Summer Weekend Escapes: Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia

With summer around the corner and kids getting ready for summer break its time to consider what your plans are for summer. Have you ever heard of a town Pine Mountain, Georgia? If not, its time you discovered it and learned about Callaway Gardens. Callaway Gardens is located 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus.

There is so much to do at Callaway Garden's it is almost unbelievable. Of course, Callaway Gardens has astounding gardens. Overlook Garden was was planted under the leadership of Cason and Virginia Callaway. There are more than 700 varieties of azaleas planted here. There is the 40-acre garden called Callaway Brother's Azalea Bowl with more than 3,400 hybrid azaleas plus an additional 2,000 trees and shrubs. This garden also has a pavilion, gazebo, stream, nd arched bridge to help you unwind and take in the beauty of your surroundings. Then there is Mr. Carson's Vegetable Garden, setting of PBS's television show The Victory Garden, which includes 7.5 acres of gardens. Of course with this much scenery, there are lots of biking and walking trails that allow you to submerge yourself in peace and tranquility.

There is much more to see than just gardens. Callaway Garden's has many attractions the whole family is sure to love. The first stop for any first time visitor to Callaway Garden's should be the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center. This 35,000-square-foot facility actually includes a welcome desk, an orientation film, education wing, lecture hall, museum/exhibit hall, the Discovery Gift Shop, and the Discovery Cafe. My personal favorite exhibit is the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center. As the name suggested this is an must see exhibit. The center transforms you to a tropical delight with appropriately 1.000 butterflies complete with a waterfall. Another favorite exhibit at Callaway Garden's is the Ida Carson Callaway Memorial Chapel. This chapel has picturesque scene tucked in the woods and next to Falls Creek Lake. In the chapel ,there is a custom built organ that plays beautifully during the regularly scheduled concerts. Another interesting exhibit is the Pioneer Log Cabin. The inside of the cabin takes you back to pioneer time.

Since you will be visiting during the summer, you should set aside at least half a day to visit Robin's Lake. This is the world's largest man-made beach. Here you can swim, lay out, enjoy put-put golf, shuffleboard, paddle boats, ping pong, volleyball, and ride on Chickadee Choo Choo. You can also see the Florida State University "Flying High" Circus. Another favorite activity to do at Callaway Gardens is to relax during a game of golf on the breath-taking course.

Callaway Gardens even has a special discount for summer weekends. Its is called the Summer Mini Break. This program runs from May 1-September 20, 2007. This gives families a way to stay and enjoy the park at an unbelievable price- plus two children under the age of 12 stay and eat breakfast free. The Summer Mini Break package includes stay in the Mountain Creek Inn, Buffer breakfast for two adults, admission to Callaway Gardens, admission to Robin Lake Beach,and use of the fitness center for a flat unbelievably low price.

There is so much to enjoy for every family member at Callaway Gardens. With the supper Summer Mini Break, I urge you to book your vacation now. You will truly come back feeling more harmonized with nature.