We visited Gibbs Gardens during our stay. It is an amazing acreage! It started out as a 300-acre estate in 1980. During the last 30 years Jim Gibbs, founder of Gibbs Gardens, developed and created 220 acres of landscaped gardens. These gardens are set among streams, ponds, lakes, and hillsides covered with woodlands. There are 16 unique garden venues. There is a Cafe centered in a shady area surrounded by the garden beauties where you can enjoy a comfortable place to eat, rest, and relax between gardens. We stopped for a water break and shared a "melt in your mouth," slice of pound cake. Yum!
We started out with the 40 acre Japanese Gardens; said to be the largest Japanese Gardens in the nation. Wow! I can not do the beauty of these gardens with words; so I'm attaching a few pics. Pagodas, lanterns, and decades of old bonsai, beautifully sculpted. It was amazingly serene, great place to sigh...
The family still resides in the Manor House (which is not open to the public~shucks) but you can enjoy the porch which overlooks the Manor House Gardens and pool area. It was getting pretty warm by the time we reached the house (which we rode the tram to get to~it would be quite a walk... no... quite a hike to get up to the house! Lots of hills!!!)
Another great place to visit! Check out the website for more information:
http://www.gibbsgardens.com/ or info@gibbsgardens.com
You'll want your tennis shoes and comfortable clothes. There is a lot of walking involved; but well worth the effort. Also, there are trams available to access some of the gardens. It is open March 1-November 30;
Wednesday-Saturday 9-5 pm. (Last admission is at 4 pm)
Part of the Japanese Gardens...
They can grow just about anything in Georgia.Travel Time,
MFSD
I did not know that Gibbs Gardens was the considered the largest Japanese gardens in the nation! I do know that it is a truly magical place!
ReplyDelete