Drive Through the Shipshewana Lights of Joy This Holiday Season

Disclosure: I was provided free entrance to the Shipshewana Lights of Joy complimentary to help facilitate this post.



One of my favorite holiday pastimes has always been loading the family up in the car and driving around looking at the holiday lights. We have one area neighborhood that was always the hot spot to drive through during the holidays because it seemed like many of the residents went over the top on their displays. Sadly, the number of homes participating in the annual holiday displays there seems to have drastically dropped over the years, so unless we hear about a spectacular display or extra festive neighborhood, we've put the holiday light sightseeing on hold for the time being. However, it just so happens that I recently heard about the Shipshewana Lights of Joy Drive-Thru Experience and had the opportunity to indulge in one of my favorite holiday activities once again.

I'm about an hour away from Shipshewana, Indiana so I went back and forth on if I wanted to make the drive out to cover this event during this busy time of the year, but in the end my husband thought the kids in my family would be highly entertained by the displays, so off we went. Once we arrived in town, we were hit with many buildings dressed up in holiday lights and decor, and once we drove down the road a tad more, I felt like Garfield's John Arbuckle watching the family Christmas tree light up. It was a total "Ooooohhhhhhhh" moment coming up to the Lights of Joy.

Shipshewana's Lights of Joy is home to more than 2 million LED Christmas lights displayed in a mile long stretch, winding you through a joyous light experience that will have you "ooohhhing and aaahhhing the whole way through.

When you first pull up to the entrance gate, the attendant tells you to tune your radio to a local station that has holiday hits playing non-stop to make the experience more enjoyable. Because honestly, what fun is it to admire all of that twinkling goodness without bumping Christmas tunes along the way?

We went on a Friday evening and it wasn't crowded at all. There were only a handful of other cars out enjoying the displays, so we didn't feel rushed. I don't know if it is frowned upon, but I did get out of my car to admire a few of the displays up close for photos. The trails are one way and wide enough to fit two cars, so had anyone needed to pass us, it wouldn't have been an issue. While I loved the drive-thru aspect of this event, especially living in frigid Indiana where you may want to stay in your car, I think this could also be cool as a walk through, just to savor it a little longer. Maybe they'll offer that in the future?

 Here's a little sampling of what you can expect of the views as you drive along the Lights of Joy.

We were able to complete the Lights of Joy in about 20 minutes, so if you are coming from out of town, I would highly recommend arriving earlier in the day. Shipshewana is such a charming city, celebrated for its Amish heritage. It's the 3rd largest Amish community in the United States, and you can find many of their beautiful hand-crafted wares in the locally owned businesses around town. It's also home to the Midwest's largest flea market where you can find some pretty fun and unique things to take back home with you. My husband is all about the family-owned businesses and suggests you check out Yoder's Meat & Cheese Co., Inc. Do keep in mind that most businesses are closed there on Sunday, but you can still walk around town enjoying the captivating Christmas displays.

The Shipshewana Lights of Joy is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 6pm-9pm. Admission is $15 per vehicle Sun & Thurs and $20 per vehicle Friday and Saturday. You can visit the event now through December 30, 2018.

Do you also enjoy driving around looking at holiday lights at Christmas?

Come Explore Beautiful Indiana Dunes This Fall! #IndianaDunes #BeachesandBeyond

Be honest. When you think of Indiana, you think corn. It's true, we have a ton, but I'll be the first to tell you that there really is more than corn in Indiana, and I'd like to encourage you to stop by for a visit this fall. There's really nothing more beautiful than the Midwest in autumn, and if you love the great outdoors like my family does, you'll want to hit up Indiana Dunes because there's so much to explore!

One of my family's favorite outdoor activities is biking, and you'll find some of the best bike trails in Indiana Dunes. If you don't have your own, pop over to the visitor's center where you'll find Pedal Power Rentals. You can choose from several different styles of bikes to rent at very affordable rates. Additionally, this fall they are offering special group tours. Choose to roll through the European Market, Century of Progress Homes, or take a Sunset Beach tour.

If you prefer to walk, there are many scenic foot trails in the area.

I adore the beach, so I highly recommend a stop at Indiana Dunes State Park where they are in the process of building an amazing lookout right now. Climb the stairs and on one side you'll get a spectacular view of the beach, and on the other you'll get a great view of the land.

Or, if you are a little more athletic, skip the stairs and challenge yourself to a hike up many of the sand dunes for an equally spectacular view.

If nature hiking isn't your thing but you still love to walk outdoors, Historic Downtown Chesterton has many fun and unique locations to explore. Get your shop on, eat in the diner, or take a stroll through the quaint park.

If you don't stop at Dog Days Ice Cream parlor and treat yourself to a Salted Caramel Ice Cream Cone, you are really missing out on one of life's little blessings.
 

In Historic Downtown, you'll also find the world's smallest piece of owned land:

Indiana Dunes has some of the most beautiful and well-maintained parks I have ever visited. From the trails, to the fun playground equipment, to the beautiful landscaping, you'll really want to spend some leisure time in any of the Dunes parks.

I don't know much about Pokemon Go, but Allison was squealing with delight about all of the Poke Stops and Pokemon Gyms she was finding in the area. If you are into Pokemon Go, I think you'll have a lot of success collecting them at Indiana Dunes!

Fishing at Indiana Dunes is also a really popular activity. There are more than 15 great fishing locations at the Dunes. Be sure to check out the fishing section on the Indiana Dunes website to plan ahead.

The Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk is one of my favorite areas to visit for a sunset stroll.

A new concrete cap and and handrails on the breakwater make it easy to fish, bird watch, and is a beautiful spot for sightseeing. Off in the distance you get an amazing view of the steel plant as well as Chicago!

You'll get to see many people taking advantage of the weather, frolicking in the water or spending time boating on it, all the way until the sun goes down.

If you are looking for a great place to spend time outdoors this fall, be sure to come to Indiana Dunes. Bike, hike, paddle, fish, dive into the historic parts of town, bird watch, or fitness buffs- push yourself on the 3-Dune Challenge. There's really something for everyone at Indiana Dunes.

What areas of Indiana Dunes interests you? Do you prefer the laid back beaches, the biking and hiking trails, or a low-key sunset stroll by the water?

Shiojiri Garden in Spring

I love how spring makes everything seem to come to life. I wish the gorgeous trees that flower each spring would stay that way year round. Right now, streets are lined with such lovely hues of white, pink, and purple, I can't help but find any opportunity I can to be outdoors. We are pretty lucky to have some amazing parks and gardens in my town, but one I find myself gravitating to this time of year is Shiojiri Garden, located in Mishawaka, Indiana.

This Japanese strolling garden is a tranquil place to explore the beauty of nature. Brides flock here in the summer because it offers the perfect backdrop for beautiful wedding photos, but I prefer its beauty in the spring when the trees are in bloom. Regular readers have probably snatched glimpses of some of the garden here since I frequently use it myself for photos on the blog.

 Relax under trees on natural wooden seating...

Or take a stroll over one of several bridges...

Explore the various rock gardens and statues located throughout the garden...

 

Have a seat in the pavilion, where you can take in the beauty of the gardens while resting comfortably out of the sun.

Shiojiri Garden isn't very big. You can circle the entire garden in about 10 minutes if you are looking to zip in and zip back out. But for nature lovers, it's the perfect place to kick off your shoes and enjoy a little peace and tranquility. 

Do you have a community garden that you like to visit in your town?

Visiting A Christmas Story Window Displays!

A Christmas Story has got to be one of THE BEST holiday movies. EVER! It's got guns, profanity, and "electric sex!" What's not to love about it!? My husband found out about a window display set up at the visitors center in Hammond, Indiana and mentioned we should go. Honey, you don't have to ask me twice! Round up the kids and let's go! This Christmas was the second year they held it, but we found out about it too late to really enjoy some of the fun events they put on the weeks before we went. They had mashed potato eating contests (piggy style, of course), ugly lamp contests, and parent/child relay races where you had to be the first to change a tire- saying "Oh, fudge" at the end optional, of course ;)

We took a ton of photos, so I am going to share this visit in 2 posts. Make sure you come back tomorrow for the rest!

Upon arrival, you can take your photo in a mini porch display with a leg lamp. 

Yes, my husband is overjoyed feeling up that leg...

Moving down, there were 6 window displays in all set up, each showing a different scene from the movie.

The first one shows the department store window where the kids all admired the holiday toys...

and Ralphie's Red Ryder BB Gun!

Next up was the school house...

with the ever famous scene involving one tongue frozen to a flagpole.

 

Who cares what the neighbors think? That leg lamp is Fab-U-Lous! or is that Fra-Gil-Ey? Who knows? I never did study Italian.

Add in the scene with some super grumpy elves, and a Santa who's lap I wouldn't want to sit on...

which Allison was quick to point out it wasn't the elf that kicked the kids down the slide. Still pretty cool though.

At each display they also had the video of each clip from the scenes playing, just in case you couldn't remember what that particular spot was about:

This one was showing the dog/turkey stealing scene.

The dogs were electronic, so it looked like they were really tearing into the turkey.

And the last display was of Ralphie dreaming of saving the day with his trusted Red Ryder BB Gun!

I was really impressed with the amount of detail they put into each display. And the whole event was free to the public! 

What is your favorite scene from A Christmas Story?