37th Street Lights...

[Guest Lobo]

Need some of you Central Austin experts.  We used to go all the time and loved it.  But I need some logistical advice this time around.  Years past we'd either drive it or park blocks and blocks away and hoof it.

We've got the wife's parents and the two munchkins (6 & 2).  Her parents are real troopers, would never complain...but neither of them gets around all that well.  We can bring the stroller for the little one and the 6 YO can walk forever without complaint.  I'd like to do a couple blocks on foot to get the full effect.  I think driving the whole thing would take just as long and the 2YO would miss most of it because of how her car seat is.  So I've got to be mindful of her parents.  What's the best 3-4 block section of this thing to see this year?  And where can I park reasonably close to start/end with?  Maybe somewhere in the middle and then walk to 37th and do a mini-loop and get back to truck that way?  I know I'm complicating this but I need some inside baseball tips from y'all in that area.  I want to minimize how far these folks have to walk and driving the thing would mean one adult can't go and the little one won't see most of the stuff.  Thanks for any tips!  We plan to get there around 5:30 this evening to start before the real rush.  

[HornOnTheBayou 9,064]

Is it still a big deal? I haven't been in five years or so, but I remembered the last couple of Christmases before Covid people were complaining that most houses weren't decorated.

[crash_davis 23,470]

3 minutes ago, HornOnTheBayou said:

Is it still a big deal? I haven't been in five years or so, but I remembered the last couple of Christmases before Covid people were complaining that most houses weren't decorated.

[crash_davis 23,470]

I haven't been in over 10 years. I live a couple miles away. I'll drive by tonight to check.

Used to be a tradition with my kids. See 37th st lights, go to Amy's after.

[phdhorn 6,225]

1) Was yuge up until some time in the late 00's or so.
2) Then too many people died/moved/got sick of the traffic. They stopped it for at least 10 years if not longer.
3) Movement in the last 3-4 years to get it back by the residents.  By '18-'19 it was pretty good again!
4) Not sure what/if pandemic knocked it out but my understanding is residents are up for it.

I'd say 80% chance it's worth "lets get our roll on" and it'll be great.

Edit:  If you have a vehicle with a sunroof, that is absolutely the best way to see the 37th lights.  You can avoid parking/walking hassles (esp. for elderly/infirm/tots and below) and get the same overhead effect.  Kids go nuts, stick out of the sunroof and look at all of it.  Trust me on this.

Edited December 1, 2021 by phdhorn

[phdhorn 6,225]

Also, if you haven't been down by Mozart's (next to Hula Hut), that's totally worth it.  Amazing display, well, well worth the ride.  Tradition now for about 10 years best as I can figure.

[crash_davis 23,470]

1 minute ago, phdhorn said:

Also, if you haven't been down by Mozart's (next to Hula Hut), that's totally worth it.  Amazing display, well, well worth the ride.  Tradition now for about 10 years best as I can figure.

you have to get tickets now. we are going tomorrow night.

[StassneyHorn 6,776]

I went a few years back and still thought it was worth a trip. One of the houses had a stranger things theme and took a group photo on the couch. so that was cute.

[phdhorn 6,225]

2 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

you have to get tickets now. we are going tomorrow night.

Okay, but you can still creep past it in a car on Lake Austin/Enfield if you at least want to give it a free look.

[pyrohornIII 4,846]

Go out past Oak Hill and check out the Maywald display.  All their donations go to Make a Wish.   They won the Great American Christmas Light Shoot Out year before last.   

https://maywaldchristmasdisplay.weebly.com/

 

[Updawg 2,385]

Had no idea that was so close to my house. Will definitely check it out

[pyrohornIII 4,846]

Jordan and his folks Chad and Rhonda are very hospitable and friendly.     If you can get Jordan to talk about some of the collections he has amassed over the years, particularly the vintage decorations, it's pretty interesting.   

[Guest Lobo]

FYI---drove through briefly last evening on way home with the oldest.  Western half of the street is already well into it.  Eastern half looks like they're trying to get some stuff together, should be fun to see.  And a sign at the start that clearly states the "main attraction" will begin on 10 December.  FWIW.  

I think we'll go back one more time after that.  Seems like new turnover trying to get back into the swing of things.  

[deadshank 24,654]

Some poster said there’s a legit Christmas lights bus tour in Waco.  You could try that instead.  

[Guest Lobo]

Funny you should mention that.  I was about to try to tell that story to my wife last night while we were in stop n go traffic to get thru the display.  But I just stopped myself because her gift for logistics and planning so far beyond any other woman I’ve ever met that she wouldn’t see any of the humor in it.   She’d just say, “you shouldn’t laugh at that.  There’s something wrong with that guy’s wife.  Now the children are gonna think lazy planning like that is acceptable.  You shouldn’t waste people’s time at the holidays.”  
 

then me, just sitting there all crestfallen, “but the driver of the shuttle trolley said……..shoot, forget it.”  

[AUinHsv 584]

5 hours ago, deadshank said:

Some poster said there’s a legit Christmas lights bus tour in Waco.  You could try that instead.  

Saw a Santa on top of a local grocery store this afternoon and was thinking of that classic