Best Holiday Light Displays in Dallas/Fort Worth

Holiday Lights are mesmerizing at any age - our family loves taking a night to drive around to see them. And with so many here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, it is difficult to see them all.  That's why we have created a list of the Best Holiday Light Displays in Dallas/Fort Worth.   Some of the listed displays cost a fee to see them, but many are free and are collecting for charities, so please help out where you can.

Here you go, the Best Holiday Light Displays in Dallas/Fort Worth:

1. The Gift of Lights 2012 (3545 Lone Star Circle, Ft. Worth, TX): More than two million LED lights shine at the Texas Motor Speedway at this drive-thru event.  Nightly 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm (10:00 pm on weekends) thru January 6. $15-20/car

 2. Interlochen Lights Display (Randol Mill Rd & Westwood Dr, Arlington): More than 200 homeowners dress up their homes in lights & animated displays.  Nightly December 14-25, 2012 from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

3. Pharr's Christmas Extravaganza (14535 Southern Pines Cove, Farmers Branch, TX): Over 200,000 lights adorn this Farmers Branch home set to fun Christmas music.  A train runs nightly from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm and Santa visits on the weekends. This home collects food & toys for Metro Crest Social Services. Nightly starting at 5:45 pm -10:00 pm (11:00 pm on weekends) thru January 1.

4. Prairie Lights Holiday Display (5700 Lake Ridge Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX): Each year, this light show located on the shores of Joe Pool Lake (Lynn Creek Park) grows - this year up to 4 Million lights! Walk-thru displays and pictures with Santa.  Nightly 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (10 :00 pm weekends) through December 31. $15/20/car

5. McKinney Lights (7805 White Stallion Trail, McKinney, TX): Over 80,000 lights all set to 6 different songs, this McKinney light display has been grower bigger each year.  This home is collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.  Nightly 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (12:00 am weekends) thru December 31.

6. Highland Park (Armstrong Parkway/Preston Road): Driving through the lights of Highland Park was always a tradition for us, so we love to go through them with our kids.  Many homes light up brilliantly for the holidays, also a fun neighborhood to ride through in carriage.  Nightly thru December 31.

7. Gordon Lights (4665 Quincy Lane, Plano, TX): One family's home that lights up each night with 125,000 lights.  It is timed to music that can be picked up on your car radio. This home is collecting money, gift cards, and other donations for Operation Homefront.   Nightly from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (11 pm weekends) thru January 6.

8.  Frisco Christmas (4015 Bryson Drive, Frisco, TX): This Christmas Display consists of over 85,000 lights synchronized to music.  This home is collecting canned goods for Frisco Food Bank/ Frisco Family Services Center.  Nightly from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm through December 29.  

9. Grayson County 10th Annual Holiday Light Show (Sherman, TX):  Just a quick drive north up to Sherman to drive through this fantastic holiday light trail.  Located in Loy Lake Park, you can see the entrance from I-75.  Free drive-thru light trail.  Nightly 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm thru December 31.

10. Farmers Branch Holiday Tour of Lights (13000 William Dodson Parkway, Dallas, TX): Starting at the Farmers Branch City Hall and winding around the parking area, over 300,000 lights bring this display to life with pirate ships, trains, and even Santa.  This tour accepts donations new, unwrapped toy donations.  Nightly 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm through December 31.

Fort Worth Zoo

Have  a free Saturday or Sunday coming up this fall?  We have a great idea for you!  We are blessed to have 2 fantastic zoos in our area.  Just a short drive away, the Fort Worth Zoo has so many activities going on this fall, it's a fantastic place to spend the day with the family!

The Ft. Worth Zoo is the oldest zoo in Texas, opening in 1909 with less than 10 animals.  Since then, it has grown into a nationally-ranking zoo with over 7,000 native and exotic animals.  Currently, the Ft. Worth Zoo has 12 permanent exhibit areas (The World of Primates, Meerkat Mounds and Texas Wild! being some of our favorites).

What we love best about the Fort Worth Zoo is the all the trees.  Located South of downtown Fort Worth, there are tons of pathways that are shaded and cool, making this a great place to go anytime of the year.

This fall, the Fort Worth Zoo has added a few new additions.  Be sure to meet Asha, a baby rhino who was born in August.  This was the first rhino birth at the Fort Worth Zoo and the first in Texas!  Also, make sure you meet Tatu, the Zoo's 6-foot tall baby giraffe, born in July.

There are a ton of hands on activities for all ages too.  Every half-hour a "Creature Feature" is scheduled at the zoo, providing you with the opportunity to meet these animals up close.  Click here for details. The Texas Wild! Petting Corral, the Tasmanian Tower rock climbing wall, and the Texas Rose Express Train are a few other fun activities to try.

The Museum of Living Art (MOLA) opened in 2010 and was a fantastic exhibit for my 9 year old son who is obsessed with reptiles.  The MOLA houses more than 100 amphibian and reptile species, including North America's largest saltwater crocodile, a 15.5 foot Burmese python, and a Komodo Dragon.  You can get up close and personal with many of them - we particularly enjoyed having lunch and watching the turtles and crocodiles swim right by us in their natural "ocean".

Another favorite Exhibit of ours at the Fort Worth Zoo is Texas Wild! Texas is home to more species of animals than any other state in the nation!!  And the Texas Wild! exhibit houses most of these, providing visitors a glimpse into every area of Texas - the dusty desert of West Texas to the piney woods and swamps of East Texas.  You can see the WHOLE state in one exhibit - foliage and animals included.

Know Before You Go:

Location: 1989 Colonial Parkway Ft. Worth, TX

Hours: Hours vary depending on season, typically it is 10 am -5 pm daily (check here to be sure!)

Admission: Adults $12.00 Children (3-12) $9.00 Toddlers (2 & under) Free ** Wednesdays are half-priced!

Parking: $5.00 per vehicle

Recommended Time: 4-6 hours

Good to know: Weekends tend to be busier; many educational programs with school children are in the weekday mornings, so afternoons tend to be quieter; strollers are fine (available to rent); ice chests are discouraged, but we brought in our own lunch

Website:http://www.fortworthzoo.org

Dining Out near Tour 18

Looking for a nice restaurant for date night, or just don't want to be surrounded by kids munching pizza? There are plenty of finer dining options within a 30 minute drive of home that can offer everything from cordon-bleu cuisine to down home barbecue.  We are not going to attempt to list every restaurant in the Flower Mound  / Roanoke / Southlake areas, but rather try and give you a few options and hopefully some inspiration to try a new place or two, not that there's anything wrong with the pizza-delivery guy knowing your birthday, favorite topping and family nicknames!

Get out there and enjoy the wonderful world of food, who knows, you might discover your new favorite haunt.

Flower Mound  & Highland Village Restaurants:

Blue Goose Cantina - a fun atmosphere with delectable fresh Tex-Mex cuisine, great Margaritas and catering.  In the Shops at Highland Village, enjoy dinner on the patio while listening to live bands perform in the courtyard ( Thursdays throughout the summer).

Patrizio - Pizza, Pasta & Vino.  In the Shops at Highland Village, Patrizio's offers traditional Italian fare with a modern twist. Especially good value for lunches, with a fresh menu and delightful mini-desserts to finish off the meal.

The Grotto - A Salerno Steakhouse.  In Highland Village at the intersection of Fm 407 and Highland Village Road.  New American cuisine with an italian flare, the Salerno family love their food and it shows in their menu and service.  A rich atmosphere and delicious food, you can even sign up for cooking classes to bring the Salerno magic home!

Rockfish Seafood Grill. In the Shops at Highland Village, Rockfish is your home for all things seafood.  Try the Copper River Salmon when it's on special with a wine or beer pairing, or indulge in some Ahi Tuna Nachos for a sushi twist on the game-day favorite.  You won't regret a single mouthful!

Thai Ruby Restaurant.  On FM 2499 just south of Firewheel, Thai Ruby is a gem tucked away in a rather unassuming strip mall.  The menu is fresh, delicious authentic Thai cuisine; there's even a macrobiotic menu for the truly health-conscious.  The staff are friendly and the atmosphere will send you straight to the shores of Phuket and the streets of Bangkok.

Agave Azul - Tequila Sanctuary.  Zagat Rated Agave Azul proudly serves Upscale Mexican Cuisine combined with a unique touch of cooking with the wonderful spirit of Tequila. Dallas' first and foremost Premier Tequila Bar serving over 200+ pure 100% Blue Agave Tequilas.  Eat dinner on the patio and watch the fountains jump, or, better still, watch the kids run off that dessert playing the fountains while you enjoy your beverages in peace!

Alongi's Italian Market &  Deli.  A treasure waiting to be discovered!  Serving dinner 7 days a week, come and enjoy New York Italian at its finest, bring your own bottle and enjoy their homemade pastas, sauces and, of course, delicious desserts!  While you're at it, stock up on your Italian essentials and luxuries. Just south of FM 3040 on FM 2499.

     Roanoke

Roanoke is known as the Unique Dining Capital of Texas, an accolade awarded to the city by the Texas House of Representatives back in 2009, so you can be sure of a fun night out in Downtown Roanoke!  This is just a sampling of our favorites, if you want the full list, click here!

Hard Eight Bar-B-Que - Authentic mesquite smoked Texas-style barbeque slow cooked over an open pit. 205 S. Oak St. Roanoke, TX   817.837.8888

Cowboy Chow - “Open range dining,” a mouth-watering concept inspired by chuck wagon cooking. 101 S. Oak St.; #300, Roanoke, TX  817-491-4442

Babe’s Chicken Dinner House - Down-home and delicious, famous fried chicken served family style. 104 N. Oak St., Roanoke, TX  817-491-2900

Brix Pizza & Wine Bar - Hearth baked pizza and zesty pasta. 101 S. Oak St., Roanoke, TX  817-890-4280

Twisted Root Burger Co. - Chef made classic to exotic burgers, fries, shakes, and special treats for kids. 101 S. Oak St; #100, Roanoke, TX  817-490-6628

Southlake

Kincaid's Hamburgers. For burger buffs it “doesn’t get any better” than the juicy, handmade patties at this circa-1946 institution housed in an old grocery store with decor from days past, where you serve yourself and sit at communal picnic tables.  100 N. Kimball Ave. (Southlake Blvd.) Southlake, TX 76092  817-416-2573

Coal Vines.  Uptown Italian specializing in crisp, Greenwich Village–style pizzas and incredible, reasonably priced wines; get there early because the brick-lined interior and patio tend to overflow.   1251 E. Southlake Blvd. (Carroll Ave.)Southlake, TX 76092  817-310-0850

Trulucks.   If you want steak or stone crab, proceed directly to this surf ’n’ turf restaurant with great fare in portions big enough to share; service is attentive and the  setting is enjoyable with a fun bar and excellent by-the-glass wine list.  Southlake Town Sq.1420 Plaza Pl. (Grand Ave.)Southlake, TX 76092  817-912-0500

Cheesecake Factory.  Want to eat your daily calorie intake in cheesecake, fantastic salads, and well-crafted main dishes and still bring home left-overs?  Then the Cheesecake Factory is for you!  Located in Southlake Town Square across from Harkins Movie Theater, it's date night in without the driving!

For more Southlake restaurants check out Zagat's guide to the area.

Worth The Drive

Here's our selection of "Worth The Drive" restaurants.  Some days you feel like going someplace new, or, perhaps, your favorite ethnic food isn't well represented locally, for you, we have the following:

Fort  Worth

Joe T Garcia's - Outstanding Mexican Food in Downtown Fort Worth, with delicious recipes handed down through the family that originally opened the restaurant, and stunning outdoor dining - definitely worth the drive! 2201 N  Commerce  St, Forth Worth TX, 76164  (817) 626-4356

Reata Restaurant - Cowboy inspired cuisine, this four story restaurant has something for everyone. The rooftop bar and dining patio provide a great place to unwind after a long day at work , the restaurant also boasts six private dining rooms which are also ideal for private parties and meetings.  Located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, 310 Houston Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102   817.336.1009

Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine - Crafted from locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, Chef Bonnell's menu dances with flavor and inspiration from Southwestern, Creole and Mexican traditions.  A foodie's paradise in your backyard!   4259 Bryant Irvin Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76109  817.738.5489

Indian / Pakistani

Our Place Indian Restaurant- The closest Indian Restaurant, with a  classic Indian Atmosphere, excellent lunch buffet, good A la Carte menu and take out too!   8150 N Macarthur Blvd # 150, Irving, TX 75063  (214) 574-7117

Al Markaz - Excellent Indian /Pakistani food in a casual setting attached to an ethnic grocer.  They also cater, so for your next Bollywood movie party you can have the food to match!  1205 W Trinity Mills Rd, Carrollton, TX 75006

Kalachandji's Restaurant & Palace.  Outstanding Vegetarian Indian Restaurant located inside a Hare Krishna Temple.  Well worth the drive, or if you are already on the South/East side of  Dallas.  5430 Gurley Ave, Dallas, TX 75223

Addison

Chamberlain's Steak & Chop House - Since it's opening in 1993, Chamberlain's has been hailed as one of Dallas' finest restaurants, worth the drive for fine steak and fine wines.  5330 Belt Line Road, Dallas, TX 75254  972. 934. 2467

Fogo De Chao - Authentic Brasilian Churrascaria (Open-Flame Steakhouse) renowned for its incredible buffet, unlimited sliced-at-the-table steak and ambience rivaled only by the best churrascaria in Brasil itself.  Well worth the drive for a taste of Brasil.  4300 Belt Line Rd., Addison, Texas 75001  (972) 503.7300