Christmas Town USA NC (Columbia, Fort Mill: appointed, houses, neighborhoods)

[Robert_1962]

If you like to see some really nice Christmas lights, stop by and see McAdenville, NC. It's a short drive (about 40 minutes from Tega Cay). Take 77 S, 485 N, 85 S, and exit @ #23 Lowell / McAdenville. http://www.mcadenville-christmastown.com/

Being a newbie from the north, small things like this are real eye-openers. McAdenville is a nice small town that we really enjoyed. Visit the website for times & dates.

[marndt]

Welcome...

[marblmom]

We'd heard so much about McAdenville that we had to go see the lights. Sorry to say, but we were very disappointed! We sat in traffic for over an hour and a half, and honestly the lights are better in my own neighborhood! It is a nice town and the lights are pretty, but I honestly don't know what the big deal is all about. Did we miss something?

[marndt]

Tradition...The only thing that I can tell you is that town has been doing this for years. I can remeber as a small child and going with my parents... There once was a huge mill that was located at the end of town that has lights all over it, and lots of small mill houses decorated on the hills. It has changed somewhat with that new developement that has been built.

[carolinawebdesign]

I have to agree that it was no big deal. All the lights were the same and by the middle, I wanted to get out of line and go home. It was pretty, don't get me wrong, but just not all that I expected. Maybe Christmas music playing would be nice.

[RGP]

Riverbanks zoo in Columbia also has a very nice display.

[groove1]

So does www.dsbg.org. McAdenville is actually best enjoyed while walking through. It really gives it that "Bedford Falls" kind of feel.

[The Lake Wylie Man]

If you like lots of colored lights and over-the-top decorations where neighborhoods engage in a friendly contest, Tega Cay is a definite destination! We had great fun driving through the Heron Harbor neighborhood, and then down some of the side streets on Point Clear. Turn right on Triton (off of Point Clear), and you'll find an entire street decorated to be Candyland. Left off of Point Clear, onto Koala Circle, you'll find houses so lit up that airplanes overhead must see them!

Lots of fun! I've heard that Daniel Stowe Botanical garden is nice, too, but I haven't been.

[megassel]

McAdenville was much better when they made everyone turn off their blasted headlights before going in. It really detracted from our experience to be always heading into someone's lights. When the headlights are off, the Christmas lights envelope you. And, they used to play Christmas music.

[jenn02674]

I went last night (Friday) and it only took us two hours total round trip 6:30-8:30). We live 25 minutes away (Fort Mill) and it also included a stop at Wendy's for the kids. I don't know anywhere around here where you can drive 5 mph for a few miles like that, have a route set and roads blocked off so the drive goes smoother, etc. Sure there might be places in Tega Cay that are nice to drive by and see but it is not set up for tons of people to drive through and I really don't think the neighborhood would be thrilled for tons of people to start driving through anyway. I know I wouldn't want that in my neighborhood (Baxter) and there is also lots of beautiful decorations here as well.

The kids had an absolute BLAST (5 and 8yrs). Even myself and my friend from PA who went with us (her first time) had a blast and thought the decorations were beautiful.

I think the kids wished it was a little longer but in reality I think it probably is just long enough so that we don't get bored. I wish that there were more restaurants and/or shops to walk around then we probably would have stopped and walked.

I don't understand what there is to be dissappointed about especially given that it is completely FREE. Although we did want to know where we could make a donation.

Oh, and most everyone last night DID turn off their headlights. I was the driver and I don't remember coming across anyone with their headlights on.