Meadow Lights

This past weekend was my third time visiting the Meadow Lights. Not in the same year, though. We tend to get there about every other year.
I would also agree with others and warn folks to go early or at an off time. This last time was the busiest I’ve seen it. We got there around 5:30 and sat in traffic for 20 minutes or so, but the line when we left was all the way down to the main road and backed up probably a quarter mile on there. They did have folks directing traffic in the parking lot which was helpful. Not so helpful were the people walking who did not seem to realize there are cars driving near them.
The line for the train was pretty long, but moved quickly. Maybe once I have a child to take there I’ll check out the carousel and photos with Santa. Sadly the store was pretty picked over, but not as bad as the last time we went. They still had a good selection of «old» signs, some candy, cold sodas, etc.
All in all it is a fun and affordable family activity which everyone should try to check out at least once, but it isn’t worth waiting in the traffic during peak times.

well it was ok with Santa but man if you go by this time they are all out of candy, and the trains lines were a mile long.

Meadow Lights is a Christmas light display on a grand scale in the backwoods of Benson, NC. This family has been doing it for something like 40 years. It originally began at their house and now has branched out into 10 – 15 acres of lights which you can take a train ride through. They also built a small country store that sells hot dogs, pizza, cocoa, drinks, all sorts of candy, bottles of Nehi, Cheerwine and my favorite beverage-​Good Olé Blenheim Ginger Ale.
They have also added a carousel.
It’s $ 2 to ride the train through the lights, or to ride to the carousel, otherwise admission is free if you want to walk around and look at the lights. Prime time on weekend nights can be a good wait, so try to go on off hours or bring something to amuse the younger ones. There is also an alternate route that will bring you in the back way to avoid the long lines of the main entrance if you’re clever enough to Google Maps. Quite a few houses leading up to ML have joined in and have nice light shows in their yards as well.

After driving an hour to Benson, NC to see Meadow lights, we turned off on to our exit just to find an endless line of cars. Meadow Lights opens at 5pm. We pulled up to the end of the line at 6:45pm. Our gps said we were 1.6 miles away. 45 minutes later, we were 1.1 miles away. My sleepjng toddler had woken up, my husband could barely hold his bladder and then we heard it… gun shots. Gun shots!?! No… it had to be fireworks. But we were on a country road. It was dark, minus the headlights, and we saw no fireworks. The shots happened every minute or so. And as we inched forward, every five minutes, we could hear we were getting closer to the sound of the gun shots. With recent attacks and mass shootings, I take no chances when it comes to our safety. After my husband looked up and found no gun ranges in the area, we high tailed it back home. I asked my trusty group of moms, on Facebook, what the noise could have been. Multiple moms said it was a turkey shooting range nearby. Another mom said it was just a target practice in the area. But I’m glad I got feedback from the moms. I was told, by one mom who went to Meadow Lights last night, that she also waited a long time before arriving to the packed parking lot. She said there was a three hour wait for the train ride! And the candy store was so crowded that you could barely walk once you got inside. All I hear is WASTE OF TIME! I already wasted almost three hours of my night… I’m sure if I had waited in the line of cars, to just get to the entrance, it would have been at least another hour. How angry would I have been to find out I had a three hour wait for the train ride!
I felt the need to post this review as a heads up for those planning on going… or those who are currently waiting in the horrendous line, wondering why they’re hearing gun shots. If you do plan on going, go early! Or bring a tent and camp out like its Black Friday. Just make sure it’s a camo tent and you have a bullet proof vest #SafetyFirst.

Nice family atmosphere, It is very holiday themed’ There is a train which costs 2 bucks, which is really A tractor that pulls some very well made train cars trailers around. Seating is comfortable. The ride takes you around to look at all the custom lights. Some of the lights have action or movement. It’s cool. Everything is inexpensive. Parking is free. There is a country store where you can load up with old fashioned candy, chocolates, fudge, homemade Wisconsin cheese and get hot chocolate. My family went the last few years in a row. Not unlike any theme park, there is Christmas music playing in every part of the venue. The is a concession stand where you can get like nachos and hotdogs at very reasonable prices. I always tell my wife they could charge more. It’s like going to the fair. People from all walks of life show up from Cary rich to poor country folks. No thugs though. To blend in, wear camouflage and use your southern twang! This place is about 40 min. outside Raleigh. You should have good transportation and Waze will get you there in good time. Get there early. Leave Raleigh by 430 pm. Later in the season and the evenings expect some lines. Merry Christmas!