After doing extensive research over the jolly festivities occurring during the month of December, I had to experience them for myself. To fully immerse oneself into the holiday spirit, a full-fledged itinerary of writing to Santa, testing Christmas cookies and seeing all the holiday lights is necessary.
A Carillon Christmas
The drive into Carillon Park is magical in itself as the park-goers bask in the light of the illuminated monument. (It helps that this part is free).
After paying to get in, you have the option to visit Santa and Mrs. Clause first or head outside to experience all the history that the park has to offer.
Upon the first stop into the Newcom Tavern, one of the oldest buildings in Dayton, you’re met with interesting history tidbits of the first settlers in Dayton. This building housed festive stationery for children to write letters to Santa, as well as a period actor to explain the history of the building.
The attractions to follow were in a similar fashion, where the park-goer receives a history of the site as well as a taste of the holidays. Some of these stops included gingerbread cookies from a brick oven, hot cider and printing holiday cards.
Light Up Middletown
In reference to campus, Middletown is a little bit of a drive but if you’re looking for an intentionally festive drive, this is the place to be.
Entry is based on donation, in which you may feel inclined to give generously at the sight of the displays. Cars enter through a tunnel of colored lights before following the trail of lights.
The light displays consist of themes, such as the 12 days of Christmas and different classic holiday movies. You may spot the Grinch, your favorites from “The Wizard of Oz,” or even Santa himself on a jet ski.
This attraction is located in Smith Park which is seven acres long, and does go quickly when in a moving vehicle. The lights are mesmerizing, but the duration seems to fall a little short. After all, time flies when you’re having fun.
MetroParks Ice Rink
It doesn’t get more festive than twirling around on the ice with a view of the river. That is, if you can bring yourself to let go of the wall.
After paying to get in and lacing up my skates as tight as I could, I made it around the rink once before throwing in the towel.
I enjoyed the atmosphere of the rink much more from the ground, rather than the ice. Watching more experienced folk zip around the rink was fascinating and did make me a bit envious that I lack that sort of coordination.
Overall, I enjoyed this experience much more from an observer’s perspective simply because I’m not the Olympic skater type.
The rink does offer trainers for children to use, which I believe they should look into providing for adult usage as well. (For my own sake).
