My neighbor’s 8-foot tall inflatable snowman didn’t survive last night’s blizzard. The nearly two feet of snow and 35 mph sustained winds that ripped through our rural Wisconsin neighborhood proved too much for Frosty to take. Such a shame.
The snowman is just a small part of an elaborate Christmas display that our neighbor painstakingly erects each year. His holiday light show has all the pizzazz associated with professional displays put on by major cities, only on a slightly smaller scale.
If you are looking to take in the sights and sounds of the season this month, consider visiting the following family-friendly Christmas displays:
In Indianapolis check out the President Benjamin Harrison Home, which is hosting a Victorian-themed Christmas until December 30th. The 1875 Italianate home is decorated with a half-dozen feather trees, based on a German tradition popular in that era. The stunning holiday trees are handcrafted from white and dyed-green goose feathers wrapped around wires.
The President Benjamin Harrison Home also boasts a replica of the tree the famous politician had in the White House in 1889. According to the attraction’s director, the Harrison’s were the first family to have a decorated Christmas tree in the White House. Among the original tree decorations were wooden soldiers, which are prominently displayed each year.
In California, a monstrous fir tree decked out with more than 10,000 lights and 15,000 ornaments is on display at The Grove in Los Angeles. The tree stays up through the first of the year. The popular shopping center also features an enormous Santa and sleigh, designed to look like St. Nick sailing through the night sky with the tree behind him.
In Riverside, California, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is once again hosting its annual Festival of Lights through January 3, 2010. The breathtaking display includes 3.5 million lights strung into shapes of toy soldiers, elves, swans, Santa and other holiday-themed shapes. Visitors can also take carriage rides and visit with Santa. The elaborate holiday light show attracts tens of thousands of guests; so be prepared to rub elbows with a lot of company if you go.
Related Articles:
Family Travel: Festive Christmas Displays
Holiday Travel With Kids: Know Before You Go