Welcome to the ADVENTURE ZONE!
These posts will highlight some of my favorite destinations, restaurants, and experiences all across the country as a travel histotechnologist.
This time we will be highlighting: Greensboro, NC – The Sunset Hills Neighborhood
Best Kept Secret
Okay, so this is most definitely the best kept secret in North Carolina!
This is such a cool spot with such a unique backstory AND this special tradition started in the Sunset Hills neighborhood of Greensboro, NC.
Imagine this.
On the drive to your favorite queso takeout spot late one evening and you take a wrong turn out of the restaurant parking lot. Continue driving down that road and let your GPS do its thing… RECALCULATING.
To your left there are these AMAZING Christmas lights that look like they stretch on for miles into the distance. You’ve just stumbled upon what I affectionately call “the greenway”. Its like the most magical wonderland ever!
Let’s just say… I turned off the GPS, drove through the neighborhood AT LEAST five full times, and then… I parked the car and wandered through the neighborhood with my partner.
IT WAS GLORIOUS!
What are those things?
What are those strange looking contraptions?
Lighted Christmas balls!
And this handmade Christmas ornament is made of chicken wire wrapped with Christmas lights. What makes them cooler? The Christmas balls are literally shot into the trees with potato guns!
Handmade potato guns!
Like, what?
Oh, and there’s a great community outreach associated with this tradition!
The family that started this tradition accepts food donations for their food drive throughout the season. A 5k run (called the Running of the Balls) weaves through the neighborhood at night lit only by the expansive numbers of Christmas balls, and the money raised is used for community programs.
Check out this video!
Here is a video I took driving through this mystical wonderland, but let me tell you, video DOES NOT do it justice!
Want to learn more about this unique tradition? Check out the TEDx Talk by Justin Smith!
Want more Adventure Zone posts? Check them out HERE!
Map It!
If you’re interested in visiting the Sunset Hills neighborhood yourself here’s a handy dandy map!
More queso?
Want to try that queso and think, yeah, Asian Mexican fusion sound right up my alley? It’s at Bandito Bodega.