With Waco Wonderland and Christmas on 5th behind us, you're probably wondering where to go to get your Clark Griswold Christmas spirit fix. I drove around Waco with my wife and kids yesterday evening to scope out some of the best light displays in town, and thanks to the help of WacoFork reader Ryan McGrath, we found some really great ones. Here is my list of our 7 favorite light displays in or near Waco with links to their locations on Google Maps. (Photos were taken at night on an iPhone, so they aren't the best quality. All the more reason to get out and go see these places yourself!)
7. The Hanging Christmas Tree - 22012 Bush Dr.
That's right! The hanging Christmas tree we talked about in "20 reasons you know you grew up in Waco in the 80's and 90's" is still here. It's just in a different location a few miles west on Waco Drive. Drive by and check it out after you get your picture taken with Santa a Lake Air Mall and do some shopping at Goldstein-Migel.
6. Deerwood Drive
This entire street works together to provide a great experience. Each house is beautifully lit and includes a reindeer-shaped sign that says "Merry Christmas from the _________." While you are there, head a street over to Spanish Oak Drive to check out some of the lights there as well.
5. Wooded Crest Drive
This is another example of an entire street working together. Wooded Crest Drive in Woodway has established a reputation as a destination for Christmas lighting enthusiasts in Waco in years past. There are a few houses on the street that are not participating this year, so it's not quite as impressive as it has been, but it still remains one of our favorites.
4. BLORA Nature in Lights
Beloton Lake Outdoor Recration Area has its annual Nature in Lights display, and it's a must-see attraction. You drive through the park for about 2 miles of displays, and halfway through there is an indoor area with little shops, food and even Santa. Last year they had a train ride and horseback riding for the kids. We haven't been yet this year, but it's always a fun time for our kids. It's worth the short drive down I35 to Belton to see it.
3. 20 Oak Creek Circle
This one has become one of our kids' favorites. The house is on a huge lot in Harris Creek, and the lot is covered in lights, inflatables, motion displays and other festive items. They have a circle drive that they invite you to drive through so you can get an up close look at all of the displays. It's definitely worth the trip out Highway 84 for those that don't live in Harris Creek. You can check out the hanging Christmas tree on the way there.
2. 2737 Proctor Ave.
There is so much to see at this house, I don't even know where to begin. This house is at the corner of Proctor Ave. and 28th St., right across from the parking lot of the old Hillcrest Hospital. The lights go from the front yard around to the side along 28th St. Do yourself a favor and park your car so you can get out and take a look at this one up close.
1. 205 Appaloosa Trail
This one is my personal favorite. It belongs to some good friends of ours, Lee and Kristy Boyd. The display gets bigger and better every year. The house backs up to Old McGregor Rd., and Lee takes advantage of this fact to allow the display to spill over onto the back of the house. It's truly amazing to see how much time and effort is put into this every year.
Hats off to all of the people who put in the extra time and money to make Christmas that much more special for their friends and neighbors. I, for one, am too lazy to do much more than wrap a few strands of lights around the tree trunks in my front yard, so I really appreciate those of you who work hard to put on a fun and festive display.
If you think of any that we missed, please share them in the comments below.
