Best Christmas Light Tours in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area

It's cold in Minnesota! Although taking a brisk walk around the holidays to look at lights might be enjoyable for some, it's sometimes more pleasant from the comfort of your own car or someone else's. One of the best holiday memories to create with your family is taking a ride to see Christmas Lights during the holidays. Grab a cup of cocoa at your local Caribou Coffee or pack your own thermos and you have yourself a holiday treat that will leave you with lasting memories!

Here are some of the best places in the Twin Cities to see Christmas light displays from your car or by letting someone else do the driving:

• Lights in the Park - This drive through holiday light display is very fun! It is opened November 23 - January 1^st. and located by Lake Phalen in St. Paul (1615 Phalen Dr. E.). Its hours are 5:30-10pm every night. The cost is $10 per vehicle/$8 on value nights (Sundays - Thursdays with the exception of a holiday).

• Plymouth Lights - One of the most unique holiday light experiences you will ever have is located at 16700 33^rd Ave N, Plymouth, MN. This is the home of Tim and Cathy Fischer a couple who love to decorate for Christmas so much they have their own yearly Christmas light display set to music. You can actually tune into a radio station that broadcasts music synchronized to their light display and listen to the music in your car while viewing the display. This is a free light display. It runs early December through New Years Day.

• Lee's Limousine - How about taking your holiday light drive up a notch and renting a limo to drive you and your group around? Lee's Limos offers special holiday light tours! You will be pampered with Christmas music, decor, cookies and a fireplace video! They even have passenger window defrosters so you're guaranteed a great view. Packages and rates vary depending on the size of your group; some packages even include Santa joining your tour! Visit their website for more details. There are other limousine services in the Twin Cities that offer similar tours.

• Metro Connections - Take a ride on their Holiday Lights Tour. Ride in a warm motor-coach and be treated to commentary about the Twin Cities holiday traditions. Cost is $28.00 per adult, $26.00 for seniors (55+) and $20.00 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under, not occupying a seat are free.

• Nicollet Mall Thanksgiving Night - Only once a year can you drive down Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis and see the holiday lights. From 6pm to 10pm on Thanksgiving Night you can drive a limit of 10mph on this road usually reserved only for buses, taxis and emergency vehicles. Nicollet Mall is lined with many recognizable places in the city, such as the IDS Center, the former Dayton's Store (now Macy's) and Orchestra Hall. If you are daring enough to see the lights outside your car, you can watch the Holidazzle Parade, a fantastic Minneapolis tradition that runs every Thursday - Sunday nights at 6:30pm on Nicollet Mall, beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving to the Saturday before Christmas.

• Summit Avenue in St. Paul - If you're looking for gorgeous homes with beautiful holiday light displays, locals will tell you the best place to drive around is Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Known for it's historic homes and also where the Governor's Home is located (1006 Summit Avenue) it's the perfect place to take a drive to search out Christmas lights!

Have a safe and tradition filled Christmas Season!!!