Tips For Visiting Massee Lane Gardens Fort Valley, Georgia

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Here’s why you should plan a stroll through Massee Lane Gardens in Fort Valley, Georgia. First of all it’s not far off the beaten path. Use our tips to get the most of your visit.

You will find the Camellias in bloom September through April. Something is always blooming at Massee Lane Gardens. We want to go back while the Azaleas and Day Lillies are in bloom. 

We visited in late February during the Festival of Camellias. The weather was perfect for a nice stroll down the brick pathways. It was so pleasant, we lost track of time. 

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One of my favorite things is to see the ground carpeted with Camellia petals! They are just gorgeous. 

The formal Camellia Garden is almost 10 acres in size with more than 1000 varieties of Camellias. Plan to take pictures!

Take time to linger when you arrive at the Abendroth Japanese Garden. There is a shaded hut where you can rest and watch the fish in the Koi pond. Just before arriving at this location you will pass the first of two bathrooms along the pathways.

This is definitely a spot for snapping photos. Even though the pond was blanketed with leaves and flower petals you can still see the huge goldfish.

Walk across the shaded Grist Mill Stones to continue the path on the other side around the perimeter of the Japanese Garden.

There are a few dozen repurposed Grist Mill Stones scattered around the gardens. These create a bridge across the Koi Pond, others provide seating or provide guidance on the brick pathway.

There is a free Scavenger Hunt for the children which provides plenty of teachable moments. They are rewarded with a prize for completing the Scavenger Hunt at the end of the tour. You do need to return the completed egg carton tray to the Gift Shop to claim the prize. 

Our children seemed to very much enjoy the Scavenger Hunt and we enjoyed the opportunity to explore the outdoors and God’s paintbrush with them. 

The 2.4 acre pond attracts migratory birds, ducks, geese, rabbits, turtles and deer. Bluebird houses have been placed along the shoreline.  There are benches available for taking the time to enjoy the wildlife.

The Pavilion overlooking the pond provides a screened in classroom or a beautiful location for private events. We took a break and sat along the brick wall facing the pond.

The Children’s Garden is about half way through the walking tour. It is located right next to the Daylily Hybrids and another restroom. There are a couple of seating places for parents to rest while the children explore. 

A footbridge above another Koi pond provides a nice photo spot. You will also find a pic nic area behind the Garden of the Child so plan ahead. It is a nice location to take a break. 

The headquarters building for The American Camellia Society houses the Gift Shop where you pay to tour the gardens and will find some gorgeous southern decor available to purchase. Notice the gorgeous note cards! Because we visited during the Camellia Festival, they were serving Tea. It was delicious and we purchased the flavor we enjoyed the most from the Gift Shop.

Don’t skip the short video prior to beginning your self-guided walking tour. You will hear the history of the gardens as well as nuggets of information such as the story behind all of the Grist Mill Stones located on the property. 

Tips for Visiting Massee Lane Gardens

• Wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a backpack with water if you like. It is allowed.
• There is a Pic Nic area located behind the Children’s Garden about half way through the walking tour.
• There are two sets of restrooms along the walking tour and also restrooms located in the main building near the gift shop.
• Most of the walking tour is along the beautiful brick pathway but there are opportunities to leave the brick and walk on the ground. If it has been raining, you should wear sneakers, not flip flops. 
• Bug spray might be helpful in the summer. It is the south and we do have mosquitoes in the summer. 
• Plan for about 2 hours to do the walking tour leisurely and visit the Museums.
• Parking is Free.
• A helpful map of the walking tour is provided when you pay admission.
• Guided Tours available for groups of 10 or more. Book in advance.
• Gift Shop available.
• There are Two Porcelain Museum Galleries included in admission.
• They do sell live plants.
• Admission is very affordable. $5. Seniors (55 & Up) $4. 12 and under Free
• Massee Lane Gardens is less than 6 miles off I-75

If you are traveling I-75 and wondering about visiting Massee Lane Garden AND eating at Lane Southern Orchards, do it. They are not far apart and it’s a quick return back to the interstate. See our 10 Reasons To Visit Lane Southern Orchards.

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Updated 3/15/23