2 Best Sights in Southwest Georgia, Georgia

Callaway Resort & Gardens

Fodor's choice

South of Pine Mountain Village lies the area's main draw: a 2,500-acre golf and tennis resort with a combination of elaborate, cultivated gardens and natural woodlands. This family-friendly destination was developed in the 1940s by textile magnate Cason J. Callaway and his wife, Virginia, as a way to breathe new life into the area's dormant cotton fields. With more than 1,000 varieties, the Day Butterfly Center is one of the largest free-flight conservatories in North America. Mountain Creek Lake is well stocked with largemouth bass and bream. Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel —a favorite wedding venue—is a lovely stone chapel nestled in the woods alongside a lake and babbling stream. The Callaway Discovery Center is a popular choice for families; especially enjoyable is the daily Birds of Prey show. During the holidays, Callaway lights up with the exciting "Fantasy in Lights."

Garden Family Fodor's Choice
17800 U.S. 27, Pine Mountain, Georgia, 31822, USA
844-512--3826
www.callawaygardens.com
Sights Details
Rate Includes: $25, free for overnight guests, Mid-Mar.–early Sept., daily 9–6; mid-Sept.–early Mar., daily 9–5

F. D. Roosevelt State Park

At 9,049 acres, F. D. Roosevelt is the largest state park in Georgia. Named for the president who considered this area his second home, it's rich in both history and natural beauty. Several park amenities were built by FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, including multiple cottages and the Liberty Bell Swimming Pool fed by local cool springs. The park contains more than 40 miles of trails, including the popular 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail. Dowdell’s Knob, an overlook along the trail, was one of the president's favorite spots to picnic; there's even a statue there to commemorate him. Within the park are also two lakes and 115 modern campsites, as well as backcountry and pioneer campgrounds.