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Auburn University
Elderhostel Coordinator:
Gina Murray
Please feel free to contact us!
Outreach Program Office
(334) 844-5100
Email: elderho@auburn.edu
ELDERHOSTEL SITE INFORMATION: CALLAWAY GARDENS
We are delighted you have chosen to participate in an Auburn University sponsored Elderhostel program at the incomparable Callaway Gardens! Program participants will be staying at the Mountain Creek Inn which is part of Callaway Gardens. More detailed information about specific programs may be obtained by selecting the particular program from the Program Information section.
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LODGING | MEALS | TRAVEL | CLIMATE | WHAT TO BRING | GENERAL INFORMATION
Lodging Information
Mountain Creek Inn at Callaway Gardens
Route 27
Pine Mountain, GA 31822
Phone: 1-800-225-5292
706 - 663-2281
www.callawaygardens.com
HOTEL ON-SITE REGISTRATION AND CHECK-OUT
Hotel Check-in/Check-out:
• Hotel check-in time is at 4:00 p.m. If a vacant room is available, however, you may be able to check in at an earlier time.
• Hotel check-out time is 11:00 a.m. (Most programs conclude after breakfast and a short class/activity on the last day).
• To arrange to stay the night before the program, or to stay an extra night at the Elderhostel rate, please call: Lorraine McGhee or Stacie Rice at 706 -663-6729. Identify yourself as being part of the Elderhostel program. If there are rooms available, they should honor your request. Call well in advance since during special events (e.g., Fantasy In Lights, Balloon Festival, etc.) rooms may be in great demand.
ABOUT MOUNTAIN CREEK INN AND PARKING
Hotel and Room Amenities:
• Hotel provides: Daily linen service, internet access (pay for service), remote controlled television, in-room coffee, iron/board, hair dryer, fitness room, and a lovely lounge and restful patio where we can gather in the late afternoon/evening.
• The hotel is located on HWY 27 directly across from the Gardens.
• Depending on the specific program, other activities may be going on during your stay. (For example, the Classic Car show during the Balloon Festival).
• www.callawaygardens.com
Parking at Inn and in the Gardens:
• There is no charge to park at the hotel.
• Your program includes admission to the Gardens. There is no charge to park at the various venues within the Gardens.
• Bus transportation will be provided from the Inn to all instructional sites.
Meals Information
Meal choices:
• Most breakfasts and dinners will be in the Plant Room at the Inn. Both meals are buffet style with many choices.
• Most lunches are eaten at other venues within Callaway Gardens (e.g. Discovery Café, Champions Golf Course Restaurant).
• There is usually a wide selection of foods at each eating place. If we have a pre-selected, plated meal, a vegetarian choice can be requested. Indicate that desire on the medical form you return to us.
Travel Information
TRAVELING BY AIR
Recommend that you to fly to Atlanta Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta, GA
Reservations are required for shuttle companies providing transportation between the Atlanta Airport and Mountain Creek Inn at Callaway Gardens.
Note: Call to confirm fee and schedule as they are subject to change.
Shuttle Service |
Phone/Website |
Groome Transportation |
706-324-3939 |
Peach State Limo |
800-848-2520 "Ask for Tony Grant for Elderhostel rates." |
Silver Leaf Limousine |
404-767-6657 |
TRAVELING BY CAR
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If you are traveling from the direction of:
Columbus GA (30 miles) - Take I-185 North to Exit 34 (GA Hwy 18); Turn right onto Hwy 18; Follow Hwy 18 to the entrance to Callaway Gardens; Stay straight as you go past the Gardens Entrance (Hwy 18 actually turns to the left there, but you should go straight ahead (on Hwy 354) to the next traffic light; turn right at that traffic light (onto US Hwy 27 South); Follow Hwy 27 South for several miles until you see the Lake View Golf Course on the right; Mountain Creek Inn will be on the left as you begin to climb the next hill.
Atlanta GA (70 miles) - Take I-85 South to Exit 21 (I-185 South); Follow I-185 South to Exit 42 (US Hwy 27); Take Hwy 27 South all the way through Pine Mountain; Follow Hwy 27 South until you see the Lake View Golf Course on the right; Mountain Creek Inn will be on the left as you begin to climb the next hill.
Macon GA (80 miles) - Take US Hwy 80 West to GA Hwy 208 West to US Hwy 27 North; Follow Hwy 27 North until you see the Mountain Creek Inn on the right. [Note: If you reach the small town of Pine Mountain, you have gone too far!]
Montgomery AL (110 miles) - Take I-85 North to Exit 2 in Georgia (GA Hwy 18 East); Follow Hwy 18 East past the I-185 overpass; Continue on Hwy 18 East to the entrance to Callaway Gardens; Stay straight as you go past the Gardens Entrance (Hwy 18 actually turns to the left there, but you should go straight ahead (on Hwy 354) to the next traffic light; turn right at that traffic light (onto US Hwy 27 South); Follow Hwy 27 South for several miles until you see the Lake View Golf Course on the right; Mountain Creek Inn will be on the left as you begin to climb the next hill.
Albany GA (110 miles) - Take Corridor Z (GA Hwy 280 North) to Columbus. At that point, take I-185 North and follow the directions posted above for those coming from direction of Columbus.
Birmingham AL (150 miles) - Take US Hwy 280 East to Opelika AL; Take I-85 North to Exit 2 in Georgia (GA Hwy 18 East); Follow Hwy 18 East past the I-185 overpass; Continue on Hwy 18 East to the entrance to Callaway Gardens; Stay straight as you go past the Gardens Entrance (Hwy 18 actually turns to the left there, but you should go straight ahead (on Hwy 354) to the next traffic light; turn right at that traffic light (onto US Hwy 27 South); Follow Hwy 27 South for several miles until you see the Lake View Golf Course on the right; Mountain Creek Inn will be on the left as you begin to climb the next hill.
Tallahassee FL (200 miles) - Take US Hwy 319 North to Thomasville GA, then US Hwy 19 to Albany GA; Follow directions posted above for those coming from direction of Albany GA.
Climate Information
| Month | Average High | Average Low | Mean | Average Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53◦ F | 31◦ F | 42◦ F | 5.37 in. |
| February | 58◦ F | 33◦ F | 46◦ F | 4.90 in. |
| March | 66◦ F | 39◦ F | 53◦ F | 6.22 in. |
| April | 73◦ F | 46◦ F | 60◦ F | 4.53 in. |
| May | 80◦ F | 55◦ F | 68◦ F | 3.54 in. |
| June | 87◦ F | 64◦ F | 75◦ F | 4.03 in. |
| July | 89◦ F | 68◦ F | 79◦ F | 5.38 in. |
| August | 88◦ F | 67◦ F | 78◦ F | 3.83 in. |
| September | 82◦ F | 62◦ F | 72◦ F | 3.43 in. |
| October | 73◦ F | 49◦ F | 61◦ F | 3.05 in. |
| November | 64◦ F | 40◦ F | 52◦ F | 4.26 in. |
| December | 55◦ F | 34◦ F | 45◦ F | 4.84 in. |
What to Bring
(More specific suggestions may be found under Additional Program Information for your specific program).
• Clothing that can be layered in case the heat or the air-conditioning systems are activated.
• Depending on the specific season, bringing a coat, rain gear and umbrella can be a good idea.
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Work-out clothes if you want to use hotel fitness facility.
• Hat, visor, sun screen for our Southern sunshine.
• Notebook or note paper in case you want to take notes.
• Flashlight (for emergency use and Balloon Festival)
• Camera, extra memory devices for digital cameras, batteries and/or battery charger (Pine Mountain is not a large town, and you may not always find what you need/want)
• Toiletries and medications
• Some participants like to “dress-up” a bit for the final night, but it is not necessary.
• Any props you might need if you decide to share something with the group (eg: musical instrument, poem, etc.)
• Credit card: You will be asked to provide a credit card when registering at the hotel to cover any incidental expenses you may have, such as telephone calls, room service, etc. If you do not have a credit card, you will not have the option to charge items to your room during your stay.
• If playing golf, there is a collared shirt requirement for men. There is a “no denim” requirement for all players.
General Information
Classes and Activities:
• Most classes, other than the active outdoor variety, are conducted in the education wing of the Discovery Center, with some classes/activities occurring at a particularly relevant site (e.g., “Victory Garden South” meets at Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden).
• Active outdoor programs conduct classes at the appropriate site; e.g., golf course, hiking trails, tennis courts, etc.
• There will normally be either a morning or an afternoon block of time which will remain unscheduled in order for you to have the chance to revisit a favorite spot, to take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy one of the Elderhostel discounted recreational venues available in the Gardens (e.g., tennis, bike riding, or golf), or just to explore on your own.
• Most programs conclude after breakfast and a short class/activity on the final day. This allows participants to get a relatively early start on travel. See your particular program to get a better idea of the daily schedule.
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