Entertainment: Bellingrath Gardens and Home

No matter what season, Bellingrath Gardens and Home is always in full bloom.

Bellingrath Gardens has been open to the public for over 75 years. According to Leslie Schraeder, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, over those 75 years the visitors have enjoyed two locations within the gardens in particular.

The grotto is a series of waterfalls that take the water through artisan wells and down to the Fowl River. Another favorite is the rockery. This was designed by the late Mrs. Bellingrath. The rockery takes the water to Mirror Lake that contains rock gardens with more waterfalls and different plantings. Schraeder said the serine atmosphere of the gardens takes guests away from their daily routines. “We all get wrapped up in our day-to-day lives and it’s nice sometimes to get out in the quiet,” said Schraeder.

But, the gardens are not the only attraction at Bellingrath. The Bellingrath Home has been open to guests since 1956.

According to Schraeder, the gardens attract many visitors in March. In March, 200,000 azaleas line two miles of the gardens pathway.

But, whether visiting in the spring, summer, fall or winter there is sure to be something memorable to enjoy.

During the spring there are three events at Bellingrath that are unique. The Easter egg hunt at Bellingrath gives children of all ages an opportunity to hunt for eggs within the gardens. Bellingrath also offers an Easter sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday. The spring car show has become a tradition at Bellingrath. The car show happens the first Saturday in April every year with over 300 classic cars on display at the gardens.

Throughout the summer Bellingrath offers wonderful Wednesdays. Wonderful Wednesdays are classes at the gardens on various topics. These topics range from gardening, the history of the Bellingraths or the Mobile area.

For the fall, Bellingrath has several fun-filled events. The balloon glow at Bellingrath is a memorable event. At this event, hot air balloons are scattered on the great lawn and visitors are taken on hot air balloon rides. There is also trick-or-treating at Bellingrath, where stations are set up for trick-or-treaters throughout the gardens.

However, no other time of the year attracts more visitors than Christmas time. During Bellingrath Gardens: Magic Christmas in Lights nearly 70,000 guests visit the gardens. Magic Christmas in Lights begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs through the New Year. Over 3 million lights adorn the gardens and home with themed scenes throughout the gardens.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home

12401 Bellingrath Rd.

Theodore, Ala. 36582

Gardens: Open daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

During Magic Christmas in Lights-daily from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Bellingrath Home: Guided tours begin at 9 a.m. with the last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m.

During Magic Christmas in Lights guided tours begin at 9 a.m. with the last ticket sold at 7:30 p.m.