Beech Tree News Network

Recently I’ve been thinking about family entertainment. With the winter break only a couple of weeks away, I anticipate many of us will want to find ways to entertain our family. I did a little online searching for family activities and found several nearby.

Christmas Lights

Whether driving through the neighborhood or a lighted destination, Christmas lights and displays are beautiful. And Wendy’s Twinkle at the Track display at NCM Motosport Park might be a good destination. It is a two-mile drive-through display which is open through New Year’s Day. It will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I understand the hours are Sunday-Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The fee varies:

$20 / Carload Monday – Wednesday
$25 / Carload Thursday – Sunday
$50 / 12-15 Passenger Vehicles (no large buses or motorcycles)
*Fees subject to change.

Twinkle at the Track is located at 505 Kimberlee A. Fast Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42103 (formerly 505 Grimes Road). Check Facebook for weather closings.

Santa’s Lookout Christmas Lights is another lighted drive-through destination. It is located 13 miles out Cemetery Road from Bowling Green and opens on Friday, December 6 (Their calendar is available online at https://www.santaslookout.com/.). If possible, plan to drive through the light displays, then park and visit the Holiday Pavilion to see the live reindeer (on display only from December 12 through 28). On the nights open, the display is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per carload. The drive-through trail can accommodate cars and pick-up trucks only. Santa’s Lookout is located at 48 Locketts Dream, Scottsville, KY 42164. In the event of severe weather, call 270-622-8171 to confirm hours of operation.

Skating

The SoKY Ice Rink is located in downtown Bowling Green, at 636 Center Street, under the SoKY Marketplace Pavilion. Free parking is available in the parking garage across the street. The entrance to the parking garage is located on College Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Admission also includes skate rental. Adults pay $12, children under 12 pay $10, and ages 4 and under are free. Military/Emergency responders are $10. The hours of operation vary. During the holiday break, from December 23 to January 5, the hours are Sunday, 1-8 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. On holidays, the hours are: Christmas Eve, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Christmas Day, 4-8 p.m.; New Year's Eve, 4 p.m.-1 a.m.; and New Year's Day, 1-8 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.warrencountyky.gov/soky-ice-rink.

Escape Games at the Rail Park

The Historic Rail Park and Train Museum in Bowling Green offers escape games. The games are designed for small groups of 4 to 10 people. The goal is to work together to escape from a locked train in under 60 minutes. Getting through the locked train car door will require finding clues, solving puzzles, and working together. A staff member monitors the entire game. The escape games must be scheduled in advance. These games would be great for older children. For more information, please see https://www.historicrailpark.com/escape-games/.

WKU Hardin Planetarium

“Celebrations for a Long Winter’s Night” is a festive show that considers the meaning of the winter solstice, provides some history behind our holiday customs, and suggests possible explanations of the Christmas star. The program is free of charge and suitable for all ages. The show will begin on time – no late entrance will be permitted. The program is 40 minutes with time for questions at the end of the presentation. “Celebrations for a Long Winter’s Night” began December 1 and continues through January 5 on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, but is closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Show times are:

 Sundays (Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and Jan. 5) at 2 p.m.

Tuesdays (Dec. 3, 10, 17) at 7 p.m.

Thursdays (Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26, and Jan. 2) at 7 p.m.

For additional information, please see https://www.wku.edu/hardinplanetarium/shows/public_show_celebrations_for....

Patti’s Restaurant

Although Patti’s Restaurant in Grand Rivers is not nearby, it has been a favorite eatery in this region for years. After rebuilding because of a fire, they recently reopened. Reservations are recommended. They currently have limited seating and are not taking reservations for groups over 12 in number. The reservation line, 270-362-8844, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The restaurant will be closed December 24-26. Their festival of lights is nightly from 4-9 p.m. and is free to the public. Also, their new restaurant, T. Lawson’s Grill, is open and located across from Patti’s Restaurant. The Settlement Shops are open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (https://www.pattis1880s.com/). Updated information is posted on their Facebook page. If you go, go hungry.

Movies

My family and I like to watch movies. Netflix is a favorite provider because of its great variety, and we watch Hallmark Channel movies, too. I believe Netflix plans range from $7.99 to $13.99 per month (Netflix also offers a one-month free trial.). We also enjoy movie theaters – the nearest are Bowling Green, Hartford (270-298-3315) and Owensboro. Of course, the Redbox movies outside the Dollar General Market can be a life saver as can the television DVR function. Movies are definitely a great way to entertain older children for a couple of hours.

Giada De Laurentiis said, “The holidays stress people out so much. I suggest you keep it simple and try to have as much fun as you can” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/holidays-quotes). Since our region has entertainment opportunities in abundance, hopefully we all can find something to entertain us during the winter break. But, if we have cold weather, my personal choices will be in heated environments.