Recently, we had the opportunity to visit Pine Mountain, Georgia, Home of Callaway Gardens. It is a 6,500 acre escape from the hustle & bustle of life packed with nature, history & truly something for everyone from swimming to stunning gardens, a Little Chapel, bike trails & even a zip line for the more adventurous! And that is just a small glimpse on how you can spend your day with family & friends! Depending on the season, special events are happening all of the time, all year round and there is even a full service Marirott on-site.
We were doing a sneak preview visit as I like to call it and will definitely be back for more! Now, keep in mind that it is in the middle of winter, so a little creativity is required for the outdoor pics, regardless, beautiful!
When we first arrived, we pulled off to the side of the road and took a short walk down to The Little Chapel that is nestled in the trees overlooking the lakeside. Little in size, but not in character as the outside is designed to resemble the 16th century Gothic chapels with a stone alter and stained glass. The Chapel is actually named after Ida Cason, who is the mother of Cason Callaway, founder of Callaway Gardens. The Chapel was open and empty, so we let ourselves in and were amazed with the absolutely gorgeous stained glass that lines almost two entire walls. Timing couldn’t have been better as the sun beamed in perfectly, making the colors literally dance on the ground & wall around us. Peaceful & breathtaking is hardly enough to explain this quaint little Chapel.
Fun Tip: There is a free concert every Saturday & Sunday from 2 – 4 p.m. performed int the chapel on a rare, handmade Moller pipe organ. We were not able to catch this, but were told that the natural acoustic sounds could be heard well beyond the chapel! And yes, weddings still do take place here!
I would definitely suggest an entire weekend to explore Callaway Gardens and all it has to offer. With only a couple of hours to spare we made the best out of our time and are looking forward to our next visit If you have a longer weekend, a nice drive & must see is also Plains, GA, home of Jimmy Carter and the BEST Peanut Butter ice cream you will ever find! A little closer to Callaway Gardens and is a shorter stop is yet another little place to explore, FDR’s Little White House in Warm Springs, GA. Now that my friends is a weekend plan with a little history, lots of fun, the cutest downtown shops & some good eats!
Click to Explore Callaway Gardens
Bonus Travel Tip: While in Plains, GA, there is a building that holds an antique store and a historical hotel above with rooms elegantly decorated from a specific decade. Decades range from the 20’s – 80’s, right down to the claw foot bath tub and the phone in the lobby!
Click here to check out Plains Historic Inn
