We've been celebrating the Christmas season right after Halloween ended. Since I live in a three-story townhome, and my living room is on the 2nd floor, it's a tough workout going up and down the steep stairs bringing in all the holiday decorations. Plus, I wanted to get decorating done so that I can enjoy our Christmas decor longer.
This was our first time doing it so early, and I must admit, having the decorations up so prematurely made me feel like I did it way too soon. But, glad I got it out of the way, though.
I usually do my Christmas decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving, but new traditions are forming around here. Instead, the girls and I kick-started the official festive season by returning to The Rock Ranch.
During the Christmas season, they host "A Country Christmas" at The Rock Ranch, decorating the farm with more than one mile of lights. And, this year, they've multiplied the lights by three!
During our visit, we went on tractor rides to view all the beautiful Christmas lights, and also rode The Rock Ranch's locomotive train that turned into the Polar Express that played Christmas tunes.
The Rock Ranch was a real Country Christmas experience that definitely gets you in the holiday spirit. The whole venture felt so whimsical!
There were so many things to do and see besides the lights! We were starry-eyed at all the many tasty desserts, seeing the big jolly man himself, having a delicious dinner together in the cafe dining room, and having fun in Santa's Workshop.
If any guests didn't have the Christmas Spirit before visiting The Rock Ranch, they did afterward, that's for sure!
If you're in the Metro Atlanta area, make sure to add The Rock Ranch on your list of things to do with your family this season.
Here is more about the activities The Rock Ranch have to offer below:
COUNTRY CHRISTMAS NIGHTS AT THE ROCK RANCH
Make Special Memories on the Farm with Family and Friends
Riding through Christmas Lights; Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch;
Christmas Express Train Rides through Dancing Lights; Santa's Workshop; and More
This holiday season enjoy "A Country Christmas" on the farm at The Rock Ranch, a 1,500-acre "agritourism" destination located an hour or less from Atlanta, Macon, and Columbus. In December, as Christmas gets closer, there are multiple Christmas themed offerings, including Wagon Rides Nights and Drive-Through Nights through the lights, Breakfast with Santa or the Grinch, Christmas Express Train Rides, and Santa's Workshop.
Wagon Ride Nights
On eight special Wagon Ride Nights (select Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays Рsee dates below), guests are invited to enjoy Country Christmas Nights at The Rock Ranch. A general admission ticket ($8) provides guests the opportunity to ride through the beautiful Christmas lights on tractor-pulled, covered wagons. Guests will be dropped off at the Christmas Caf̩, where they may purchase dinner from a variety of homecooked options that include soups, salads, and Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches. Shopping is available at The Christmas Country Store, and admission includes a visit with Santa, where visitors may take photos with their own cameras. A limited number of general admission/wagon ride tickets are sold per hour time slot. Time slots do sell out and should be purchased online in advance.
These special nights also allow guests to enhance their visit with rides through lights on the Christmas Express Train* (add $8) and ornament making, cookie decorating, and craft activities in Santa's Workshop* (add $12).
Wagon Ride Nights and dedicated activities are available on Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Seats are limited for the Christmas Express Train and are purchased by a time slot. Children age two and younger are free if they ride in a parent's lap.
Drive-Through Nights
Experience a simple Country Christmas on the farm with more than one mile of holiday lights and decorations on Drive-Through Christmas Lights Nights. On select nights, guests can enjoy the lights from the comfort of their vehicles. New this year, guests driving through will have the option of stopping at Truett's Barn to shop at The Christmas Country Store and find yummy Grab-N-Go snacks.
Tickets are available for purchase Nov. 28 and 29, Dec. 1 to 5, Dec. 8 to 12, Dec. 15 to 18, Dec. 22 and 24 for $10 per personal vehicle and $20 per bus. The lights will be available on a monetary donation basis, Dec. 25. These tickets can be ordered in advance or donations collected on site.
Breakfast with Santa
The perfect way to start a day during the Christmas Season is Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 7 and 14. New this year, families with children (especially big kids that are too cool for Santa), can enjoy a unique Breakfast with the Grinch on December 21st. The breakfasts will be plentiful with delicious items such as scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, and more. Tickets are $17.99 (plus tax) per seat. Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until 11:00 a.m.
When these slots sell out, a second time slot for each date,11:30 a.m., will be opened featuring the same menu (breakfast food for lunch). Parents are asked to bring personal cameras to capture fun memories at a themed photo spot with Santa and his sleigh. Reservations are required for this event as space is limited. Children age two and younger are free if sitting in a highchair or sharing a seat and meal with a parent. Please note that this is a family-style breakfast with 8 chairs per table. Each breakfast experience will provide a meal, personal visit and photo time with Santa or the Grinch plus games and a tractor-pulled wagon ride after breakfast.
Additionally, Santa'sSanta's Workshop craft activities will be available as an add-on during Breakfast with Santa ($12). Tickets are purchased in advance, online.
Visit for the Day or Stay Overnight
Tickets for any of the Christmas offerings can be purchased at www.therockranch.ticketleap.com. For more details, times, and frequently asked questions visit www.therockranch.com. Please note that The Rock Ranch does not offer refunds or rain checks, and the locomotive train is not wheelchair accessible. The wagon rides have a wheelchair lift.
Annual memberships provide free admission to Country Christmas Nights and Drive-Through Nights as well as admission to events for 365 days from purchase, providing a great value that pays for itself in just two visits. They also make a great gift for someone special on your list. Memberships may be purchased in person at The Rock Ranch or online at https://www.therockranch.ticketleap.com.
For families and groups who would like to make it a getaway, a limited number of Farm Stay Houses are available for rent. For details, visit https://therockranch.com/farm-stays/.
The Rock Ranch, located at 5020 Barnesville Hwy., The Rock, Ga., is a 1,500-acre ranch created by Chick-fil-A founder, S. Truett Cathy as a foster home for children. Now, in addition to foster homes, the ranch has evolved into a public destination that serves all families and groups. Its tag line is "Growing Healthy Families."
Disclosure- We were invited to as media, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Follow Product Review Mom on Google News!