This post isn’t sponsored in any way. Nope. I visited the Winter Lights display last night with my family and you should know alllll about it.
This is a new event. Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum. It’s roughly $20 for adults (unless you’re a member of the NC Arboretum, which we are not.) Young children are free. My husband, mom and my 3-year-old son attended. You make your way to the arboretum and are greeted with sparkly lights throughout the rows of trees in the parking lot. It’s pretty impressive.
We walked to the welcome center (be sure you buy your tickets ahead of time. They don’t sell tickets at the door!) and got our bracelets and a map. We didn’t really need the map, though. Once we made our way out of the center, we just followed the pathway.
It took a little over an hour to look at everything, and that included an exhibit that was indoors.
My son was blown away by the trains. They had a train on display (actually, 3 trains) and the trains were going around the tracks in various directions without hitting each other. It blew his mind he and he didn’t want to leave it. (Only complaint was to get to the train you had to go down steps. A lot of steps. We had a stroller – this area was the only one not handicapped accessible. We made do.)
I expected meltdowns. It ran into the toddler’s bedtime, we had to change his dinnertime, and I just expected a lot of crying and that didn’t happen. He was impressed by the lights, and it was a fun little outing.
It’s pricey. That’s the only other complaint. I paid for one ticket, and a friend gave us two tickets. For the amount of time we were there, I couldn’t believe the price. However, I love supporting places like the NC Arboretum, and a lot of work went into putting all of the lights into place. It’s impressive.
I would definitely see it again next year. This could quickly become a tradition for our family.
How gorgeous is that? Our family LOVES going to places like this to look at the lights.
Looks beautiful! We will definitely make an effort to see this one year!
That is a beautiful display of lights!! So colourful. I haven;t been to an arboretum in a while. This would be nice to do.
Gorgeous! We went to the lights at the ag center, but have not done this one yet.
how fun! & what a special tradition to have.
Wow. What a stunning sight. I love going to look at Christmas light displays and my kids go nuts for them too. So pretty and festive!
Oh my gosh I am so impressed. These lights are mesmerizing!
Those are so pretty! I love them all. I am a big fan of the lights at Christmastime, I wish I could see places like Rome this time of year.
so pretty!!!!
Looks so beautiful! Nothing beats a winter light show in holiday season!
Wow those are beautiful! Looks like it took someone a lot of time to make those patterns!
Blue Christmas lights are my favorite loved the photos. I think I like the blue Christmas lights because I live in Michigan.
Oh wow those lights are just beautiful, what some wonderful displays, I love looking at light during the holidays. x
Oh those lights are so amazing. I wish we had some cool ones here!
We go to as many light shows and displays as we can each year. So far this year, we have only been to two. They are just so pretty!
I have always loved seeing Christmas light displays like this! They are so much fun and make a great tradition.
So pretty! I’d love to partake in the lights!
Love the photos! I am so impressed by these light shows in various places. Here in St. Louis the Botanic Garden does a great setup as does the zoo. May have to check out this place next time I visit my Asheville family around the holidays. Stopping by thanks to #Typeaparent
I really love how the lights look, it’s all so beautiful; I would love to be there myself!
These look amazing! I’m torn, the amount of work that goes into a display like this is incredible, but the price certainly is steep. Going to put it on the list of possibilities for next year. Thanks for telling us about it!
It’s fun to do at least once. I’m glad we went, but yeah. The price. (Although, it goes back to the arboretum, I believe, and I like them.) 🙂
Those totally looks beautiful! Like I have said many times – lights and Christmas definitely go together!
I wish I could see those in person. They are truly beautiful.
I love these lights! We go look at Christmas lights at the little german tourist town next door. They usually have some really good ones.
I love all of the lights! How absolutely gorgeous.
Absolute gorgeousness! We have not gone to see lights yet this season, even though I really want to find a local spot.
Lights this time if year fill me with excitement. Seems like they have amazing displays there!
Wow, these holiday light displays are magnificent. I love all the festive colors and designs.
We’re looking at a night to go to this, but the weather looks a little dicey in the next few days. We are members, but it will still be $60 for all of us! Try taking Lucas to Shadracks ($20 for your car) and see what he thinks. No trains there, though! \
We really do get our money’s worth from being members of the Arb – esp when the boys do a summer camp, they get a big discount on those camps for being members. And it’s close by and good place to do a short hike when we need to burn off energy (= all the time).
I love getting in the car with the Family and going to look at Christmas lights, they are so magical 🙂
How gorgeous is that. I don’t know about my girls but if I was to visit the NC Arboretum, I would not want to leave.