Lights on the Lake

While on a business trip in the Syracuse area, I looked up holiday activities and saw that the Lights on the Lake was very close. I also saw consisteng good-very good review on the internet and decided to give it a try. The Lights on the Lake is a series of lovely light displays set up around the perimeter of Onondaga Lake. Visitors are able to drive along the route while taking in some of these lovely displays.

The fees are per vehicle and very reasonable, especially if you go earlier in the week. Tickets are only available in advance online, they CANNOT be purchased at the gate. The fees per car are $20 for Fri, Sat and Sun, $10 for Wed and Thurs and $6 for Mon and Tues. While I think the $20 is fair for a car full of people, the $10 and $6 early-midweek price is insane for the activity. I was riding solo, and went on a Monday, so after some nominal fees, I paid about $7.50...FYI I am from NYC, where similar holiday drive throughs in and around the area easily cost $30-40!

There was no wait at around 7 PM on Monday night. Less cars also made it easier to pause and take photos without the pressure of holding up the traffic. While there are signs throughout the route that say "do not stop" in an effort not to hold up traffic, many cars were at least pausing for a few seconds, especially during the larger displays, to snap a few photos. You are also reminded to "stay in your vehicle" at all times.

As an added bonus, there are perks on most nights, depending on different sponsors for the event. During my visit, after checking in, I was a given a voucher for a free car wash nearby (an $18 value), which I gladly redeemed the following day! Talk about a great deal.... $6 for the Lights on the Lake and a free $18 car wash!

Overall I had a great time here. I would love to return again with the family. I highly recommend this activity for everyone, especially on the...

Most folks in the Syracuse area tend to have a tradition of going to Lights on the Lake every year with family friends or even with dates. Before the actual Lights on the Lake opens or you can drive through they have a few different nights where you can walk through some with your dogs and some days only for walking with family and friends. But once the snow starts it's game on and that's the most beautiful time the view the lights on the lake as you drive through and see a plethora of animated lights as you drive through different themed areas. Now some May say that as years have gone by that it has increased and price and become somewhat expensive but not really because who could really put a price tag on memories of your family and friends. Don't forget to look at the booklet they give you as you enter for they hold many coupons for area services and restaurant. So load the kiddies and bring some hot coco for the ride as it's sure to become one of your yearly Traditions if it's not already.

** oh one more thing on a special note if you've gone through here before and you want a new experience with it... Try putting Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon CD in your stereo and starting it just as you pay. I guarantee that it will be something tell your friends about and how the CD actually correlates to the different light scenes. One more thing as you're driving through please do the drivers ahead of you a favor and turn your headlights off it helps out for the experience for everyone....

The kids love it, and it's hard to deny the charm of going through the park when there is a nice snowfall. We have a tradition of stopping at Heid's to pick up a bunch of hotdogs and beverages and snacks to go, and then making a total mess of the car, demolishing greasy food while we drive through the park.

My only real complaint is that for the amount you pay to get in, and the quantity of traffic going through, I guess I'd expect at least one cool surprise or change each year, or at least not to see broken displays. I mean, I at least expect an enthusiastic fist bump from Santa or an elf or penguin when I pay. Last year's Santa must have had a case of the McGurgles from Heid's or something because he was having none of that - just some stationary hand waving that really lacked conviction. Lame. I want break dancing! Pop and lock, Santa, pop and lock.

That and praying that you don't get behind the guy that's going to do Morse code with his brake lights and intermittently stop and speed up the entire way. There is always that section that gets really close to the lake and I try to make him drive into the water with my mind, but curse you, Christmas magic, it...