Bellingrath Gardens and Home

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is the Gulf Coast's great garden and one of the best day trips from Mobile. The estate covers about 65 acres in Theodore, a short drive south of downtown, and was created by Walter and Bessie Bellingrath around a bend of the Fowl River. Winding paths pass beneath old live oaks, along lagoons and through a sequence of garden rooms: the Rose Garden, the Asian-inspired Oriental-American Garden, a long boardwalk, fountains and terraces that step down toward the water. The adjoining home, available as an extra tour, preserves the family's furnishings and collections, including an extensive porcelain collection. Gardens bloom at different times of year, which is the point of a return visit: azaleas and camellias in the cooler months, roses and summer color later, and a late-autumn show of chrysanthemums.

Why go in each season? In late winter and early spring, azaleas and camellias dominate. In summer, the gardens favor tropical and heat-loving plants with shade from the oaks. In autumn, the chrysanthemum displays are the draw. At the end of the year, the estate becomes Magic Christmas in Lights, an evening display that runs from late November into early January and is one of the region's best-loved holiday traditions.

In spring, an evening Chinese lantern festival has also become a seasonal fixture. Both evening events have their own hours and ticketing, and daytime visiting hours are shortened on those days, so check the schedule when you plan.

Practical points. The gardens are open daily with last entry in the afternoon, and there are separate admissions for the gardens alone and for the gardens with the home tour. Allow two to three hours for the gardens and an extra hour for the house, and wear comfortable shoes because the walking adds up.

The garden is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly in most areas, with the historic home and parts of the Asian garden more limited. Pets are not allowed other than service animals. Dining, a gift shop and a garden center are on site, so there is no need to leave for lunch.

Getting there and combining it. Bellingrath is a drive of about half an hour from downtown Mobile, so it fits a half-day or full-day plan; combine it with a morning at Dauphin Island's Fort Gaines or the Sea Lab, or pair it with an afternoon downtown. The Mobile Area Multi-Attraction Pass includes Bellingrath as well as the USS Alabama and other sights, which can save money for travelers stacking several.

For photographers, the early morning light on the lagoons and the live oaks is the reward for an early start, and for couples the garden is one of the region's most romantic settings.

A little preparation pays off. Arrive early in the day for cooler temperatures and softer light, particularly in the warmer months, and check the bloom information before choosing your date. Wear a hat and comfortable walking shoes, and pack insect repellent for the shaded areas near the water. If you are visiting for the evening events, buy tickets ahead and allow time to find parking.

The on-site cafe makes lunch easy, and the garden center is a good stop if you want to take a little of the Gulf Coast home in plant form. Photographers should bring a wide lens for the oak-lined vistas.