Our family has a long-standing tradition of taking a yearly trip to see Christmas Lights in Northwest Georgia. We start planning where to go sometime in August and set a date. Everyone looks forward to it. Our trips have always been day trips, but we hope to have a weekend-long trip one year. I wanted to share some of the places we have been to and some sites we would like to visit. Each trip is within an hour or two drive from Rome, Georgia.
For Christmas 2019, we went out to eat and to Pettit Creek Farm in Cartersville, Georgia, to see the lights. It had been five years since we visited Pettit Creek Farm for Christmas. If you keep reading, you will see the pictures of our previous visit. All of the kids have grown up so much since then. We chose this because it is close, and several family members were scheduled to work the day we went. From our house, Pettit Creek Farm is only about 30 minutes away. When you arrive at Pettit Creek Farm, you drive through a light display over a mile long. You also have the option to take a hayride through the lights for $10 a person. You can park and enjoy the available activities at the end of the light display. You can watch a live nativity, pet a reindeer, visit Santa in his cottage, sip hot chocolate, and make smores. Something new to me is you can also pick out a fresh-cut Christmas Tree and take it home with you or have it delivered.
For Christmas of 2018, we planned to go to Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, Alabama. We had been there once before, several years ago. The kids were very young, and none of them remembered the trip. Noccalula Falls is a state park that they turn into a magical Christmas lights display around the falls. They have a train that goes around the park, a gift shop, a petting zoo, several activities for the kids, and of course, Santa Claus. Don’t think that just because my kids are ages 14 to 20, they get out of taking a picture with Santa. For more information and ticket pricing, click HERE to go to the official Noccalula Falls website.
I wrote this article before our date to go to Noccalula Falls. 2018 was a stormy year, and the night we decided to go to Noccalula Falls was closed due to the rain. We tried two other times to go, but it rained so much that we couldn’t. Instead, we decided to go out to eat in Hiriam and see a light display. Once again, the rain caused the light display to cancel, so we went to the movies and saw the new How The Grinch Stole Christmas movie. It was not what we had initially planned to do, but it worked out. The important thing is that we spent time together.
For Christmas 2017, we went to Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier Island. This was a unique experience for us because the day we had chosen to go snowed, so we rescheduled for New Year’s Eve. It worked out great for us. Santa had already returned to the North Pole, but everything else was still magical. The lights are drive-through style, so my parents rented a 15-passenger van so we would all be together. Once you drive through, you can park, get treats, shop, or ride a few carnival rides. Lake Lanier also has lodging for a more extended visit. For more information and ticket pricing, click HERE to visit the official Lake Lanier Island Christmas Lights website.
For Christmas 2016, we went to Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights, one of our favorite places. It is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and is a walkthrough tour with beautiful light paths. It has several places to stop and get a treat and warm up. You can make cookies with Mrs. Claus and have a picture taken as a souvenir. For more information and ticket pricing for Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights, click HERE.
Barnsley Garden’s Lighting of the Ruins was our Christmas 2015 destination. It is located in Adairsville, Georgia. The Manor’s Ruins are decorated splendidly, and festive holiday activities are going on. It is breathtaking. There are fire pits and magnificent restaurants to dine in. We like the Beer Garden. It is pictured in the background below, and they have great quick-bite options and hot chocolate, coffee, and beer. Barnsley Gardens is a great place to visit any time of the year, especially during the holidays. They also have lodging for anyone interested in an extended stay. For more information and pricing for Barnsley Gardens, click HERE.
In 2014 we visited Pettit Creek Farms, located in Cartersville, Georgia, and it is a drive-through light display. Once you complete the drive-through portion, you can park and walk around an area with live reindeer, Santa Claus, treats, and holiday activities. It is popular in our area and has year-round activities. For more information and prices for Pettit Creek Farms, click HERE.
Wow! This has been a walk down memory lane.
In 2013 we went to Cumberland Mall to visit Santa, and then we went to Life University. They have drive-through lights displayed throughout the campus. You can park and get a treat, ride the train, take a photo with Santa, and visit the petting zoo. For more information and prices for Lights of LIFE at Life University, click HERE.
We have had a few years that didn’t go as planned, but we always look forward to the following year, and I hope it is a tradition that we continue from now on.
Life is short; live in the moment, act silly, take lots of pictures, and enjoy your family. Our kids are beginning to leave the nest, and I hope our tradition of seeing lights will always bring us together no matter how old they get. If you want more ideas on how to make your holiday season memorable, read my article on Christmas Activities To Do With Your Family.
Here are a few light displays we have yet to go to but would like to visit. Some are residential, and some are destinations in themselves. Most of these are conveniently within driving distance from the Northwest Georgia/Rome area.
Atlanta Botanical Gardens: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights
Nettles Family Christmas Lights
The Ludy’s Christmas Light Spectacular
The Rock Ranch: A Country Christmas in Lights
Does your family enjoy visiting Christmas Light Displays? If so, let us know in the comment section below where your favorite light displays are located and why you enjoy them. They can be residential displays or event-style displays. Also, if you have visited any of the displays we have listed here, let us know what you thought of them.
We hope you and your family have a Magical Holiday Season filled with memories!
If you make it down to see our display in 2019 email me ahead of time and I can hook you up with some nearby displays that will make it a great night.
I will thank you!
Callaway Gardens’ Fantasy in Lights has been a longtime favorite for our family! They have recently upgraded all the displays to new LED lights, added many new displays, and have new trolleys that are more open for easier viewing. The ticket price also includes a day admission for the gardens which has an awesome butterfly center and birds of prey show. They do offer overnight packages that include tickets, room, breakfast and ornament. We went the weekend before Thanksgiving and had a blast!
We have been to Callaway two time. Both times were amazing. I would love to go back and stay overnight.
I always enjoy our family trips to see Christmas Lights. Memories are made and we enjoy eating somewhere also. Family is important , enjoy them.
There is a wonderful display on Kingston hwy that opens on the 18th. They have lights, Blowups, Santa and many activities. They do this free for the community but donations wouldn’t hurt. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.