The Chinese Lantern Festival was the perfect way to spend a Saturday night. This event had been on my radar for a couple of months. I was pumped to be able to make it happen before it closed. It took place at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. The city view surrounding the park, combined with the colorful lights of the lanterns, created a cool ambiance. We met up with great friends and the kids had a blast playing and weaving through all the lanterns.

There were several walkways that all felt a little magical while walking through them.  I would like to have the red set below hanging in my living room.

This giant colorful peacock was a group favorite. If you look closely at the dragon, you can see the kids’ shadows. This helps to get an idea of the size of these massive pieces.

There were also quite a few smaller ones scattered through the park.

The different installations all worked together to send a colorful glow through the park. I will be on the lookout for more similar events to attend in the future.

Last week, while in Atlanta, we decided to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden and check out Chihuly in the Garden. This proved to be a great decision.

The exhibit includes 19 installation pieces that fit organically into the surroundings. The colorful glass sculptures range greatly in size. Some are small and well disguised, while others are large, grande and impossible to miss.

Here are a few that are well disguised.

These three are large, magnificent and hard to forget.

Fern Dell Paintbrushes, seen below, wins my vote for the piece that is incorporated best into the garden. The yellow and red of the installation paired with the blue Hydrangea are a perfect match.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden itself is worth a visit if you have not ever been. These are a few beauties that live there permanently.

Blue and White, seen below in the Levy Parterre garden, is part of the permanent collection of the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

And this Earth Goddess? I really just want her to come hang out in my back yard for a while.

Chihuly decorated her nicely.

If you live near Atlanta or will be passing through, you will not be disappointed by spending your day strolling through Chihuly in the Garden. The exhibit can also be seen at night. Chihuly Nights is on my radar. I think a fall evening sounds perfect!