Sunday, January 3, 2016

Bellingrath Gardens

January 2, 2015

Michael and I spent the New Year at the beach. We stopped at Bellingrath Gardens before heading home to see the home and lights tour. Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a 65 acre public garden and historic home of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath, located on Fowl River in Theodre, near Mobile, AL.

Walter was one of the first Coca-Cola bottlers in the Southest. He built the estate garden and home with his wealth from Coca-Cola. He and his wife Bessie lived in the home which is now converted into a museum.

We arrived late afternoon to do the home tour before seeing the lights. The home was gorgeous! It was over 10,000 square feet. We toured the main rooms including three formal dining rooms. One dining room overlooked the Fowl River with large windows and exposed brick. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures inside.

 The courtyard at the home reminds me of New Orleans.
 
 This represents the builders initials and the year the home was built
 
 










 
It was almost 5:00 when we finished touring the home. The sun was just beginning set. I wished it was darker when we did the lights tour, but it was still beautiful. It was packed when we were leaving, so we really toured it at a good time. We enjoyed our tour, but we were both ready to get back home and settled.
 
 Here's a few pictures from the lights tour.
 


 





 
 
 
 

 





 


 


 





 

 
If you've never been to Bellingrath Gardens, I would highly recommend it. The lights tour begins the day after Thanksgiving and lasts through the day after New Years. They are closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.

5 comments:

  1. That looks beautiful. I love the lights that look like an aquarium! My parents are headed to Gulf Shores next month and this looks like something they'd also enjoy!

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    1. It was really nice! Saturday was the last day for the lights. I would love to go back in the Spring when all the flowers are in bloom.

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  2. What a neat place to tour! I love all of your photos, and I especially love all of their lights. We have a place near us called the Biltmore Estates, and Bellingrath reminds me of the Biltmore a lot. I've been to tour the Biltmore in May when the gardens were at their peak, but I would love to tour it in the winter as well. They decorate it for Christmas with lights and all, and I think it's probably similar to Bellingrath Gardens.

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    1. Biltmore Estates looks beautiful! I've never been, but I've seen pictures. I would love to do one of the runs there sometime.

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    2. Biltmore Estates looks beautiful! I've never been, but I've seen pictures. I would love to do one of the runs there sometime.

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