Callaway Resort & Gardens: Review + Tips
- Main Street Back Roads
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
The Perfect Family Getaway in Georgia (Even for Teenagers!)
My family has been a bunch of homebodies this summer. Gone are the days when I could pile my kids in the car and take them wherever I wanted to go. My kids are teenagers now with their own opinions, friends, and a deep love for the comforts of home and their own space.
So when I asked them if they wanted to join me on a weekend getaway to explore Callaway Resort & Gardens, I was genuinely surprised at just how quickly they said yes.
I have a suspicion it was the combination of pool, beach access, and getting to cruise around in a golf cart that excited them the most.
Disclaimer: This trip was provided in partnership with Callaway Resort & Gardens. All opinions and experiences shared are my own.
The Perfect Home Base for Families
As a mom, 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.
Our 2-bedroom cottage and the pool in the cottage area.
🏡 Accommodation Options: Callaway Resort & Gardens offers several lodging options, including cottages (where we stayed), a lodge, and larger villas. There are two pools on the property—one dedicated to the lodge and one for the cottage/villa area.
The main lodge has accommodations, a pool, a spa, and several dining areas.
☕ Pro Tip: We loved the screened porch for breakfast while the morning air was still cool. 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. There was a pod for the dishwasher, but you may want to bring dish soap + a sponge for more frequent cleanings.
A "Cruise Ship on Land" Experience
When I was researching the resort, someone described it as "a cruise ship on land" because of all the amenities: 8 dining locations, a full spa, pools, live entertainment, and activities like kayaking, biking, and ziplining. I love the idea of having lots to do nearby without being confined to a boat at sea, and with 2,500 acres to explore (including a championship golf course), there's plenty of room to spread out here!
💡*Free admission to Callaway Gardens is included for each day of your stay, including the hours before you check in and the day you check out!
TreeTop Adventure, live entertainment, lots of places to shop, multiple dining areas, and free play spaces.
Making the Most of Your Stay
We got the Explorer Passes ($30 for adults, $15 for kids 4-12), which included access to Aqua Island, bike rentals, mini golf, pedal boats, and kayak rentals. I highly recommend getting this pass—it's a great value!
⏰ Planning Tips:
Start your Explorer day early to maximize your time, beginning with a bike ride
Aqua Island operates on timed sessions starting on the hour and lasting 50 minutes (note: they closed for a break at 3 PM - but this may vary)
We split our day between "land" activities (biking and mini golf), and then spent the afternoon by the beach for Aqua Island, swimming, kayaking, live music, beach bars, and snacks.
Splurge on a private beach cabana ($150) with a sectional sofa, rug, table, and TV (we watched JAWS on the beach 😂)
Note the beach area closes at 6PM
Aqua Island, mini golf, paddle boats, kayaks, bike rentals, and private beach cabanas.
The Butterfly Center
One of the most unique features of Callaway Resort & Gardens, beyond the stunning landscapes (home to the world's largest azalea garden!), is the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center. This glass-domed tropical conservatory houses hundreds of butterflies, and here's something magical: when you walk in, you'll see what looks like a display case of fake butterflies—but they're completely real, and every butterfly you see was born that very day!
🦋 Learn More: The Butterfly Center also offers regular presentations, so check for times.
The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center
Our Absolute Favorite: The Callaway Cruiser
As a family, our favorite part of the entire trip was exploring the grounds on the Callaway Cruiser golf cart. There's something magical about feeling the summer breeze as you drive past gardens, lakes, golf courses, bridges, blooming flowers, and wildlife. We'd park and hop off to explore trails—our favorites were the peaceful walks around the butterfly conservatory and finding the chapel nestled in the woods, accessible via a stone bridge overlooking a lake. If it sounds enchanting, it’s because it was!
Exploring with the Callaway Cruiser, the beautiful lake view golf course (only golfers allowed on the course paths), and the woodland chapel.
Perfect for Every Type of Getaway
I can easily see us returning for a romantic couples' getaway to experience the spa services (it’s beautiful, smelled like absolute heaven, and I am kicking myself for not trying the salt room!). This destination would also be perfect for multigenerational trips because of its diverse accommodation options and something for everyone to enjoy: spa treatments, golf, bars, restaurants, and endless kids' activities.
Throughout the year, Callaway hosts special events like the Hot Air Balloon Show & Glow, Pumpkins at Callaway, and Fantasy in Lights, making it a place worth visiting in every season.
💰 Investment Breakdown
Lodging rates vary depending on the type of accommodation and season. Make sure to keep your eyes open for specials like "3rd night free"—we could have easily stayed three nights!
Save 10% off overnight stays* with code MAINSTREET10 through 2025!
*blackout dates apply
Included With Your Stay: Daily admission to Callaway Gardens with access to the Discovery Center, Butterfly Conservatory, Memorial Chapel, Robin Lake Beach, and hiking trails.
Our Favorite Add-Ons:
Explorer Package: $30 General + $15 (Kids 4-12)
Callaway Cruiser: $165/day (4-seater)
Beach Cabana Rental: $150-$200 (weekday/weekend)
Additional Options: Summer Luau, fishing/boat rentals, TreeTop Zipline, and more, plus numerous free activities like the miles of trails and the Birds of Prey show.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a family-friendly Georgia resort that offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, Callaway Resort & Gardens is the spot. Whether you’re planning a spa weekend away from Atlanta, searching for activities that will entertain your teenagers, or want a vacation where everyone in the family can find something they love, this resort should be on your list.
A big thank-you to Callaway Resort & Gardens for hosting us and for the gift of some good old-fashioned, unplugged family time. We had such a special trip that I found myself nostalgic for moments as they were happening ❤️.
Disclaimer: This trip was provided in partnership with Callaway Resort & Gardens. All opinions and experiences shared are my own.
Great article! I am blesssed to live in Callaway Gardens full time. It is hard to find a place that even teenagers will ike... it is a place where I have seen four generations of family there at one time... great memories for your family. It is differrent with the changing seasons... fall brings Pumkins, then Fantasy in Lights, the spring events.