It's the most wonderful time of the year. As you are singing songs and buying your last minute gifts, you might be wondering how you can celebrate the season with your family. Christmas Caroling? Ice skating? Roasting chestnuts by an open fire? Louisville has original, economical and fun things to do this season. This city and its residents take pride in our celebrations, and we go above and beyond to make the city brighter, literally.
Rated one of the best light shows in this region, Mega Caverns: Lights Under Louisville is located off Trevillian Way close to the Louisville Zoo. Visitors can take a spectacular trip about 17 miles long for about a 30 minute ride under neath the city. There are hundreds of colorful lights in various different displays, including animated animals and interactive art to drive through in your own car and behold. Formerly an underground limestone quarry, the mega cavern provides a unique holiday attraction for cars, vans and passengers to enjoy, along with a gift shop, even during the day time. Some have complained about the long wait times which can be 1 hour or more, but if you go on a Monday through Thursday, the wait is not as long. The price is $25.00 per car but the Mega Cavern has worked out an arrangement with Wendy's restaurants to offer coupons and discounts to families. Make sure you get your $5.00 off!
http://www.louisvillemegacavern.com/lights-under-louisville.html
Another holiday attraction is Christmas at the Galt House. Its happening now until January 2, 2012. Located in Louisville's famous Galt House Hotel on Fourth Street, it features the KalightoScope display, Santa, a Christmas village with the Snow Fairy Castle attraction, a learning center with kids' activities, and a Mistletoe Marketplace. The KalightoScope display is a landscape of hand sculpted work designed by artisans from Zigong, China. It contains large displays of sheer painted fabrics, lighted from within and colored for a dynamic effect that truly brings a crowd. It costs $40.00 for 4 tickets but it is one of the few indoor holiday light attractions that offer something for all ages to enjoy.
http://www.christmasatthegalthouse.com/?gclid=CIu05tfolK0CFcfe4AodOF68OQ
Holidazzle 2011: The art of giving, is now showing at the Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts. This exhibit includes hand made gifts and crafts by over 30 artisans for sale to the public for unique holiday gifts. The exhibit is going on now until January 15, 2012, from 5:30 t0 7:30.
http://www.kentuckyarts.org/holidazzle-2011/
For free light shows you and your family can always go the old fashioned route and drive around looking for the best lights in your local neighborhoods. In Louisville's downtown area, the corner of Sixth and Jefferson Street is a great place to see where Light up Louisville kicked off the season. That area includes Mayor Greg Fischer's house and the trees outside the court house lit up with gorgeous lights. In the East End, Jeffersontown neighborhoods on Hurstborne Lane and Westport Rd. have some impressive house displays for the Light up Lyndon/J-town area celebrations that took place. In the Southwest end of Louisville, the neighborhood of Ashby Estates, beginning on Twilight Rd. through Johnsontown Rd .and Evening Star, have houses with beautiful light displays that are humble but impressive. Happy Holidays and enjoy all the celebrations your favorite city has to offer!
Dawn Murrell
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