The past 3 years our tradition has been to take the drive up to The Rock Ranch for our family Christmas outing. It is truly awesome to see how the ranch and the kids have developed over such a short period of time! This year I wanted to share the top 7 reasons why our family finds this place so great.
- The wagon ride! There are special, specific nights set aside for only the wagons to travel through the lights. We always go during the wagon ride nights because it is so much fun. Besides, where else can you go to be pulled around by tractors in a canvas-covered wagon? My son loves vehicles and this is definitely one of his favorite parts of the night. Tickets are sold for specific time slots and I strongly suggest you buy them in advance to skip the lines.
- A positive and festive atmosphere with smaller crowds. Everything is managed in time slots so lines aren't an issue at all, even if you do buy onsite. There are some places that offer rides through lights but they come with long waits and a lot more people. We enjoy the coziness and the friends we have made while the kids play in the bouncy cow or while enjoying the outdoor fireplace. We always arrive at opening and stay until close and I have not experienced any scrooges yet!
- There is always something new to see each year. This is a smaller venue with lots of room to grow. Each year they add on new displays so we play a little game to find our favorites, like Santa fishing (this is the south), and spotting the new lights. Over the past few years I have watched my kids grow with the ranch and that warms my heart, too. Oh, how the time flies!
- The Christmas Train ride. To be able to see all the lights that the ranch offers you'll need to add this to your general admission ticket. For us this is a must-do! Who doesn't love a train ride? The conductor whisks you along to another wagon ride that transports you to the train depot. On the train ride you get to see the "dancing lights" display, travel through bubble snow and the "snowflake light tunnel". After the train ride you can take some time to play on tire swings and take a few extra pictures before catching the wagon ride back.
- Santa and his workshop! The Ranch does an amazing job of building the magic of Christmas. Getting to meet Santa in his sleigh is always a treat and he truly is a favorite with our kids. He has somehow managed to make each visit extra special for my crew. Pictures are on your own so you don't have to worry about an extra cost for that. Then, for a little extra, you can visit the Santa Workshop! This is a great opportunity for the kids to make an ornament, write a letter to Santa, make special reindeer food, decorate a sweet treat and hear a story. The elves are super helpful and this is probably what my kids rave about the most!
- Supporting a business that supports others! Let's face it, some places do good on occasion while others are built for doing good year-round. The Rock Ranch is a working ranch that houses foster children and was developed to "[unite] Families to the Land and Each Other". By visiting the ranch you are helping them to continue to do this work and reach more families! This page tells a little more about this and the staff has always been eager to share information about the work they do.
- The Christmas Cafe! The Ranch was created by the founder of Chick-fil-A, one of our top restaurant choices, so you can expect the usual chicken fare plus so much more. The desserts are huge and the hot chocolate definitely hits the spot on cooler nights. Check out the full menu here.
I could continue to rave about this place and the memories we've made all night, but I'd rather hear about your experiences! If you'd like more information check out this release article or their website.
This is a sponsored review however the views expressed are 100% our own!
