The holidays are the only time of the year when it's appropriate to point at a dead plant and expect a kiss. Channel your mistletoe horticultural failure into new botanical knowledge with today's Groupon: for $10, you get two tickets to the Trail of Lights (an up to $19 value) at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. The Denver Botanic Gardens' acres of posh foliage are bright in winter weather during the Trail of Lights, held Wednesday through Sunday evenings through January 2, when 1 million lights are draped among the trees in elegant designs set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Colorado foothills and deep-blue evening sky. Explore the illuminated antique tractors desperately trying to fend off snow, send children sprinting through the Rocky Mountain communities’ 8- to 10-foot tall, locally crafted playhouses, and fall into the past at the festively decked 1880s homestead Hildebrand ranch house. To help you, your family, and confused census-takers stay toasty, the Gardens have thoughtfully arranged a warming hut where crafty families can glue and glitter felt snowmen. Warm drinks and weekend hayrides through Chatfield are available for an additional fee.

Reviews

Denver Botanical Gardens was voted Second-Best Denver Museum by CityVoters in 2010. Yelpers and TripAdvisors give the gardens a four-star average:

• The gardens are a peaceful sanctuary in the middle of town. It has nicely manicured gardens, a riot of plants and flowers, and an interesting collection of sculptures. It has several "corners" where you can just sit and absorb the smells – houstonturtle, TripAdvisor
• …the Gardens where [sic] BEAUTIFUL. So many little tiny niches, that you couldn't help but LOVE. – Michael P., Yelp