Category Archives: Branson Attractions

Pedal your way to fun on Lake Taneycomo

"Rent Me!" for a unique fun filled experience on Lake Taneycomo.

The information below is for archival purposes. Pedal Boats are no longer available. Also the Harley Shop & convenience store have been closed for a few years now. However, the Main Street Lake Queen and Lake Princess are still there for your enjoyment.

BRANSON, Mo., September 4, 2012 — For people walking along the Lake Taneycomo Lakefront on the Branson Landing Boardwalk Main Street Marina, the “home port” for Main Street Lake Cruises two boats, the riverboat paddle wheel replica the Lake Queen and the 100 foot luxury yacht the Landing Princess, is a prominent feature. If its sheer size out on the lake doesn’t catch your attention its unique “Canada Geese” fountains, Harley Davidson Store or Convenience Store just might.

Perhaps not so noticeable are the pedal boats displayed on the dock with the large “Rent Me!” signs on them. They just might be one of the best attraction values in Branson and provides a unique way to experience Lake Taneycomo up-close and personal; sightsee; have fun; get exercise, and view Branson Landing from a unique lake side perspective

Each of the pedal boats has a capacity of 825 pounds and, although designed for up to five passengers, for safety and to enhance the enjoyment of the experience, is limited to two passengers. The boats have amenities such as coolers, a canopy, adjustable seating that is not only self draining, but fully recline to create an on the water sun lounge for two and provides two methods of propulsion.

As would be expected in a pedal boat, pedaling, which can be done from either of the two seats, is a great way to propel the boat for those looking for exercise or who want the fun and adventure of propelling themselves through the water. With a flip of a switch, the boat can go from its pedal power to electric power, using its 30 pound built-in electric motor to move effortlessly and noiselessly through the water.

The boats cost $15.00 per hour and may be rented at the Main Street Lake Cruises Ticket Office at the Main Street Marina on Branson Landing. For additional information on pedal boat rentals, sightseeing cruises on Main Street Lake Cruises Lake Queen or a dinner cruise on the luxury yacht Landing Princess please call 1-417-239-3980.

Rain or sun Branson means fun

The Titanic Museum Attraction is just one of many non weather dependent Branson Attractions open year round for Branson visitors to enjoy.

BRANSON, Mo., August 30, 2012 — “Branson is blessed in that the majority of its attractions and shows are not weather dependent,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Heat, cold, snow, rain or sun, there is always fun to be had in Branson,” she continued.

The forecast rain from “Hurricane Isaac” scheduled to impact the Branson area, primarily on Friday, with some lingering showers on Saturday, will definitely impact outdoor related activities such as golf, lake activities and certain outdoor attractions. Johnson points out that regardless of the weather there is always something that’s exciting and fun to do in Branson.

The majority of Bransons attraction’s are open regardless of the weather. Take a voyage aboard the Titanic Museum Attraction, visit the Hollywood Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, or the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure. How about visiting the “Smithsonian of the Ozarks,” the “Ralph Foster Museum” at the College of the Ozarks, indoor miniature golf at Grand Country or one of the many other fun filled non weather dependent activities Branson offers?

With the exception of the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama, Branson’s full slate of outstanding and entertaining live shows is not weather dependent. With Branson shows covering the gamut from Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Yakov Smirnoff, Jim Stafford, Shoji Tabuchi, Rankin Brothers, Clay Cooper Country Express, Duttons, Acrobats of China, Legend of Kung Fu, Dixie Stampede, Yakov’s Dinner Adventure, SIX, Pierce Arrow, George Dyer, Dixie Stampede, the Haygoods, Showboat Branson Belle, Todd Oliver and Friends, Hamner and Barber Variety Show and dozens of other there is a show available for every entertainment interest.

Although weather certainly has some impact on shopping, as is the case with its attractions and shows, the vast majority of Branson’s famous shopping is not weather dependent and is open “rain or shine” year round. This includes Tanger Mall, The Shoppes at Branson Meadows, Branson Landing with its 100 retail shops, eateries and other activities, the Branson’s Historic Downtown Shopping District and the many famed specialty, craft and gift shops located throughout the Branson area.

For additional information Branson’s activities or tickets for the any of Branson’s shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

“Sparky” lights up unique Branson shopping experience

"Sparky" is on the signs marking each of the Trolley Stops.

BRANSON, Mo., August 29, 2012 “‘Sparky,’ just might be Branson’s best kept shopping secret,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Sparky, is the cute mascot representing the free trolley service that connects two of Branson’s most unique, exciting and entertaining shopping opportunities, Historic Downtown Branson and Branson Landing, into an incredible shopping experience not available anywhere else in the world.”

The 38 passenger “trolley” styled buses run about every 15 minutes, 10 AM to 6 PM daily, from March through December between Historic Downtown Branson and the Branson Landing. There is a total of seven stops with five stops, 2 through 6, in Historic Downtown Branson and two, at Branson Landing, Stop 1 at the Belk end of the promenade and Stop 7 at the Bass Pro Shop end.

Regardless of where one boards the trolley, it will take about 15 minutes to make the loop back to the initial boarding point. In addition to being a free and convenient connection between the Branson Historic District and Branson Landing, the trolley ride itself is a wonderful free attraction providing an excellent overview and perspective of the historic downtown area, the Branson Convention Center, the Lake Taneycomo Lakefront and Branson Landing. Along the way you will pass Branson’s first theatre, the Owens Theatre and the spot where the “ “Baldknobbers” performed Branson’s first live music show, Dick’s 5 & 10, the grave of the man the city of Branson is named after, Ruben S. Branson, and many other points of interest.

It makes no difference where one parks if they are just going to take a “one loop” ride on the trolley, but if one is going to spend any time at either Branson Landing or shopping in Historic Downtown Branson, it might be advisable to board at either Stop 1 or Stop 7 at Branson Landing because of parking. There is a two hour parking limit throughout the majority of Historic Downtown Branson, but no limit at Branson Landing.

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson also points out that the 15 minute trolley schedule provides an excellent way to get from one end of Branson Landing to the other without having to retrace one’s steps for those who have parked in the Belk parking lot. After traversing Branson Landing, with its 100 retail stores; restaurants; spectacular $7.5 million water fountain show, synchronized to music, sound, light and fire; the board walk or even a cruise on one of Main Street Lake Cruises two boats, the paddle wheel river boat “Lake Queen” or the luxury yacht “Landing Princess” and ending up at Bass Pro Shops, simply board at Stop 7. Its next stop will be Stop 1 at the Belk parking lot.

Sparky, and the trolley it symbolizes, connects the shopping and entertainment of Branson Landing with the dozens of specialized shops, down home cafes, entertainment and nostalgia of Historic Downtown Branson. The result is the combination of all the excitement, fun, entertainment and shopping of each into a unique experience only available in Branson, Missouri.

Silver Dollar City adds $10 million world record setting coaster thrill

Construction is well along on Silver Dollar City's newest thrill ride "Outlaw Run."

BRANSON, Mo., August 22, 2012 An article entitled “Thrilling $10 million ‘Outlaw’ to entertain at Silver Dollar City,” appearing on line August 18 in Branson.Com/News, reports that, starting in the Spring of 2013, guests to Branson’s most popular paid attraction, the 1880s styled theme park Silver Dollar City, will be able to ride on “the world’s most daring wood coaster ride called ‘Outlaw Run.'” It will join Silver Dollar City’s other world class coaster rides, “PowderKeg, a compressed air-launch coaster that accelerates from 0 to 53 MPH in just 2.8 seconds and “WildFire,” a 66 mile per hour multi-looping steel coaster.

Brad Thomas, senior vice president, Silver Dollar City Attractions said, “Our Silver Dollar City fans told us they wanted a new thrill attraction, and we were determined to create a world-class experience even they couldn’t imagine.” The $10 million “‘Outlaw Run’ is a first-of-its-kind ride” that sets several world firsts for wood coasters. Its “record-breaking 3 inversions, with a 720-degree (double) barrel roll and a 153-degree outside banked turn” and its initial 162 foot 81 degree drop is a world firsts for a wood coaster. At speeds of up to 68 miles per hour, as it takes riders on a 2,937 foot ride in just 1 minute and 27 seconds, “Outlaw Run” is the world’s second fastest wood coaster.

As might be expected from its name, “Outlaw Run” is themed around the stagecoach travels of the old west with its passengers going “on a journey of unexpected drops, thrilling twists and rolling inversions” as they pass through “a storied place where civility is waning and outlaws may lurk.” In keeping with that theme, passengers boarding the coasters two 24 passenger “trains” will experience their thrilling adventure riding aboard the custom-designed “stagecoach” trains of Silver Dollar City’s Western Missouri Stagecoach Company. “All generations will enjoy this bold and daring ride where the ‘good guys always win, leaving the bad guys in the dust,” Thomas added.

Three Branson attractions unique in the world?

Unique view the beauty of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake from the top of one of Silver Dollar City's world class coasters,"Wildfire."

BRANSON, Mo., August 12, 2012 — Branson is one of the most popular tourist destinations in America and is called by some the ‘Live music show capital of the world,'”said Annette Wood, Director of Group Sales for the Branson Tourism Center. “Branson entertains upwards of eight million visitors annually with its combination of live shows, pristine lakes, natural Ozark Mountain beauty, shopping, other activities and has dozens of varied, wonderful and exciting attractions” she added.

The definition of the term “attraction” is very broad, encompassing “any person or thing that attracts or is intended to attract” and could cover just about every show, activity and celebrity in Branson. In terms of destinations, travel and Branson, the term is usually used to describe a thing or activity that people enjoy doing while at a destination. That said, excluding Branson’s almost 100 live shows, as this writer reflected on Wood’s statement he wondered, “Comparatively speaking, which of Branson’s dozens of attractions are the most unique, not only to Branson, but, possibly, in the world?” Based on living in Branson for the past 26 years and being blessed with experiencing most of what Branson has to offer he believes that the three attractions listed below should be considered:

Silver Dollar City – The award winning 1880’s styled theme park is Branson oldest and most popular paid attraction, is noted for its world class festivals, rides, attractions, shows, unique shops, craftsmen demonstrating skills in pioneer crafts, great food and much more. One of the features that makes Silver Dollar City special is that the park has been seamlessly blended into the surrounding natural beauty of the Ozarks so as to become a part of it.

That alone could be enough to to put it on the list. When it is factored in with the fact that Silver Dollar City is the home of a National Natural Landmark, the spectacular natural wonder, “Marble Cave,” its uniqueness in Branson and as a theme park anywhere is assured.

Shepherd of the Hills Historic Homestead Tour – The publication of Harold Bell Wright’s classic novel, “The Shepherd of the Hills,” in 1907 is credited with the start of tourism in the Ozarks. Among other things, the tour of the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead takes its guests through a portion of the Ozarks that Harold Bell Wright traveled and experienced as he wrote his epic novel and upon which it is based.

The tour also goes behind the scenes of the spectacular Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Play, which would also be on this list if it were not a “show;” Inspiration Tower and a visit to the original home of the novel’s main characters, “Old matt’s Cabin,” which still stands in its original location and is listed on the National Historic Registry.

Main Street Lake Cruises Lake Queen Sightseeing Cruise – At first blush there is nothing unique about taking a sightseeing cruise on a lake aboard a river boat, paddle wheel replica, show boat, catamaran, luxury yacht or any other type of boat and there are a number of destination cities that offer such cruises. What makes it unique is “Lake Taneycomo” itself and what it provides.

The lake is a long, extremely narrow impoundment of the White River, a southerly flowing river, as it runs north before turning south towards its eventual intersection with the Mississippi River. Because it so closely parallels the original narrow banks of the river which runs underneath it, each cruise presents a unique and unparalleled opportunity for cruise passengers to see and experience firsthand how the Ozark Mountains were formed, from the top down, as they cruise by the very bluffs from which they were hewn. Add to that the opportunity to feel the same excitement early riverboat passengers felt as they travelled the White River prior to its impoundment in 1912; see Bald Eagles, deer, Great Blue Herons and other wild life and birds up close and become a part of a kaleidoscope of beautiful constantly changing Ozark scenery that is so close one feels they can touch it and its uniqueness becomes apparent.

As Branson Tourism Center’s Wood pointed out earlier, Branson “has dozens of varied, wonderful and exciting attractions.” This list is just one man’s opinion of three of Branson’s attractions that he believes are truly unique. Click here for a link to many of Branson’s most popular attractions with scheduling, ticket, information, videos, pictures and other information. One thing is for sure, in terms of all that it has to offer, Branson is truly one of the most fun filled, exciting and “unique” travel destinations in the world.

Labor Day in Branson – An exciting “informal” end of the summer outdoor season

White Water's iconic seven story multi-slide thrill ride "Kalani Towers."

BRANSON, Mo., August 9, 2012 — “Although, in terms of temperatures, it seems like it’s been an ‘eternal’ Summer all year, the long Labor Day Weekend is generally construed to be the ‘informal’ end of the Summer Season,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “It is typically the ‘last hurrah’ for families to enjoy the excitement, fun and adventure of all that outdoor Summer activities have to offer and will run from September 1 through 3 this year,” she added.

From its three lakes and outdoor activities from hiking, biking, boating, fishing, laying on the beach, beach volleyball, golfing, zip lining and many others, Branson provides a unique mosaic of outdoor activities that is unrivaled anywhere. When that is combined with everything else that Branson offers, almost a hundred live shows, firework displays, world class shopping, theme parks and attractions and so much more. It’s hard to imagine a place that will offer more excitement, fun and entertainment than Branson over the Labor Day Weekend. In fact, not only over the Labor Day Weekend, but anytime, it’s hard to imagine a place that offers families more to share together than Branson offers.

In terms of outdoor things to do, although the activities may vary, many people come to Branson to just escape and relax in the simple natural beauty of its Ozark Mountains and enjoy one of its lakes. That will be no different over the Labor Day Weekend as Branson visitors enjoy what is typically one of the last big “lake weekends” on either Table Rock Lake or Lake Taneycomo to swim, boat, fish or participate in a myriad of other water sports and aquatic activities.

Another way people enjoy the beauty of Branson’s Lakes is by taking a cruise. Table Rock Lake, offers dinner and lunch cruises on the Showboat Branson Belle combining a lake cruise with a wonderful meal and its ” Made In America” show. On Lake Taneycomo, which runs right by Branson Landing, Main Street Lake Cruises provides daily sightseeing cruinses on its river boat paddle wheel replica, the Lake Queen and dinner cruises on the 100 foot luxury yacht Landing Princess. Its cruises provide a unique view of a side of Branson Landing and its magnificent fire and light show spectacular and the opportunity to see wild life such as Bald Eagles, Osprey, deer, the Great Grey Heron as well as vistas and bluff formations that most people never get to see.

Nothing symbolizes outdoor water and fun in Branson more than White Water, southwest Missouri’s largest water park, with its millions of gallons of water and fun, the “Aloha River at Hula Hula Bay” and its iconic seven story multi-slide thrill ride “Kalani Towers.” The long Labor Day weekend will be the last weekend for White Water’s 2012 season. Silver Dollar City, Branson’s award winning 1880s styled theme park, which will be celebrating the final days of its Southern Gospel Picnic, is also noted for its many outdoor activities and its seasonal water themed rides such as the “American Plunge,” “RiverBlast” and “Lost River of the Ozarks.”

Tee of Par 4 10th hole at Pointe Royale Golf Course.

Even with the record breaking heat of this summer major Branson Golf Courses such as Brason Creek, Murder Rock, Pointe Royale, Thousand Hills and Payne Stewart are in excellent shape and ready for the enjoyment of Branson’s Labor Day Weekend visitors. Although weather dependent, most of Branson’s golf courses are available for play on a year round basis.

Although not classified as either a “summer” or “outdoor” activity, as the majority of them are all year round, Branson’s retail stores, shopping and outlet malls as well as the majority of its specialty shops will be open over the Labor Day Weekend to ensure that Branson visitors get to experience the fabulous shopping for which it is known. Among many others, this includes Branson’s unique specialty shops, including Historic Downtown Branson, the Grand Village, Imax Complex and other areas all over Branson; its two major outlet malls, the Tanger Outlet Center and The Shoppes at Branson Meadows and its major shopping mall, Branson Landing.

Johnson points out that one of the nice things about Branson’s outdoor activities is their closeness, not only to each other, but to Branson’s other attractions, live shows, shopping and everything else that it offers. One minute you could be fighting a lunker trout or playing a round of golf on a championship golf course and, relatively speaking, the next you could be sitting in a theatre watching one of Branson’s great live shows, having a world class shopping experience, watching a potter work an artist pain or enjoying any one of the many exciting and interesting activities Branson offers.

From the Branson Titanic Museum Attraction boarding passengers as it remembers the 100th year anniversary of the sinking of the great ship to the vast majority of its 100 shows, attractions, restaurants and everything else that makes Branson the unique entertaining world class destination it is, it’s hard to imagine a more fun filled, exciting or entertaining place to spend the Labor Day weekend than in Branson. Branson Tourism Center’s (BTC) Johnson advises that Labor Day Weekend in Branson is one of the busiest of the year and advises making advance reservations for things like shows, lodging, tee times etc. Please call BTC through its toll free number, 1-800-785-1550, for more information on Branson’s Labor Day Weekend activities, tickets for Branson’s shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements.

A Southern Gospel Picnic Silver Dollar City Style

Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic.

BRANSON, Mo., July 30, 2012 — “Fun, adventure and excitement are a normal part of a day at Branson’s most popular paid attraction,” said Annette Wood, Director of Group Sales for the Branson Tourism Center. “Add in the soul stirring inspirational sound of some of the finest Southern Gospel Music in the land and a picnic, Silver Dollar City style, and the result is ‘America’s biggest Southern Gospel Picnic,'” she continued.

Silver Dollar City‘s Southern Gospel Picnic is the shortest of Silver Dollar City’s seven world class festivals, running just 11 days, from August 24 through September 3. Yet, it is an event eagerly anticipated by Southern Gospel music fans and is a great opportunity, for those who have not had the opportunity to hear it before, to experience it at its “uplifting soul-stirring” best performed by some of the finest Southern Gospel performers and groups in the Nation.

During the Southern Gospel Picnic in excess of 40 of the top Southern Gospel performers and groups will perform hundreds of performances throughout the park. Although subject to change these include, among others, Jason Crabb, 2012 Dove Award Male Vocalist of the Year & Artist of the Year; The Perrys, winners of a 2012 Dove Award for the Southern Gospel Song of the Year “Celebrate Me Home;” The Isaacs, winners of a 2012 Dove Award for the Bluegrass Song of the Year “Momma’s Teaching the Angels How to Sin;” Karen Peck & New River winners of 2012 Dove Awards for Country Song of the Year “Good Things Are Happening” & Southern Gospel Album of the Year “Reach Out” and dozens more. Although not a musical performance, it should be noted that Christian speaker and humorist Dennis Swanberg will be appearing on September 1.

The Southern Gospel Nights concert series will be held each evening, weather permitting, at the park’s 4,000 seat Echo Hollow Amphitheater® starting at 6 PM each night, except for September 1st and 2nd when the starting time is 7 PM. Although each concert will feature a different Southern Gospel group each of the Southern Gospel Nights concerts will be hosted by KWFC-FM radio personality Dave Taylor.

On Sunday August 26 and September 2, special Sunday worship services will be presented featuring guest speakers and performers. David Ring, motivational speaker and pastor will speak on August 26 and Hosea Bilyeu, pastor and performer along with the “Hosea Bilyeu Family” will be featured on September 2.

“And what would a picnic be without food?” Branson Tourism Center‘s Wood rhetorically asks. In addition to all the delicious food normally available throughout the park the Southern Gospel Picnic will feature “The House of Chicken & Fixin’s,” located inside the parks “Reunion Hall.” The “picnic menu” features Silver Dollar City’s “famous golden Southern Fried Chicken” and other items including “succulent Apple Butter Glazed Chicken, delicious Orange Glazed Chicken, Hickory – Smoked Chicken, moist and tender Slow Smoked Pulled Pork all served with all of your favorite picnic fixins.”

As is the case with all of Silver Dollar City’s world class festivals, all of the special activities, music and events of the Southern Gospel Picnic, are in addition to all the adventure and excitement that the international award winning 1880’s’ styled theme park offers on a daily basis. This includes two dozen rides and attractions including “Half Dollar Holler,” the million dollar play area for kids; 100 resident craftsmen, its shops and other unique activities.

Wood points out that each Silver Dollar City admission sold by Branson Tourism Center includes two days admission for the price of one and suggests advance reservations for lodging and shows, particularly over the long Labor Day weekend. For additional information on Silver Dollar City, the Southern Gospel Picnic or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550.

Color by the numbers to get around in Branson like a pro

BRANSON, Mo., September 7, 2017 – “Compared to a lot of destination cities, navigating around Branson is a joy,” said Preston Garrison, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “The relatively compact size of its entertainment district, route numbering and color coded route system makes it very easy to efficiently find and get to Branson’s shows, attractions, shopping, lodging, or just about any other place you would want to go.”

Branson’s Numbered/Color Coded Route Map

The vast majority of people coming into Branson do so via Highway 65, which, as is the case with the major odd numbered routes such as 165 and 265, in the Branson area, runs north and south. Even numbered routes such as 76, 248 and 376 run east and west. A quick look at the incorporated Branson Map, click to enlarge, verifies this fact and shows that the major north-south route through Branson is Highway 65 and Branson’s major east-west route is Route 76. East from that junction leads to Historic Downtown Branson, Lake Taneycomo, Branson Landing and the Branson Convention Center. West leads to the famous Branson Strip, located on Route 76, Branson’s major attractions such as the Titanic Museum Attraction, Tanger Mall, White Water and, farther west, Shepherd of the Hills and Silver Dollar City.

Branson’s system of alternate color coded routes also helps make it easy to find where you want to go and how to get there. There are three, Blue, Red, and Yellow. It can be generally said that they are overlaid on existing routes and roads and parallel Route 76, running east and west, with the Yellow Route doing so to the south of Highway 76 and the Blue and Red to the north. “A little time spent familiarizing oneself with these color coded routes can go a long way toward making travel around Branson more efficient, minimizing involvement with traffic congestion, and ‘timely arrivals,'” Johnson added.

The Yellow Route provides access to lodging and shows located on Fall Creek Road, Wildwood Drive, and Green Mountain Drive and an entry into shows such as Legends in Concert, Bretts, , Dixie Stampede, Andy Williams Moon River Theatre, Caravelle Theatre, Duttons, Branson’s Famous Baldknobbers, and others. Arterial streets provide access to theatres such as Clay Cooper, SIX, Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre, it at the Hughes Brothers Theatre, and others along with Tanger Mall and White Water.

The northern most color coded route is the Red Route which intersects with Highway 65 at its “State Route 248” or “Shepherd of the Hills Expressway” exit. The eastern terminus of the Red Route is the junction of Route 76 and Business Highway 65 in Historic Downtown Branson with its western terminus being the junctions of Route 76, Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Route 376 near IHOP.

At its eastern end, among other things, the Red Route provides access to Branson Landing, Main Street Marina, Main Street Lake Cruises, Historic Downtown Branson with Dicks 5 & 10 and much more, Lake Taneycomo, the city of Branson’s Lakeside RV Park and Scotty’s Trout Dock. As one travels west on the Red Route from its junction with Highway 65 on Route 248/Shepherd of the Hills Expressway they will pass by the Mansion Theatre, Sight & Sound Theatre with its spectacular productions, Pierce Arrow, Hamner’s Unbelievable Variety Show, Shoji Tabuchi and the IMAX Complex with its great shopping, Elite III movie theatres, giant screen IMAX theatre, and the Little Opry Theatre.

The Blue Route starts from its eastern end at the intersection of Highway 76 and Roark Valley Road and runs west, paralleling Branson’s Strip to its north, until it ends at the intersection of Route 76 and Gretna Road right at Branson’s largest museum attraction, The Titanic Museum Attraction and kitty-corner from the Clay Cooper Theatre. It runs past the entrance to Ballparks of America, and by arterial roads, providing direct access to the Tanger Mall, Starlite Theatre, and other strip attractions.

Detailed Map of Branson

For additional information on Branson’s color coded routes, getting around Branson or any of Branson’s shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements please feel free contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC) by calling their toll free number 1-800-573-5529.

Silver Dollar City’s KidsFest to end in Moonlight Madness

"Moonlight Madness" adds an entirely different perspective to the fun and adventure of Silver Dollar City.

BRANSON, Mo., July 11, 2012 — KidsFest at Silver Dollar City running through July 22 will end in the fun and excitement of “Moonlight Madness.” KidsFest, one of the parks major world class festivals is “America’s largest KidsFest” combining the 30 attractions and rides the 1880’s style theme park offers on a daily basis with special events and activities associated with KidsFest.

This year KidsFest is again featuring The “Fabulous Wallendas! Famous Family Circus,” staring members of the legendary high wire “Wellenda” family including Guinness World Record high-wire walker and international newsmaker Nik Wallenda, who has recently completed a record breaking 1,800 foot walk across Niagara Falls. In addition to many other events, KidsFest will also feature the “‘Gazillion Bubbles,” an interactive show taking bubble artistry to amazing levels, with lasers, lighting effects and a new three-dimensional light show LUMA. It brings to life an original story centered on the park’s famed Marvel Cave through the use of “high-tech illumination techniques creating a dazzling and exciting show of light, color and motion.”

Silver Dollar City’s Moonlight Madness starts on July 21 and runs through August 5. As the park remains open until 10:00 PM, it provides its guests with an opportunity to experience “more” of what the park offers as well as a whole new perspective. “It’s one thing riding ‘Wildfire,’ Silver Dollar City’s world class multi-looping roller coaster, reaching speeds up to 66 miles per hour during the day, it’s an entirely new and unique experience riding it after dark,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center.

Enjoy “GAC Country Nights in Echo Hollow® ,Wednesday through Monday at 7:00 pm and then dance The Chicken Dance, The Electric Slide and The Cotton Eyed Joe with Silver Dollar City’s Street Dance at 9:00 pm. Moonlight Madness will also feature special food and merchandise offers with the Hospitality House, Ozark Marketplace, the Moonlight Madness Tent on the Square, Eva & Delilah’s, Fanny’s Funnel Cakes, Flossie’s Fried Fancies, Hannah’s Ice Cream Parlor, Wagon Works Grill and Wilson’s Farmers’ Market remaining open until 10:00 PM.

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson reminds those planning on going to Silver Dollar City that all tickets for Silver Dollar City, purchased through Branson Tourism Center (BTC), provides two days of admission for the price of one day. For additional information on Silver Dollar City, KidsFest or Moonlight Madness please feel to contact BTC by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Five cool ways to stay cool and have fun in Branson

White Water's iconic 7-story multiple slide "Kalani Towers."

BRANSON, Mo., June 26, 2012 — Branson is one of the “hottest” travel destinations in America in terms of the family fun, adventure, entertainment, shopping, excitement and things to do. Outside of the temperature, one of the “hottest” things in Branson this summer is the variety of fun filled “cool” options Branson offers to “beat the heat and stay cool.”

Here are five of my favorite ways to beat the heat and the reasons why:

1. Spending a day at White Water Branson’s only outdoor water park. From its iconic seven story multislide thrill ride “Kalani Towers” to the “Aloha River at Hula Hula Bay” and much more, including it’s millions of gallons of cool tropically themed relief from the heat.

2. Take a cruise or boat ride on Lake Taneycomo – Lake Taneycomo, flows 22 miles from the foot of “Table Rock Dam” to the “Power Site Dam.” It’s waters average a temperature of about 48 degrees near its source at the dam providing cooling relief for those cruising or boating on her waters. Main Street Lake Cruises’ Lake Queen and Branson Princess, located in the Main Street Marina at Branson Landing, offers sightseeing and dinner cruises and peddle boat rentals. Scotty’s Trout Dock and Marina, located at the south end of the City of Branson’s “Lake Side RV Park” offers pontoon and other boats rentals as does “Lilly’s Landing” located off of Fall Creek Road.

The sands of Moonshine Beach on Table Rock Lake.

3. Activities or Swimming in Table Rock Lake or Moonshine Beach – The 43,000 surface acre Table Rock Lake, operated by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, offers a variety of ways to beat the summer heat including swimming, boating, fishing or just about any water sport or activity anyone would want to enjoy. The Corps also operates Moonshine Beach, on Table Rock Lake, near the north end of Table Rock Dam on State Highway 165/265. It’s the largest sand beach in southwest Missouri, has many amenities and is conveniently located within minutes of the famed Branson Strip.

4. Silver Dollar City – From its guaranteed to get wet water rides such as “American Plunge,” “Lost River of the Ozarks” and “RiverBlast,” to exhilarating, exciting and cooling rides on coasters such a “PowderKeg” and “Wildfire;” the depths of “Marvel Cave” and the cooling shade of its tree lined streets, the fun filled 1880’s styled theme park has to be one of the “coolest” theme parks in America.

5. Going to any of Branson’s over 100 live shows or indoor attractions – The shows are “cool” not only in terms of their air conditioned climate controlled environment, but in terms of the entertainment they provide. Like the Titanic Museum Attraction, with its opportunity to touch an iceberg and feel the icy cold temperature of the water into which the mighty ship sank over 100 years ago; the vast majority of Branson’s indoor attractions also offer their fun and excitement under cool climate controlled conditions.