Bellingrath Gardens & Home - Theodore, Alabama

Amanda B.

We went to the Chinese Lantern Festival—it was gorgeous! We're going back during the day later this week to check out the gardens. 10/10

Update! We saw the gardens and the house during the day. This place is unbelievably beautiful. The gardens are stunning and so educational. The house is full of historical pieces, and they let you take photos, unlike The Bragg-Mitchell House. The rooms are amazing and really give you a feel of days gone by

kelsey W.

Prepare to be enchanted by the Bellingrath Gardens and Home Chinese Lantern Festival! This dazzling display is a feast for the eyes, transforming the already stunning gardens into a vibrant wonderland of illuminated art. The intricate craftsmanship of each lantern is breathtaking, showcasing everything from delicate floral designs to majestic mythical creatures. Strolling through the gardens at night, bathed in the warm glow of these handcrafted masterpieces, is a truly magical experience for visitors of all ages. The festival offers a unique and captivating blend of culture, art, and natural beauty that shouldn't be missed.

James N.

Many of the sights were closed off as my wife and I were there to see the Chinese lantern festival. But what a beautiful place! So quiet and the floral and fauna are incredible. The perfume of different blossoms filled the air with wonderful sweetness. Just go, really... it's amazing... the gift shop also has a small café included as well. Don't forget to like them and give me a like if you don't mind😊

Ryan B.

This place is always amazing. Always a good display of lights, it's known for its Christmas lights spectacular, but the Chinese lantern exhibition that's going on right now is pretty stellar. It's already a beautiful place but you add in all these lighted lanterns and you got yourself something to see. Highly recommend checking this place out . There's always something going on.

Karen S.

OH MY .. What a beautiful place to spend the day.
The Gulf Shores Garden Club got a special tour with Todd Lasseigne, Executive Director. He has a doctorate in horticulture and is an absolute wealth of knowledge. Bellingrath will be 100 years old in 2032. Imagine the age of these beautiful plants.
Things I learned… Hostas need to chill for 3 months- princess woo has BIG LEAVEs
Cannas - supplier in PA has clean virus free stock.
Bellingrath has Azaleas!- 13 species- 80% formosa (common). They also have a beautiful rose garden. There are 1017 varieties of roses. I took a picture of the mother or pearl rose which was 10 years old. Pink Flamingo rose is good here. Bellingrath is famous for camilla’s. In the 1940’s it was famous for gentlemen to have camellia gardens. Pat Ryan, horticulturist moved camellias from arboretum to gardens… but we don’t know what they are. Japonica camellia grows slow but beautiful. CHRIS FRANCIS - great tree cutter in Daphne.. and endorsed by Todd. Todd said to stay on top of weeds.. get rid of camphor weed trees. Bellingrath is Now transitioning to ZINNIAS, sunflowers for summer. Come out to see the Chinese Lantern display… This first annual display is famous across the uUnited States and they chose Bellingrath for their southern show. Starts April 17th 2025.

Richard C.

Iv always went to Bellingrath Gardens for the Christmas light but this year we wanted to see it during the spring. We were lucky enough to catch their Chinese Lantern Festival this year and it was amazing. It was also awesome to see the place when everything was in bloom! Highly recommend it and my kids loved it as well!

Haeden W.

We attended for the Chinese Lantern Festival. Everything was beautiful and well maintained. The roses were in full bloom, and the walk through the gardens was a perfect afternoon. There are booths selling drinks and other items. Don't miss going and seeing the gardens at night and stepping j to a magical experience.

Andy E.

The grounds are great, my favorite was the greenhouse. The dial in audio tour was good and informative but quite short, only thing I’d change is adding more info on plants and what everything is in the gardens. I went there with more of a “botanical gardens” view in mind though so maybe that’s where that comes from. Enjoyed the scenery and we got a glimpse of an upcoming lights festival they were setting up for so that was neat. Kids loved being outdoors for so long and we loved seeing frogs! We only did the gardens and skipped the house. Definitely would have been overpaying had we added the house on, it was expensive enough just go get into the gardens! $65 for a family of 5.