10 great places for families to see Christmas lights

Nothing says Christmas like a string of colored lights – or several million of them. Light displays reflect the holiday spirit, and the more bulbs, the merrier, says Bruce Littlefield, author of Merry Christmas, America!: Megawatt Displa66ys Across the U.S.A. (Harper Design, $19.95). "It's difficult to do these decorations," he says. "You have to tip your hat to those daring to climb on their ladders and dangle off their roofs to electrify their houses in such away." Littlefield shares with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY some favorite displays sure to please the family.

Tacky Lights Tour

Richmond, Va.

It's not that Virginia's capital is tacky; locals just make it easy to track down the city's exuberant light displays. What started as a radio personality's quest to pinpoint the city's most outrageous lights has become an annual Battle of the Bulbs. Residents try to out-do each other with displays. The minimum requirement for listing on the official tacky map has grown to 40,000 lights – and the crowds love it. "People rent limos for tours," Littlefield says. 804-783-7450; richmond.com/events/tacky-lights-tour

Dyker Heights

Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Dyker Heights neighborhood becomes Dyker Lights every December in a fierce contest to out-Griswold the neighbors. "There are nutcrackers as tall as a house. It's really crazy," Littlefield says. "People pay these electric bills so you can have something special to look at." The prime viewing areas are from 83rd to 86th streets between 11th and 13th avenues. 718-802-3846; visitbrooklyn.org

Legendary Christmas Lights at Clifton Mill

Clifton, Ohio

For a real thrill, arrive at this display in the evening. The lights go out every hour on the hour, Christmas songs play, a few displays twinkle and suddenly 3.5 million lights burst to life. "It's the coolest thing about the experience," Littlefield says. The show is presented by the historic mill, restaurant and country store. Admission charged. 937-767-5501; cliftonmill.com

Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver

The lights at this 23-acre botanical garden are so romantic, there are designated kissing spots. "It's stunningly beautiful, particularly because it often snows and you have all the lights twinkling," Littlefield says. Admission charged. 720-865-3585; botanicgardens.org

Trail of Lights

Austin, Texas

This Austin tradition went black for two years because of the recession, but it's back this year, thanks to corporate sponsors. The Zilker Park display features what's called the World's Tallest Man-Made Christmas Tree, which towers 155 feet. "Austin looks like a rainbow at night because of the way the park's lit up," Littlefield says. 800-926-2282; austintrailoflights.org

Lights Under Louisville

Louisville, Ky.

It's not just the heavens that shine with Christmas spirit. In Louisville, a manmade cave glows with a million lights. Revelers drive through a 100-acre cavern that was once a limestone quarry and now sits under 10-lane Interstate 264. "It's pretty unbelievable — the world's only underground holiday light show," Littlefield says. Admission charged. 877-614-6342; louisvillemegacavern.com

Miracle on 34th Street

Baltimore

For more than 60 years, this neighborhood of row houses has teamed up for a Yuletide labor of love. Displays have included a hubcap Christmas tree and a train circling a rooftop. "It looks like Santa's sleigh flew though and dropped different things at houses along the way. It's totally charming," Littlefield says. 877-225-8466; baltimore.org

Christmas Boat Parade

Newport Beach, Calif.

Here's a holiday parade where the floats really float. For more than a century, this Southern California city has taken to the waters to show its Christmas spirit with a procession of illuminated watercraft. The show continues for five nights (Dec. 19-23). "There is everything from multi-million-dollar yachts to canoes," Littlefield says. Spectators watch from boats and even helicopters. 949-729-4400; christmasboatparade.com

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Walt Disney World, Fla.

t's now a Disney production, but this display started as the dream of an Arkansas man who wanted to create a memorable Christmas display for his daughter. He was so successful that when the display reached four million lights, pilots complained about the distraction, neighbors sued and the Arkansas Supreme Court eventually shut it down. Now it's re-created at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and grows every year. Admission charged. 407-934-7639; wdwmagic.com

Jubitz Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show

Portland International Raceway, Ore.

This is the one time of year when nobody's speeding on Portland's race track. Instead, holiday drivers crawl along the speedway for what's billed as the largest light show west of the Mississippi. The spectacle includes 250 displays. New this year: a 200-foot Tunnel of Lights. Admission charged. 503-232-3000; globaleventsgrouppdx.com/wonderland/general.html