What a wonderful way to spend a gloomy day!!! The house decorated up for Christmas, the warm cider and delightful glimpses into days gone by..all carefully choreographed by our... read more guide, Rose.
December 20, 2022
Stopping in LeGrange for a few days we decided to tour the Hills & Dales Estate. Didn't know much about it but we enjoy old estates and the stories... read more behind them. This one did not disappoint. There was a very professional 15 minute film about its history which set the tone for the entire tour. A short tram ride up to the main house and we were met by Joanne our tour guide. There were only 4 of us on the tour. She was very knowledgeable about the family and the renovations that have been done over the years. Unlike the Biltmore Estate in Asheville this was a very personal home and the updates fit the needs of the ever growing families over the years. Some pieces were original to the home from 1916 but most were updated because it was a real "'family home". The gardens were beautiful but due some disease of the boxelders some sections were closed. We enjoyed the home and the gardens and I would recommend a visit if in the area.
July 27, 2022
I was in my element today! Loved the architecture, the story, and the company I was with was most excellent! If you’re looking for a nice day trip, I recommend... read more LaGrange and this Gem of a property! Joanne, Sherry and Mickleberry the cat were so sweet and accommodated all of our questions and were prim and proper tour guides!!!
May 22, 2022
Callaway family was so giving / kind to the community . Grace, tour guide, most informative, garden staff kept the gardens clean neat. we talked to garden spvr... read more who had been there 28 yrs..another worker ., 10 yrs there, explained boxwoods w/ much knowledge. Azaleas lovely , greenhouse w;/ orchids nice., 14 min video most impressive, tram to house from visitor center good views of the estate grounds.
April 16, 2022
This home is a magnificent home and gardens You can’t take pictures inside the house and it’s a shame, it was just gorgeous. It wasn’t ostentatious like some of... read more the big old homes, just very well done and very pretty, livable. The gardens were amazing. It must take an army of people to keep everything trimmed and in such good condition. It’s one of the best homes and gardens that I’ve been to.
September 4, 2021
I have spent time in the LaGrange area for the past five years but I had never visited Hills and Dales. My first and definitely not my last visit -... read more I converted my day pass to an annual pass as I left. I was a little short on time and now wish I had started in the greenhouses - but if I had, I may not have seen anything else! I can't wait to see how the estate changes with the seasons! I highly recommend to plant lovers and gardeners, also history buffs. It may not be the Biltmore House but well worth a visit!!! And the staff was wonderful.
July 14, 2021
My wife and I came to LaGrange for a July 4th getaway and Hills and Dales was at the top of our list. Our visit consisted of a guided... read more tour of the mansion, followed by a self-guided walking tour through the formal gardnens. The standard tour covers three floors of the main residence, but the upper floors were off-limits due to renovation, so we saw only the main floor, but that was still interesting in itself. There were not many visitors that Friday so the guide actually gave my wife and I a private tour. What I enjoyed most were the gardens, they are very well designed and well-tended for, there is something new to see every few yards. I did notice a few gaps in the boxwoods, probably due to disease or neglect from an earlier period, but these were few and far between, and the gardeners are evidently making efforts to remedy the issue. The staff was very helpful and friendly, wanting to engage in conversation and didn't appear to be rushed. Visitors enter through the visitor center and then are shuttled to the main residence and gardens in electric carts, or can choose to walk. At the end of your tour you return to the entrance the same way. The carts ran efficiently and we never had to wait.
July 5, 2021
The history of this house and the gardens was so interesting. The house was built in 1916 and lived in by same family through 1998. The gardens were designed and... read more mantained by four generations of women. The staff who gave tours and work the gardens were so friendly and informative. They all seemed to love their jobs!
June 7, 2021
This is a must see for anyone visiting Lagrange area. The staff is so knowledgeable and friendly! They go out of their way to make your visit memorable.... read more The house is absolutely beautiful and such great care has been taken to preserve the history and beauty of this place. Our tour guide was so good, the house seemed to come to life as she shared the history of this magnificent home. The gardens are magical! We visited last weekend during the winter so I can only imagine how beautiful they will be in the spring. We plan on visiting often (we became members) and enjoying this incredible place.
February 2, 2021
We came for the holiday tour through the house and gardens. It was a lovely experience and I definitely recommend. We were not able to view the second floor due... read more to Covid restrictions limiting the group size, so we will visit again one day to do so. Was wonderful to learn about the history of the house, the grounds, and the families living here. The Christmas tree with the original decorations was a great hit. Thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work in retaining this treasure ❤
January 31, 2021
My wife and I enjoy visiting and touring historic homes and estates in our travels and Hills & Dales Estate is one of the finest in America. It is on... read more a par with Hillwood, the estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post in Washington, D.C. We toured the estate a few days ago on a trip to Callaway Gardens, about 15 miles from Lagrange, GA.
The house and gardens, originally built by Fuller Callaway, Sr., are a gem!! They are lovingly cared for and welcoming to visitors. The guided tour at the time we took it was limited to the first floor, but there is a lot to see. Our tour guide was marvelous and knowledgeable. She knew every detail about the sources of the building materials, decor and construction of each room.
The gardens are a sight to see. One tours them with a map. In the spring and summer months they must be fantastic when everything is in bloom, and that will be a reason for us to return. What was most interesting is that the gardens were cared for by two generations of Callaway women for over 60 years each! It was their life's passion and it certainly shows. It is also recommended to visit downtown Lagrange, a charming small city with a beautiful town square with a statue of Lafayette. We had a take-out lunch on a bench in the park there.
December 6, 2020
What a delightful experience touring the Hills and Dale estate with our group of 12 women. The guides couldn't have been better and the lunch in the garden was... read more the icing on the cake. Dont miss this special experience if you're near Callaway Gardens!
October 11, 2020
This was a beautiful place to visit and learn about the Callaway family and their contributions to the area. they were quite the philanthropists. the gardens are beautiful and the... read more home tour very interesting. if you are in the area I would highly suggest visiting. Parking is free and a trolley will ride you to the house if you prefer.
October 9, 2020
The place was wonderful and staff (volunteers??) well trained. But we specifically appreciated how kind and accommodating they were. I am currently immunocompromised due to chemo and this... read more was my first outing in months. We hoped an outdoor garden would be" Covid safe", but of course I wanted to tour the house. Due to Coronavirus, they have only recently resumed house tours and with limitations. However, given my situation even that concerned us so we were content to stick to the garden. But they were so kind and took advantage of the current state of few visitors and offered a private tour for my husband and me. They even ran the movie (which is also good by the way) just for us. I imagine they couldn't make these accommodations under normal conditions, but I so appreciate that when they could they did. We wouldn't have been able to see the house otherwise. And we are now members. Can't wait to return.
October 3, 2020