The Christmas Season is well underway and families all across Michigan have decorated their homes with a variety of lights. Neighborhoods, businesses, and even car owners decorate to have eye-catching displays out for the snowy winter ahead. Southeast Michigan is home to several massive light displays. Downtown Rochester is covered in lights, Wayne County has a lightfest in Westland that typically runs from mid-November through Christmas Eve, and The Detroit Zoo creates its own winter wonderland every year!
Many different areas of lights have been created to create a new world at different points on the walking trail. The Toy Box is themed after the typical items seen in hallmark movies or children’s holiday films. A train, plane, and giant teddy bear are just the beginning of the fun in the center of the illuminated trail. There is a Christmas tree towering over the toys specifically to listen to your Christmas wishes, and seesaws made to appear as if the kids are playing on real ice sculptures. Other displays focus on the animals found in a forest or the African Savannah.
My favorite area examined a vastly different terrain, immersing guests in life under the sea to experience the wonder the world’s oceans have to offer. Beginning in reef, guests are able to observe a school of fish and the wonders of seahorses swimming through a kelp forest. As guests continue down this branch of the trail it progresses to a vibrant jellyfish cove. Hammerhead sharks are projected onto the floor of the route as guests pass under a cascade of water mimicking lights. Emerging on the other side of this tunnel illustrates a change in scenery as Emperor Penguins appear along the edges of the trail. Now that we have seen the organisms attributed to the Antarctic region, the outline of a massive Orca lays life like on the hill, one of the top predators for an assortment of penguin species. Before exiting the icy depths of the arctic oceans guests are able to work with an interactive bioluminescence experience. By approaching the led screen and moving your body, the sensors create a burst of light that erupts through the water, occasionally even growing kelp. This interactive experience emphasizes the importance of light in all environments.
Even though the lights aren’t for everyone, plenty of stands are open to offer a variety of items and even live entertainment can be found in different locations depending on the time of your visit. Fire pits are placed throughout the trail to provide places to sit, eat, and warm up for the guests. Sometimes there are live performancese inside, to provide a warm place to sit and listen to holiday music.
Children of all ages can enjoy freshly fried doughnuts from the Detroit Mini Donut stand located just past the Toy Box display and may also enjoy the candy sold at the same booths as the cinnamon sugared nuts, or the small handheld or wearable items that can also brighten up the atmosphere. More mature audiences can find drink stations for alcoholic beverages scattered around the central areas of the trail as well.
This sight is available for a range of prices depending on the day and time! Tickets are between 7 and twenty-five dollars. While it only remains open for this season until Jan. 7, it is a magical experience for the whole family to enjoy. If not for the photo opportunities then to just enjoy living in the moment. I highly recommend planning your visit to experience the magic!