Take one color that makes Augusta a popular destination every spring — Masters green — and mix it with red, and the east Georgia city offers fine options for a holiday road trip.

You'll find a homegrown light display that provides an alternative to Lake Lanier's Magical Night of Lights (or another one, if the kids can't get enough of those lights), interesting shopping areas, holiday events and dining that will warm you up.

Lights of the South (ENLARGE)

The Lights of the South display located off I-20 in Grovetown, west of Augusta, attracted more than 30,000 people last year.

Andy Donnan/Special (ENLARGE)

The Blue Magnolia boutique in downtown Augusta has a fun collection of everything from fine chocolates to glassware to wooden animal figures.

RELATED LINKS: • More Gwinnett news • More North Fulton news • See more Travel news

Light it up

It may not be over the river, but colorful displays of Santa's castle, Christmas trees, candy canes and 30-foot-tall toy soldiers shine through the woods at Lights of the South. With more than 3 million lights, the display located off I-20 in Grovetown, just west of Augusta, attracted more than 30,000 people last year.

This is the third year, and last Saturday night alone 4,000 people attended, said Benjamin Bell, who created the display with his wife, Deborah, on land they own. New displays this year include dinosaurs, as well as palm trees and pink flamingos that make up a Caribbean scene. You can walk the display, or take a hayride (it's also handicapped accessible). There's also hot chocolate, fire pits for roasting marshmallows and even an opportunity for pictures with Santa.

It's open 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 29 (closed Christmas Day). Prices are $7 for adults, $3 for children 6-17, and free for children 5 and younger. Parking is free. (706-825-6441, www.lightsofthesouth.com.)

Eating out

On our recent trip to Augusta, where my husband and I met 10 years ago while working there, we visited longtime favorites and found new spots worth checking out. The creamy potato soup at Sunshine Bakery (1209 Broad St., 706-724-2302) continues to warm the soul on cold days, but call ahead to make sure it's being served the day of your trip. For those tired of turkey and other holiday fare, there's Vallarta Mexican Restaurant (2808 Washington Road, 706-733-5584), a popular, cheap spot during the Masters that continues to provide quality, consistent tacos and enchiladas. It's on the same road as Augusta National, so try to catch a glimpse down Magnolia Lane as you drive by.

Shopping around

A visit to Augusta wouldn't be complete without a stop at Fat Man's (1545 Laney Walker Blvd., 706-722-0796, www.fatmans.com). Part of the store is decorated for Christmas year-round, but at this time of the year, it nearly takes over the store, with endless themed trees ranging from peacocks to snowmen to even one with a pink and lime green hue. It's open late for the holidays (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12:30-7 p.m. Sundays), giving plenty of time to pick up unusual ornaments, Christmas villages or even a Santa suit.

Downtown, you'll find antique shops, art galleries and eclectic boutiques such as Blue Magnolia (1124 E. Broad St., 706-828-6550, www.thebluemagnolia.com). Blue Magnolia, which opened last year, has a fun collection of everything from fine chocolates to glassware for entertainers on your list to wooden animal figures from Noah's Pals for kids. Items like a "museum junkie" shirt for children are among interesting finds in The Morris Museum of Art gift shop (1 Tenth St., 706-724-7501, www.themorris.org, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday).

Holiday happenings

The city's annual 12 Bands of Christmas concert is 6 p.m. Sunday. Each local artist will play a 20-minute set at the Imperial Theatre (745 Broad St.) in downtown Augusta. The admission ticket comes with the $12 purchase of a 12 Bands of Christmas CD, at local stores or online or at the box. It's a fund-raiser for Tamara's Fund, named in memory of Tamara Dunstan, a pediatric oncology nurse at the Medical College of Georgia's Children's Medical Center who died in April 2004. (706-495-6885, www.12bandsofchristmas.com.) Other events include the Augusta Symphony's Pops at the Bell featuring vocal quartet New York Voices at 7:30 tonight (Bell Auditorium, 712 Telfair St., 706-826-4705, www.augustasymphony.org) and its family series concert 3 p.m. Sunday at the Augusta State University Performing Arts Theatre. For those in a sports mood, the Augusta Lynx minor league hockey team plays the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, with other home games Dec. 18, Dec. 21, Dec. 28 (against the Gladiators), Dec. 29 and Dec. 31 at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center (601 Seventh St., 706-724-4423, www.augustalynx.com). Ticket prices are $12-$19.

Getting there

Augusta is about 150 miles east of Atlanta. From Gwinnett County, take I-285 east to I-20 east toward Augusta. Take Exit 200 (Riverwatch Parkway) and turn left at the light. Riverwatch Parkway leads to downtown Augusta.

Lights of the South: Take I-20 east to Exit 183 (Ga. 47/U.S. 221/Appling Harlem Road) and turn left. Cross over I-20 and turn onto the frontage road, Nature's Way. When it dead-ends, take a right onto Louisville Road. Lights of the South will be at Louisville Road and I-20.

INFORMATION

Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau

560B Reynolds St. (Lobby of the Augusta Museum of History)

706-724-4067

www.augustaga.org