Need a break from the Christmas shopping and cookie baking?  Tired of shoveling snow?  December is the perfect time to visit many Southern California theme parks.  The weather runs from warm and sunny to cool and clear.  The only ice you will find is in the San Diego Zoo’s temporary ice rink.  Many Southern California attractions are spiffed up in their holiday best.  Christmas decorations are even more inspiring, when you didn’t have to climb up on a ladder to put them up. Over the years our family as enjoyed holiday visits to many of Southern California’s  theme parks.  Here are some of our favorites: LEGOLAND Celebrates the Holidays With a Magical Fireworks Display LEGOLAND LEGO model builders have been busier than Santa in his work shop, creating fanciful models to get you into the holiday spirit.  As you enter the park, be sure to pile the kids into the life size replica of Santa’s sleigh for the perfect picture to tuck into your Christmas ...[more »]

Zoo Lights This is the time of year when special displays light up town squares, department stores, and homes around the United States.  Not to be left out of the excitement, many zoos also present special light displays.  Here are some of the best: The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s PNC Festival of Lights runs from November 27-January 3 from 5-9 p.m.  Now in its 27th year, the festival includes puppets, storytelling, train rides and the Polar Express 4-D Experience.  See this preview of their Wild Lights show: Christmas at the Zoo is the Indianapolis Zoo’s popular Christmas light display and program.  From December 4-30, the zoo lights up with special displays and visitors can see Santa’s Village, carolers and choirs, ride the Holiday Train, and see the Holiday Dolphin Show.  Full Christmas at the Zoo festivities are from 5-9 p.m., but the zoo opens at noon so you can come earlier and see the animals before the fun begins.  Admission discounts are giv...[more »]

‘Tis the Season–The Wildlights are back in Ohio at the Columbus Zoo.  This display of LED lights and special holiday activities has been an annual attraction at the zoo for 21 years. Columbus Zoo Wildlights We rang in the new year with a trip to the Wildlights on New Year’s Day, arriving mid-afternoon to see the animals and then staying for the lighting of the zoo and the musical light show, which was a hit for the entire family.  This year, some of the features from last Christmas are back, and others are new or improved.  If you go to see the Wildlights, you’ll be treated to the following: Visits with reindeer Entertainment by local musical groups on select dates Photos with Santa Treats from Mrs. Claus’ kitchen Special shows featuring zoo animals Admission to Wildlights is included with zoo admission of $12 for adults and $7 for children and seniors.  Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo runs from November 20, 2009 through January 2, 2010, Sunday-Thursd...[more »]