Easiest way to park for the McAdenville lights? (Charlotte, King: homes, neighborhood)

[fsquid]

Is there an easy way to park for the McAdenville lights without having to sit in traffic? Seems like the only way in and out of the town is the one street that slows to a crawl.

[Comfort Food]

From what I hear, you don't really park to see the lights - you drive through, and there is, as you say, basically one way to go through town.

[NCgirl]

People do walk through to see the lights. From their website's FAQ.

Can I walk through Christmas Town?

Yes, walking is a great way to see the Christmas lights, the decorated homes and to hear the sounds of the church chimes..

Where can I park and what is the cost

We have three parking areas in town; (1) a parking lot is located behind the McAdenville Baptist/Caromont Clinic.

(2) Another lot is located behind the Village Restaurant. The Restaurant is located on Main Street in the small business area of town. (3) A large parking lot is located beside the lake in the heart of Christmas Town; feel free to park at NO COST.

If you're coming down Wilkinson/74, you may want to try to parking at the Burger King or in Cramer Market parking lot (technically Cramerton) across the street (Wilkinson) from the entrance. You'll have to walk a lot farther than if you park in McAdenville but it may be eaier than trying to get in and out of traffic.

[jlat]

Originally Posted by NCgirl

People do walk through to see the lights. From their website's FAQ.


If you're coming down Wilkinson/74, you may want to try to parking at the Burger King or in Cramer Market parking lot (technically Cramerton) across the street (Wilkinson) from the entrance. You'll have to walk a lot farther than if you park in McAdenville but it may be eaier than trying to get in and out of traffic.

Just note, there aren't isn't a lot in the way of sidewalks and in some places you would be walking in the road. Its also hilly in areas and not good if you have small kid or stollers. People who are driving through have a hard time looking at lights and looking out for pedistrians. Its better not to park and just do a couple of laps through the area in the car. Traffic isn't all that bad once you get inside of McAdenville proper. It moves at a pace that gives you time to look at all the light. Go during the week and not on weekends and get there just as it gets dark and you won't even have a lot of traffic to deal with.

[Patti1042]

I agree with NCgirl.
Walking through McAdenville is very lovely, and her suggestions would remove sitting in traffic at all. Driving through is fantastic, but walking it gives you a nice experience. Stop by the downtown shops and get some hot chocolate, walk around the lake. Listen to the comments coming out of the car windows from children excited to see something neat. I just drove down 85 this evening and traffic was backed up for miles in each direction. I would absolutley come in off Wilkinson (74) and try not to visit on the weekend if possible.
Have a great time!

Originally Posted by NCgirl

People do walk through to see the lights. From their website's FAQ.





If you're coming down Wilkinson/74, you may want to try to parking at the Burger King or in Cramer Market parking lot (technically Cramerton) across the street (Wilkinson) from the entrance. You'll have to walk a lot farther than if you park in McAdenville but it may be eaier than trying to get in and out of traffic.

[MJPost32]

I wonder why they don't keep it to New Year's. I wanted to take our company there.

[thecandymancan]

Weather and stamina permitting, walking will offer more of an experience and you'll notice little things you otherwise would miss while in a car. From Charlotte, I recommend coming down 74 and planning your arrival time for about 5:30 just when it's getting dark and when the lights are set to come on. Just before you reach the traffic circle, you'll see McAdenville Elementary's parking lot on the right- park there (it's better than the shopping area on the other side of 74 b/c that's not an easy intersection to cross). From there, if you walk as far as the Commuity Center/YMCA and back, you'll see most of it and that'll be about all most people can manage unless you're in pretty good shape. If you have small kids that poop out easily, definitely bring strollers or wagons.

If you want to experience McA without traffic and there are no children's bedtimes to worry about, come on a Sunday night around 9:30 or 10:00 - you'll have until 11 to drive back and forth all you want without following the tail lights of the car in front of you.

[jlat]

Originally Posted by MJPost32

I wonder why they don't keep it to New Year's. I wanted to take our company there.

It's way expensive for the town to run the lights and provide security and traffic control for that amount of time. I also would expect that the residents are really ready to be done, after about 6 weeks of nonstop traffic through their neighborhood every night.