Thrills! Rides! Games! Attractions!

There are several ways you can tell when the holidays are coming up in South Florida. The first cold spell is always a signal — the moment that the thermometer hits 60 degrees, it’s officially time to pull your leather jacket out of the closet. But residents really know Christmas is a-creeping when the annual display of kitsch and electrical excess known as Santa’s Enchanted Forest brightens up Tropical Park (7900 Bird Rd., Miami). The self-described “world's largest Christmas theme park” has it all: there’s a 92-foot-tall Christmas tree, hundreds of themed displays, and over 3 million lights. For the kids, there are pony rides, a petting zoo, and tons of age-appropriate games. For crazy unsupervised teens and the 20-somethings who still act like them, there are rides that feel like danger, more fried food than Scooby Doo and Shaggy could ever hope to consume, and some truly remarkable carnie-folk to interact with. The enchantment opens today and runs until January 4. Adult admission is $23; kids under nine pay $16. Call 305-893-0090, or visit santasenchantedforest.com.
Nov. 6-Jan. 4, 2008