McAdenville- Chistmas Town USA is it worth it (Charlotte, Speed: appointed, houses)
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I have heard and seen a lot in the local and national media about the Christmas lights in McAdenville. I live about 90 minutes from the Charlotte area and was wondering if the hike up to Chistmas Town USA is worth it. It does look beautiful but wanted some input from people who have seen it in person. Thanks!
It's a ritual here... But 90 minutes one way is a haul!
Combine it with another activity and give it a whirl though. I wouldn't make it a destination only trip though (having seen it more times in more years than I care to admit).
It depends on what you're into. I wouldn't drive 90+ minutes to see a bunch of houses with Christmas lights, but some people really love that stuff. If you and your family would enjoy it, go for it.
In my opinion it's best to enter from Wilkerson Blvd. We make sure that we are there at dusk when it officially begins, wait later and the lines get VERY long. We have been going on the 23rd, my birthday, for the last couple of years and then go out to dinner.
Location: Some got six month some got one solid. But me and my buddies all got lifetime here
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If you drive 90 minutes and you're expecting/wanting to see some bombastic display of lights, fork over the 20 and hightail it to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the display at the race track. I guarantee you'll be disappointed with McAdenville.
If you want to feel the spirit of the season, have folks stand outside wishing you a Merry Christmas, and want to hear the bells playing Christmas carols, McAdenville is the spot.
Having seen both last year, I preferred McAdenville over the track and it had nothing to do with cost over free. To me it wasn't even close. I just preferred the feel of what McAdenville does over the high tech sterility of what CMS does.
I blogged about each last year, and I understand that CMS is updating their display, so I guess it's pretty much what you're looking for in a display. The pictures are also mine.
I tried to get to see it last year but those long lines and slow to creeping traffic discourgaed me. I ended up turning around. To me nothing is worth me sitting in my car and wasting gas and time like that. Now if I had a helicopter and a helipad to land it on in the middle of town I would walk around and take in the sites. Otherwise... I'll be home this year. On top of that a 90min drive is too much IMO.
I tried to get to see it last year but those long lines and slow to creeping traffic discourgaed me. I ended up turning around. To me nothing is worth me sitting in my car and wasting gas and time like that. Now if I had a helicopter and a helipad to land it on in the middle of town I would walk around and take in the sites. Otherwise... I'll be home this year. On top of that a 90min drive is too much IMO.
Yeah, I think that is my problem w/it too. It's neat, but I'd rather walk around and see lights instead of sitting in the car in traffic. I enjoy the display at Daniel Stowe each year. But lights really are cool, so if it's something the whole family would enjoy it is a worthwhile activity.
I still think Jim and Tammy Faye had the best Christmas display at Heritage USA. But sounds like Charlotte Motor Speedway is doing a nice job now.
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