If you miss real winter and snow, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is the place to be, as it provides one of the best snow experiences in the Southeast United States. Winter festivities, various activities, and a dazzling Lakeside Lights Spectacular festival begin in late November and run until early January. License to Chill Snow Island promises true winter fun for everyone until late February.
Enjoy carnival rides and make s'mores over the fire while strolling through an impressive light display spread along a 7-mile (11-km) drive. Finish your day with a visit to the Santa Residence for a magical Margaritaville holiday experience.
Check out Margaritaville's famous Parrot Mountain sliding hill, one of the longest and steepest snow tube hills in North America. It is 575-feet (175-m) long and 8-stories tall. You can enjoy snow tubing, ice skating, and playing at a snow area specially designed for snowball fights and snow angels.
One of the main highlights of the Christmas season at Lanier Islands is the annual Holiday Boat Parade. Only for one night, guests can enjoy an incredible sight of festive boats of all sizes, lavishly decorated with twinkling lights, parading through the waters of Lake Lanier. The Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is a beautiful holiday tradition observed from the marina at Margaritaville. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to enjoy the parade, great food, music, and even a visit with Santa!
The good news is that the Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is only about an hour away from Atlanta, so it's a great weekend getaway. If you want to explore more Christmas light displays in Georgia, here is a hand-picked list for your consideration.
