March 22 through April 22, 2012

Click Here for Azalea Watch

In Spring, the Callaway Gardens landscape explodes with the world’s most breathtakingly beautiful display of over 20,000 azaleas, plus mountain laurel, dogwoods, daffodils and tulips. Sweeping floral vistas in a brilliant palette and stately, soaring pines provide the backdrop for exciting hands-on activities, fascinating educational experiences and invigorating guided hikes. Delight in the vibrant scenery as you stroll leisurely through the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl and Overlook Azalea Garden. Explore tropical worlds at the Sibley Horticultural Center and Day Butterfly Center. Soak up the Spring sunshine while playing golf or tennis, casting a line on a fly-fishing excursion, enjoying an invigorating bike ride under a verdant canopy of trees.

Wondrous Weekends*

For five glorious weekends, Callaway Gardens is abuzz with special activities and events for families and friends to share against the backdrop of our dazzling surroundings. From gardening to food to music to art, we have something for everyone!

Gardening in the Gardens: March 22-25

Annual Plant Fair and Sale: Thursday, 3-7 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Robin Lake Beach Dome
Callaway Gardening School, featuring horticulturalist, author and designer Erica Glasener: Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Callaway Discovery Center; Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Laurel and Azalea Halls
Spring Farmers Market: Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Robin Lake Beach Dome
Special Dining Opportunities
- Gardens Restaurant: Lunch specials, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Country Kitchen: Lunch specials, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. - Wine and Tapas Tasting: Friday 7 p.m., Vineyard Green Courtyard
Guest Food Vendors
- Pretzel Haus: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Robin Lake Beach
- Chick-fil-A: Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Robin Lake Beach
Face Painting: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sibley Horticultural Center
Artist Appearance: Katy Stevens. Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Callaway Discovery Center. Featuring handmade jewelry items, including a new series of wildlife- and floral-themed pieces.
Nature Films at the Callaway Discovery Center Auditorium
- “The Secret World of Bats,” 11 a.m. (48 minutes)
- “Eyewitness Mammals,” 1 p.m. (35 minutes)
- “How Birds Eat,” 2:30 p.m. (37 minutes)
- “Eyewitness Insects,” 4 p.m. (25 minutes)

Flavors of the Gardens: March 30-April 1

Vegetable Gardening A to Z, featuring Atlanta gardening expert Walter Reeves and Chris Jackson of Pine Mountain’s Jenny Jack Sun Farm: Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Callaway Discovery Center
Spring Farmers Market: Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Meadowlark Garden
Special Dining Opportunities
- Wine and Tapas Tasting: Friday 7 p.m., Vineyard Green Courtyard
- Gardens Restaurant: Lunch specials, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Country Kitchen: Lunch specials, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Guest Food Vendors
- Pretzel Haus: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Meadowlark Garden
- Chick-fil-A: Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Day Butterfly Center
Signature Product Tastings, featuring Callaway Gardens Biscuits, Muscadine Sauces and Speckled Hearts® Grits: Friday-Saturday, 3-6 p.m., Mountain Creek Inn; Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m., Callaway Gardens Country Store
Face Painting: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Meadowlark Garden
Nature Films at the Callaway Discovery Center Auditorium
- “The Secret World of Bats,” 11 a.m. (48 minutes)
- “Eyewitness Mammals,” 1 p.m. (35 minutes)
- “How Birds Eat,” 2:30 p.m. (37 minutes)
- “Eyewitness Insects,” 4 p.m. (25 minutes)

Renewal in the Gardens: April 6-8

Easter Egg Hunts, and photos with the Easter Bunny: Saturday, 2-4:30 p.m., Overlook Azalea Garden
Face Painting: Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Overlook Azalea Garden
Easter Sunrise Service: Sunday, 7:30 a.m., Gardens Lawn
Special Dining Opportunities
- Gardens Restaurant: Lunch specials, Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Country Kitchen: Lunch specials, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Gardens Restaurant: Easter lunch, Sunday, 11:30-3 p.m.
- Plant Room and Mountain Creek Ballrooms: Easter buffets, Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Guest Food Vendors
- Pretzel Haus: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Meadowlark Garden
- Chick-fil-A: Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Overlook Azalea
Spring Topiary Displays, featuring bunnies, eggs, chicks and more: Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sibley Horticultural Center
Easter Lily Displays: Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sibley Horticultural Center
Nature Films at the Callaway Discovery Center Auditorium
- “The Secret World of Bats,” 11 a.m. (48 minutes)
- “Eyewitness Mammals,” 1 p.m. (35 minutes)
- “How Birds Eat,” 2:30 p.m. (37 minutes)
- “Eyewitness Insects,” 4 p.m. (25 minutes)

Sounds of the Gardens: April 12-15

Chapel 50th Anniversary, featuring special organ concerts: Thursday, Noon-4 p.m., Friday-Sunday, 2-4 p.m.
Symphony on the Sand, featuring the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Friday, 8 p.m., Robin Lake Beach
Tracy Tales, featuring storytelling by Tracy Sue Walker: Saturday, 11 a.m.-Noon, Callaway Discovery Center; 6 -7 p.m., Mountain Creek Inn Courtyard
Live Music by Matt Whitten: Saturday, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., Vineyard Green Restaurant & Spirits
Guest Artist and Musician Appearances
- Connie Schleusner: Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sibley Horticultural Center. Featuring beautifully painted window panes.
- Katy Stevens: Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Callaway Discovery Center. Featuring handmade wildlife- and floral-themed jewelry items.
- The Dulcimer Group: Sunday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Pioneer Log Cabin. Enjoyed the delightful folk sounds of this talented string band
Special Dining Opportunities
- Gardens Restaurant: Lunch specials, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Country Kitchen: Lunch specials, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Guest Food and Drink Vendors
- Pretzel Haus: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Meadowlark Garden
- Chick-fil-A: Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Day Butterfly Center
Nature Films at the Callaway Discovery Center Auditorium
- “The Secret World of Bats,” 11 a.m. (48 minutes)
- “Eyewitness Mammals,” 1 p.m. (35 minutes)
- “How Birds Eat,” 2:30 p.m. (37 minutes)
- “Eyewitness Insects,” 4 p.m. (25 minutes)

Colors of the Gardens: April 20-22

Plein Air Art Collectors Preview and Reception: Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Callaway Discovery Center
Plein Air Art Show and Sale: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Callaway Discovery Center
Plein Air Lecture: The Art of Looking at Art, by Jean Stern, Saturday, 10-11 a.m., Callaway Discovery Center
Plein Air Quick Draw Competition: Noon-2 p.m., Downtown Pine Mountain
Photography Workshop: Mastering Landscape Photography, Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-Noon, Callaway Discovery Center
Spring Watercolor Workshop: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Callaway Discovery Center
Gardening Workshop: Planting Your Seasonal Vegetable Garden, Saturday, 10 a.m.-Noon, Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden
Face Painting: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Day Butterfly Center
Sidewalk Chalk Art: Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sibley Horticultural Center
Guest Artist and Musician Appearances
- Phoenix Brass Quintet: Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sibley Horticultural Center. Featuring students from Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music.
- Fiona Page: Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Day Butterfly Center. The author will read from and sign copies of her new children’s book, Bettina the Butterfly.
- Heather Ness: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Day Butterfly Center. Featuring handmade and autographed butterfly ornaments.
- Katy Stevens: Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sibley Horticultural Center. Featuring handmade wildlife- and floral-themed jewelry items.
Special Dining Opportunities
- Gardens Restaurant: Lunch specials, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Country Kitchen: Lunch specials, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Guest Food and Drink Vendors
- Pretzel Haus: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Meadowlark Garden
- Chick-fil-A: Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Day Butterfly Center
Nature Films at the Callaway Discovery Center Auditorium
- “The Secret World of Bats,” 11 a.m. (48 minutes)
- “Eyewitness Mammals,” 1 p.m. (35 minutes)
- “How Birds Eat,” 2:30 p.m. (37 minutes)
- “Eyewitness Insects,” 4 p.m. (25 minutes)

Sensational Spring Packages

With so much to see and do, an overnight stay is the best way to Celebrate Spring! at Callaway Gardens. From the warm, inviting ambience of guest rooms at the Mountain Creek Inn to the spacious privacy of Southern Pine Cottages and Mountain Creek Villas, we offer a variety of comfortable accommodations in which to unwind.