Sometimes, you just need a good road trip. When my little Middle Tennessee family needed to change the scenery this fall, we were lucky enough to visit Callaway Resort and Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA.
If you’re a golfer, you’ve definitely heard of it’s scenic championship golf course, but the 2,500-acre destination — about a five hour drive from Nashville — makes for a wonderful weekend getaway for families whether or not they’re hitting the links. We’re talking beautiful gardens, bike trails, unique nature experiences, seven dining locations, a full spa, pools and endless kids’ activities.
From the butterfly center that houses almost 2,000 butterflies to the Pumpkins at Callaway fall festival, this trip checked all the boxes for my family and our ever-growing bucket list.
Whether you’ve got a little one in a stroller or a hard-to-please teen, the resort has plenty of options to keep them entertained. Here’s a breakdown of a few of our favorites:
Pumpkins at Callaway
Walk through an illuminated pumpkin paradise at the resort’s Pumpkins at Callaway event.
We were lucky enough to visit in October, just in time for changing leaves and the annual Pumpkins at Callaway fall festival. Like its other annual seasonal events (like the Hot Air Balloon Show & Glow each Labor Day weekend and its popular Fantasy of Lights, which begins in late November), Pumpkins at Callaway takes place right next to the shoreline of the resort’s Robin Lake Beach after sundown.
Bust a move at the seasonal event’s Pumpkin Dance Parties.
Families can walk through a half-mile “Enchanted Pumpkin Trail,” featuring illuminated displays with hundreds of glowing pumpkins and other spooky projections set to music. Our kids were in pumpkin paradise and firmly suggested that we walk through multiple times (which we happily obliged). Then, my son challenged me to some complementary glow-in-the-dark mini golf, making me prove my worth via putt-putt. The kids’ candy treat stops were the perfect way to get them all sugar’d up before the pumpkin dance parties started (let’s just say both kids stole the show when they played that “Jump in the Line” song from Beetlejuice). Another highlight was the giant “Harvest Hall” tent, which featured carnival games like pumpkin bowling, crafts, face painting and live entertainment.
If you go: The Pumpkins at Callaway fall festival runs on select nights from mid September through November 1 and costs $24.99 for adults, $15.99 for kids/seniors.
The Butterfly Center
Wings out, tongues out at the mural outside the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center.
The next morning, we spread our wings and visited the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, one of the largest tropical butterfly conservatories in the United States. Our kids LOVED this place. When you enter, there’s a variety of educational displays and exhibits along the walls (including a film that goes through the life cycle of a butterfly from egg to chrysalis).
The butterflies even landed on our fingers!
Then, you walk into a huge, glass-domed tropical conservatory that houses almost 2000 butterflies! I’ve literally never seen so many butterflies. My 3-year-old daughter was fluttering around with them and my 7-year-old son kept laughing when one would land on him, remarking, “they like me because I’m so sweet.” You can park it on a bench and take in the beauty as we did or stroll around the circular pathway. We learned there are at least 50 different species of butterflies fluttering about in the greenhouse, including blue morpho, paper kites and longwing butterflies.
If you go: The exhibit is open year-round and daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Strollers and wagons are not allowed, so bring a soft carrier if you have a small child or baby.
The Callaway Discovery Center
We made pine cone bird feeders in the craft room.
Next up, we went to the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, which features interactive exhibits, unique animal ambassadors (like their 10-year-old resident bald eagle named Franklin), short films and free nature crafts (we made pinecone bird feeders!). Plus, they even have a fun nature-themed playground outdoors next to an aerial ropes course.
There’s nothing better than ice cream and a playground after seeing a bunch of falcons fly over you.
The highlight for us was the Birds of Prey program, which takes place in the center’s outdoor amphitheater. We really didn’t know what to expect when the bird educators started talking, and before we knew it, a Great Horned Owl flew right over our heads and landed just a few feet away from us on the handler’s falconry glove. So cool! We were shown three of their ambassador birds one at a time, including two species of hawk and the Great Horned Owl, all flying from perch to perch over the crowd as our kids watched in amazement.
If you go: The Callaway Discovery Center’s Birds of Prey presentations are at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and are free with admission to the gardens.
Dining at Callaway
Eating carnivorously with a ribeye at Callaway’s Piedmont Dining Room.
We loved that all of the dining options at Callway Resort were family-friendly, with kids menus/options everywhere we ate. On our first night, we dined in the Piedmont Dining Room and really enjoyed the relaxed but slightly elevated atmosphere. My wife and I were able to get our fancy steaks while our kids were able to find comfort in their go-to’s — chicken tenders and grilled cheese.
The next day, we enjoyed The Discovery Cafe, conveniently located outside the Discovery Center. This quick-service location offers lunch bites (we got the cheeseburger and a chicken bacon wrap) and is a great option before watching the Birds of Prey Show or renting bikes.
Enjoying flapjacks and an epic view at The Country Kitchen.
Our favorite, however, was our final day’s breakfast at The Country Kitchen. Just a short drive away on Callaway property, this place serves up home-cooked Southern favorites just like your Grandmom made (think buttery biscuits and cheesy hash brown casserole). But if the biscuits don’t keep you in your seat, the incredible view of the surrounding forest will (try to grab a seat by the huge bay window!). Plus, there’s a country store attached complete with fun souvenirs and a chocolate shop specializing in homemade fudge and truffles. Yum!
Other dining options include Cason’s Tap Room, Champions Grille, The Azalea Market and Robin Lake Beach Grille.
Lodging
The resort has three different options for staying: The Lodge and Spa (a deluxe hotel room), The Cottages (includes a full kitchen and fireplace) and The Villas (a spacious and upscale home).
The two-bedroom cottages are 900-square-foot woodland retreats that sleep up to 8 guests.
As a parent, I loved that we stayed in a 2-bedroom cottage with enough space to spread out and cook meals, but intimate enough to encourage quality family time together. We loved the screened porch for breakfast and late night puzzling. The cottage comes with a small deck featuring a charcoal grill (similar to what you’d find at a campsite) and a fully equipped kitchen with cooking amenities, dishes, and even a coffee machine stocked with coffee and sugar.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Callaway Resort and Gardens was a fantastic, rejuvenating weekend getaway. Every day during our stay felt easy-going and fun. Make sure to bring your swimsuits for the outdoor pools at The Lodge (this one’s heated!) or the one available at The Cottages. The whole place is huge, so consider renting bikes or a golf cart. I can only imagine what spring at Callaway is like with all the blooming flowers or in the summertime when Robin Lake opens for swimming. We’ll have to go back!
If you want to learn more about Callaway Gardens, check out their website to learn more.
