserve and residential community on 13,000 acres in Pine Mountain, Georgia. 

 As you can see from this Callaway Gardens family vacation review, guests of all ages can enjoy an active getaway filled with unique and multi-generational recreational activities.  Highlights for your youngest include a butterfly conservatory, discovery center, inland beach, nature trails and special events throughout the year. With 763 guest rooms, several restaurants, a full-service spa, shops, golf, tennis, fishing and more it feels like a big resort. And with five residential communities with homes, lakefront properties and cottages on the golf course that can be rented, it can feel like a home away from home.

What's the Deal for Summer 2011?

Each summer, Callaway welcomes thousands of families, many of them repeat visitors who are looking for new things to do. For the summer of 2011, guests who book a room can purchase an "Ultimate Summer Fun Pass at Callaway Gardens" for only $48 per person, per night. Some restrictions apply but the pass, valid from 9am the day of issue until 4pm the next day (giving you an extra day of play on checkout), allows guests to enjoy all of Callaway Gardens’ recreational offerings.

New activities such as TreeTop Adventure zipline (normally $30 per person), Aqua Island, Blaster Boats and Light Striker Laser Tag as well as favorites including golf (normally $64 per round on Lake View), tennis, boating, kayaking, canoeing, bicycling and more are included this summer -- a savings of more than $150 per person. Old favorites like bicycle rentals, Johnboat rentals, kayaks, canoes and even tennis court time are included, too.

In addition, staying overnight at Callaway Gardens provides families with wonderful experiences in  nature: the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center – a four and one-half acre conservatory filled with more than 1,000 tropical butterflies, a daily free-flight raptor show, the beauty of the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center, and free and unlimited access to the Callaway Fitness Center at the Mountain Creek Inn. And, guests should be sure to take in the amazing feats of the Florida State University Flying High Circus.

More Information on Callaway Gardens

Notes Edward Callaway, chairman and CEO of the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, “We know families are looking for a place with wholesome activities and entertainment that they can enjoy together. We hope this great value helps families do just that.”

Guests can take advantage of the Callaway Gardens Ultimate Summer Fun Pass from now through September 5, 2011. Rates in the Mountain Creek Inn start at $99 per night, with cottages and villas at higher rates. For more information, visit www.callawaygardens.com.