On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
BretH
Many years ago when the kids were still in grade school we took them over to Richmond to this event. Our memories were that it was pretty spectacular. Well, you know what they say about memories being better than the real thing – that’s most certainly not the case here!
The garden must prep for a couple months to put it on because it really is a wonder of lights and decorations spread out over many acres of paths and ponds. Everyone was extremely nice and welcoming, with stations for warming by a fire, getting food (and adult beverages) and coffee/hot cider.
It is large enough to keep adults in awe and small enough to take a toddler through, I really can’t recommend it highly enough.
One of the many paths with trees lit from below, strung with lights and the side gardens decorated with lights and other lit fixtures. Bonus moon for our visit!
Amazing tree. Little kids would wander into the scene and just stand there, transfixed.
The central point of the Botanical Gardens is a formal garden between the entrance/gift shop and the huge greenhouse conservatory. Lovingly lit, it was a small wonder in itself.
Across the pond was the greenhouse, which was open, warm, humid and beautifully lit. We got there at 5PM which let us see the magic hour during our walk, and then being completely dark when we finished.
Inside the greenhouse there were more lights and decorations, and a 20 foot tall fir tree with a gracious volunteer waiting to take people’s photos with their cameras.
A lit maze for little ones to conquer, with the greenhouse looming against the sky. Breathtaking.
One of many places where the reflections in the water just added to the overall wonderfulness.
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raven
Nice shots! My wife taught in Richmond after graduating from Virginia Tech. She has fond memories of living in “The Fan”!
arrieve
Lovely! That picture of the conservatory is amazing.
Geminid
@raven: Living in the Fan must have a big change from Blacksburg.
raven
@Geminid: And she grew up in Appomattox!
sab
Our grand-daughter just moved to Richmond and my husband has been very upset about it. This should cheer him up, and we’ll suggest that she check this out.
WaterGirl
Magical! Breathtaking beauty in photos, not sure I would ever want to leave if I were there in person.
I am really loving all the lights for the holidays.
SkyBluePink
Love these! Particularly with the moon!
Went to the annual Winter Lights at the Arboretum last night. Always a treat. And the moon made an appearance too after 2 days of rain and clouds.
SkyBluePink
@WaterGirl: Your Christmas tree that you shared was so very lovely!
Miss Bianca
Wow.
That’s it, that’s all I got. Thank you!
StringOnAStick
Beautiful! I wish we’d availed ourselves of similar displays when we lived next to the big city; no botanical gardens within many miles from here.
A downsizing neighbor gave us some holiday lights and a timer this year, so for the first time ever I put up lights and we’ve definitely enjoyed them. Husband wants to keep just one string going during the winter months to light up the front doorway.
way2blue
Gorgeous and fun. (I love lights and now have tickets to Filoli for Jan 7th.) In the fifth photo—is that a gigantic hummingbird hanging below the dome?
BretH
@way2blue: it is!
WaterGirl
@SkyBluePink: Thank you! It seemed like no one noticed. :-)