Houston Zoo Lights 2018

The boys and I took our annual trip to see the Houston Zoo Lights during their member's preview weekend.  This Zoo Lights event is one of the first things that we do to kick off the holiday season.  We decorate the wagon with Christmas lights and dress the boys in Christmas jammies.  The weather had turned cooler so we grabbed some blankets to bundle up with!  Benjamin was out of town so my Mom accompanied us for her first Zoo Lights experience!  

We got there right when the doors opened and headed straight towards the s'mores station!  As we walked there we saw one of my favorite light displays.  Right at the front there is a pond of lights and every inch of the trees are wrapped in lights!  There are all kinds of animal displays along the pathway.  

We love a good s'more and the set up they had was fantastic!  Winston and Truman both love roasting the marshmallows and squishing them between the crackers + chocolate.  The hot chocolate was delicious as always and I brought my trusty Zoo Lights mug that I purchased our first year there.  😄

The newly renovated Cypress Circle Cafe was open and it was gorgeous inside!  I was surprised at the number of indoor seating and the modern look of building.  We grabbed some gingerbread man cookies, a refill of hot chocolate and kept rolling to see the lights.  Just around the corner was my favorite place to take photos: the light tunnel!

All along the path there were drinks and treats a plenty.  And we partook in all of them!  The boys were happy with their treats tucked snug as bugs in a wagon! 😂

One of our last stops of the night was at the carousel for a ride to Christmas carols!

We all had a great time kicking off the holiday season with our visit to the Houston Zoo Lights!  From eating s'mores to meandering the paths full of millions of twinkly lights to talking to Candy the Christmas Zebra to watching the trains, we came home with full bellies and hearts full of good memories.

You can visit the Houston Zoo Lights until January 13th.  The doors open at 5 PM, which is earlier than years past.  Here are some tips to ensure you get the most out of your visit:

• Purchase your tickets online and print in them advance!  This helps avoid the ticketing lines.  If you can, take advantage of the Value Days.  The tickets are cheaper and it's less crowded than Prime Nights.

• If you're a Houston Zoo member, be sure to take advantage of their preview nights {they happen in November} or if you can't make during those nights get  the member pricing.  

• Plan to arrive right when the gates open.  This helps ensure you will get a close parking spot in one of the nearby lots.  

• Taking littles?  Bring along your stroller or wagon.  For extra festive flair, add some battery operated Christmas lights! 

• Wear Christmas jammies or a Santa hat!

• Stop by one of the many food places to fuel up on hot chocolate, popcorn and gingerbread men!

• Please remember that this is a night time event.  All the animals will all be tucked in for their winter's nap.  The lights are the star of the show!