Garden & Gun’s Top Photos of 2025

Jamming in the courtyard of the Celestine hotel in the French Quarter.

Cover, February/March 2025

Buttermilk cornmeal cookie sandwiches with sorghum marshmallow filling.

“The Buttermilk Cornmeal Cookie Sandwiches of Our Dreams” 

February/March 2025 

Blane Chocklett preps a leader for a large Hybrid Game Changer fly.

“Out on the River with Angling All-Star Blane Chocklett”

February/March 2025

A Louisiana home’s front sunroom shows off the home’s original pine board walls.

“Deep in Louisiana Sugar Country, an Antiques Lover Restores His Storied Family Home”

February/March 2025 

Elle Duncan, photographed at her home near ESPN’s Connecticut headquarters.

“Talking Hoops with ESPN’s Elle Duncan”

February/March 2025

Extravagant suits worn by Mardi Gras Indians at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in New Orleans.

“A Local’s Guide to New Orleans: What to Eat, Drink, See, and Do in the Crescent City”

February/March 2025

Chris Hannah garnishes a Brandy Crusta at Jewel of the South in New Orleans.

“A Local’s Guide to New Orleans: What to Eat, Drink, See, and Do in the Crescent City”

February/March 2025

At Dooky Chase (from left), Tracie Haydel Griffin, Zoe Chase, Stella Chase Reese, Eve Marie Haydel, and Myla Reese Poree.

“A Local’s Guide to New Orleans: What to Eat, Drink, See, and Do in the Crescent City”

February/March 2025

Coconut pie from the Mayflower Cafe in Jackson, Mississippi.

“The Makeover and Magic of Mississippi’s Mayflower Cafe”

February/March 2025

A generous meal at Merritt Meat Company in Round Top, Texas.

“Round Top, Texas, Is an Antique Lover’s Dream—Here’s How to Do It Right”

February/March 2025 

Fresh rainbow trout from Bucksnort Trout Ranch outside of Nashville.

“An Herbaceous, Springy Take on Trout from Nashville Chef Julia Sullivan”

April/May 2025 

Cheese straw biscuits with country ham.

Cover, April/May 2025

The ultimate Southern bar for entertaining.

“Stock the Ultimate Southern Bar”

April/May 2025 

The breeding male of the Milltail Pack, one of only two red wolf packs in Eastern North Carolina.

“Inside the Fight to Save the World’s Most Endangered Wolf”

April/May 2025 

A lotus in bloom at Perry’s Water Gardens, near Franklin, North Carolina.

“Enter a Wonderland of Floating Water Lilies on the Edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains”

April/May 2025 

Nanny Goat Beach, on the southeastern edge of Sapelo Island.

“Jessica B. Harris Sets Out for Sapelo Island”

April/May 2025 

Taking it easy on a floating bungalow off Key Largo, Florida.

Cover, June/July 2025

Brooklyn Decker relaxes with a Negroni in a jacket, gloves, and heels by Valentino, and Celine jeans.

“How Brooklyn Decker Has Come to Reconnect with Her Charlotte Roots”

June/July 2025

Brooklyn Decker sparkles in a dress by Gabriela Hearst, in front of a Fine & Dandy Co. wall covering.

“How Brooklyn Decker Has Come to Reconnect with Her Charlotte Roots”

June/July 2025

Gardeners Jim Smeal and Alejandro González tuck their plants into outbuildings, like this fern-draped garden shed, during Charleston’s odd cold snaps.

“A Lowcountry Paradise Cooked Up by a Pair of Professional Bakers”

June/July 2025

A brown trout from the River Deveron in Scotland.

“A Stay on Scotland’s River Deveron Brings an Immersion in Wild Browns, Fog-Shrouded Castles, and Stunning Views” 

June/July 2025

Avochie Estate sits serenely at the foot of the Grampian Mountains in Scotland.

“A Stay on Scotland’s River Deveron Brings an Immersion in Wild Browns, Fog-Shrouded Castles, and Stunning Views” 

June/July 2025

Dunnottar Castle perches above the North Sea in Scotland.

“A Stay on Scotland’s River Deveron Brings an Immersion in Wild Browns, Fog-Shrouded Castles, and Stunning Views” 

June/July 2025

Saltwater Cowboys, who are also members of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, lead the ponies through downtown Chincoteague, Virginia.

“A Century On, The Chincoteague Pony Swim Still Sparks Unbridled Joy”

June/July 2025

Wild ponies roam near Assateague Island, off the Virginia coast.

“A Century On, The Chincoteague Pony Swim Still Sparks Unbridled Joy”

June/July 2025

Singer-songwriter A.J. Croce with a slice of his collection of about four thousand vinyl records.

“A. J. Croce Picks the Six Records That Most Influenced Him”

August/September 2025

Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews at the Tchoup House in New Orleans.

Cover, August/September 2025

The Today show’s Craig Melvin beams in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.

“The Eternal Optimism of Craig Melvin”

August/September 2025

On Sundays, Wat Buddhametta Mahabaramee, a Thai Buddhist Temple, sets the table with egg rolls, pork skewers, pad thai, cashew chicken, and more. 

“In Gautier, Mississippi, a Communal Feast Draws Buddhists and Non-Buddhists Alike”

August/September 2025

Alton Brown in his Atlanta kitchen with his beagle mix, Hamlet.

“See Inside the Splendid Home Kitchens of Three Southern Food Pros”

August/September 2025

A tree frames a dirt road on Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina.

“How South Carolina’s Wadmalaw Island Inspired Writer Stacy Willingham’s Latest Novel”

August/September 2025

A meze platter, grilled short rib, Venetian-style artichoke, grilled little gem salad, and razor clams at Albertine in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“G&G’s Hot List: 30 New Restaurants to Try Now”

August/September 2025

Craig Melvin and his mother, Betty Jo.

“The Eternal Optimism of Craig Melvin”

August/September 2025

Amphibian biologist Lori Williams snorkels in a French Broad River drainage in North Carolina.

“Champions of Conservation”

October/November 2025

A subadult hellbender Lori Williams lured out from under a rock.

“Champions of Conservation”

October/November 2025

Tony Mills catches a juvenile alligator on the edge of a Spring Island marsh.

“Champions of Conservation”

October/November 2025

Silhouette artist Clay Rice stands with one of his large metal pieces at his home in South Carolina.

“Clay Rice Captures the Lowcountry in Silhouette”

October/November 2025

An English cocker spaniel enjoys the ride during a day on the water.

Cover, October/November 2025

A fall-inspired variation of the whiskey sour, with unsweetened cranberry juice and a touch of orange.

“A Whiskey Sour with Fall Flavor”

October/November 2025

Ken Burns arranges toy soldiers, similar to ones he had as a child, at his New Hampshire home.

“Talking About a Revolution with Ken Burns”

October/November 2025

Two of Jett Brunet’s award-winning decoys, a hen pintail (top) and a drake gadwall.

“World Champion Decoy Carver Jett Brunet Pushes His Art to New Levels” 

October/November 2025

Mocha ware and foraged greenery bring holiday spirit to a Lowcountry cabin.

Cover, December 2025/January 2026

A bottle of bubbly chills in a nautilus vessel by Jayson Home.

“Wish List: 23 Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season”

December 2025/January 2026

Whole oranges, tangerines, and pomegranates set off foraged greenery in a Lowcountry home’s formal dining room.

“A Holiday in the Field”

December 2025/January 2026

Magnolia branches overflow at the bar, and cranberries on martini skewers add a pop of color.

“A Holiday in the Field” 

December 2025/January 2026

An eastern red cedar—harvested from the property—gets draped with garlands of dried orange slices and wooden “cranberries” in lieu of ornaments to nurture a natural feel.

“A Holiday in the Field” 

December 2025/January 2026

A booth at Ray’s Hometown Bar in Miami Beach.

G&G’s Guide to Miami Beach

December 2025/January 2026

Narcissus by Adolph Alexander Weinman, one of the more than three thousand sculptures at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. 

“The Love Stories Behind Brookgreen Gardens”

December 2025/January 2026

Christina Coniglio in her Palm Beach studio-boutique wearing the Mirasol blouse and wraparound skirt.

“How Palm Beach Inspires the Jubilant Resort Wear of Designer Christina Coniglio”

December 2025/January 2026

A booth at Ray’s Hometown Bar in Miami Beach.

G&G’s Guide to Miami Beach

December 2025/January 2026