Gardens are the heart of Callaway Gardens, whose logo is the rare, indigenous plum leaf azalea. Take a meandering, scenic drive or ride the bike trails, but the walking trails may be the best way to get your flower fix. Be sure to stop at the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl near the Sibley Horticultural Center. The azalea bowl is an azalea garden on the sloped banks of Lower Falls Creek Lake; it typically blooms from the end of March through August.

Another site not to miss is the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, where more than 50 species of tropical butterflies flutter from plant to plant (the butterflies are most active between 10 am and 2 pm). The grounds outside the center are planted with butterfly gardens to attract native species.

In the summer, spend your time at world’s largest man-made beach at Robin Lake, where the Florida State University “Flying High” Circus performs daily.

To get the most out of your family vacation, sign up for the Summer Family Adventure program, a day camp for all ages. While the kids are off doing their thing, adults are off doing theirs, and evening programs are scheduled for everyone. And if you’re traveling sans children, take advantage of one of the resort’s many romantic weekend packages.

You could spend a single day at Callaway Gardens, but once you enter the gates, see the blossoms and all of the attractions, you won’t want to leave. So rent a cottage or a villa and make a weekend, or a week, of it.

US Hwy. 27, Pine Mountain, 800-CALLAWAY, callawaygardens.com. – Teresa Mariano