Lantern Asia at Norfolk Botanical Garden

The Norfolk Botanical Gardens being closed for a month to set up for Lantern Asia really put a cramp in our style. I never realized how often we go or how much we depend on the Garden as a place to play on warmer days! But now that we've walked through the Lantern Asia exhibit, I can safely say without any doubt that the wait was worth it.

Lantern Asia is a traveling lantern festival put on by the China-based Tianyu Culture Communication, and features a mile of incredible lanterns to explore. The 36 lantern installations are made of silk and steel and represent Asian traditions and landmarks found in China, Japan, India and Korea, among other Far East nations. There's a giant color Taj Mahal, an elephant parade. Dozens of kawaii pandas tumbling over lighted flowers, and a child-sized ladybug parade. By day, the lanterns are sculptural works of art, detailed and colorful and lovely. But at night -- they're magic.

Our big kids -- Anouk and her two-year-old buddy, T. -- had an amazing time running around each exhibit and exclaiming over all the tiniest details (caveat -- it was increibly hard to keep them from touching and in one case, T. almost ran over an electrified rail (!) so just a strong tip, keep to the path). Even Baby Gus had a good time watching the lights (when he wasn't snoozing). All in all, our walk took about two hours, and this is including the time spent standing in line at the food truck court.

Lantern Asia will run through the end of April, with daily admission free for Garden members from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. After that, all garden guests have to pay, though admission is discounted for members ($15 versus $20). Kids 3 and under get in free! Worth pushing back bedtime a few hours (and we take bedtime super seriously in this house).