I found an interesting article about the origins of a mysterious tower in Rhode Island.
From AncientPages.com Ellen Lloyd:
There is an intriguing stone structure in Newport, Rhode Island that has been a subject of great controversy and debate. Standing in the heart of the city there is a 28-foot tower that is just as impressive as mysterious. No-one knows who built the tower or when it was constructed. Several theories have been put forward. Some have suggested the tower was built by the Vikings. Others maintain it’s a legacy of the Knights Templar.
The tower has also been said to be the work of Freemasons. Native Americans, Chinese explorers and Celts have also been credited with the construction of the tower.Despite all guesses and speculations, many still think the tower’s existence is a real scientific enigma.
According to the mainstream theory, the Newport Tower was built in the mid-17th century. It was originally a windmill. In 1948, the Society for American Archaeology investigated the tower and scientists concluded that all artifacts discovered at the site were from the 17th century.
Newport Tower And Its Astronomical Alignments with Planet Venus
In 20018, forensic geologist Scott Wolter established that the Newport Tower’s construction was completed long before Christopher Columbus reached the New World. This conclusion was controversial and many scientists are still upset by Wolter’s theory. When Wolter investigated the structure, he discovered that Venus alignments are captured in the tower, providing evidence consistent with medieval Cistercian/Templar construction practices that reflect, in part, their religious ideology.
“The capturing of astronomical alignments of the Sun, Moon, and Venus in Western European standing stone sites and churches allowed the builders to use these structures as clocks and calendars, and for determining longitude (using solar and lunar eclipses) and latitude, “Frank Joseph wrote in his book The Lost Worlds of Ancient America: Compelling Evidence of Ancient Immigrants, Lost Technologies, and Places of Power.
Did Vikings or Ancient Chinese Build Newport Tower?
Historian Gavin Menzies argues that in 1421, Chinese sailors built the tower as either a lighthouse or an observatory. According to Menzies, at Newport, the expedition commanded by Admiral Zhou Wen was forced to stop. There they stayed long enough to regroup their fleet and to build a lighthouse. This structure, in his view, resembles a Song Dynasty lighthouse design from the Fijian province in southern China. His theory has not gained many followers and has been rejected by most scientists.
Was Newport Tower built by the Vikings or Knights Templar?
In 1837, Danish archaeologist Carl Christian Rafn published a book named Antiquitates Americanæ in which a Viking origin for the tower. Rafn partly based on his research of the inscriptions on the Dighton Rock near the mouth of the Taunton River. Rafn became convinced it was a Norse structure built by medieval Vikings who regularly crossed the North Atlantic in open boats.
Does The Newport Tower Have Masonic Roots?
Danish researcher, Jorgen Siemonsen suggests the Newport tower is the work of Freemasons. According to Siemonsen circumstantial evidence points toward the fledgling Freemason movement in Rhode Island and a well-connected, English-trained architect who found work among the rich and famous of Colonial Newport.
That architect, Peter Harrison, laid out an octagon summer house in the mid-1700s for Abraham Redwood, a wealthy Newport merchant, Siemonsen said. That geometric form, closely associated with the Freemasons, is mimicked in the eight pillars of the tower, a little more than a block away, that Siemonsen speculated Harrison also designed.
The tower grounds, according to the Dane, could have been a “Masonic garden’’ where the fraternity conducted its rituals.
As you can see there are many theories and they all offer a very different historical account of the construction of the mysterious Newport tower.
Many questions remain unanswered and we still don’t know for what purpose the tower was constructed. Was it a windmill, an observatory or a temple?
Today’s entry in weirdness is in Mississippi. A woman bought a old Boeing plane and turned it into her home. The story is from Only in Your State.
Living in an airplane may seem like a concept only plausible for the rich and famous, but this unusual Mississippi home proves otherwise. Fashioned from an old Boeing 727, the airplane house is the creation of Benoit resident Jo Ann Ussery.
They say necessity is the mother of invention, and that definitely holds true in Jo Ann’s case. In the mid-1990s, the Benoit hairdresser was searching for a new mobile home since she lost her previous home in a fire. After searching with no luck, Jo Ann’s brother-in-law, an air traffic controller, suggested she purchase an old Boeing 727 and turn it into a home.
And that’s just what Jo Ann did. She paid $2,000 for the old aircraft, $4,000 to have it moved to her lakefront property, and $25,000 to have it renovated into her dream home. After six months of renovations, most of which were done by Jo Ann, the plane was completely transformed.
The unorthodox home is 12’ x 127’ and contains 1,300 sq. feet of living space, which includes three bedrooms, a living room, a fully-equipped kitchen (which even has a dish washer), and two bathrooms. The home also features some “luxuries,” including a Jacuzzi in the cockpit that overlooks the lake down below.
Although the airplane underwent extensive renovations, Joanne didn’t get rid of all the original features. The fold-down stairs were kept and are now opened with a standard garage door opener, while the four emergency exits, which are in the living room, can be opened to allow for a breeze.
Since the plane didn’t have wings when it was purchased, Jo Ann utilized the extra space and added a spacious patio and carport. And if it’s a view you’re looking for, Jo Ann thought of that, too. A huge deck, which overlooks Lake Whittington, can be accessed by a spiral staircase that was actually salvaged from a Boeing 747.
Aside from the unique factor, the home has many other advantages. For instance, it will never have to be re-roofed or repainted and termites won’t ever be an issue.
This Benoit home has been featured in countless magazines and television shows, including the “Today Show” and “The David Letterman Show,” in addition to being named one of the “20 Most Bizarre Homes in the World.” Sadly, in May of 1999, the home was severely damaged while being relocated a distance of one mile.
The Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness is one of the country’s last great wild refuges, a 112,500-acre maze of backcountry canyons, cliffs, deserts, and plateaus untouched by man. You’ve probably seen pictures of The Wave—it’s so popular, there’s a lottery to obtain access—or even Buckskin Gulch, one of the world’s longest slot canyons. Avid hikers, campers, and photographers know this area is a goldmine for off-grid adventures. Don’t expect any facilities here!
You’ll need a permit for day-hiking or overnight trips in Paria Canyon or Buckskin Gulch. Only 20 permits are administered per day, and they need to be reserved four months in advance. When you’re here, often there will be no trail—you just hike, and hike, and hike to your heart’s content.
The 112,500-acre Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness lies approximately 10 miles west of Page, Arizona in Coconino County, Arizona and Kane County, Utah.
Nationally known for its beauty, the Paria Canyon has towering walls streaked with desert varnish, huge red rock amphitheaters, sandstone arches, wooded terraces, and hanging gardens. The 3,000-foot escarpment known as the Vermilion Cliffs dominates the remainder of the wilderness with its thick Navajo sandstone face, steep, boulder-strewn slopes, rugged arroyos and stark overall appearance. Some of the best slot canyon hiking opportunities on the Colorado Plateau are found here. Deer and desert bighorn sheep inhabit the area.
The wilderness also provides opportunities for backpacking, photography, and solitude. In the northwest portion of the wilderness lies Coyote Buttes, an area of spectacular scenery displaying domes, aprons, fins, corridors, and a variety of small fragile rock sculptures carved in colorful swirling cross bedded sandstone. The variety of colors and textures in the rock formations within the wilderness constantly change with variations in light and weather. This colorful sandstone area creates a feeling of wonder and amazement.
(I found this article from Fox News dated January of 2022!)
What’s the only thing cooler than a castle? An ice castle. Figuratively and literally, these ice castles and other impressive winter displays are among the best of the bunch. Read on for some of the most breathtaking ice castles and sculptures in the country. FYI: Unless specified or noted as a free attraction, check the website listed for entrance fees, which vary depending on age and day.
Ice Castles New Hampshire, North Woodstock, New Hampshire
In the majestic White Mountains, journeyers will be treated to a fairy-tale display of ice castles from mid-January until mid-February depending on the weather conditions. All of the castles are hand-constructed and hand-placed by ice artists using hundreds of thousands of icicles, and you’ll also see tunnels, ice caves and ice slides. Illuminated by LED lights, visitors can also opt for a horse-drawn sleigh ride or the “Enchanted Forest Walk.”
Ice Castles in Lake George, New York
Prepare to be amazed in the Empire State. In Lake George, you’ll be treated to ice displays with LED lights and colors at the Festival Commons at Charles Wood Park. This new winter event is expected to be open from January to early March, weather permitting. Each hand-built castle is said to take thousands of hours to create, and each castle is approximately a whopping one acre in size.
Ice Castles in Midway, Utah
It’s to Utah we go for yet another Ice Castles experience. This one, situated in the scenic foothills of the Wasatch Mountains at the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center — a one-time Winter Olympics venue — is Ice Castles’ original outpost. Guests will be amazed by ice-carved slides, fountains, caverns and narrow slot canyons, crafted completely in ice and inspired by the natural slot canyons for which the Southwest is known. For a special outing, hop aboard a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Wasatch Valley for ice-ing on the cake. Ice Castles in Midway, Utah, typically opens in late December or early January and remains open through late February.
International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado
Not familiar with Breckenridge’s International Snow Sculpture Championships? Once you start scoping out videos from the mesmerizing event, good luck leaving the YouTube vortex. The celebrated snow-sculpting competition brings together 12 teams from around the globe to hand-carve 20-ton blocks of snow into larger-than-life art. Making these pieces even more impressive is the fact that competitors can only use hand tools. The carving week takes place Jan. 24-28, 2022, and viewing week for this unique outdoor art gallery is Jan. 28-Feb. 2, 2022.
Ice Castles in New Brighton, Minnesota
Head to Long Lake Regional Park in the Twin Cities suburb of New Brighton, and you’ll be greeted with quite the frozen sight to behold. As you marvel at the castle, take note of the various caverns, tunnels, crawl spaces, slides and fountains, all handcrafted from individually placed icicles. To up the ante, there’s also a sculpture garden with fairy-tale-themed ice sculptures linked by a light grove along a wooded trail to the castle. Ice Castles in Minnesota historically opens in early January and stays in place through early March, weather permitting.
Michigan Technological University’s 100th Winter Carnival in Houghton, Michigan
From Feb. 9 to Feb. 12, 2022, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will host this free-to-visit carnival that’s sure to dazzle folks of all ages. Every year, the carnival has a different theme, and students put on quite the spectacle through highly detailed snow and ice sculptures. Some of the largest sculptures take a month to create, and smaller statues are built overnight. There are also broomball games, comedy skits and the carnival’s queen coronation to enjoy.
Ice Castles in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
A crazy-cool citadel awaits at Geneva National Resort and Club in this so-called “Newport of the west,” where you can ooh and ahh at caverns, arches, ice slides, an ice maze, crawl tunnels, the arctic alcove (a popular spot for proposals) and more. To boost your holiday activities quota, you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride along the shoreline of Lake Como. Due to the shorter winter season in Lake Geneva, Ice Castles in Wisconsin typically doesn’t open until late January and only remains open through late February, weather permitting.
Winter Carnival Ice Palace in Saranac Lake, New York
This free attraction alone is well worth a visit to the charming mountain town of Saranac Lake. At the winter carnival, the ice palace is the pièce de résistance, erected on the shore of Lake Flower’s Pontiac Bay and built similarly as it was in 1897, the first year the palace revealed its shimmering, glimmering self. Using ice harvested from Lake Flower with 1,500 blocks stacked atop each other, this ice display is built by volunteers. Visible for the duration of the carnival Feb. 4 to 13, 2022, heavy equipment is now used to help make the labor easier, but the communal spirit of neighbors coming together to make something special is ever–present.
Samoset Glacier Ice Bar & Lounge in Rockport, Maine
Yes, grown-ups can enjoy a good old-fashioned ice castle excursion, but for some adults-only fun, it’s tough to outshine this ice bar and lounge put together by ice sculptors and designers who devote weeks to chiseling down 300-pound blocks of ice to fashion bars, seats, tables, ice luges, couches and sculptures. Fire lamps and faux-fur cushions round out the mix as you sip on hits like a “snowball martini or “Old Man Winter” and warm up with New England clam chowder and chili. There’s live music at night and the bar will be open Jan. 14-15 and Jan. 21-22, 2022, with free access for hotel guests and $25 for outside visitors.
Ice Maze at CityCenterDC in Washington, D.C.
Our nation’s capital recently welcomed the return of the Ice Maze at The Park at CityCenterDC, a mixed-use development and public park. The free, interactive experience surpassed its previous ice records, with a 130,000-pound clear ice maze accompanied by multicolored lights. This year, the maze was created by 10 international award-winning sculptors and ran in mid-December for three days. Ice activations have been a tradition at CityCenterDC for the past five years, and an announcement will come in 2022 as to what surprise guests can expect in the new year.
Want to see a hundred bald eagles in a single glance? Spy a couple dozen roosting in a lone tree? Listen to the hair-raising chorus of their weird, trilling calls? Visit the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve—site of the largest gathering of bald eagles in the world. Each October and November, between 3,000 and 4,000 bald eagles descend upon this 48,000-acre preserve centered on river bottomlands a few miles north of Haines to feast on late runs of salmon.
When these eagles converge, photographers travel from all over the world to capture images of the iconic birds jousting over chum and coho spawners. They perch in trees, land on gravel bars, and wing across a stunning Southeast Alaska vista. Even without the birds, the preserve anchors a pristine riverine wilderness traversed by a paved road minutes from a friendly small town with full services. The Chilkat River Valley forms a natural travel corridor between the interior and the coast, attracting moose, beavers, coyotes, wolves, brown and black bears, mountain goats on the ridges, forest birds, plus long distant migrants like trumpeter swans and Arctic terns.
Where Will You Find the Most Bald Eagles?
A vast sand-and-gravel “flat” where the Tsirku and Kleheni rivers merge with the Chilkat serves as the main viewing area, located along the Haines Highway between Mile 18 and 24. With thousands of fish finning and dying among a myriad of shallow channels that remain open well into winter, the zone draws thousands of eagles seeking a late-season snack. It is considered critical habitat for the species in the region, and the preserve was formed in 1982 with a mission to help protect this space. Eagles can be found throughout the preserve, however, with an estimated 300 to 400 of the birds in the area throughout the year.
Tips For Visiting the Park:
Best viewing will be from four main pullouts between Mile 18 and Mile 24, but eagles might be anywhere along the river.
The Council Grounds pullout at Mile 19 features pit toilets, informational displays, a boardwalk, viewing scopes and a two-mile river-side trail. Go there first.
Please pull completely off the road to view or photograph bald eagles! Keep watch for other eagle enthusiasts so awestruck that they simply brake in middle of the highway and leap out with doors ajar. (Yes, this actually happens—a headache for park rangers.)
Stay within the designated areas to avoid stressing individual birds. They need space to roost and feed.
Much of the preserve is not easily accessible, but during summer, rafting and jet boat tours are a great way reach remote spots along the river.
For more information, purchase the book Where Eagles Gather, the Story of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, Haines, Alaska by Joe Ordonez, which features incredible photographs of the area.
Attend the Alaska Bald Eagle Festival held annually in November by the American Bald Eagle Foundation.
A relatively small cave in what is today northeastern Alabama, Russell Cave has been home to virtually every cultural group in the region. The cave, one of many archeological sites in the Russell Cave National Monument, provided shelter to various groups for approximately 12,000 years – from roughly 10,000 BC to 1650 AD. This staggering achievement makes Russell Cave one of the oldest rock shelters in the eastern United States. Archeological remains found beyond the mouth of the cave and in other surrounding areas provide additional evidence and markers of this long period of settlement.
The cave and associated burial sites and shelters are all the more remarkable, because the occupation and use of the area was regular, providing a chronological layering of artifacts from before recorded history to the modern era. Created when part of the cave collapsed, the shelter inside the cave is roughly 30 by 65 yards and has a streambed that forms part of the cave floor. Attracted by a year-round water source and the consistent temperature inside the cave, many American Indian groups regularly used Russell Cave as a seasonal dwelling place. The cave is located in a valley along the Tennessee River, which helped supply the cave occupants with shellfish and game. Given the location of the cave within the valley, it is probable that the entire area was a hunting ground even before the formation of the cave. As American Indian groups discovered the cave, and camped and lived in it, they found food and raw materials to develop tools on the land around it. They also used the surrounding land for religious ceremonies, including burial of the dead. More recently, this land was the possible site of a log cabin as well as two historic coalmines and associated structures.
Paleoindian peoples, the first humans in North America, were the first group to use Russell Cave. Artifacts from this period tend to be projectile points formed of stone quarried nearby and sharpened into points inside the cave. The majority of objects found at Russell Cave, though, come from three later archeological stages: the Archaic Stage (7000 to 500 BC), the Woodland Stage (500 BC to 1000 AD), and the Mississippian Stage (1000 to 1600 AD). While Archaic dwellers were sedentary hunters and gatherers with few social divisions, the material culture of the Woodland period indicates that larger populations supported the development of a social structure and widening trade networks. In general, people of the Mississippian Stage were very sedentary travelling less than previous groups and relying heavily on the cultivation of crops. They also had highly developed religious ceremonies and political structures. The artifacts recovered from Russell Cave reflect the technological and social changes typical for the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian Stages.
Given the long history of settlement of Russell Cave, the archeological material provides a level of depth uncommon at other sites. In both the cave and surrounding areas, the continued presence of humans has resulted in a collection of artifacts that almost trace the complete development of some technologies. The cave has yielded projectile points, fishhooks (7500 to 5000 BC and 3500 to 500 BC), basketry (7500 to 5000 BC), and ceramics (7500 BC to 1540 AD). Pottery shards date from the earliest ceramic pieces to those of the early 19th century, and some of the fishhooks are of a type not seen anywhere else. Outside the cave, in some of the outlying archeological areas, seed evidence remains of the maize and other crops cultivated as early as 500 BC.
Residency in the cave and use of the adjacent areas in religious ceremonies declined after about 1000 AD as the local populations, who had formerly used the cave as temporary seasonal shelter, developed permanent year-round villages. Following the arrival of the Europeans in the early 1500s, the use of the Russell Cave area practically ceased, as new settlers replaced American Indian groups. Artifacts from after the mid-1500s indicate that the cave saw only sporadic use as a hunting camp before becoming private property in 1817. The Russell family owned the cave at one point, giving the cave its name. The cave site represents the development of early culture and society and provides important evidence of how American Indians of the region lived for thousands of years.
Despite its eventual decline as a shelter, Russell Cave National Monument offers a unique opportunity to view the past in the present. Although the natural setting has changed slightly since 10,000 BC, the site of the cave itself has remained relatively unaltered. Today, the visitor center and museum present artifacts and reproductions of objects found in and around the cave as well as films about the earliest settlers in the region. Ranger-led cave tours allow visitors to explore the cave itself; other tours conducted by the rangers demonstrate pre-contact weaponry and tools. A visit to Russell Cave is a journey through the early settled history of the Americas presented not only through artifacts, but also through a tour of the very site where people have lived for thousands of years.
Today’s offering is The Mushroom House in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood lies a building that looks like it came right out of a children’s storybook. This is Ohio’s very own Mushroom House, also known as the TreeHouse.
Built by Terry Brown, this landmark marks the great architect’s creative genius. The house took more than a decade to create; construction began in 1992 and ended in 2006. It served as Brown’s secondary residence, architecture studio and teaching tool for his students.
The landmark itself is a simple one-bedroom house. The most prominent features are its copper ceilings and an orange spiral staircase entry. Terry Brown’s creation has porthole windows that sit against a swirling cedar exterior, which is what gives it its fairytale-like appearance. The side of the house is covered in warped shingles that were placed there to resemble the underside of a mushroom. The bulbous roofing gives the building an added fungal look.
The inspiration behind this building came from Brown’s desire to create spaces that would relate to human activity. Brown realized early on in his career that space and people are connected. Hence, he started to build small structures that would feature intimate spaces.
The Mushroom House was the result of experimental architecture. The structure could only be built after many meticulous drawings and complicated geometric calculations. Brown’s aim was to use materials that are not conventionally used to build houses and to combine elements that are not typically combined.
After Brown’s passing in 2008, the hype for the Mushroom House did not die down. The house remains a Cincinnati landmark that attracts people from afar. Currently, the structure is being looked after by Brown’s friend, Paul Lausha. Brown’s other works are exhibited at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Architectural League of New York.
As you make your way through Wyoming’s Wapiti Valley, perched upon a hill just outside of Cody is a strange looking building known to locals as ‘Smith Mansion.’
The home was built over eighteen years by local man Francis Lee Smith. Smith, who worked as a full-time engineer in Cody, made the property in his spare time.
Francis Lee Smith, designed and built ‘Smith Mansion’ from scratch.
Unfortunately, the house didn’t have a fairy-tale ending one would hope for. In 1992, disaster struck, and construction on the property came to an end, forever.
THE HISTORY OF THE SMITH MANSION
In the 1970s, Smith was inspired by an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. After a huge fire on the nearby Rattlesnake Mountain, much of the timber was left up for grabs for anyone willing to lug it away.
Smith had a truck and two willing associates who helped him start loading up. Yet it appears Smith could never stop!
At first, Smith wanted to build a comfortable home for him and his family. But once the house was completed, the project just kept growing. Over the years, what was supposed to be a small family home, became a large tower featuring balconies and viewing platforms.
In the lower floor living spaces, you had named rooms, such as the “hot room” and “cold room.” Through the colder months, they would spend their time in the “hot room” which featured a wood-burning stove. In warmer months, they would use the cooler temperatures of the “cold room.” The house had no running water, and no plumbing or electricity, except for that provided by a small generator.
Unfortunately for Smith, the family home wasn’t to be. Despite living there with his family for some time, his obsession with it became a strain on his marriage, which lead to divorce. His wife, son, and daughter moved back into the nearby town of Cody.
This however, only drove Smith to focus more on completing the building. However, it wasn’t to be, one day in 1992, the 48-year-old was working on one of his slanted roofs when he fell (not for the first time) and died. Smith’s body wasn’t found until two days later.
THE SMITH MANSION TODAY
After the death of Francis Lee Smith, the Smith Mansion passed on to his family. The home is now looked after by Smith’s daughter Sunny Larsen, who was just 12 when her father died but still remembers living in the property as a child.
She said: “His original intent was to build a home for his family, and it just took on a life of its own.” It was only in later years that she realized her father had no blueprints, every addition was off-the-cuff. “He never knew what his next step was going to be.”
His daughter also rejects the idea that mental illness played a part in her father’s obsession. “He built,” she said. “He was an artist in every sense of the word.”
The property has been empty now for almost 30 years, exposed to the elements the wooden structure has begun to decay slowly. Teenagers from the nearby town of Cody routinely visit the property on the weekends and vandalize it.
This decay hasn’t stopped Ms. Larsen from trying to sell the property though. In August 2018, Smith Mansion was listed on the market for $750,000, as of yet it still has no buyer.
How a half-finished wooden structure with no plumbing or electricity on a hill in Wyoming could fetch $750,000 we don’t know. However, it would be a cool property to finish if you had the cash burning a hole in your pocket.
Montana — Billings Christmas Lights in Billings, MT
Throughout Billings, Montana, you’ll find residential home after residential home lit to Christmastime perfection. Featuring more than 35 glowing locations throughout the drive, the town includes everything from residential homes and lanes to landmark houses. Bring along some hot cocoa and snacks and enjoy the view!
Nebraska — Omaha Holiday Lights Festival in Omaha, NE
If you live in the Cornhusker State, check out the Omaha Holiday Lights Festival in Omaha this holiday season. Running from November 24 until January 2, the Omaha Holiday Lights Festival lights up 40 blocks of downtown Omaha with twinkling, glowing lights, running from 10th to 13th Streets and from Farnam to Jackson Streets. Come New Year’s, the tradition continues, with the Holiday Lights Festival also setting off fireworks. Their Shine the Light on Hunger campaign has goals to raise the equivalent of three million meals this year. Go out and show your support!
Nevada — Glittering Lights in Las Vegas, NV
From the safety, warmth, and comfort of your car, Nevadans can celebrate the season by driving through Glittering Lights in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Tickets for the drive-thru start at $29 for weekdays and $39 for any day. You can also purchase a season ticket for $129.
New Hampshire — La Salette Christmas Festival of Lights in Enfield, NH
This year, the annual Christmas lights display at the Shrine of Our Lady La Salette in Enfield, New Hampshire isn’t just offering light; it’s offering hope during a dark time. The website reads, “Despite the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, natural disasters, climate change, and political turmoil this year’s festival will proclaim ‘Jesus Christ-the living light.’ Generations of men and women have all declared that, even in times of darkness, his “living light” is still shining ahead of us all”. As such, the Shrine of Our Lady La Salette named this year’s display “Christ: Living Light.” Running from November 24 until January 1 the La Salette Christmas Festival of Lights is one of the oldest light displays throughout the Granite State. Set on 20 acres of hillside, the La Salette Christmas Festival of Lights features nativity scenes, thousands of multi-colored lights, and hundreds of decorations.
New Jersey — Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township, NJ
In the quaint Egg Harbor Township of New Jersey, you’ll find Storybook Land—a timeless, enchanting children’s park that has been around since 1995. Open from November 19 to December 30, Storybook Land is now open for the holiday season, offering the Christmas Fantasy with Lights event. Santa turns the park’s thousands of lights every night at 5 o’clock through December 23.
New Mexico — River of Lights in Alburquerque, NM
Throughout the U.S., there is no Christmas lights display quite like the River of Lights in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Running from November 26 through December 30, this event will host over 700 light displays, animated and 3D sculptures and millions of twinkling lights! Purchase a timed ticket starting at $14 Mondays through Thursdays and $17 Fridays through Sundays.
New York — The Shops at Hudson Yards in Manhattan, NY
In New York, New York, everyone tends to flock to the illuminated angels at the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center because they’re free to visit (of course, if you want to skate underneath the tree at The Rink at Rockefeller Center, that’ll cost you about $33, not including rentals). But if you want to beat the crowds and escape the weather, check out The Shops at Hudson Yards instead.
Outside of The Shops, the lights display continues with over 2 million twinkling lights across The Plaza, Edge, and Vessel, as well as almost 1,000 decorated trees across The Plaza.
Other honorable mentions throughout Manhattan include visiting the Saks Fifth Avenue outdoor light display and taking a quick trip on the D train to Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
North Carolina— The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC
In Asheville, NC, there’s the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate—America’s largest home, which was built back in 1895. It’s worth visiting all year round solely for its historical significance, but come the holiday season, it’s all the more magical. From November 4 to January 7, visitors can explore the estate’s luminary-lit pathways, glowing candles reflected in thousands of ornaments and warm, flickering fireplaces starting at $119 per ticket.
North Dakota — Spring Lake Park Holiday Lights Drive in Spring Lake Park, ND
The Spring Lake Park Holiday Lights Drive in North Dakota is one of the most unique light displays there is. After all, the Holiday Lights Drive has hosted several different themed nights in the past—from LEGO Night and Snoopy Gives Back to Dinosaur Night and the Grinch Gives Back Night. This year should prove just as unique with different craft nights!
Ohio — Clifton Mill in Clifton, OH
The Historic Clifton Mill, one of America’s largest water-powered grist mills, has been a historical staple of Clifton, OH since 1802. Every holiday season, the Clifton Mill goes all out by transforming into a Christmas village featuring a Santa Claus Museum, a vintage toy collection, and lots and lots of lights.
Oklahoma
Apparently, Parade didn’t like Oklahoma…there was no information for Oklahoma.
Oregon — Peacock Lane in Portland, Oregon
One of Oregon’s most beloved Christmas lights displays is Peacock Lane in Portland, OR. From December 15 to 24 each home on Peacock Lane is decorated in its own style and personality for the holiday season. You can either drive through this display, but be prepared to wait your turn, or you can walk along the sidewalks. December 15, 16 and 17 will be designated pedestrian-only nights this year and the cocoa booth is returning for 2022. Each night from December 15 through 24 cups of cocoa and hot cider are free! (While supplies last.)
Pennsylvania — Koziar’s Christmas Village in Bernville, PA
If ever there was a place that really, truly felt like it could be the real North Pole, it’s certainly Koziar’s Christmas Village in Bernville, PA. Nestled in the Pennsylvanian countryside, Koziar’s appears as a quaint and festive village lit up by more than 1 million lights glowing in the night. In town, you’ll find a toy workshop, a bakery, and a post office that only goes back and forth to Santa’s address. Tickets start at $10 for kids, $12 for people ages 11+, and children 3 years old and under can attend for free.
Rhode Island — Bristol Christmas Festival in Bristol, RI
Christmas in Bristol, Rhode Island is unlike any other place… except maybe the North Pole! Light displays as part of the Bristol Christmas Festival and Grand Illumination event have been a part of Bristol since 1987. Throughout town, buildings, churches, trees, and residential homes are lit up in celebration of the season. This year, the Grand Illumination event kicks off on December 3 and is free for everyone who attends. The festival’s annual Christmas Story Time event is going virtual on December 16.
South Carolina — Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston, SC
At James Island County Park’s Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston, SC, you’ll drive through three miles of a gorgeous Christmas lights display. The festival features all kinds of lights and animatronics and even has a $3 train ride that will allow you to take it all in. The festival runs nightly from now until December 31. For an additional experience, you can also book a visit with Santa Claus himself and walk away with a 5×7 souvenir photo.
South Dakota — Christmas Nights of Light in Rapid City, SD
South Dakota may be known as the home of Mount Rushmore, but there’s more to the Coyote State than just breathtaking views of the Black Hills. Especially during Christmastime. Come December, the park at Storybrook Island in Rapid City, SD, turns into a winter wonderland as part of the city’s Christmas Nights of Light event. Kids will love the storybook characters walking around, drinking cocoa or cider, and looking at all the charming lights. Admission is $4 per person and runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until December 31.
Tennessee — Cheekwood Estates & Gardens in Nashville, TN
The Holiday LIGHTS event at Cheekwood Estates & Gardens in Nashville was voted the best local event and festival in 2019. This year is no different! Still a beloved light display by plenty of locals, Cheekwood Estates & Gardens offers a one-mile walking path of glowing lights against a backdrop of the gardens. Kids and adults alike will enjoy taking pictures by the iconic poinsettia tree and indulging in the s’more and bar stations. The Holiday LIGHTS event runs from November 19 until January 8.
Texas — Austin’s Trail of Lights in Austin, TX
The Lonestar State is home to Austin’s Trail of Lights in Austin, TX—a literal trail of lights that features more than 70 Christmas-themed displays, two million lights, an artisans marketplace, and some of the city’s most beloved food trucks. Pricing varies depending on the date you choose to go, and admission is free on certain dates.
Utah — Christmas in Color in South Jordan, UT
This year, Utah’s Christmas in Color drive-through display has adapted to the times, ultimately becoming the Socially Safe Drive-Thru Animated Light Show! Millions of lights twinkle against the backdrop of the Salt Lake County Equestrian Park as you drive by giant candy canes, through lit-up tunnels, and cruise past dancing snowflakes synchronized to the holiday music.
Vermont — Wassail 2020 in Woodstock, VT
Wassail Weekend boasts the historic homes and local shops throughout Woodstock, VT that will be spectacularly lit for the season. The weekend events will be all day December 9 through 11. This calendar highlights all events happening during Wassail Weekend this year. Get ready to enjoy the craft fair, tree lightings and carriage rides at this year’s Woodstock festival.
Virginia — Tacky Light Tour in Richmond, VA
If you’re nearby in Richmond, VA, then you and your family will love stopping by the city’s Tacky Light Tour. A residential light display that acts as a self-guided tour that you can drive through in nearby neighborhoods, you’ll see some of the gaudiest decorations homes have to offer. Think the movie Deck the Halls, but IRL.
Washington — The Lights of Christmas in Stanwood, WA
The Lights of Christmas festival features more than one million lights in its Pacific Northwest display. There will be a light tunnel, the Cascade Splendor Mountain scene and even Santa and his reindeer! Tickets start at $27 and the event will run on select dates from November 25 to December 31.
West Virginia — Oglebay in Wheeling, WV
Light tunnels, a meteor shower of lights and wintry scenes galore! That’s what you’ll find at Oglebay’s Winter Festival of Lights in Wheeling, West Virginia. Running from now until January 8, Oglebay’s Winter Festival of Lights: Sounds of the Season is celebrating this holiday season with its annual six-mile drive over 300 acres. There are 90 lighted scenes throughout Oglebay’s Winter Festival of Lights, utilizing more than 1 million energy-efficient LED lights.
Wisconsin — Country Christmas in Pewaukee, WI
For the largest outdoor drive-through Christmas light display in all of Wisconsin, be sure to check out County Christmas from now until January 1. With several different locations to explore—from the Country Christmas Trail featuring mile-long drive-through animated figurines and holiday scenes to the Christmas Village—tickets start at $25 and range to $45 depending on vehicle type. There are also designated walking nights as well as nights that offer wagon rides!
Wyoming — Street Railway Trolley in Cheyenne, WY
Ride in festive Christmas style while you take your Christmas lights display tour this year in Wyoming. Board the Street Railway Trolley in Cheyenne and then be transported throughout the neighborhood to check out some of the coolest local lights—available every night from Dec. 9 to Jan. 1. It’s $15 a ticket for adults, $7.50 for children, and each ticket should be purchased in advance.
I love Christmas light displays! I found an article on yahoo (of all places) for the best lighting displays in each state. I included the link to the article at the bottom of the article so you can see their links and pictures (which I couldn’t copy here.) The pictures I did find to post, listed only the state in most cases, so don’t assume the picture matches the reference in the article.
From PARADE:
Here are the 50 best Christmas light displays in the U.S., state by state.
There is something about twinkling lights, hot cocoa in hand and Christmas music playing, right? It evokes that warm holiday feeling everyone loves. That’s why holiday light shows and holiday light displays are so special to children and adults—it’s a chance for everyone to pause and look at the magic all around.
And luckily, every state has a holiday light show they are known for (and usually, more than one!). We rounded up the best Christmas and holiday light shows in every state so you can plan your holiday tradition-making now.
Here are the 50 best Christmas light displays in the U.S., state by state.
Alabama — Huntsville Botanical Garden in Huntsville, AL
The Galaxy of Lights Festival at the Huntsville Botanical Garden in Huntsville, Alabama is a must-visit if you live in the Heart of Dixie. Starting over 25 years ago, the Huntsville Botanical Garden Christmas lights display now spans 2.5 miles and features classic holiday themes, characters, and even scenes from nature. It’s open from November 11 to January 1, can be driven or walked, (even with your dog some nights!) and tickets start at $16 for the public and $13 for members if pre-purchased. Tickets at the gate start at $25 for the public and $20 for members.
Alaska — Alaska Botanical Gardens in Anchorage, AK
If you live near Anchorage, Alaska, you know that Alaska Botanical Gardens is worth visiting at any time of the year. But particularly during the holiday season, Alaska Botanical Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland worthy of the North Pole itself. You’ll have plenty of time to experience this magic as the event begins November 27 and lasts all the way through January 21! Brighter Winter Nights Tickets start at $10 for members ages 7+ and kids 6 years old and under are free.
Arizona — Glendale Glitters in Glendale, AZ
With a name like Glendale Glitters, how could you not want to attend?! Glendale Glitters is home to the largest free light display—featuring 1.6 million LED lights—in the state, and runs from November 21 until January 11. This year marks the 27th anniversary of Glendale Glitters and the display illuminates 16 blocks of the town’s Historic Downtown District.
Arkansas — Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, AR
Beginning the Friday before Thanksgiving, the holiday celebration of lights in Fayetteville illuminates the Historic Square every night from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. The initial Lighting Night kicks off at 6 p.m. and is followed by a holiday parade. There are also plenty of vendors set up on the Square each night during the Lights of the Ozarks featuring winter treats, seasonal activities, holiday music and more. Lights of the Ozarks is a free public display and will run from November 18 to January 1.
California — Festival of Lights at The Mission Inn in Los Angeles, CA
Every Christmas season, Californians love visiting residential light displays such as El Segundo’s Candy Cane Lane or LA Zoo Lights. While those are both popular attractions, maybe you’d like to head to a different event in hopes of experiencing something new this year. Look no further than The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in LA and witness the castle’s gorgeous interior décor. This year’s 30th annual lighting festival will take place from November 25 through January 6.
Colorado — Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, CO
Blossoms of Light is the Denver Botanic Gardens’ annual holiday lights event that has been held for three decades. Participants walk through the Blossoms of Light pathway and can stop by the Hive Garden Bistro for hot cocoa and other holiday treats. This event runs from November 18 to January 7, (closed November 24 and December 25) and tickets start at $24 for non-members, $21 for members, and each ticket is limited to a 30-minute time slot.
Connecticut — Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce, CT
Connecticut is home to one of the nation’s most unique light displays. In fact, it’s more of an experience than a display. Lake Compounce is an amusement park turned winter wonderland during the holidays! This year will be their longest running season yet, opening every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 19 through December 24 and Monday through Saturday December 26 through 31. Admission starts at $39.99 for adults but you can save some money if you buy online. There are plenty of twinkling lights to enjoy as well as fun festive activities!
Delaware — Historic Odessa Candlelit Tours in Odessa, DE
Throughout the First State, Christmas light displays are abundant and in fact, Frampton Realty has put together an amazing stop-by-stop road trip for light-lookers that spans all of Delaware. However, if you want to hone in on just one area, consider taking a Historic Odessa Candlelit Tour in the 18th-century hamlet of Odessa, DE. Tours span throughout the month of December on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and you must have a reservation. On the tour, you’ll walk past Historic landmarks and buildings like the National Historic Register Wilson Warner House (c. 1769), National Historic Landmark Corbit-Sharp House (c. 1774), the Stone Barn (c.1812), and of course, bear witness to a plethora of beautiful light displays.
Florida — Night of Lights in St. Augustine, FL
St. Augustine, Florida is a Historic area and as most historic areas tend to do, offers a one-of-a-kind light display each year during Christmastime. Known for its famous white light display along 20 blocks of Historic buildings, Night of Lights is celebrating its 29th year in 2022. Pro tip: The event is best witnessed, according to the website, from either the Plaza de la Constitución or The Bridge of Lions and will be open each evening from November 19 to January 31.
Georgia — Fantasy in Lights in Pine Mountain, GA
Did you know that Georgia is home to one of the top 10 light displays in the world? Experience the wonder of one of the world’s most top-rated light displays at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, which claims to feature 10 million twinkling lights across 2500 acres. This year, Fantasy in Lights is introducing a new scene called the Celebration Lake which will feature a floating combination of 30 dancing trees in honor of the event’s 30th year. Tickets range from $15 to $39.95 depending on the night you choose, and while you’re there, don’t forget to hop on the Jolly Trolley!
Hawaii — Honolulu City Lights in Honolulu, HI
Honolulu City Lights—put on by Honolulu’s city hall Honolulu Hale—usually kicks off with an electric light parade and the annual lighting of the town’s Christmas tree. This year, Honolulu City Lights is inviting guests to partake in a free milk and cookies night on December 17 for its 20th year.
Idaho — Winter Wonderland Festival in Caldwell, ID
The Winter Wonderland Festival takes place at the Indian Creek Plaza every year in Caldwell, Idaho and features all kinds of festive activities. Downtown Caldwell is lit with over a million lights and will stay lit from November 19 to January 9.
Illinois — Christkindlmarket in Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois is home to many various Christmas light displays, but an annual favorite has to be Christkindlmarket. An authentic and traditional German-style holiday market, Christkindlmarket will be open to the public from November 18 to December 24. Always admission free, the Christkindlmarket boasts plenty of vendors that will appeal to all the senses! From seasonal treats to holiday music and of course twinkling lights, this festival should definitely be on your to-visit list this year.
Indiana — Santa Claus, IN
In a town aptly named Santa Claus, you’ll find Indiana’s 1.2-mile-long Christmas LED-light display called Shining Story of Rudolph at Lake Rudolph Campground. The drive-through display runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from November 25 to December 4 and every night December 9 through 26 (but is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
Iowa — Adventureland Resorts in Altoona, IA
In Altoona, Iowa, you’ll find the Jolly Holiday Lights at Adventureland Resorts. Open from November 25 through January 1, the Jolly Holiday Lights display features 2.5 miles of stunning lights to feast your eyes on. What’s more, 100 percent of the admission fee goes to Make-A-Wish Iowa, which sponsors the event annually. To date, they have funded over 1000 wishes! The event is also offering virtual meetings with Santa Claus as well.
Kansas — The Lights at Ability Point in Wichita, KA
In Sedgwick County, Kansas, The Lights at Ability Point is one of the most unique Christmas light displays throughout the Sunflower State. While the drive-through light display, featuring more than 1.5 million glittering lights, offers admission by donation on Mondays, a $10 fee is required to visit The Lights every other night from November 24 until December 28.
Kentucky — Lights Under Louisville in Louisville, KY
From now until January 1, the Lights Under Louisville Christmas light display is open for business in Louisville, Kentucky. One ticket for a passenger vehicle costs $34.99 and the event starts at the Louisville Mega Cavern. Known as the world’s only underground lights show, the tour rides along 17 miles of lit-up underground passageways throughout the city.
Louisiana — Holiday Trail of Lights in Natchitoches, LA
If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the state known for its Mardi Gras, then you know that Louisiana is big on all celebrations. Christmas, of course, is no exception. The Holiday Trail of Lights is Louisiana’s statewide light display with several towns included on the trail. However, if you’re going to visit just one, check out Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase Territory. You’ll find 300,000 lights and more than 100 set pieces on display in Natchitoches alone. This year is the Holiday Trail of Lights’ 96th, so head out and celebrate!
Maine — Coastal Maine Botanical Garden in Boothbay, ME
Every year, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens hosts Gardens Aglow in the Boothbay peninsula of Maine. This year the event will be more traditional as they reinstate the walking tour. Tickets start at $18 for non-members, $14 for members, and the event runs from now until December 31.
Maryland — 34th Street in Hampden, MD
Nearby Baltimore, 34th Street in Hampden, Maryland—also known as Christmas Street—is known for its holiday decorations come December. The lights will be shining brightly this year from November 26 to New Year’s Day and there will be plenty of food, drinks and shopping to enjoy!
Massachusetts — Zoolights at Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA
Walk along the zoo’s 26 acres under lighted trees and see animals such as black bears, arctic foxes, lynx and reindeer. On certain nights you may even catch a glimpse of Mrs. Claus! Zoolights will be open from November 18 through January 8, (closed November 24 and December 25) and general admission for non-members starts at $12.95.
Michigan — The Big Bright Light Show in Rochester, MI
The Big Bright Light Show in downtown Rochester, Michigan, is quite a sight. From now until January 3, as you walk through the downtown area, you’ll bear witness to every single building covered in more than 1 million lights in rainbow order. The result? Downtown Rochester transforms into a holiday-themed rainbow.
Minnesota — Bentleyville Tour of Lights in Canal Park, MN
The goal of Bentleyville’s Tour of Lights is to bring people together during the holiday season. The free, walk-through light display features more than 5 million lights and 20 acres of the park to walk through, as well as free hot cocoa and treats. Parking for the event is $10 per car.
Mississippi — Victorian Christmas Festival in Canton, MS
With more than 100,000 lights glowing from the town’s historic buildings, the Courthouse Square carousel, a 4-story tree, an 18-foot walk-through gift box and Rudolph’s playground, Canton transforms itself into an authentic Christmas village each December. Also, be sure to check out the town’s Animation Museums for an animated Polar Express train and stop by Santa’s Workshop to play “I Spy” and look for the elves’ top 10 favorite toys!
Missouri — Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO
While visiting Silver Dollar City in Branson, you’ll stumble upon one of the best holiday light displays in the state. From November 5 to December 30, An Old Time Christmas is a light spectacular at the center of Silver Dollar City. Featuring 6.5 million twinkling lights, animations, and other larger-than-life displays, the whole light show spans nine stories into the sky above.
Sew Colorful 