Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Winter Walk of Lights
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Winter Walk of Lights is a half mile holiday light display with a nature theme
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is a 95-acre public park in Vienna, Virginia. For two months a year, the gardens stay open late and are transformed into the Winter Walk of Lights. More than 750,000 lights are used to create the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Winter Walk of Lights. Most of the display features animals like frogs, fish, birds, and squirrels that were designed by a local artist. Additional lights are used to create flowers, grass, streams, trees, and a unique light fountain. A soundtrack of holiday music and nature sounds completes the scene.
Navigate through the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Winter Walk of Lights by following the set path at your own pace. Although Meadowlark recommends purchasing tickets online in advance to ensure you can visit the day and time you want to, it was not crowded at all when I visited on a Sunday in mid-November last year. Weekends and the two weeks before Christmas are the most likely to sell out. The walk is all outside, so dress for the weather.
After you finish your walk, you can stop for a treat at their outdoor snack bar. Hot chocolate, cider, popcorn, and s’mores kits are all available. The marshmallows can be roasted on the small fire pit while you warm up. Compared to ZooLights, the refreshments at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Winter Walk of Lights are actually reasonably priced.
I have not yet visited Meadowlark Botanical Gardens during the day, but it is worth the trek out to Vienna to check out the Winter Walk of Lights. Without the light pollution of the city, the holiday lights seem to glow more brightly, and the Meadowlark Botanical Garden Winter Walk of Lights is less crowded than other light displays in the area. While I probably won’t go every year, I definitely recommend you check it out at least once.
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Address
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA
Metro Station
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is not accessible by public transportation.
Accessibility
The walking path is an asphalt trail that their website says is ADA compliant. Two wheelchairs are available upon request.
Cost
$14.50 in advance
$17.00 at the door
Hours
The Winter Walk of Lights typically runs from the first week in November to the first week in January and is open daily (including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day).
For the 2019 season, the display runs from November 8, 2019 to January 5, 2020 from 5:30 – 10:00 pm.
Length of Adventure
1 hour
Website
https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights
