If you recall my posts about Christmas tree lightings and holiday boat parades, you may have gathered that I’m quite fond of Christmas light displays. Simply looking at some glowing, twinkling lights gets me feeling the warm fuzzies of Christmas. I also love all things nature: trees, plants, flowers, you name it. So, what do you get when you mash these two interests together? A gorgeous, glowing garden extravaganza! If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy immersing yourself in a spectacular holiday light experience at a botanical garden this winter.
Garden Lights have returned to the Atlanta Botanical Garden for the sixth year. Among the various light displays, you’ll enjoy walking through the Tunnel of Light and watching the Orchestral Orbs. If you plan on visiting the garden with your kids, nieces, or nephews, make sure you check out the model train. The holiday light exhibit will be on display until January 7, 2017.
Click here for tickets and here for transportation info for the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Located just outside of Charlotte in Belmont, the plethora of holiday happenings at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden will give everyone in your family a boost of Christmas cheer. More than 600,000 lights illuminate the gorgeous grounds, transforming trees and fountains into a twinkling wonderland. Some other festive activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, marshmallow roasting, live holiday music, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Click here for tickets and here to see the live music and food truck schedule at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
If you’re in Wilmington, DE or Philadelphia, celebrate the holidays at Longwood Gardens with enjoyable activities both indoors and outside. As you walk the grounds, your senses will be engulfed with sights and sounds of the season, such as twinkling lights illuminating the night sky, songs of strolling carolers filling the air, and tunes from daily organ performances. If you start feel chilly, simply stop by a fire pit to warm up!
Garden Glow has decked out the Missouri Botanical Garden with millions of Christmas lights that will be on display until January 1, 2017. As you stroll through the garden, there are several spots for you to stop and strike a pose with your loved ones for a festive photo. To get a glimpse of the dazzling lights, watch the video above.
As the holidays approach every year, Bellevue Botanical Garden transforms into a colorful and magical wonderland. Critters are hidden throughout the grounds of this garden, so children will have fun spotting them among the lights. (For example, see Charlotte’s Web in the image above.) Garden d’Lights is on display until December 31, so make plans to visit before it closes for the season.
Click here for tickets and here for transportation info for Garden d’Lights.
A holiday activity that will leave the young and young at heart filled with awe is a trip to see a model train display. At first sight, it’s quite impressive to see the trains, buildings, and various miniatures. Then when you consider how many hours it takes to construct each set and the skill required to wire the circuits, it’s really amazing. I’ve rounded up a handful of train displays for you to visit, and since words cannot adequately convey how grand these various exhibits are, there are videos for you to enjoy!
EnterTRAINment Junction is home to a humongous model train display and other interactive activities for children. After oohing and aahing over the life-like trains, structures, and landscapes, kids can head over to Imagination Junction and play. You might even get to say “Hi” to Santa and Mrs. Claus while you’re there. EnterTRAINment Junction is open year-round, but the holiday fun will end on January 1st.
Click here to purchase tickets and here for EnterTRAINment Junction’s hours of operation.
What began as one man’s hobby turned into a local tradition, and in 1961 the Choo Choo Barn opened its doors to the public. Fast forward to the present, the crew at Choo Choo Barn transforms their giant model train display, Traintown USA, into a wintery wonderland each November. Miniature houses and buildings are donned with holiday decorations, and the surrounding landscape gets a dusting of snow. While you’re there, try and see how many hidden Santas you can find in the display. (Hint: There’s a Santa for each year the Choo Choo Barn has been open.)
Click here the Choo Choo Barn’s rates and hours of operation.
The holiday trains at Homestead Gardens are a Christmas tradition that locals eagerly anticipate every year. Whether you want to share the experience with your out-of-town guests or pass the tradition on to your children, your trip to Homestead Gardens will be a memory you’ll cherish for years to come. The trains are set up in the Davidsonville store and will continue to be on display through the end of December.
Click here for Homestead Gardens’ hours of operation.
If you live near Blackstone, Virginia, then you’ll want to head over to Bevell’s Hardware to marvel at their holiday train display. Admission is free, so this Christmas outing is budget friendly! The trains will be rolling away for the season soon, so make sure you visit before January 8, 2017.
Click here for the hours of operation of Bevell’s Hardware.
With over 1,000 trains, 9 miles of track, and 250,000 figurines, it’s no wonder why this fascinating exhibit attracts more than one million people each year. Miniatur Wunderland is the largest model railway in the world and is still growing. The exhibit currently has 9 completed sections that include: Italy, Scandinavia, USA, Middle Germany, and more! In the video above, you’ll get a glimpse of the marvelous model displays, but it doesn’t do justice to how amazing Miniature Wunderland is. Something this spectacular necessitates a visit! If you’re unable to go to Miniatur Wunderland this year, click here to enjoy another video.
Click here for tickets and here for Miniatur Wunderland’s hours of operation.
The fun at Six Flags doesn’t stop when the weather gets colder! At various parks from New Jersey to Georgia to California, Six Flags transforms into a holiday wonderland. Christmas lights are strung as far as the eye can see, festive music fills the air, and there are dozens of attractions to suit the whole family. You can hop on a ride, visit with Santa, sip hot cocoa, warm up near a fire pit, and so much more. The fun festivities vary from park to park, so be sure to check out what your local Six Flags has to offer this holiday season!
The holidays at Six Flags Magic Mountain are, well, magical! While there’s fun to be had all over the park, the Holiday Square sounds like the place I’d like to linger. Thousands of colorful Christmas lights illuminate the square, carolers stroll the streets, and snowflakes intermittently fall each evening.
Click here to purchase tickets and here to check Six Flags Magic Mountain’s holiday hours.
If you live near Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, you’re in for a real treat! This park has special holiday attractions that you won’t find elsewhere, such as the 4D Arctic Adventure, life-size toys in Toy Land, and a holiday show featuring dolphins. While you’re there, you can also watch a synchronized light show, slide down a snowy slope, and meander through a Christmas tree forest.
Click here to purchase tickets and here for Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s holiday hours.
Atlantans have quite the smorgasbord of holiday activities at Six Flags Over Georgia. Hop aboard the North Pole Express, step inside a giant snow globe, roast marshmallows over a fire pit, or simply stroll the streets to soak up the beauty of this winter wonderland. Plan to arrive early so that you don’t miss the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting that occurs every night at 6 p.m. And, that’s not all—in honor of National Ugly Sweater Day (today!) you can get into the park with half-price admission when you wear your tacky holiday sweater.
Click here to purchase tickets and here to check Six Flags Over Georgia’s holiday hours.
At Six Flags St. Louis, you can enjoy dozens of holiday attractions: sparkling Christmas lights, roaming carolers, thrilling rides, and so much more! Kids will be giddy to walk through the Candy Cane Forest as they make their way to Santa’s House. Everyone will enjoy the vast display of lights and decorations, light and music shows, and plethora of sweet treats.
Click here to purchase tickets and here for Six Flags St. Louis’ holiday hours.
Not too far from both Philadelphia and NYC, Six Flags Great Adventure has something for everyone. In addition to the thrilling rides and activities for kids, there are also several ways to slow down and enjoy a magical moment with your sweetie. Stroll through the path of glowing trees, snap a picture at various photo op spots around the park, or pause for a moment under the mistletoe.
Click here to purchase tickets and here to check Six Flags Great Adventure’s holiday hours.
They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and the holiday celebration at Six Flags Over Texas is no exception! Holiday crafts, train rides, various performances by local talent, spectacular Christmas lights, and sledding are just a few of the jolly activities you’ll find at this park. With so much Christmas in one spot, you’ll surely head home filled with holiday cheer.
Click here to purchase tickets and here to check this Six Flags Over Texas’ holiday hours.
This winter season, many rides continue to operate at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and I’m sure it would be especially delightful to ride the Ferris wheel at night to see all the glowing Christmas lights. Other things to enjoy here include the Holiday Express train ride, Santa’s Castle, and lots of holiday shows.
Click here to purchase tickets and here to check this Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ holiday hours.
At Six Flags America, you experience a heartwarming good time. In addition to the lovely lights, delicious victuals, and classic Christmas attractions, you can celebrate the season with a New Orleans twist as you watch a parade in the Merry Masquerade area. Then walk down Candy Cane Lane to watch the elf stunt show, Defenders of the North.
Click here to purchase tickets and here to check Six Flags America’s holiday hours.
Can you think of a better way to get into the holiday spirit than to go for a sleigh ride? Just imagine what it would be like to ride in an open sleigh through a winter wonderland—sleigh bells ringing, snow glistening, carolers singing… Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Below I’ve rounded up a few places for you to go this winter. So whether you’re planning a family trip or want to surprise your sweetheart with a romantic outing, throw on your winter coats and go on a sleigh ride!
While enjoying a fun-filled winter holiday in upstate New York, head to Lake Placid for a sleigh ride. Gliding through the snowy countryside will be an experience your family will never forget. Three different sleighs are available to accommodate groups and couples, and they are even equipped with heated seats and thick blankets to keep you warm! Go here to make a reservation online.
Just 45 minutes outside of Cleveland, Ohio, Ma & Pa’s sits in the heart of Amish country. Pa hitches up the sleigh and drives you through the woods before bringing you back to the cabin for cookies, hot cocoa, and coffee. After you’ve had your fill, stop in Ma & Pa’s Gift Shop and pick up some of their delicious maple syrup (made in-house!). Call ahead to reserve your ride, but keep in mind that reservations can only be made a week in advance based on snow conditions.
Ma & Pa’s
15161 Main Market Road (Route 422)
Burton, OH 44021
440-548-5521
Whether you live in Jackson Hole or are visiting for winter vacation, stop by Mill Iron Ranch for a sleigh ride. As you ride through the picturesque Wyoming scenery, you’ll be in awe of the impressive mountains and numerous elk. At the end of the ride, you can enjoy a hearty dinner at the Mill Iron Ranch lodge. Call the ranch to make reservations.
Mill Iron Ranch
3495 Horse Creek Road
Jackson, WY 83001
888-808-6390
The crisp winter air and snowy scenery add to the wonderful experience of sleigh rides at Mountain Springs Lodge. Sleigh bells jingling, snow crunching under the horses’ feet, and the snow glistening in the sunlight all add to the magical experience of riding through the frosty countryside. They offer a few different packages: sleigh ride only, sleigh ride with breakfast, or sleigh ride with dinner.
If you’re near Portland, Oregon, then you’ll want to drive over to Mt. Hood Adventure this winter season. Climb aboard a sleigh and take the village tour which guides you through historic Government Camp where you’ll enjoy the glowing holiday lights. Click here to purchase tickets.
Mt. Hood Adventure
88661 Government Camp Loop Road
Government Camp, OR 97028
503-715-2175
The fine folks at Nordic Sleigh Rides in Breckenridge, Colorado offer a few different sleigh rides. Reserve a private sleigh if you are planning to pop the question or want to enjoy time alone with your sweetie. For a family affair or an outing with friends, you can ride in the large red sleigh driven by two Belgian draft horses. Click here to make your reservation today!
At Yosemite Trails in California, you’ll enjoy a fun-filled experience as you ride through the snowy trails in a sleigh driven by a cowboy. The sleigh stops in Skidders Camp where you can toast marshmallows and sip a cup of hot cider. When you’re ready, you’ll hop back in the sleigh to return to the lodge. As weather conditions vary, they may substitute the sleigh with a wagon if the snow levels are too low. Call ahead to verify the sleigh is running.
Yosemite Trails
7910 Jackson/Big Sandy Road
Fish Camp, CA 93623
559-683-7311
Additional Sleigh Rides:
There are so many more places to go for a sleigh ride! While I would love to tell you about all of them, I must return to my other elfy tasks. After the jump you’ll find a list of some more sleigh rides across the continental U.S.
Last year I discovered the Singing Christmas Tree in Portland, Oregon, but at that time I didn’t realize what a global tradition it is! Every year folks all around the world are performing holiday shows that include a singing Christmas tree. I’m amazed at all the talented people who build the sets and the many others who sing, dance, and play instruments. Below are a few hand-picked shows that you can enjoy across North America.
If you live near Augusta, GA, clear your schedule next weekend, because the Singing Christmas Tree at Abilene Baptist Church is performing for just 3 days. With a full orchestra, an original drama sequence, and over 85 singers, you won’t want to miss it! To get a taste of what you’ll see, check out this clip from last year’s show.
Abilene Baptist Church
3917 Washington Road
Martinez, GA 30907
December 9–11
Admission: Free! But make sure you get your tickets in advance from the main church office.
For the 62nd year in a row, the Singing Christmas Tree in Charlotte, NC is entertaining audiences. This event will include a variety of talent such as puppetry, dance, and—of course—music! In addition to the regular performances, the Singing Christmas Tree is also putting on 2 abbreviated shows for kids. So whether young or old, everyone will be filled with joyful spirit.
Knight Theater
430 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
The Singing Christmas Tree in Jackson, MS boasts as being the longest running singing tree in America! The first performance at Belhaven University was held in 1933, which makes this year the tree’s 84th anniversary.
Belhaven University Bowl Stadium
1500 Peachtree Street
Jackson, MS 39202
If you want to see the tallest Singing Christmas Tree in America, then you need to visit Muskegon, MI. This gigantic tree stands a towering 67 feet tall! It can hold 240 singers and is decorated with 25,000 lights. Unfortunately this performance is completely sold out for this year, but mark your calendars for next year so you can get your tickets early. In the meantime, enjoy this video from a previous year that includes footage of the tree being built.
Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts
425 W. Western Avenue #200
Muskegon, MI 49440
Folks in the Pacific Northwest can kick off the Christmas season at a performance of Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree. This musical production will delight audiences with two hours of traditional and contemporary music. A live orchestra, 350+ singers, dancers, and actors bring the spirit of Christmas to life!
Keller Auditorium
222 SW Clay Street
Portland, OR 97201
For 60 years, the Singing Christmas Tree has been performing in Sacramento, and this year they are going all out to celebrate their anniversary. In addition to the choir, there will also be a 40-piece orchestra, dancers, actors, and soloists.
Capital Christian Center
9470 Micron Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95827
The Vancouver Singing Christmas Tree is such a beloved Christmas tradition that all their tickets are sold out. But if you haven’t already secured a ticket, don’t fret because you can still try to grab a seat. Get there early and wait in the “non-ticket holders” line. Thirty minutes before each show, they’ll start letting folks in until the auditorium is full. To get updates, follow their Facebook page.
Broadway Church
2700 East Broadway
Vancouver, British Columbia
