Georgia's Fall Season at Callaway Gardens

Its no secret that Fall in Georgia is always slow to arrive. It takes its time getting here and then disappears faster than we are ready for. Well, the milder Fall season has arrived. Its time to get outside and enjoy (mostly) cooler temperatures, cool breezes and the autumnal color of the leaves. One of the
most relaxing places we have in Georgia to enjoy the beauty of the Fall season is Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain.

Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Callaway Gardens’ 6,500 acres of pristine natural surroundings offer many breathtaking views of this scenic beauty. In addition to the changing colors of the leaves, Fall is when Callaway Gardens is set ablaze with 10,000 brilliant chrysanthemums including garden mums, florist mums and cascading mums. Chrysanthemum Season is definitely something to experience whether traveling by with your family or a large group.

The John A. Sibley Horticultural Center is one of the focal points for mums in the Fall. A fun surprise in the Sibley Center is the Collegiate Football Topiary Display. Mascots from some well-known universities in the Southeast are featured in topiary-form among floral displays in their school colors. A little later in the Fall, be sure to visit and enjoy the fairly rare cascading mums, which spill over their containers creating a waterfall of color, accenting the Sibley Center’s exotic plants, flowers and trees. And, there is a Fall Plant Sale providing the opportunity to take home some new finds.

As harvest season approaches, visit Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden for AutumnFest and find seasonal, family-friendly activities fit for all ages. Each Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature a different line-up of activities and demonstrations, such as:

* Scarecrow making, pumpkin painting (bring your own or pick and purchase one when you arrive) and leaf pounding crafts

* Scavenger hunts and hay bale mazes throughout Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden

* Demonstrations by potters, woodturners and the Georgia Gourd Society

* Nationally-acclaimed plein air "in open air" painters and dulcimers playing sweet sounds of simple stringed instruments of days bygone.

Be sure to stop by the 19th century-era Pioneer Log Cabin for a glimpse back to a time when life was, in many ways, much simpler – but also more difficult. There will be quilting demonstrations, corn dolls and other items on display reminiscent of the days when this two-bedroom log cabin was inhabited by families as large as 15.

After a morning or afternoon of outdoor fun, head to The Vineyard Green Restaurant & Spirits to enjoy Game Day specials on wings, drinks and appetizers, and catch the week's biggest college and professional football rivalries each Saturday and Sunday on an 80-inch projector screen – the biggest screen in town!

Callaway Gardens is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $18/adult; $15/senior 65+; $9 per child 6-12; children 5 and younger are admitted for free. Annual passes are a great way to visit most every day of the year for free. Some events have special pricing and ticketing.

For more information or to make a reservation for this array of Fall activities at Callaway Gardens, please call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-2592) or visit www.callawaygardens.com