Private Guided Twin Cities Lights Tour

Planning a festive outing in Minneapolis and Saint Paul during the holiday season? The Private Guided Twin Cities Lights Tour promises a cozy, luxurious way to see some of the most beautiful Christmas light displays. Running nightly from late November through December 31st, this tour aims to combine comfort, elegance, and holiday cheer. But does it deliver on its promise? We’ve taken a close look at what this experience offers—based on available details and honest reviews—to help you decide if it’s worth your time and money.

One element we particularly like is how the route highlights the best residential and municipal light displays across the metro areas. Plus, the fact that it’s a private tour means your group gets exclusive attention—no crowded bus or noisy groups. However, a potential drawback is the vague route planning, which some guests found frustrating, and the lack of a fixed route may impact your overall experience. This tour is best suited for travelers seeking a relaxed, comfortable way to enjoy holiday lights with friends, family, or a small group, rather than those looking for a highly structured or guarantee-by-guide.

Key Points

• Luxury transportation with large panoramic windows enhances viewing comfort.
• Flexible routes depend on light displays available after Thanksgiving, which can impact the schedule.
• Limited included activities—mainly sightseeing, with no snacks or beverages provided.
• Tour duration of around 2.5 hours is enough to see multiple neighborhoods without feeling rushed.
• Mixed reviews highlight issues with route planning but also praise for viewing opportunities and vehicle comfort.
• Perfect for groups wanting a private, festive experience without the hassle of driving.

An In-Depth Look at the Twin Cities Lights Tour

What Is It Exactly?

The Private Guided Twin Cities Lights Tour is a festive sightseeing adventure that takes you through the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area to see holiday light displays. It’s designed to be a comfortable, elegant experience in a fleet of luxury vehicles, each equipped with large panoramic windows so you won’t miss any of the sparkle. On paper, it sounds like a wonderful way to enjoy the season without the stress of driving through busy neighborhoods.

Who Is It For?

This tour is tailored for families, friends, or small groups up to 30 people who want a private, relaxed environment to soak in holiday sights. If you’re someone who appreciates comfort and convenience while enjoying festive displays, this could be a great choice. It’s particularly suited for those wanting to bring snacks and drinks along, thanks to the policy that allows you to sip hot cocoa or adult beverages during the ride.

What Do You Get?

• Private transportation for your party
• All fees and taxes included
• Bottled water to stay hydrated
• An English-speaking guide who will chauffeur and narrate (though details about the guide’s experience or names are not provided)

Note that snacks, alcoholic beverages, coffee, and WiFi are not included, so you’ll need to prepare or bring your own treats.

The Route and Itinerary

The tour loops through key neighborhoods, stopping briefly at each to admire the light displays. The exact route is determined after Thanksgiving, based on the light displays confirmed in place, which can cause some unpredictability. Here’s what you can generally expect:

Stop 1: Minneapolis

The tour kicks off in Minneapolis, where you’ll visit several residential and municipal displays. These are highlighted as some of the best light displays around town, which suggests a mix of well-decorated homes and public displays.

What the review reveals: Some guests found that the driver “did not have a route or know where to go to see lights,” resulting in just driving through standard neighborhoods. This was quite disappointing for those expecting a curated route showcasing the most impressive displays. It underscores the importance of expecting some flexibility and possibly doing some research beforehand.

Stop 2: Minnetonka

Next, the route takes you to Minnetonka, with similar stops at noteworthy residential and municipal displays. Again, the exact stops depend on confirmed light displays after Thanksgiving, which can vary.

Stop 3: Eden Prairie

In Eden Prairie, the focus remains on the most festive displays. The emphasis on residential neighborhoods means you might see a charming array of themed houses or carefully curated municipal light displays.

Stop 4: Saint Paul

A stop in Saint Paul offers the opportunity to enjoy the city’s light displays, which might include historic districts or neighborhoods renowned for their decorations. As with previous stops, the actual route depends on what displays are active, which some reviews note can lead to less-than-spectacular experiences if the driver isn’t familiar with the best spots.

Stop 5: Roseville

The final stop features more residential and municipal light displays. It’s the last chance to soak in the holiday spirit before heading back.

What Are the Pros and Cons?

Pros:

• Comfort and luxury: The fleet of vehicles with panoramic windows makes viewing a pleasure.
• Private experience: Your group has exclusive use, avoiding crowded buses or shared tours.
• Flexible timing: The tour runs nightly, giving plenty of options for when to go.
• Bring your own snacks: Since food and drinks are allowed, you can make the experience more festive with your favorite treats.

Cons:

• Route variability: The exact stops depend on light displays confirmed after Thanksgiving, which can lead to unpredictable experiences. Some guests experienced driver uncertainty, which diminished the wow factor.
• Limited included amenities: No snacks, coffee, or WiFi, which may feel sparse for a premium price.
• Price point: For $42 per person, the value hinges heavily on the route and the guide’s knowledge—a point some guests found lacking.

The Cost Vs. Experience

At around $42 per person, this tour is not the cheapest holiday activity in the Twin Cities. Whether it’s worth the price really depends on your expectations of comfort, exclusivity, and the quality of sights. If you’re primarily after a relaxing, stress-free way to see festive lights, then the luxury transportation and private setting may be well worth it. However, if you’re hoping for a curated route showcasing the most spectacular displays, you might find the experience less satisfying, especially given some reports of poorly planned routes.

Authentic Guest Perspectives

The sole review available paints a less-than-glowing picture: “Driver did not have a route or know where to go to see lights. We just drove up and down streets looking at regular lights / not spectacular lights. Until, we looked up online and told the driver where to go.” This highlights a notable flaw in route planning and suggests that guests shouldn’t expect a guide to be well-versed in the best displays.

On the plus side, the vehicle’s comfort and the ability to bring snacks are appreciated, making it suitable for families or groups wanting a relaxed experience. If you’re flexible, open to some uncertainty, and just want to enjoy the city’s lights from a luxurious vehicle, this could still be an enjoyable outing.

The Sum Up

The Private Guided Twin Cities Lights Tour offers a comfortable, private way to enjoy the holiday illuminations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Its main strengths lie in the luxury transportation and the opportunity to bring your own snacks, making it a cozy, festive experience for groups. However, the route’s unpredictability and the lack of detailed guide knowledge can detract from the experience for those seeking a curated, spectacular display.

This tour would suit travelers who value comfort, privacy, and flexibility, and who are happy to accept some variation in route planning. It’s especially well-suited for families or friends wanting to enjoy the holiday lights without the hassle of driving, as long as they approach with realistic expectations about the route and display quality.

Overall, if you’re seeking a relaxed, intimate holiday outing, this could be a solid choice—just be prepared for some variability and consider bringing your own festive snacks to enhance the experience.

FAQ

Is this a group or private tour?
It is a private tour, meaning only your group will participate, providing a more personalized experience.

What is included in the price?
The price covers private transportation, all taxes and fees, bottled water, and an English-speaking guide.

Can I bring food and drinks?
Yes, guests are welcome to bring their favorite food and beverages, including snacks and adult drinks.

How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, giving enough time to enjoy multiple neighborhoods.

Are there any additional costs?
No, all fees are included in the ticket price; however, you might want to bring extra snacks or drinks.

What are the start and end times?
The tour runs daily from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM during the holiday season from November 24 to December 31.

Are there specific routes, and can I request certain neighborhoods?
Routes are determined after Thanksgiving based on available light displays, which means they can vary and are not fixed.

Is WiFi available on the vehicle?
No, WiFi is not provided on board.

Are service animals allowed?
Yes, service animals are permitted.

What is the main drawback according to reviews?
Some guests experienced that the driver lacked route knowledge, leading to driving through regular neighborhoods instead of curated spectacular displays, which was disappointing.

This tour is ideal for those seeking a luxurious, private way to enjoy holiday lights, with the understanding that the experience hinges heavily on route planning and display availability. Whether you find it a magical, stress-free outing or a bit of a letdown depends largely on expectations and the luck of the route.