Neighborhoods With The Best Holiday Lights In Minnesota
"This is the most fun event of the year for our staff," says Amie Burrill, Executive Director of the Burnsville Convention and Visitors Bureau (BCVB). "Every year we get we get numerous calls from bus companies, tour companies and other organizations looking for the best neighborhoods to tour." The BCVB hosts a garden and landscape and winter lighting contest every year, having taken it over from the city of Burnsville two years ago. Nominations are narrowed down by BCVB staff and the BCVB Board of Directors review the finalists in December. The contest winners are recognized and awarded prizes at a Burnsville City Council meeting. The BCVB's picks for the best neighborhoods to tour are located in the following areas:Stevens Avenue north of Crystal Lake Road
Burnsville, MN
Aspen Drive west of Parkwood Drive
Burnsville, MN
Knob Hill Road north of 136th Street
Burnsville, MN
Visit the Phalen neighborhood around Phalen Park to see residential lighting but be sure to take in Holiday Lights in the Park, filled with over 60 structures with charming animation and spell-binding lighting displays. You and your family can experience this visual fantasy for only a $10 donation per car. The event is sponsored by the Saint Paul Police Foundation and St. Paul Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association. New sponsors this year include Treasure Island Resort and Casino and Ecolab. All funds raised go back into the community.
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The Edina Senior Center promotes holiday lighting by sponsoring a bus tour every year. The tour takes in several metro-wide locations such as Rice Park in St. Paul, but also takes in Edina's Lewis Park, one of several memorable local neighborhoods featured on the tour. Senior Center staff recommends the following neighborhoods for a great assortment of artful lighting displays: Lewis Park and the Dewey Hill area of Edina.
Every year, the Coon Rapids Arts Commission recognizes homeowners for best moving displays and best still lights. Homes on the following blocks have been consistent winners for impressive decorative displays in the past several years:120th block on Vintage Street
Coon Rapids, MN
104th block on Quince Street
Coon Rapids, MN
2700 block on 113th Street
Coon Rapids, MN
The city of St. Paul Park and Anchor Bank sponsor the annual contest in the area. A drive down Lincoln Avenue will lead to several spectacular homes decked out for the holidays.Lincoln Avenue
St. Paul Park, MN
Many districts throughout the metro area have spectacular displays worthy of a visit. Here are just a few:Nicollet Avenue
Burnsville's Heart of the City
Burnsville, MN
Rice Park
St. Paul, MN
Light Up The Lights
Downtown Wayzata, MN
Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN
Peavey Plaza
Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
