Garden of Lights, indeed. A fantastically dazzling one.
I have to thank my friend, Torey, for a pretty great day yesterday. Not only did she give me the heads-up on the gingerbread house activity at Union Market, she also planned an evening outing to see the Garden of Lights holiday display at Brookside Gardens for a bunch of friends. Two really fun experiences, but the latter also gets kudos for being absolutely spectacular.
While we’ve been to Brookside plenty of times, this was our family’s first time touring the lights. And what a fantastic time to go! The woods, terraces, and pathways dazzle with twinkling scenes, both whimsical and beautiful. A big model train display in the conservatory is quite a delight too. Strolling among it all on a misty late fall Sunday evening was a perfect way to wind down the weekend. Of course, I recommend going on any night. Here’s a glimpse of what’s there.
Sasha's favorite, of course
Rainbow, complete with rain cloud and flashes of lightening
Illuminated trees in a wooded area
Pathways lit in festive colors
A giraffe is one of many sparkling animals
A brilliant garden scene
Loch Ness in lights where there's usually a fountain
The adorable model train display in the conservatory
The Children's Garden house may be even more fun shrouded in lights
The Garden of Lights will be on display through January 6. It’s open every evening with the exceptions of December 24-25 and January 1. Hours are Sunday – Thursday 5:30-9:30pm, and Friday – Saturday 5:30-10pm. Admission is $20/car Monday – Thursday and $25/car Friday – Sunday – CASH ONLY.
One note of warning: Even with all of the lights, it’s dark in some areas and can be difficult to see far in the distance, so keep a close eye on the kids. And some of the hedges are taller than their heads and there are turns and paths in very direction, so even if they are close by, it’s easy to lose sight of them. (Yes, I know this from experience).
