Tanglewood Park — Attraction in Clemmons

So let's just start off by saying the 20$ spent isn't a concern. I'd happily pay them 200$ to get my two and a half hours wasted on a Saturday night back. I have no idea if it was this busy on a week ight but steer clear if it's a Friday or Saturday. It starts with a line to get in line. To set the scene it's 5:45, they open at 6. So once we were in the actual line we kept looking around waiting ... Waiting... Confused looks.... Surely this is it right? There are lights, maybe it's some weird honor system to pay on the way out. Nope, this was the line to get in. So after waiting in line a total of an hour and forty five minutes we get in. I'm expecting to be bathed in light, blinded even. The scene in Christmas vacation where Clark plugs in the lights comes to mind. However we drive in and immediately start waiting again. It's stop and go, stop and go. We see the first bit and I think to myself "hey this isn't bad, fireworks in the trees a big flag waving" and that was the highlight. Most of the displays look long past their days of glory. Many of them were dull and lifeless where others simply dimmed dark in protest at this sad attempt at spreading Christmas magic. Haphazard displays, at strange angles, leaning over like they were about to expire, much like the joy and thoughts of Christmas expired in my heart. We drove right past the trap of the "gift shop", no amount of santa hats or s'mores could erase the disappointment swirling through my van. At last we saw the cultural appropriate non Christmas displays and we knew our nightmare was soon over. Okay I lied earlier, the little tunnel (about 20 whole feet of hoop lights) with a radiant, beautiful exit sign at the end illuminated perhaps by my growing hope of ending this horrible experience, but in hindsight it was light from the cop car, the cops face in the blistering cold mirrored what I felt. Disgust, vitriol and a diminishing joy, not directed at my circumstances or my job probably like he was, but by the loss of what Christmas means and what it meant to me as a child. This is a shining beacon of sucking your joy and pockets dry this holiday season. Don't waste your time, it's...

First of all, I was at the first one when it opened over 30 years ago and went every year through my childhood and most of my adulthood. We went back for the first time since moving back to NC, on Friday the 13th. We got there as soon as it opened, but sat in the right-hand lane for over an hour, randomly watching as people would pass us on the left in groups of 4 or 5 cars. When we got closer to the actual entrance, I overheard a woman exclaiming how fast it was and when I asked, she said that they had driven right in via the left lane. Once you pay, the two lanes become one and every single car in the left lane had passed us by merging into ours at the gate. If the police had simply allowed both lanes to be entered immediately at the entrance, we would've shaved at least 30 minutes off of our wait, but apparently, they randomly made that decision. It is something to consider if you're taking a van full of impatient kids and want to follow the rules. Don't. Get in the left-hand lane, even if you have to drive over the cones. (Reading other reviews and it seems that the lane is arbitrary. Just get in the empty one.) The other major issue was the Christmas shop. Like I said, we got there when the park opened, but it was an hour and a half before getting to the shop and, even though the lot wasn't full, the worker waved all of us to the upper lot, a major hike if you are handicapped or need walking assistance. So, we opted not to park a quarter mile down the road, even though cars were actively leaving the lot right next to the worker. Again, with a van full of kids who'd been waiting a long time to get out, this was less than ideal. And finally, the exit is not near the entrance, so if you're coming from I-40 or Hwy 421, expect to drive a few miles before getting back to where you need to be. Honorable mention to the people who refuse to turn their bright lights off when you're supposed to go through the park with no lights on. I doubt this childhood tradition will survive another year unless they change some things. This experience was enough to make a Scrooge out of anyone and I do not understand the...

Nature. Serenity. Lively.

This park has it all. If you are looking for an area to exercise, run, bike, go horseback riding, swim, play volleyball, soccer, or golf, hike, or just relax on the park benches stationed throughout the nature trails, this park is the place for you.

Nature trails are abundant and offer a variety of paths, both paved and natural, that takes you around, throughout, inside, and outside the park. You can walk, jog, run, bike, and horseback ride on specific trails. While doing said activity, the active wildlife is a beautiful sight to experience.

During the summer, the pool is the main attraction that offers a multitude of fun activities to do, including the water dunk buckets, full sized pool, slides, and a lazy river.

During the winter, the Festival of Lights event is the main attraction where families pay per car and enjoy a light show through the park.

In addition, there are several locations scattered around the location that can be reserved and rented out for various occasions, including family reunions, get-togethers, cookouts, celebrations, and even weddings.

All of the public restrooms are cleaned and fully stocked with soap and paper towels.

If you’re looking to get into the park for free, you may park near Tanglewoof, a section of Tanglewood that is dedicated to dog and pet exercise and socialization, and traverse the trails that are available immediate to the parking lot.

Overall, this park is an amazing choice if you are looking to spend time with family or just to exercise by yourself. There are plenty of activities and beautiful scenery...