I like a little holiday magic — as long as it doesn’t involve ballet, the mall or It’s a Wonderful Life. This rules out most things, of course, except Christmas beers and tacky lights displays. This week, we ventured to two of the more spectacular light displays in the Washington Metropolitan Region: Baltimore’s 34th Street display and Gaylord Hotel’s Christmas lighting/ snowfall display.

Miracle of 34th Street

This display in Hampden, Baltimore’s colorful hipster meets hillbilly neighborhood, stole it’s name from the famous Christmas flick. It’s famous throughout the region — this site even names it one of the seven best light displays in the world. And I’m not sure why. This display is joining the long line of destinations that have disappointed the writers of the blog — up there with Asheville, NC, and Assateague Island.

Really, only on house — the first one, which is pictured in all the photos — is spectacular.  On the short block, most of the houses donned lights that were comparable to what you’d see on normal houses in a normal neighborhood: a few mechanical reindeer, some icicle lights draped from the overhangs and multi-colored bulbs on the bushes.  However, I did enjoy the hub cap Christmas tree and bike wheel snowman produced by someone the website calls “Jim the artist.”

Post lights: Grab an Irish coffee at my favorite Baltimore bar/restaurant, the quirky, Poe-themed tavern Annabel Lee’s.

Verdict: I’m always looking for a reason to go up to Baltimore, so this fills that requirement. If you’re not a fan of DC’s downtrodden neighbor, skip it.

Gaylord National Hotel

This corporate conference complex lives across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge from Old Town Alexandria. The complex was meant to be shopping, restaurants and bars surrounding the river-front Gaylord Hotel and conference complex. Unfortunately for it, the place opened its doors to the recession.

Despite the empty storefronts and annoying parking policy (street parking costs $3/hour 24 hours a day. We didn’t try the garage), the hotel and lights were beautiful. The lobby and atrium were decked out in Christmas finery. It snows — its, um, actually soap bubbles — every night at 6:15 and 9:15. I’m easily entertained and found the novelty charming — just don’t stick out your tongue to catch a flake.  We also got to see the Christmas fountain light show, which was peculiarly religious. It involved hymns and Bible readings.

Post lights: Hit up Bobby McKeys, the piano bar down the street. There’s no cover (but the beers are over-priced), and you’ll be treated to some interesting renditions of Piano Man, Journey hits, Brick in the Wall and whatever else patrons request.

For more DC area Christmas light displays see the Tacky Light Tour site and Bull Run Festival of Lights.