A little while ago, I announced that I was visiting Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi as part of my quest to visit all 50 states before I turn 30 (those states got me up to 42!). I started this trip in New Orleans with my mom and had an awesome time and ate some AMAZING food, and we did a day trip to Mississippi and Alabama! Our first stop was at Bellingrath Gardens. I happened to find it by chance during my research and it was a little out of our way on our trip to Mobile, but it was such a beautiful place that I’m happy we made the stop there!
Bellingrath Gardens and Home was like a little hidden paradise! It’s pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and the grounds were much bigger than I had imagined. It’s a great place to leisurely wander around and take photos of flowers. We got there right when it opened, and we had the place pretty much to ourselves- only two other people were on the house tour with us.
The first stop in Bellingrath Gardens is the rose garden. I was surprised that so many rose and flowers were in bloom in August, and they were so beautiful! I took lots of photos, no surprise there 🙂
After touring the garden and greenhouse, we walked through the rest of the estate. I loved the variety of plants and how open many of the areas are! Bellingrath Gardens has a schedule of what is in bloom throughout the year, so you’ll always be able to find something in bloom, even in the winter.
After walking around all the different gardens, we took a tour of the home. Bellingrath Gardens was the home of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath, and he made his fortune as one of the first Coca-Cola bottlers. Bellingrath Gardens started as his fishing camp since it’s on the Fowl River, and his wife started the gardens soon after. They opened it to the public in the 1930s, and their home became a museum in the 1950s. All the furniture is original to the house, so you can see exactly how it looked almost a century ago!
This was my favorite room! I would love to have that beautiful view at every meal!
The house has its own chapel, and I loved the beautiful windows
Bellingrath Gardens also has an Asian garden with a koi pond!
If you’re visiting Alabama, I highly recommend going to Bellingrath Gardens! It’s such a beautiful and relaxing place if you need a quiet escape! 🙂
Wow, this is such a gem! Both the gardens and the house look wonderful. A place I would love to visit one day – by the way, visiting all the 50 States of the US before 30 is the coolest challenge!
The water displays around the gardens are lovely, and that dining room… Definitely a beautiful sight – and great to impress visitors back in the day I imagine!
Julia x
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It’s even pretty in person! And I bet it did impress visitors back in the day!
Wow such stunning photos, I can picture this being a stunning wedding venue.
Thank you! 🙂
These gardens are beautiful. I especially love the red bridge – that’s a photo opportunity waiting to happen!
Yes everywhere I turned there was something new to photograph!
I lived in Alabama for a few years but never visited this place. Will definitely have to check it out next time we’re in that part of the state!
Yeah it’s definitely worth a visit whenever you go back!
Wow! What a beautiful and peaceful place. I can see why you took so many photos. I will have to remember this the next time I drive through Alabama.
You should definitely go there the next time you’re in Alabama!
A beautiful blog with all your nice photos!
Thank you! 🙂
Ahhh I’m obsessed with Asian style gardens! I used to have a little table top sand zen garden which I used to re-rake in a different pattern every night haha
That sounds so pretty! I love visiting Asian gardens!
Wow! So many flowers! It’s awesome that they manage to have bloomings all year round.
Yeah it’s so great that you can see flowers even in the winter!
OK, that red bridge is super beautiful. Your eyes must have lit up walking around this place. Everything is photogenic!
Thanks! Yeah I took TONS of photos because everything was just so beautiful!
What a beautiful place Bellingrath Gardens in Alabama is. So glad you stopped Here on your quest to see all 50 States.
Thanks! It’s definitely worth a visit if you get the chance!
I just love that greenhouse and the little chapel! So beautiful! Also I LOVE that you’re on a mission to visit all 50 states before you’re 30!! Go girl!
Thank you! 🙂
Hi Julia,
What a beautiful find! Your photos are inspiring and luring.
Thank you! 🙂
What an awesome find. I would love to see it some day.
It’s even prettier in person!