Lake Lanier’s Magical Nights of Lights

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:56:30 +0000

About an hour north of Atlanta, Lake Lanier Islands offers six and a half miles of lights and a carload price. It bills itself as the “world’s largest animated light extravaganza” and includes a live nativity scene, carnival rides, pony rides and the Santa Shop. The Holiday Village includes a bonfire for roasting marshmallows. The price is $40 per car Friday through Sunday and holidays, $30 Monday through Thursday. Discount tickets are available at Publix and McDonalds (good for $5 off) or make your reservations on-line at www.lakelanierislands.com for the same discount. Lake Lanier Islands Resort has partnered with Toys for Tots, so bring an unwrapped toy for a $5 discount. (Only one discount per car.) You might also check out Breakfast with Santa or the Magical Nights of Lights dinner buffet at the Legacy Lodge’s Windows Restaurant. To get there, take I-85N to I-985N to exit 8 (Friendship Road). Follow the signs to Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Or take GA 400N to exit 14. Go East on GA 20, turn left on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and left on Friendship Road. The website is www.lakelanierislands.com, or call 770-945-8787 for more information.

(Photos courtesy Lake Lanier Islands Resort)

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

Fantasy in Lights a Christmas Tradition

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:45:24 +0000

With gas prices so low at the moment, you might consider driving south of town to the Fantasy of Lights at Callaway Gardens, just over an hour away. Famous for its azalea trails in the spring, the gardens light up for the holidays with 8 million lights. If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, you can take the tram. It is open and this is a cold drive, so bundle up and bring a thermos of something warm. (You can purchase hot chocolate in the Christmas Village and under the Pavilion on the way to the trolley.) By the way, Callaway Gardens offsets 100 percent of its electricity use with wind power credits, so the Fantasy is compensated with “green” power. But back to the lights – cars line up by their allotted time and then are released for this drive. It’s a tradition among many families, now stretching back 17 years. It has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, the American Bus Association as one of the Top 100 Events and by America’s Best and Top Ten as the Top Three Light Shows in America, so while it may be expensive, it is a good value. (Weekdays are cheaper than weekends. Check out the website at www.callawaygardens.com for pricing and reservations.) If you can do an overnight, Callaway offers a range of very nice accommodations, good food and plenty of other things to do. To get there, take Interstate 85 south to Interstate 185 (exit 21). From Interstate 185, exit at U. S. Hwy. 27 (exit 42). Follow Hwy. 27 South to Pine Mountain. In Pine Mountain, turn right onto Hwy. 354 West. Proceed to Ga. Hwy. 18 and turn left into Callaway Gardens.

(Photos courtesy of Callaway Gardens.)

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

The Atlanta Traveler » Light Shows

Lake Lanier’s Magical Nights of Lights

Fantasy in Lights a Christmas Tradition