In Pine Mountain, Georgia, about an hour southwest of Atlanta, there's a little - well, not so little actually - touch of Eden. Or at least what it might have been like had it been created in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

It's Callaway Gardens, 14,000 acres of planned and planted horticultural wonders melded with the natural bounty of the wilderness to create a quiet refuge from the hurly-burly of city life.

Azaleas Blooming at Callaway.

It's a delightful place for families, with an abundance of things to see and do - without the hype of many of our most popular theme parks and attractions.

For example, in the exhibit hall of the Discovery Center, little kids (and some adults, too) walking through the Crawlaseum exhibit whisper "Oh, gross," "Eeek," "Mom, look!" Only a clear box of plastic separates viewers from 40 species of live bugs. One guy calmly lets a giant Madagascar hissing roach clamber across his arm and hand, encouraging little kids to gently touch it. They do, then jerk their fingers back with squeals of excitement and dread. Then reach out again.

Everyone of every age is enthralled by the Butterfly Center, North America's largest glass-enclosed conservatory, where a thousand live butterflies flutter freely in a myriad flashing colors, often lighting on arms, shoulders and heads to everyone's delight.

At the Birds of Prey show in the outdoor Discovery Amphitheater, magnificent free-flying feathered raptors swoop right over the delighted spectators' heads, demonstrating their strength, speed and natural hunting instincts. Hawks, owls, falcons, vultures and eagles perform at each show.

Of course, one of the main attractions at Callaway is - what else - the gardens, acres of plants, trees, flowers, plus a Horticultural Center, a unique five-acre garden/greenhouse of native and exotic plants.

The 40-acre Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl has more than 3,400 hybrid azaleas creating a palette of pinks, reds and whites each Spring. Plus 2,000 trees and shrubs blooming throughout the year.

The Vegetable Garden is 7.5 acres of fruit, herbs, flowers and vegetables, the Southern site of the PBS Victory Garden TV series.

Along the eight walking trails, each a little different and covering over seven miles - plus a 10-mile biking trail, seasonal flowers bloom and birds sing with enthusiasm as kids scamper through the woodland paths.

Some visitors rent boats or canoes and paddle off in search of solitude or the trout and bass lurking in Callaway's lakes and tributaries. Others take advantage of The Fly Shop's fly fishing clinics and excursions. Or play a round of golf on one of the garden's two 18-hole courses.

We suggest you take a weekend to see it all, staying at Callaway's Mountain Creek Inn with 349 rooms and suites, or in one of about 200 cottages nestled in the woods. Under construction now is Longleaf, a community of elegant woodland homes where residents will have all of Callaway Gardens for a backyard.

For additional information and background, visit www.callawayonline.com or call 1-800-225-5292.

- Rich Steck & Judi Janofsky