50 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in America

No matter where you're spending your holidays this year, there's a beautiful light display near you. You may need to shell out a few dollars for the right to drive through a few miles of dancing reindeer and twinking snowmen, or you might be lucky enough to have an entire neighborhood of Griswolds in your area. Here are 50 of the best places in America to see Christmas lights in 2011.
1. Bellingrath Gardens Magic Christmas in Lights (Mobile, Alabama)
Stroll through over 3 million sparkling lights and over 950 displays throughout the 65 acre Garden estate.  Enjoy nightly choral performances on the South Terrace of the Bellingrath Home. (Bellingrath Gardens, 11/25 - 12/31, closed 12/25)
2. Christmas in Ice (North Pole, Alaska)
The city claims to have the Christmas spirit all year long, but only during the winter holidays can you enjoy Christmas-themed ice art in the park next door to Santa's house. (Ice Park, 12/3 - 1/8)
3. Arizona Celebration of Lights (Phoenix, Arizona)
More than 7  million lights will make up one mile of light displays you can drive through. You can also visit Santa's Village and enjoy hot chocolate and photos with Santa. (Phoenix Event Complex, 11/18 - 1/1)



4. Lights on the Landscape (Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas)
More than 1.8 million holiday lights transform the woodland landscape of Garvan Gardens into a winter wonderland.  The displays feature traditional holiday scenes as well as themes from nature, like the butterfly display. (Garvan Gardens, 11/19 - 12/31)
5. Riverside Festival of Lights (Riverside, California)
The historic Mission Inn is decorated with about 3.5 million lights  and over 400 animated figures decorate the surrounding area. Dickens' carolers sing from the balconies above and you can visit Santa in his workshop, or go ice skating at the Main Street rink. (Main Street Riverside, 11/25 - 12/24)
6. Blossoms of Light (Denver, Colorado)
A unique viewing experience, this light display highlights the beauty of a winter garden. Marvel at lights, ice sculptures, and an ice sleigh available for family photos. (Denver Botanical Gardens, 12/2 - 1/1)



7. Fantasy of Lights (New Haven, Connecticut)
This drive-through light display celebrates 17 years of holiday tradition this year. Proceeds benefit the local Easter Seals organization. (Lighthouse Point Park, 11/18 - 1/7)
8. Faucher Family Christmas House (New Castle, Delaware)
Local and national news repeatedly compares this family home to Clark Griswold, but the reality is Clark's display didn't come close to what the Fauchers do each year. Over 1 million lights illuminate this private home at a cost of about $82,000 per Christmas season. (1054 Red Lion Road, New Castle)
9. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (Orlando, Florida)
What started as an Arkansas family's home display has become one of the largest light display in the country - so big it had to go Disney! Hollywood Studios hosts this spectacle of dancing lights and has added free hot chocolate and magical snow fall. (Hollywood Studios, 11/10 - 1/7)



10. Magical Nights of Lights  (Buford, Georgia)
Walk or drive through a  seven-mile tour of holiday displays featuring millions of lights. The trail ends at the Holiday Village, where kids will can visit to Santa and go for a pony ride. (Lake Lanier Island Resorts, 11/18 - 1/1)
11. Kauai's Festival of Lights (Kauai, Hawaii)
This is a celebration of the holidays and folk art. For nearly 40 years, this tradition started by local artist Auntie Josie Chansky has allowed visitors to enjoy Christmas folk art decorations. (Kauai County Building, 12/2 12/24)
12. Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho)
Billed as the largest floating holiday light show, more than 1.5 million lights sparkle on the water of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Watch from the shore or take a holiday cruise to get a closer look. (The Coeur d'Alene Resort, 11/26 - 1/1)


13. ZooLights (Chicago, Illinois)
Lots of zoos put up holiday lights this time of year, but the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago takes it a step farther by handing out 3D glasses to enhance the experience. (Lincoln Park Zoo, 12/16 - 1/1, closed 12/24 and 12/25)
14. Christmas in The Country (Sharpsville, Indiana)
The lights blink and dance in time to holiday music. Every night you can enjoy a 45-minute show featuring 10 holiday songs played over your car radio. (Sharpsville Lights, 11/25 - 12/30)
15. Reflections in the Park (Dubuque, Iowa)
Twinkling lights, animated displays, and holiday music bring the small town park to life each year. (Murphy Park, 11/24 - 1/1)


16. Isle of Lights (Winfield, Kansas)
This drive-through community light display is set to holiday music. This year the display is going green with new LED lights. (Island Park, 11/24 - 12/30)
17. Winter Wonderland of Lights (Ashland, Kentucky)
Park the car and stroll through 52 acres of holiday displays. Children can hop aboard a train and visit with Santa. (Central Park, 11/14 - 1/5)
18. Celebration in the Oaks (New Orleans, Louisiana)
New Orleans' City Park is one of the country's most beautiful public parks, and the holidays add even more beauty. Walk through lights, play in the amusement park, or go ice skating. (City Park, 12/2 - 1/1, Closed 12/24 and 12/31)

Photo: MSVG/Creative Commons
19. Wilton Lights (Wilton, Maine)
This animated light display is put on by a local family every year and includes holiday music transmitted to your car radio by a low-wattage transmitter. (Wilton, 12/11 - 1/6)
20. Miracle on 34^th Street (Baltimore, Maryland)
For more than six decades, homeowners on Baltimore's 34^th street have been going all out every year to wow visitors with light displays. One house has trains on the roof and another displays Christmas trees made from hub caps. There's even a ball drop on New Year's Eve. (Christmas Street, 11/26 - 1/2)
21. Bright Nights ( Springfield, Massachusetts)
Giant displays feature more than 600,000 lights along a three-mile route through historic Forest Park. (Forest Park, 11/23 - 1/1)


22.  The Big, Bright Light Show (Rochester, Michigan)
Local business owners get together to light up the night. Buildings are covered with holiday lights and a massive tree is turned into the Dazzling Tree of Lights. (Downtown, 11/28 - 1/1)
23. Bentleyville Tour of Lights (Duluth, Minnesota)
More than 3  million lights make the shores of Lake Superior sparkle in one of the Midwest's largest holiday lights displays. (Bayfront Festival Park, 11/19 - 12/26)
24. Southern Lights (Southaven, Mississippi)
The city of Southaven sets out over half a million lights for visitors in an effort to raise money for local charities each year. (Central Park, 11/24 - 12/31, closed 12/25)


25. Santa's Magical Kingdom (St. Louis, Missouri)
Wind your way through over 35 acres of holiday lights and displays. Highlights include Santa's flying reindeer, Candy Cane Village, and the Waterfall of Lights. (Jellystone Park, 11/18 - 1/8)
26. Zoo Lights (Billings, Montana)
Zoo Lights is a 2.5 mile drive through holiday lights. Proceeds benefit the Easter Seals organization. (Zoo Montana, 12/15 - 12/24)
27. Shining Light Celebration (Gothenburg, Nebraska)
The local KOA campground lights up for the holidays and welcomes visitors - with our without a tent - to celebrate. (KOA, 12/18 - 12/31)

28. Glitter Lights (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Drive through more than two miles of lights and be dazzled by more than 400 animated displays. (Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 11/18 - 1/1)
29. Gift of Lights (Loudon, New Hampshire)
Another speedway spectacle, this one features more than 1 million LED lights. (New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 11/18 - 1/1)
30. Holiday Festival of Lights (Camden, New Jersey)
Friday and Saturday nights come alive at the local Children's Garden during the holiday season. Enjoy over 100,000 lights decorating 4.5 acres of gardens. (Camden Children's Garden, 11/28 - 1/2)


31. River of Lights (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Enjoy the New Mexico's largest walk-through light show at the Botanic Garden. (Botanic Garden, 11/26 - 12/30, closed 12/24 and 12/25)
32. Dyker Lights (Brooklyn, New York)
One of the most famous lighting displays in one of the most famous cities in the world is in a residential neighborhood in Brooklyn. Hop on the subway and head out to see neighbors out doing neighbors in the spirit of holiday tradition. (Dyker Heights, no official date, mid-December recommended)
33. Christmas at Biltmore (Asheville, North Carolina)
America's largest house, Biltmore House, features dozens of Christmas trees and miles of ribbon, garland and lights. Live holiday music is performed inside the house during the season. (Biltmore Estate, 11/11 - 12/31)


34. Christmas in the Park (Bismarck, North Dakota)
For just $5 per car, families can drive through the local park and enjoy a holiday lighting display sponsored by local businesses. (Sertoma Park, 12/1 - 12/31)
35. The Legendary Lights at Clifton Mill (Clifton, Ohio)
More than 3.5 million lights cover the countryside for a display that's been featured in national magazines and other media. Drive through a lighted covered bridge and visit a Santa museum. (Clifton Mill, 11/26 - 1/1)
36. Garden of Lights (Muskogee, Oklahoma)
City volunteers come together to create spectacular lighting displays through the city park each year. The animated displays featuring animals and children playing in the gardens are always a big hit. (Honor Heights Park, 11/25 - 1/1)


37. The Lights of Peacock Lane (Portland, Oregon)
Since the 1920s, each house in this Portland neighborhood has been decorating for the holidays. Today, displays include bright lights, nativity scenes, and Christmas trees. (Peacock Lane, 12/15 - 12/31).
38. Hershey Sweet Lights (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
You have to believe that a candy company knows how to make kids smile during the holidays. This drive-through display boasts over 600 lighted scenes. (Hershey Park, 11/18 - 12/31)
39. Christmas at the Newport Mansions (Newport, Rhode Island)
You can't move in, but you can marvel at the beautiful decorations at The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House. (Newport Mansions, 11/19 - 1/2)


40. Lights of Hope (Anderson, South Carolina)
Enjoy the glow of 2.5 million lights and the warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing your money is going to help children in need. (Darwin Wright Park, 11/24 - 12/25)
41. Festival of Lights (Aberdeen, South Dakota)
If driving through your neighborhood doesn't give you enough holiday cheer, head to Wylie Park and pay $5 per car to see twinkling lights and dancing Santas. (Wylie Park, 11/26 - 12/26)
42. Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland (Nashville, Tennessee)
There are four Shadrack locations around the country, including this bright light bonanza that comes to life once a year. What started as a local holiday display behind a boat store  in West Knoxville has turned into one of the world's largest drive through light displays. (Jellystone Park, 11/1 - 1/8)


43. Austin's 37^th Street (Austin, Texas)
There might have been a miracle over on 34^th, but in Texas you'll find all the action on 37^th. This residential street brings the "everything's bigger in Texas" philosophy to holiday decorating. (37^th Street, no official dates)
44. Christmas Utah (Murray, Utah)
Every year one man puts out a display so spectacular, he stops traffic for miles around. Marty, the magician behind the lights, has said that 2011 will be the last year for his notorious display. (Whispering Pine Circle, 11/25 - 1/1)
45. Billings Farm (Woodstock, Vermont)
While not especially known for their lights, Woodstock has been voted one of the most "Christmassy" towns in America. Hop in a sleigh and tour Billings Farm & Museum to see how the holidays were celebrated in the 19^th century. (Billings Farm, 12/3 - 1/1)

Photo: Phil Roeder/Creative Commons
46. 100  Miles of Lights (Richmond to Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Seeing this display will take a while, and you might need to book a hotel. Actually, this is a collection of lights and decorations spread over 7 Virginia towns. (Virginia, no official dates)
47. Candy Cane Light (Seattle, Washington)
Another neighborhood celebration, this one has been lighting up ark Road and Ravenna Boulevard in Seattle since the 1940s. (Ravenna Boulevard, 12/10 - 12/31)
48. Oglebay's Winter Festival of Lights (Wheeling, West Virginia)
Take a six-mile drive through one of the largest and light displays in the country. Pass through a tunnel filled with twinkling snowflakes and wave as you pass by Snoopy and the gang. (Ogelbay Resort, 11/11 - 1/8)

Photo: CP Storm/Creative Commons
49. WPS Garden of Lights (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
There may be other light displays in other parts of the state, but this is the town they bring the Super Bowl trophies to, so we're featuring this one. Visitors can walk through a 60-foot lighted caterpillar and take a wagon ride through an icicle forest. (Green Bay Botanical Garden, 11/25 - 12/18, 12/26 - 12/29)
50. Cheyenne Holiday Trolley tours (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
You don't even have to know who has the best displays in town. Just hop on the Holiday Trolley and let the driver take you by Cheyenne's most illuminated neighborhoods. (Street Railway Trolley, 12/15 - 12/24)

Pack a Backpack for outdoor experience

It's happened to everyone before. You start out in the comfort of your living room, with a cavernous empty backpack and all your gear spread out before you.

Then, six miles out, you realize: Despite stuffing your pack to the brim, you've forgotten your rain shell and soaked your food in fuel. Here are a few tips to avoid mid-trip debacles and maximize the success of your adventure.

This article is part of a wiki anyone can edit. If you have advice to help campers or hikers maximize their pack mojo, just comment.

Contents 1 Outside In 2 Sleeping bag next 3 Distribute your supplies 4 Keep survival gear on your person 5 Balance it out

Outside In

Especially with a lightweight backpack, you should put your sleeping pad in first. Most likely you have a lot of stuff, and you don't think your food, water, cooking equipment, tent, poles, and clothes will fit into your pack in addition to your bag and sleeping pad. The sleeping pad is a great piece of equipment and is pretty tough. Roll it up and strap it to the outside of your pack. If you attach it vertically it will snag less on trees and other objects, but horizontally on the bottom is best for weight distribution, keeping your center of gravity low, and if you're canoeing it will float your pack (just close the valve after attaching).

Sleeping bag next

Pack in the reverse order of stuff you'll need. Rain gear on top, sleeping stuff on bottom. So put your sleeping bag in first, go ahead smash it in down there. If you use a compression sack this will also save you room as your bag will compress down well beyond it's normal size. If your bag is down use a waterproof sack, or other waterproof liner to keep it dry. Down does not retain warmth when wet.

Distribute your supplies

Tent: Heaviest items go in the middle and closest to your back. For most people, that means that after your sleeping bag comes your tent and your cooking gear. Most tents made specifically for backpacking are small and light enough to fit in one side of your backpack. If you haven't shelled out for one yet, you should be able to keep the cloth components inside your bag and strap the poles on the outside. Keep in mind, however, that carrying vital equipment on the outside of your pack, such as tent poles, may expose your equipment to severe wear and tear, and may even cause it to break, or fail when you need it most. For example, this approach is fine for a tame trip through a national park with forgiving terrain, but might be ill advised if you are on an off-trail solo-trek through Denali Park in Alaska in the winter.

Cooking Gear: If you're planning on hot meals along the side of the trail, your portable stove is up next. Many outdoor companies also manufacture portable stoves and dishes that fit inside one another for compact storage, but if you don't have a matching set, you can also store all of your cooking gear inside your biggest pot. Just make sure that your fuel canister is sealed tightly and stored underneath your food. Leaking white gas is a common occurrence, and nothing cuts a trip shorter than discovering that your cheese and pitas have become molotov cocktails. Better still, aim at keeping your fuel outside the pack, in sturdy leakproof containers. Nalgene makes a very sturdy fuel bottle that includes a spout that stores inside the bottle while the cap is on. Be advised these bottles do become brittle over time; so if you just happen to pick a few up at a local garden sale, look for white stress points in the plastic. they're a no go.

Food: Separate your foods— easy access:trail mix, string cheese, sandwiches -- and put them in a separate and more easily accessible part of your backpack, usually the detachable fanny pack or outside pockets. The rest of your food goes into a storage bag above your camping gear. You can organize beforehand by placing each meal(for a group) or day(for singles) inside a labelled ziplock or similar leakproof bag. However if you are in bear country and bear-prrof containers are required all your food will be fairly inaccessible. Wilderness travel uses more calories than you will expect. Using dry food, plan 3,000-5,000 calories a day, 20-35% protein, 20-30% fats, and the rest carbohydrates. Protein and carbohydrate give about 6 calories per gram, while fat gives 9 calories/gram. So you need about 1 kg of dry food per day per person unless you're just lazing around. Add more in winter, if you're biking, or at altitude. But remember, water is the magic elixer when it comes to eating well. Without water, your body can't easily process the food you eat. So drink plenty of water while eating. Also try and include foods that require you to chew. It's easy to just gulp every bite with minimal chewing which can leave you feeling less satisfied.

Dry Clothes: Even if you don't intend to change your clothes, bring an extra set - especially socks (wool or poly, not cotton)! Cotton Kills [1]. It can vastly improve your comfort levels in the event of a minor incident like falling into a creek, or will keep you alive after a more serious fall like into a partially frozen creek in the winter. Also (here is where the socks come in) it can be the difference between hiking back at the end of your trip and being carried back early when the blisters on your feet break and start to fester. Dry clothes can also be rolled up and used to fill empty pockets in your pack, so the packing space used will be minimal. Double bag everything you intend to wear if you're venturing where any threat wet weather exists. Those small kitchen type bags work wonders, and they can serve double duty, making great vapor barriers under socks when needed; or to carry out your waster, but buy good ones.

Bear canisters are storage: If you're going through bear country, use your bear canister as a storage compartment in your bag. Nothing is more irritating or frightening than discovering, at the end of the night, that your half-dozen granola bars just won't fit in the canister. A word to the wise: Don't store those extra bars in your sleeping bag - or tent! It's law some places to carry a bear-proof container. It's always wise to raise your food, container or no, on a rope from tree(s) to keep varmints away. Never leave your food exposed while on a water-haul. There are plenty of other critters who would just love to turn your site into a ready-made drive through.

Water for cooking food: Dried food is good if you're near water, and canned is good if you're not. Couscous, freeze-dried vegetables and rice are all popular options. Plan ahead when it comes to finding water. If you're in a place where fresh water is hard to find, learn the techniques for acquiring it in your chosen environment. Be realistic. Successful desert travel often calls for caching of water beforehand. If that's not an option and water isn't available, go somewhere else. You're not going to be able to carry enough water for more than a day or two at a time. If you must find alternate sources of "wild water", for your own sake make efforts to treat it with some process that makes it sanitary. For chemical treatments, READ THE LABEL, and follow it's instructions. If not then Google; "giardia" "Cryptosporidiosis" and "Cyclosporiasis" or any of the other water born bacteria, protozoa, or viruses. Follow the rules for cooking and washing up in bear country.

Medical: Consider the environment you're entering. Buy a first aid kit; or assemble one yourself, with some advice from those who know. Think before you buy. Do you really need that box of miniature band-aids? Bring nail clippers. One of "the" most ignored things for hikers is forgetting (or failing) to trim those toe-nails, and halfway through the first day your toes are bleeding from the nails digging into the neighboring toe. Knowledge is power. If you have pertinent medical information that could be advantageous to rescuers (and you) carry it on you. Carry ID and make sure it includes your DOB and next of kin contacts.

Keep survival gear on your person

At the very least, keep a granola bar, knife, and a packet of waterproof matches in your pocket. Even the best Boy Scout can get lost on a scouting mission to find a good campsite, and an extra energy bar or other non-perishable. Other items such as space blanket, packable warm layers, signaling device (mirror with eye hole for aiming), and a waterproof shell, could increase your chances of survival.

Balance it out

Fill in the loose spaces in your pack with your extra clothes to prevent items from rattling around. For longer trips, do not vacuum seal your clothing! You will not be able to fit everything back into your pack once you are in the back-country. There is no real way to get it back compacted like it was when you started. There is an alternative to this if you do want to seal your clothes in water proof bags. There are bags designed for this that will let the air out and let them conform very well to the inside your pack and thus making every thing in your pack nice and snug.

Once your bag is full, hoist your pack and test it. Is one side heavier than the other? An unbalanced pack can affect your stride and cause all sorts of back and shoulder pain.

Depending on who you go camping with, you may get used to packing different things -- most people share a tent, as well as other group gear like cooking equipment, trowel, water treatment, med kit, and any kind of rock or alpine gear you might be packing. Food, however, should be equitably distributed based on factors like body weight, strength, and expected consumption. Your average person will eat around two pounds of food every day, making food the single heaviest "item" you're likely to pack. If someone eats more than average, plan for that and have them carry a bit more of the weight as they're likely to be heavier, and therefore more up to carrying a bigger load.

With a little practice, your lumbering load will quickly become streamlined and sleek, making the Appalachian Trail a much more manageable proposition.