Glow Big or Go Home

Are you the type who hangs a tasteful wreath on the door? Or do you believe every shrub, shutter, and shingle deserves its own extension cord? Either way, plan to jumpstart your joy with these holiday displays.

Gardens Aglow in Boothbay, ME sends visitors through a forest filled with seasonal colors. In Brooklyn, NY, Dyker Heights turns decorating into a neighborhood-wide competition. Expect giant Santas, glowing reindeer, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Prefer palm trees with your holly jolly? St. Augustine, FL blankets its historic downtown in millions of white lights. Farther west in Pigeon Forge, TN, Dollywood's Smoky Mountain winter wonderland sparkles with the twinkle of more than 6 million lights.

The Midwest gets merry at Chicago's Lincoln Park ZooLights, where you can partake in seasonal treats as you watch animal-inspired displays come to life. Down south in Texas, the Austin Trail of Lights illuminates Zilker Park with rainbow-colored trees and illuminated tunnels while guests enjoy a variety of activities and musical performances.

Experience Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens, where the plants may be sleeping, but the pathways are wide awake. Even better, the display uses only LED lights, making the sparkles more sustainable. On the West Coast, Riverside, CA drapes the Mission Inn and surrounding downtown in glorious, over-the-top decorations.

If traveling isn't on your list, check your local zoo, botanical garden, or even neighborhoods that put on their own show. Some displays are made for walking, while others let you admire everything from the convenience of your car. Either way, bring enough cocoa to share and leave plenty of time to take it all in.

Know Before You Glow!
Use this handy checklist to make sure you don't miss out on any merriment.

• Is it open tonight?
• Do you need tickets or reservations?
• What time is the last entry?
• Is it a walk-through or drive-through display?
• What's the weather forecast?
• Are food and drinks available, or can you bring your own?