Reviews of National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Tourist Attraction)

Norma Stout Morgan

Eastside graduation

Nathacha Arango

You need to have a personal experience of the way of the light at night time. You won't regret it

Hosier Craft

Spent 60$ for a carriage ride. Wasn't at all worth it. Went on a Monday and the traffic was so horrible. Our route was right by the endless amount of cars emitting pollutants nearly in our face, impatient families honked angrily, and people were constantly focused on our horse rather than the lights. There needs to be a better system before you try to make people spend 60$ on a carriage ride again. It was completely not worth it

R Wente

Beautiful place to seek solemnity and reconciliation with Jesus.

Phil Trivilino

Absolutely beautiful ❤️

Joey Methé

Large group of us planned to eat dinner at new Hofbrauhaus then check out lights after dinner. No mention anywhere that you can only access entrance from east or west? The very rude traffic guys wouldn’t let cars enter from HB. So we made turn got in line and waited nearly 40 minutes because kids wanted to see the lights. Most say I’ve seen better lights in our neighborhood. Don’t waste your time.

Becky Lemaster Weller

Ofallons lights are so much better these lights were just white and not a lot of images in the park it was very boring we drove an 1hr too see it and it was terrible I suggest Ofallon lights

jensenfan78 Supernatural

A very special place that its hard to find words for. Be sure to get the fried chicken at the restaurant

Grace Ditz

It's has a very relaxing atmosphere

Debra Thomas

Beautiful

Jay France

We come to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows annually to see the Christmas light display they put up each December. Not only is their light display beautiful but they also have a host of other activities to make it a fun destination evening for the kids. Inevitably there are camel rides and other adorable livestock to see and pet. Recently they have also had one of their visitor centers open with huge Lego displays put on by a local Lego Group. For a nominal fee you can go in and see a large number of what looks to be professionally built Lego dioramas. The kids always spend a good half an hour excitedly exploring all the detailed setups.

Cassie Schuckenbrock

Gift shop had a wonderful selection.

J. R. Boedeker

A free as and beautiful experience. The scenic drive through the lights is best seen at night especially if there is snow and ice. It is available to all. There are times of worship there check the web site. There are also many other activities avalible.

Sarah Evans

Beautiful place to go, I love their Christmas display

Patrick Cunningham

Beautiful place, had a wonderful carriage ride

Charlie Spezia

BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO VISIT! I ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF MY EXPERIENCE. THE PEOPLE, THE OPENNESS, THE ENLIGHTENMENT WAS WORTH THE VISIT.

Shannon Aaron

Way of Lights is very disappointing!!! We went last year & had a decent time, our biggest complaint was that the road is hard to see (needs lights along roadway). Although we weren't wowed last year, we went again the other night because we love Christmas lights. I didn't think it was possible to be worse but, it was. Now they have two lanes running side by side & still no lights along the roadway. Having two lanes makes it so much harder to enjoy. If you're the driver... don't plan on seeing anything, you'll be too busy watching out for the other cars. Needless to say, we won't be going back!

Charles Pinney

If you haven't come here to for lunch or dinner you are totally missing out on some amazing food. The lunch menu start at $9.99 for soup and salad and at dinner time which starts at 4pm you can add the Fried Chicken entree to you soup and salad starting at $14.99. The best part is you can eat to your full and then walk around the beautiful grounds to get some exercise in. Come out here and meet their beautiful wait staff. The entire staff & Manager are wonderful people they make your meal experience that much more enjoyable. I almost forgot if you need to find the perfect gift for a birthday wedding St Patrick's Day or just want to say I love you stop by there gift shop???? tell all your friends to come here for dinner ????☕????????????????????????

Abbie dulaney

A fantastic community including a walking trail, theater, and retirement community. Come here during the holidays and you'll be wowed by the Way of Lights. If you drive to the far west side of the grounds, there is a fantastic view of St. Louis.

Ali Lynn

A very clean and peaceful place to walk around.

Julie Cristel

Beautiful

Jim Duncan

Beautiful grounds for a walk or jog. Has an awesome old grotto and an outdoor amphitheatre with many walking trails. A must-visit for holiday lights.

GinaLolaQQ Young

very peacefull

Luis Lunario

Beautiful grounds. Food good in the dinner. Have a beautiful light display at Christmas.

Cass FitzRoy

The largest Marian shrine in the United States sitting on nearly 200 acres. Beautiful in its own right, Our Lady of the Snows really shines during the holidays. The Christmas displays and lights wonderful and definitely worth the visit.

Jennie Harrington

I love the Shrine. My family and I go every year around Christmas to see the lights and get dinner. Such a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Antoinette Blassie

Wonderful free Christmas light show, camel rides, petting goats and kettle corn. Such a fun experience for our family. Thank you!

Jord Cornelius

I understand why Tony Beckett would write a critical review as he was so unhappy with what happened at 'the school'. I didn't remember that there WAS a school on the property. His anger is misplaced. There is NO school at this particular Our Lady of the Snows. No one that would be able to help him with his feeling of disconnect is at this location. There are several OLS in Nevada, and other states, but not in Belleville, Illinois. Perhaps he should issue an apology to this OLS , and then CUT/PASTE his remarks to the OLS in question. If I had not been to the Shrine before, and enjoyed the surroundings, I would have had second thoughts about visiting. Perhaps this is why I took affront at his understandable, but misplaced. anger and critique.

Sierra McQuillan

We went to the Sunday Buffet and it was excellent. I was with a group of 10 and we all enjoyed our food. It is a Brunch and has everything from breakfast food to chicken, salad, vegtables, dessert. Our service was very good.

Lashelle Ridley

This is a healing place. If you have a chance to stop and walk the gardens or light a candle it will be worth it.

Jon B.

Very nice drive thru Christmas light display. Lots of things for kids to do if you want to get out of the car and pay for them. The lights are free but they take donations at the end.

L Ross

We have been going to the Shrine since 1970. The place is like the Garden of Eden for me. Me and my wife enjoy the morning walk inside the compound. Grandma, be careful with the Reindeers. Love the Nature

mel dear (mad)

Great place alot to see

Samantha Clark

Love it here.

Angela Bone

My second year visiting the lights. We drove through twice. The lights absolutely beautiful. But all the same color of gold was very disappointing

Customer Service Connoisseur

Beautiful place! We experienced the whole place when the shops were closed and only a few others around; very peaceful.

Esther Leach

always. excellent food a great place to see beautiful lights and get many religious items, I got medals for myself and for my dogs an bird,!

Mara L.

It’s a beautiful magical kind of place. I took my son to see the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snow on Christmas Eve. I’ve been coming here every year since I can remember and it never loses its luster. I fine place full of wonderment for tourists and locals. Highly recommended! Enjoy. I know you will.

Robyn Foss

Love this place at Christmas time they decorate it beautifully

Polka Dot Pilgrim

Family went to eat at Hofbräuhaus and planned to check out the lights at Our Lady of the Snow. The traffic kids directing traffic would not let us enter (straight) and the Belleville Police officer just cussed at us and told us to turn. Very disappointed, nobody ever explained why we couldn't enter the Shrine. Belleville Police big fail. Save your family and kids the disappointment and drive around the neighborhood.

P S

Great place. Kids love it

gregory kramer

Once you visit, this place calls you to make pilgrimages.

Cheryl Powell

We love coming here for the beautiful light display and to see the animals.

Brendan Hoffmann

Beautiful lights.

Mark Webster

Such a beautiful place. I find peace and comfort every time I visit. Christmas time is especially beautiful with the way of lights Christmas campaign.

Michele Stonebraker

A lot people out to see the lights

Ryan Sullivan

Not bad place. It has a drive through way of the cross which is kinda weird... Nice outdoor masses.

Nneka Uzoma

+JMJ...Lovely grounds, Church and Chapel. Also, ate lunch in the restaurant. Pricing was good, server friendly, and the meal delicious. As a matter of fact, a side dish that I had ~ fried eggplant, was so yummy, I tried to replicate the dish at home. Spent only a few hours, but could have stayed much longer. My visit to this Shrine was very enjoyable because of the many beautiful areas dedicated to prayer. Particularly the replicas telling the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the story of Our Lady of Lourdes. Transcendental reminders of Our Heavenly Father's desire that we recall His loving mercy in the gift of Jesus our Saviour. Please pardon my explanation, but when one visits these places of prayer, there is a need to understand that what one sees is more than natural beauty. The soul should rejoice in the spiritual atmosphere everywhere present.

Mike Morris

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL is VERY BEAUTIFUL. Our family has been there several times. We’ve only been there in the summer and fall. I’ve heard and seen photos of the Christmas decorations, the lights, and the Holy feeling everyone has felt. It is a great trip to take especially for families, they also have places to stay right on the sight. If you’ve wanted to take a pilgrimage, and live in the USA this is a wonderful place to see and spend time with Our Lady and Our Lord.

Yogesh Agashe

Peaceful place for spending time with God. They also have a wonderful restaurant and hotel.

Mis Kate

Light show was a glorified traffic jam

Sarah Copeland

I love to go there to pray ????✝ and to talk to God! ✝????!!

Tawni Hunt Ferrarini

Visited this place this winter for way of lights festival. The campus was decorated with millions of lights through start to end. Various activities for kids like Camel ride etc.. Must visit place..

Synetta Sleet

Reeks of Modernism and the Novus Ordo.

MissJean FeralCatsRMyLife

The drive through lights were old style. Not much originality.

Dan B

Beautiful peaceful place for reflection and prayer

Diamond Mitchell

The lady of snow always reminds me if it times to visit her. I love to come in see her all the time if I live closer to her.

Patricia Lydiksen

Beautiful Christmas lights. Great way to enjoy the beginning of a religious holiday. Worth the trip to go experience it.

Barbara Bergeron

Not very inspirational. Lots of lights on trees (all white), the attendants had us form double lines so at times you couldn't see the other side of road or read the narrative boards. Not what I've been hearing for years but I finally made it so I can check it off the list. Too far to drive from o'fallon mo for tree lights without displays.

Nico Baghoul

Beautiful lights complemented by scriptures posted through this driving tour move you to reflect on helping others, especially the tired, the poor, the weak, and broken.

Kane Aleksandr

Absolutely beautiful Christmas themed light show. What a wonderful experience for the whole family. Very conveniently accessible by car and eben better, it's free!

David Brooks

Diamond in the rough; literally.

Andrew Romanitis Jr.

A wonderful place to find solace, play with your children, attend church services, take a hike or drive the lazy turns in the wooded roads. They have a special memory for anyone and everyone waiting to be made.

Shani Blue

Very enjoyable experiance

Jarrod Sharp

BEAUTIFUL !

Dan Airozo

We visited here in the mid seventies. The shrine and grounds are beautiful & clean. The shrine buffet featured great soups, veggies, fruit. The hotel was clean & pleasant. The tour around the grounds was great. There was a small building there from the World Fair in Kentucky. Passing through it showed the world at large thru technology and as you exited a large Jesus appeared "Follow me!"

Carrie Scott

THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING PLACE ON EARTH

Paul Hostkoetter

Their Christmas light display is one of my favorite things to do at Christmas time.

jamil alwan

A warm and lovely place greater than the sum of it's parts. 1.1 million lights depicting the birth of Jesus. Many outdoor activities. We ate at the Banquet Center then waddled back to our room at the Hotel. A Christmas tradition we have enjoyed here for many years.

Bianca Strega

Great attraction. Kids love feeding the goats, cows and sheep. Hot chocolate stand is awesome too ha!

Fine Family

They are friendly and it's activities for the kids. Camel rides, pony rides, and a free petting zoo.

Shane Bernskoetter

Way of lights is an annual family tradition to drive through. The volunteers do a great job of putting the lights up every year. It is a very beautiful display for adults and kids alike.

Kristin Michaels

Exelent

Erica Foss

Solemn serene place to pray and meditate. Also a great place to enjoy nature, walk, jog, run, or just enjoy the day.

Thomas Dooley

Beautiful place

E J

Went for soup and salad bar for lunch. Salad bar had many good choices. However, soups were all SO salty. There were four of us and we all were disappointed that we couldn’t eat much soup.

Betty Baldwin

Great light didplay

mary beth Green

The banana cake was stale. I reported it to the waitress and the female manager this past Sunday and they did nothing.????.

Pam Cheek

Nice place, very open banquet halls.

William Kerns

You could easily spend a whole day at this beautiful shrine!It is beautiful any time of the year but especially at Christmas!

kevin roe

Well if you like sending your kid to a place that allows your kid to go home with someone else with out your knowledge and then show up to school for pick up and ask the principal where your kid is and the answer is " I dont know" then briskly walk past you, then feel free to. The school administration is as friendly and professional as a White Castle worker. And future dad's, don't even begin to think you will be involved with coaching your son/daughter in sports. Unless you went to school there of course, see the dad's who attended the school as youngsters now have kids there themselves, they think they run the place. Basicly outsiders beware, so my recommendation, if you grew up there probably great, if you like gossip among adults, great, like unprofessional people, great, like cold shoulders from other parents cause your not in that "click" of Alumni yourself, awesome. enjoy the train wreck. Highly disappointed ! If your looking for more, move along.

Tina Johnson

Family traditions

Chad Fluence

You have to go if you are in Illinois and it is around Christmas time,my husband and I had never went it was absolutely beautiful the lights the Nativity,these people work days getting this all put together. You can see all the love that goes into this beautiful lights display it is free to get in, I think it's about 5 miles in length ( maybe more). At the end they have young volunteers asking if you would like to buy a Lamb it costs$10.00 each we bought two,they offer them every year and the Lamb has the year on it. The lamb's are so cute and they are not tiny a very good size.

Jo Anne Dennis

Been going for years

Rhonda Cook

The Christmas lights are excellent! All the volunteers are always extremely friendly.

Davie Hancock

Not as much as I thought.

Andrew Belarmino

Went to see the Christmas lights. It was so crowded, we sat in the car in one spot for 10 minutes, then we would move 2 inches and sit there again for another 10 minutes. This was not enjoyable, especially for kids. There was a petting zoo and some other attractions, but we couldn’t possibly get over to park because of the two lanes of cars. Go to Rock Springs Park in Alton, IL.

Tony Beckett

Me and my sister and my mom went there last year and it was amazing the lights were so pretty and the food services were good and the playground was good for my little sister

Dee Hanson

This is one of my best lights I have seen so far in different festivals. The wide area exhibiting lights on different themes. It is enjoyable through walk as well as drive in. Along with the displays camel ride and carriage ride is also available. The another important thing is the drive in way of light is almost free just they accept donations. Location wise is very convenient, right beside the road. In a word it is amazing.

bill alferez

This a great place. I loved the Lourdes Grotto and the Stations of the Cross and the Shrine. The Staff is great. The Pilgrim Motel is super and a good price. The radio station is excellent. One time when I was there, the Shroud of Turin was on display...that was really something.

Evelyn Moore

Nice little shop and walking paths. Terrible surrounding area though, so get there and get home. Don't stop along the way.

Brandy Bowman

Fun fun.

Jen P

Was there for the first time yesterday and oh my, the Shrine took my breath away! Such a beautiful, placid place.

Tom Naughton

A very beautiful and peaceful place both for conferences and reiligious retreats. Walking around helped me reflect on many things in life needed to pause for a while and think.

football domme

Are used to take my child when he was two now he is 22 I’m waiting for Jesus to come and turn the table over because it it’s not the same it’s it’s more commercial I was very disappointed I do remember it was just my son and myself it when he was two for Thanksgiving we would go there for Thanksgiving dinner it was a humble place and it was kind I don’t think I’ll ever go back again I’m as will go to jelly stone national park with their Christmas

Rosemary Cagle

So fun to drive through here and stop off and watch the light show.

Kyle Osterberg

Go to buffets on Holidays. Getting expensive.

Tammy S

It's a very special and holy place on earth.

Uma Banerjee

Have been coming to the Lady of the snows for 50+ years with family such a great tradition. Love the Christmas tree room the Chritsmas carols so festive. Can't wait for post Covid traditions to come back. Love my treat of sausage and sauerkraut supper to come back and the delicious desserts.

kellie Keller

An amazing place to visit during the holiday season with Ur family. A spectacular light display for all ages!!

ThousandShotsof NOZ

My wife and I had a wonderful experience thank you all so much/

pat knott

Awesome stop on the way home. Beautiful!!!

rose arning

Peaceful grounds. A piece of heaven on Earth.

Benjamin Yabut

Great lights but kids are upset. We been in line for over 2 hours because the person doing traffic is only letting one car go at a time on our side but like 8 on the other side plus people are not letting people leave and backing up traffic were still not inside th shrine and we been sitting here since 650 its now 912

tim trudo

A place for meditation and reflection.

Kathy Franklin

Awesome shrine. Grounds are meticulously maintained.

Scott Shannon

No matter the direction I am coming from, I'm very trust worthy on Google maps. Plus, there's two entrances.

Maria Cardenas

Beautiful

Christine Denney

Love their lights. We go every year

Ed L

Quite spot to renew and refresh your soul

Nagash Demina

Brings back so many memories keeping the tradition alive with my family ????????????

TORI 220

This shrine has been my favorite for a decade. It has gorgeous grounds and wonderful places to pray. When I was very small I loved to eat in their cafe and play on the exceptional playground. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place to be.

Alex Borisov

We come here every year for the Christmas lights. It was amazing as usual!

Barbara Erlinger

They have a wonderful christmas light display here during the holiday season. By all means, if you're in the area, check out out.

Kathy Wagner

Its amazing, better than most light Christmas lights that you actually will pay for. It's all donations, so pls be generous. It's a little difficult from time to time to see where the road is, but not impossible.

Max Hotz

Ever since they made it 2 lanes to go through the lights the visits have been horrible. Can never seen anything on the other side because always have some bus or big suv/truck blocking everything on the other side. This is the last year we will be here. Need to go back to the 1 lane.

bill tomson

Food was Awesome at restaurant...Great Christmas atmosphere everywhere ????

bob deuschle

Myself and a group from work - less than 25, made reservations. We had a few that ran late; however, still NEVER exceeded the number we reserved for. The lead person, I’m assuming manager (white/black uniform) was terribly rude. The service was very slow, although pleasant - unlike the female manager, who at one point rudely pulled our waitress away when she was in the middle of a conversation with us. It took a very long time to get our tickets. The breakfast food was delicious; however, the lunch food was tasteless and dry. I paid almost $25.00 for a one person buffet. Definitely not worth it. I will NOT return to the restaurant! I expected much friendlier service than I witnessed today.

Afton Shambro

Recently attended a conference here. Great food and amenities. The hotel is dated, but clean.

Barbara Nulty

Best light show anywhere

Miguel Garcia

Nice place. If you're a St. Louis Catholic, these be your digs. Especially around Christmas. Make the drive, see the Lady. Go in the snow. The Lady of the Snows won't let anything happen to you. That would be false advertising!

J Ball

I just have to say that the Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL is HORRIBLE to deal with if you want to plan an event there... Don't.

Jessica Mayes

The playground was the best part.

Shirley Adams

Christmas lights were exceptional. Worth the drive!

Carol Fairchild

So crowed

Nancy Gaines

I love it so much the food is great it is beautiful around Xmas so fun

Vickie Castaneda

Great Christmas Eve mass.....and great lights! Plenty of parking and a well organized flow through the lights exhibit. Very nice staff, too. Thanks!

Timothy Redmond

Loved it