Callaway Gardens is a 13,000 acre (53 km²) resort complex located in Pine Mountain, Georgia, just outside of Columbus, Georgia. The resort draws over 750,000 visitors annually.

Callaway Gardens was founded in 1952 by Cason J. and Virginia Hand Callaway to promote and protect native azalea species. His son, Howard Callaway, helped develop and run the garden. Today, Callaway Gardens features a wide variety of recreational attractions including a large enclosed butterfly habitat, the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, and the John Sibley Horticultural Center, known for its wide variety of cultivars and native plants. The native palm Sabal minor maintains one of its northernmost populations in the area.

History

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.

• The gardens were renamed Ida Cason Callaway Gardens in 1955.

• The Masters Water-ski Tournament, now an annual event, held its first competition in 1959.

• Founder Cason J. Callaway died on April 12, 1961 and was succedeed as Chairman of the Board by his wife, co-founder Virginia Hand Callaway.

• The Cason J. Callaway Memorial Forest opened in 1972, and the U.S. Department of the Interior named it a Natural Landmark.

• The John A. Sibley Horticultural Center opened in 1984.

• Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden was the location for years of TV shows about growing your own vegetable garden, 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. "Fantasy in Lights", a spectacular Christmas light display, debuted in 1992. The Azalea Bowl opened in 1999 as did the premiere of the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Attractions

Trails

The Discover Bike Trail, an 11 mile (18 km) trail that weaves through the wooded gardens, provides guests access to all attractions. Guests can rent bikes and helmets at the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center.

Robin Lake Beach

Robin Lake Beach in Callaway Gardens is the world's largest man-made, white sand beach. It stretches a mile around 65 acre Robin Lake. The beach serves as the hub of summer activity and the center stage for the "Summer Adventure" program.

The lake features swimming, sunbathing, miniature golf, table tennis, shuffleboard, volleyball, a fitness trail, paddle boats, concession area, picnic tables, a store, and equipment rentals.

The Florida State University "Flying High" Circus takes up residence every summer. This troupe of college students performs seven shows weekly under the big top adjacent to the beach. They perform daily, except for Wednesdays, June 1st through August 8th. During the day they act as camp counselors for the Summer Adventure program.

Equipment rentals include sailboats, canoes, and motorized Suncats.

Robin Lake Beach is open May 26 through August 13 and September 1-4 for Labor Day and the hot air balloon festival.

Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center

The Day Butterfly Center was designed to recreate a rain forest environment. Every element of the conservatory allows the approximately 50 species of butterflies, numerous tropical plants, tropical birds, and guests to interact with their surroundings.

Other attractions

• Azalea Bowl
• Golf
• Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel
• Overlook Gardens
• Seasonal Events
• Sibley Horticultural Center
• Discovery Bike Trail
• Rockin Robins (50s ice cream and pizza place)
• Walking Trails

References

See also

• List of botanical gardens in the United States

External links

• Callaway Gardens