When we lived in PA we would venture to Herysheypark to experience the breathtaking “Christmas Candy Lane” event they hold every year. Several rides would be open - holiday music would be piped in - plenty of hot cocoa would be on hand. Real reindeer would be on display - and the park would be lit by over 5 million lights. And of course - candy and Hershey merchandise shopping would be a novel treat.
Other times we would visit the elegant and extravagant Christmas display at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square. With over ½ million lights and amazing lit gardens - the venue immerses you in the Christmas spirit.
As lovely and exciting as these events are, it was an absolute pleasure to visit the more intimate Heritage Gardens - “Gardens Aglow” - display this year.
Heritage Gardens is tucked away in the outskirts of the lovely village of Sandwich on Cape Cod. Unlike the much larger venues previously mentioned - parking is easy and the atmosphere is immediately festive as we were met and directed by friendly parking attendants and tailgating elves (errr - event participants).
The walking tour through decorated gardens is fabulous.
Tunnels of light.
Decorated trees
Model train displays.
Lights, lights and more lights..
All the while Holiday music keeps you in a very festive mood. After our Covid lockdown and winter isolation last year, it was great to see happy families and laughing kids being silly while they sipped hot cocoa and ran through the decorated gardens.
You can roast marshmallows by the fire pit. Grab some Cape Cod Donuts. And even visit with Santa inside the Auto Gallery in a 1913 Ford Model T.
We got a kick out of the reindeer scavenger hunt - where guests were challenged to locate all 8 of Santa's reindeer scattered throughout the grounds.
It was awesome just taking our time strolling through all the festive displays.
The highlight was what I will call the “twinkle forest”. I have no idea how they do it - but there was a dark section of the gardens with a path through a forest that was glowing with moving twinkle lights. They seemed like floating lights dancing in the trees.
Surrounded in darkness and quiet, aside from the floating illuminations, the experience was surreal - with the gasps, oohs and ahhs of passing visitors being the only sound.
I attempted video and pictures but the images did not come out. Clearly there was some kind of Christmas Magic going on. Just amazing.
{That's right - you just viewed a blank video... I told you I couldn't capture an image}
So after a perfect hour or so in the gardens we were set to go home - but not before we snagged a couple Christmas light necklaces for Jeanne and her Mom :-)
From all of us here on the Jeanne Team - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - and a very Happy New Year to you and your families!
We wish you Peace and Happiness.