Taking the Kids: Lighting up your holidays
COLORADO SPRINGS -- At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, take in more than one million holiday lights and visit indoor animal exhibits. More than 250,000 strands of lights decorate the historic Broadmoor Hotel nearby where the annual White Lights Ceremony kicks off the season on November 29.
GRAPEVINE, Texas. They don't call this little Wild West town near Dallas the "Christmas Capital of Texas" for nothing; Grapevine goes all out for the holidays with 1,400 events along Main Street, at its wineries, the vintage railroad, malls and at its Great Wolf Lodge and Gaylord Texan Resort.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. The Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Monument will be illuminated with 26 toy soldiers and sailors, 26 peppermint sticks and nearly 5,000 lights as part of the annual "Circle of Lights" celebration by Thanksgiving weekend. At Conner Prairie, check out the entries from the gingerbread house competition or explore the grounds of Prairietown to learn about holiday celebrations in the 1830s. Traditionally, many Indianapolis attractions offer free admission on one of the 12 days leading up to Christmas.
PIGEON FORGE, TENN. puts up more than five million holiday lights in gigantic displays during "Winterfest." Enjoy them from the comfort of a heated trolley car from November 11 to February 28. Additionally, the Dollywood theme park celebrates with four million lights and festive shows during its Smoky Mountain Christmas.
SPRINGFIELD, MASS., hosts the 19th annual presentation of "Bright Nights," New England's premier holiday lighting exhibit kicking off Nov. 26. This three-mile-long driving route through historic Forest Park is filled with themed displays like Seuss Land, North Pole Village and Jurassic World.
ST. PAUL, MINN. Beginning November, 26, IBEW presents "Holiday Lights in the Park" with more than 50 light sculptures and animated displays in Phalen Park with proceeds donated to charity.
RICHMOND, VA. Drive the family car or rent a bus or limo to enjoy the Tacky Lights Tour, a local tradition featuring festive light displays, lawn decorations and animated scenery.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. "Lights on the Lake" returns to Onondaga Lake Park from November 14 to January 4 with a two-mile drive-through extravaganza featuring several themed scenes, including Land of Oz, Fantasy Forest and a Fairytale Grand Finale that your family is sure to love.
Have a candy cane for me!
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