Before I left to celebrate Christmas in Louisiana for a week, there were a few things I wanted to do to celebrate Christmas around Dallas. My favorites include Christmas light watching in Highland Park, Vitruvian Lights, the Dallas Galleria Christmas tree, and the Gaylord Texan ICE! exhibit to name a few. We didn’t get around to seeing the lights in Highland Park yet this year since it was raining on the day Chris and I had planned, but we did manage to do the others. If you’re ever in Dallas around Christmas time, you may want to put these on your to do list.
Our Christmas around Dallas celebration began at the Galleria for the tree lighting. At 4 stories tall, it may just be the biggest tree in Dallas! The tree is lit all season, but you may want to see it during the official tree lighting ceremony. The tree is centered inside the ice skating rink and for the lighting, several professional skaters, including Santa, put on a show around the tree leading up to the lighting making it an exciting event.
Next on the to do list was to see ICE! at the Gaylord Texan resort. This is actually in Grapevine, Texas, not too far from Dallas, but well worth the drive. The exhibit sits inside a below freezing room at 9 degrees where you’re required to wear thick insulated coats before entering. Inside there are over 2 millions pounds of hand carved ice sculptures. Everything was so pretty, colorful, and dare I mention cold!
You know you’re in the south when… after the ice exhibit you go indoor snow tubing. When it’s 70 degrees out, you take what you can get!
Once we left the Gaylord Texan, the rain finally let up for a bit and we were able to squeeze in a quick trip to Vitruvian Park for the Vitruvian Lights. We had exactly 15 minutes to walk around the park, take a few selfies, and run back to the car before the next line of rain moved in. Perfect timing to say the least.
Now we’re currently in Louisiana for the rest of the week to celebrate Christmas with the family. When we get back to Dallas we plan to look at the rest of the lights around Highland Park, so hopefully I’ll be able to recap those in an after Christmas post!
I’ll be taking the rest of the week off to enjoy time back home, so this will most likely be the last post you see from me until after Christmas. Feel free to follow along with my Louisiana adventure on Snapchat (@thesouthrnthing) and on Instagram!
Merry Christmas everybody!
Vicki says
Oh my gosh, I so need to go snow tubing, that looks like so much fun!
jennyb says
Wow! That ice place is just fabulous. Haven’t seen anything like that before.
The Cuteness says
I’m in Houston! We have a similar tree at our Galleria, though this year I’ve mostly managed to stay away from malls during the holidays because I can’t handle the rude and stressed-out drivers! Have a great time in Louisiana!
Dara • The Southern Thing says
I don’t blame you for that! I did most of my shopping online, but made a trip just to see the pretty decor and tree!
Siniciliya says
the Christmas tree on the first pictures looks really big and amazing at the same time!
http://www.siniciliya.com
Leslie Soto says
The ICE exhibit looks amazing! That’s incredible that they’re able to sculpt all that! And snow tubing in the south is fun! We kinda have to make up our own snow tubing arenas since its so warm! Have a fun Christmas in Lousiana.
chelsea jacobs says
That tree is magical!!
Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis says
That Christmas tree is huge and gorgeous! Loving all the lights around the city. Very pretty and festive!
xx Emily
Martinis & Bikinis
Lisa says
I used to live in Dallas, and one of my favorite places to go around Christmas was the Galleria. I just love the four-story tall tree.
Jenny says
What a fun little event!
The Dallas Galleria is beautiful.
Whenever I am visiting my parents in Houston, I always stop by the Galleria there as well.
xoxo, Jenny
Olya @ The Siberian American says
I love the tree at the Galleria and going to ICE! What was the theme for ICE this year? 🙂 Hope you have an amazing time in Louisiana with your family!
Kari says
Awww… I love the Dallas Galleria tree! I used to hang out there in high school. Such a fun mall!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
TST says
Test.
Alissia Haggard says
Great pics! I live in Fort Worth and never knew about the giant Galleria tree 🙂 Sounds like I need to go see it 🙂
Crystal // Dreams, etc. says
The ice exhibit looks awesome! And indoor snow tubing… we need some of that in Minnesota right now because we haven’t had much snow outside this year. 🙂