Last night I went to see the McAdenville lights with my 2 1/2 year old and my parents. I did a post a few weeks ago about the dates and times. I have heard so many people talk about it that I assumed it was awesome and decided this was the year I would finally go. I am afraid to say this, because it seems almost un-American, but I was a little disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, the lights they have are just beautiful and there were tons of them. But I imagined a drive winding through the town and really it was just 2 streets. What is there is gorgeous and they have a lake with a fountain that changes colors. But I guess I just expected it to be a longer route and maybe more themed and fun. Maybe part of the problem is that we went at a time where there was not much traffic so it only took us 10 minutes to drive it (rather than 1 hour in traffic). Also, I do think I am spoiled because my grandparents lived in a town called Santa Claus, Indiana! If this was an easy drive it would have been fine but we drove 45 minutes each way to get there. It was just a little anti-climactic, especially with a 2 1/2 year old in tow. In my opinion, you are better off hopping in your car and driving around all the beautiful Charlotte neighborhoods. In fact, the Observer had an article yesterday about Charlotte lights displays and the addresses, click here to see it. (In that article, my favorite is the one listed on Mammouth Oaks Drive, it is crazy but so much fun, we drive by it all the time since I leave in that area and my daughter goes nuts for it).
I am sure there are plenty of people disagreeing with me right now about McAdenville, and I encourage you to leave comments, I really want to be wrong on this one!
4 comments
I agree. It was a lot of hype. We enjoyed it, but I’ve seen better just driving around Charlotte.
I agree, too! It’s been a few years since I’ve been to McAdenville, but the lights in the neighborhoods near us are far more entertaining! Not worth the drive at all!
We like McAdenville but now my 4 kids are just as happy visiting the “Santa” house on Sherwood Forest drive right off Colony. Santa is there with a large sleigh the kids can sit on and the lights are pretty good too. Try it out!
we went last year to McAdenville and were very underwhelmed as well. I didn’t really see what the big deal was.