It's not far as stated, within site, maybe half mile. Sounds like a lot but most of the parking will be a quarter mile. I paid 41.50 for parking there yesterday. Rode the shuttle the day before, the shuttle is actually, or was, a PIA.
The INN across from Fiddlers has a shuttle and they didn't ask anyone for a room card or anything. BTW, Cracker Barrel right beside fiddlers, parking lot may be full but they have way more seating than parking so don't be pushed away by that.
I would just walk, have good shoes on if you take a lady that wants to look at the gardens. You'll pack on the miles before your done.
For clarification, I stayed at the INN across from Fiddlers.