Taking the Kids: Seeing the best and brightest holiday lights

Experience the authentic German-style Christmas Village in Baltimore at Inner Harbor West Shore Park where more than 50 local and international vendors sell traditional crafts, gingerbreads, bratwurst, hot pretzels and more at this outdoors event. Start at the Christmas Gluhwein Pyramid, a tall tower for gluhwein sellers. The concept began in the Ore Mountains of Saxony, where ornament makers decorated the towers in lights. (Come weekdays for free admission Nov. 29 through Dec. 24.)

In Branson, Missouri, Ozark Mountain features over 300 exhibitions, including drive-through night light displays such as the 2.5-mile-long Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights and the 2-mile Let There Be Lights Trail at Promised Land Zoo. More than 6.5 million lights, 1,000 trees and 30 live shows comprise an Old Time Christmas at the Silver Dollar City amusement park (Nov. 1 through Dec. 30).

There are more than 1.5 million lights on the largest holiday water display in the country at the lakefront Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho. You can get a closeup view with a “Journey to the North Pole” cruise (Nov. 15 through Jan. 2).

They call Grapevine, Texas, the Christmas Capital of Texas because it has millions of twinkling lights and more than 1,400 events in 40 days, starting with the Carol of Lights at Thanksgiving.

Indianapolis, Indiana, meanwhile, goes all out illuminating a statue in the Circle of Lights to make it the ‘world’s largest tree.’ The statue is located at the popular Indianapolis Soldiers and Sailors Monument, itself surrounded by toy soldiers, sailors and peppermint sticks.

In Las Vegas, there is “Glittering Lights” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway while The Bellagio, Aria and Cosmopolitan hotels all have festive outdoor attractions, most free of charge. Plan an outing to “Magical Forest at Opportunity Village,” which raises money for the disabled (select nights Nov. 25 through Dec. 31. Check out the fun and entertainment-packed Vegas.com for a calendar of holiday events.

Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans is popular with locals and visitors. More than 25 acres of City Park’s famous moss-covered oaks are blanketed in more than a million twinkling lights and light displays. Drive the 2.25-mile illuminated tour or stroll the decorated Carousel Gardens to see the carousel, botanical gardens and enjoy 18 rides at the small midway. (Nov. 24 through Jan. 1.)

Check out your local zoo or botanical garden for their holiday doings. In Palm Desert, California, The 450-acre Living Desert Zoo is celebrating the 30th annual WildLights Festival. Check out the herd of life-size luminescent animal lanterns and the model trains! (Nov. 22 through Dec. 30.)

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, boasts a new Wonders of Light Walking Trail that runs six miles along the river and boasts dozens of large light sculptures and holiday décor during the Pigeon Forge Winterfest. Pets and wheelchairs are welcome Nov. 10, 2022 through Feb. 19, 2023. While in town, don’t miss Dollywood theme park with more than 5 million lights and a 50-foot-tall tree on exhibit during “Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas” with holiday music, eats, and local Appalachian artisans making gifts. (Nov. 10 through Jan. 2.)

Happy gawking!

========

(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia and The Kid’s Guide to Camping are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)