Silver Dollar City
A day at Silver Dollar City is a trip back in time; it will
take you back to the days when the people living in these
mountains created everything needed from local materials
using their own hands. Artisans of a bygone era create crafts
onsite and sell them to the public. You can even try your
hand at glass blowing and pottery making. While all this
is okay for stuffy adults, the kid in all of us can get
an adrenaline rush from such thrill rides as Buzzsaw Falls,
the Runaway Mine Train, Fire in the Hole and the Wildfire
Roller Coaster. Numerous festivals also take place at the
park throughout the year. The ticket price also includes
a trip into the depths of Marvel Cave.
Ride the Ducks
This company offers 80-minute tours of the sites of both
Branson and Lake Taneycomo. The tour begins on land as a
WWII amphibious vehicle wanders about the local Ozark area
before plunging into the lake for a boat tour. You will
get to see sights such as Tablerock Lake Dam, Showboat Branson
Belle, the fish hatchery and more. For more than 25 years,
these Coast Guard-licensed captains have guided visitors
on fun, fact-filled trips around the area. So grab your
"Wacky Quacker," a goofy yellow duck call that
tourists seem to love as they quack away on the ride, hop
on one of the Ducks and enjoy the ride.
Showboat Branson Belle
The sweeping panoramas of Table Rock Lake provide the backdrop
for musical entertainment and a gourmet, unhurried dinner
on a cruise aboard a four-deck, stern-wheeled showboat.
Shows range from comedy ventriloquist performances at breakfast
to a full-blown music history revue for dinner. There is
always something to do for every member of the family aboard
this floating show palace. Meals are included in the ticket
prices. Breakfast specials include Three-Cheese and Kiwi
Krepes as well as steak and eggs. Lunch and dinner entrees
are usually of the grilled or baked chicken variety.
Table Rock State Park
This 356-acre state park is located right on Table Rock
Lake and is the perfect outdoor getaway spot in the Branson
area. There are plenty of things to do at the park. There
is a campground for overnight stays and a store at which
to replenish your supplies, plus hiking trails and plenty
of water activities. On the park grounds, you can find boat
rentals, parasailing equipment rentals, a dive shop and
a marina for all of your boating supplies.
Track (The)
This locally owned and operated family fun park is so popular
that it has five different locations around Branson. The
go-cart tracks—miniature versions of professional
racetracks—are the main attractions here. There are
all sorts of tracks, including some wild multi-story wooden
tracks that look like mini roller coasters. Depending on
which location you choose, there are a number of other attractions
and activities such as bumper boats, thrill rides, ice cream
parlors and miniature golf. Prices vary per activity.
White Water
Soaking fun for all ages, this water-based amusement park
is just the thing for those muggy Branson summers. With
something for all ages, the park boasts water slides, a
huge wave pool, a white-water river and several attractions
for the kids. A recent addition is Rain Tree Island, where
geysers, water cannons and elevated walkways will entertain
kids for hours. Beware the intermittent 700-gallon surprise
that comes dashing down from above.
Branson Scenic Railway
Take a ride through time in a glass-topped railroad car.
The tour is 105-minutes long and travels a 40-mile trail
from downtown Branson to Galena and back. The trip winds
across the Ozark Mountains, into verdant valleys, over narrow
bridges, and through tunnels. The 5pm tour on Saturdays
is a little shorter, but includes a four-course prime rib
dinner. A snack car is available for refreshments on all
other excursions.
Shepherd of the Hills
"The Shepherd of the Hills," a novel written by
Harold Bell Wright in 1907, comes to life in this elaborate
outdoor production. But the moving performance is not all
you will find here. The amphitheater is built on the actual
site where Wright lived as he penned this Ozarkian epic
of triumph, tragedy and love. Admission includes the show,
a guided tour of the historic homestead, a wagon ride, entrance
to the Harold Bell Wright Museum and Inspiration Tower,
and dinner. Aunt Mollie's Restaurant provides a large buffet
and nightly specials.
Hollywood Wax Museum
This museum features wax castings of famous athletes along
with your favorite stars from TV, music and the big screen.
The setting of each display is an exact recreation of a
scene from a movie, event or show and gives you a behind-the-scenes
look at the glamour. In the chamber of horrors, you will
find classic villains portrayed by infamous actors such
as Vincent Price, Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff. In another
section of the museum, you will find historical and religious
figures such as Queen Victoria, Franklin Roosevelt and Jesus.
Grand Palace
This Victorian edifice is the largest music theater in Branson,
and the building alone is worth a stop. The inside is also
quite sizeable and has an 88-foot ceiling. Mosaic tiles
and tapestries accent the lobby entrance, while only the
massive chandelier that hangs above it dwarfs the grand
stairway. Musical talents such as George Jones, Charlie
Pride and the Oak Ridge Boys have graced the stage in the
4,000-seat theater. A gift shop is on the lower level.
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| Summer
months are the most popular time to visit Branson -- and
the hottest, with highs often in the low 90s F/32-35 C.
We prefer spring (April-May) and fall (September-October)
when days are warm and nights are cool, 50-80 F/10-26 C.
Spring can be wet, with thunderstorms. Fall foliage in the
Ozarks can be spectacular mid September-October.
Winter temperatures are generally mild, with daytime highs
of 60 F/15 C and lows in the 20s and 30s F/-6 to -1 C. Christmas
has become a popular time to visit Branson, as many of the
theaters put on special holiday shows. Many theaters close
their doors in January and February, with some remaining
shuttered until April
The vast majority of visitors to Branson arrive by car or
tour bus. As a result, the traffic in town can be miserable,
though it has gotten somewhat better in recent years thanks
to road improvements. A great way to save time is to avoid
Highway 76 (the Strip) and make use of alternate routes.
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