December around Sandusky means holiday light displays pop up everywhere. Driving around to see lights is free entertainment that kids and grandkids actually enjoy without complaining. The 2026 Traverse handles these evening drives perfectly because everyone fits comfortably, it's warm inside, and you can see lights from all the seats.
Firelands Chevrolet of Norwalk serves families throughout the area who use their vehicles for exactly these kinds of traditions, and keeping up with regular oil changes means your Traverse stays reliable through winter when you need it most for family outings.
Cedar Point's Winter Nights Display is Worth the Trip
Cedar Point transforms into a winter wonderland once the regular season ends. Lights of the Night runs on select dates through December. You drive through the park with lights synchronized to music that plays through your FM radio. The Traverse makes this experience better because everyone can see clearly from their seats.
Third row passengers aren't stuck with terrible views. The windows are large enough that even kids in back can see the displays. This matters when you're paying admission per vehicle and want everyone to actually enjoy it. Cramped vehicles with small windows leave some passengers missing half the show.
The drive through takes about 30 minutes if traffic is light, longer on busy weekends. Climate control keeps everyone comfortable the entire time. Kids can shed their heavy coats once inside the warm cabin. By the time you exit, they're asking to go through again which happens more often than you'd expect.
Heated seats help adults stay comfortable during the slow crawl through the display. You're barely moving for half an hour, which means the engine isn't generating much heat. Seat warmers add comfort that makes the experience pleasant instead of something you endure for the kids sake.
Residential Streets with the Best Decorations
Certain neighborhoods around Sandusky go all out with decorations. Locals know which streets to drive for the best displays. Camp Street near downtown usually has several houses competing for most lights. The Victorian homes there look especially good with traditional decorations.
Milan has neighborhoods where multiple houses coordinate their displays. Entire blocks sometimes use similar color schemes or themes. Driving slowly through these areas lets kids point out their favorites. The Traverse's quiet cabin means you can actually hear what they're saying instead of shouting over road noise.
Park the Traverse at the end of a particularly good street and walk for a closer look if kids want. The vehicle stays visible so you don't forget where you parked. When everyone gets cold after 10 minutes of walking, climb back in where it's already warm.
Some families make routes hitting multiple neighborhoods in one evening. The Traverse carries enough people that grandparents or cousins can come along. Everyone fits without cramming. Cargo space holds thermoses of hot chocolate and snacks for between neighborhoods. This turns a simple drive into an event.
Huron and Vermilion Small Town Charm
Smaller towns near Sandusky decorate their downtown areas with lights and displays. Huron's riverfront and main street both get decorated. Park and walk around, then drive through residential areas afterward. The combination of walking and driving breaks up the evening.
Vermilion has a harbor area that looks nice with holiday lights reflecting off the water. Main Street businesses decorate their storefronts. The small town atmosphere feels different from bigger city displays. Less crowded, more personal, easier parking.
These towns aren't huge. You can see everything worth seeing in 30 to 45 minutes of driving around. But that's enough for younger kids before they get restless. Older kids and teenagers might find it boring unless you combine it with stopping for dinner or dessert somewhere.
The Traverse handles whatever weather winter throws at you. Snow covered roads, ice, wind off the lake, none of it stops you from doing these drives. All wheel drive available on upper trims helps if conditions get slippery. Most nights you won't need it, but having capability matters when you do.
Churches and Public Buildings Light Displays
Many churches create nativity scenes or other religious displays that are lit at night. Some are simple, others are elaborate multi building affairs. These displays don't move or have music, but they're free and often quite detailed.
Schools and public buildings sometimes participate too. The courthouse in Sandusky gets decorated. Fire stations put up lights. Driving past these while heading home from other displays adds more stops without much extra effort.
Kids old enough to appreciate craftsmanship will notice the work that goes into bigger displays. Younger kids just like the pretty lights and don't care about details. Either way, it's something to look at that gets everyone out of the house during dark winter evenings.
The Traverse's elevated seating position gives everyone better views than sitting in a sedan. You're looking down slightly at ground level displays instead of craning necks to see over dashboard. This sight line advantage seems minor until you're actually trying to see something from a lower vehicle.
Making Multiple Stops Without Complaints
Hot chocolate stops between light viewing keep kids happy. Starbucks, Dunkin, or local coffee shops all work. The Traverse cupholders accommodate all sizes of cups. Lids usually prevent spills, but when accidents happen the cleanup isn't terrible.
Bathrooms become necessary on longer drives. Fast food restaurants or gas stations provide these stops. Having a vehicle that parks easily means you can pull into anywhere without struggling to find spots. The Traverse fits normal spaces without needing oversized spots.
Some families pack snacks in the cargo area. Christmas cookies, candy canes, whatever fits the season. Easy access to the back lets kids grab snacks without unbuckling or asking you to stop. This self service capability reduces interruptions while driving.
Charging phones and tablets matters for kids who want to take pictures or videos of favorite displays. Multiple USB ports throughout the Traverse keep devices charged. Nobody complains about dead batteries halfway through the evening.
What Makes This a Tradition Worth Repeating
Holiday light drives cost almost nothing beyond gas. You're creating memories and traditions without spending money on expensive entertainment. The Traverse makes these drives comfortable enough that you want to repeat them year after year.
Kids remember these traditions into adulthood. Decades from now they'll talk about driving around looking at lights with their parents or grandparents. Having a reliable, comfortable vehicle meant these outings actually happened instead of being ideas that never materialized.
The flexibility of three row seating means the tradition grows with your family. When kids get older and bring friends, everyone still fits. When grandkids come along, you can take them on the same drives you did with their parents. The Traverse accommodates different family configurations without needing a new vehicle.
Winter driving requires vehicles that work properly in cold weather. Dead batteries, poor heaters, or unreliable starting all ruin these evenings. The Traverse handles winter conditions without drama. It starts when you need it, stays warm inside, and gets you home safely.
Planning Your Route Before You Leave
Check which displays are actually lit on the night you plan to go. Some places only run displays on weekends. Others have specific hours. Calling ahead or checking websites prevents wasted trips to places that are dark.
Start closer to home and work your way outward. This lets younger kids see some lights before they get too tired. If someone needs to leave early, you haven't driven far from home yet. Ending closer to home also means less driving when everyone is tired.
Download offline maps or write directions down. Cell service can be spotty in some rural areas where good displays exist. The Traverse navigation works well but it needs signal to route around traffic or closed roads. Having backup navigation prevents getting lost in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Fuel up before starting. Gas stations are open but stopping for fuel interrupts the flow of the evening. A full tank means you can drive as much as you want without worrying. The Traverse fuel economy means you can cover a lot of ground on one tank even in cold weather.
Disclaimer: Please note that features are dependent on trim levels and all features are not available on all trims. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs.