Innovations like its new world breaking “Outlaw Run” wooden coaster help keep the Silver Dollar City as Branson’s number one attraction.
“Many of the over 20,000 people who have ‘Liked’ our Facebook page have kids or grandkids and are obviously either interested in Branson or have visited Branson, many with their children or grandchildren,” said, Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “With all of the shows, attractions, lakes, and other activities Branson offers, we thought it would be interesting and also beneficial to those who have never been to Branson before, to ask them, and others who saw the post, ‘What’s the one thing your kids or grand-kids want to see or do when they come to Branson?'”
The answers, although certainly not scientific, sure did hit most of the top Branson attractions and might be helpful to those planning a trip to Branson with their children or grandchildren. It’s no surprise that the number one thing they wanted to see was Branson’s oldest and most popular paid attraction, the award winning 1880s styled theme park, Silver Dollar City. With dozens of rides for children of every age, six world class festivals each year, shows, practicing craftsmen and so much more it’s easy to understand its popularity, not only with the kids, but with their parents and grandparents as well.
Whether you call it an attraction or a show kids as well as adults have made it one of Branson’s most popular things to do in Branson.
Second was the Dixie Stampede. Dolly Parton calls it, “Branson’s most fun place to eat” and it’s easy to see why that is especially so for children. Where else can you get a scrumptious four course meal and the fun that comes from eating it without “utensils” amid the excitement and action of “racing ostriches, 32 magnificent horses featuring some amazing equestrian feats, a stampede of buffalo, the rumble in the treetops lumberjack relay, and some friendly competition?”
Go Kart riding was the third on the list. The Track Family Fun Parks is a go-kart paradise featuring 1,200 feet and four stories of steel and concrete on the “Heavy Metal High Rise,” a four-story spiral climb on the “Wild Woody” or the spirals and a blind peak of the “Lumber Jack” along with traditional go kart tracks at their four Branson parks. And if that’s not enough The Extreme Racing Center features high speed kart reaching speeds of up to 40 mph.
The Titanic Museum Attraction, Ride the Ducks and mini golf were also high on the list, but, “What important,” said Branson Tourism Center’s Wood, “is that kids are going to have fun while they are in Branson and will want to come back.” She said these two comments sum it up beautifully; Sherri D Adkisson Smith when she said, “My grandkids loved everything we did! They were amazed at Branson itself!” and Judy Johnson Smith who listed the favorite things they saw and did in while they were in Branson and hit the proverbial nail right on the head when she closed by saying, “But most importantly they want to go back next summer.”