Bright Lights, Little City
December 2nd, 2008 by Jane Schneider
Branson, Missouri, isn’t on the way to much, unless you’re headed northwest from Memphis to, say, Kansas City. But its tucked away location in the foothills of the Ozarks hasn’t stopped this resort community from becoming the go-to destination for more than 8 million visitors annually.
Yes, it’s touristy, and yes, country music legends abound. But for budget-minded families, there’s an array of attractions coupled with lodging to suit any budget. Branson shines during the holiday season too, when the town is bedecked in twinkling lights and brimming with good cheer.
Where the action is
My 13-year-old son and I drove here for a weekend in November. Though it wasn’t on the top of my must-do list, I was curious to see what we’d find. Branson’s lifeline is the Strip, Highway 76, where the majority of the town’s motels and attractions are found. That it’s all in one place holds appeal; the fact that you must endure bumper-to-bumper traffic at times, not so much. But you learn.
We decide to take in a dinner show and head to Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. Much of Branson’s fare is family-friendly, but this show tops the list. The host is a Dollyesque emcee, accompanied by her rodeo clown, Skeeter, who sings and introduces an array of acts. To encourage audience participation, the arena is divided into the North and South Pole, so that during the course of the evening, we can hoot and holler on cue. There are western-style horse riders, pig and ostrich races, ice dancers, the celebration of the Nativity (complete with an ascending angel), and lots of holiday numbers.
At first, my son and I steal furtive glances at each other, smiling at the hokeyness of it all. But as the evening wears on, we get caught up in the spectacle too, gleefully beating our table each time Dolly yells “Stampede.” Though the three-course meal is served without a knife or fork in sight, that doesn’t stop us from enjoying ample portions of rotisserie chicken, corn on the cob and potato wedges. Several families from Kansas tell me they come to Branson each December, and the Stampede is one of their favorite holiday traditions.
It’s just one of more than 48 theaters you’ll find here that offer an array of entertainment: from a Beatles and Elvis review to the Baldknobbers Jamboree, the hillbilly country music show that started it all. We opt for the Irish Tenors, a group of 12 men who sing a lilting mix of Irish folk songs, Broadway and pop tunes. They put on a great show.
Titanic exhibit
The next morning, we check out Titanic Museum Attraction that opened here two years ago from its former location in Orlando. This fascinating collection of artifacts illustrate how the ship was built and tell about the many passengers who made the ill-fated voyage. Designed to replicate the ship, you start the tour at the bottom of the ship, where working-class families traveled, and learn about what the ship carried (40,000 eggs, 75,000 pounds of meat) and how it was launched (a soap and oil coating).
While none of what’s on display was actually plucked from the ocean floor (debris was collected from the shipping lane and family items purchased at auction), the stories are nonetheless compelling. While here, the museum unveils its latest acquisition, a small wicker suitcase borrowed from the last surviving passenger, 95-year-old Millvina Dean. It will be on display at the museum through the holidays.
Silver Dollar City
Finally, we drive to Silver Dollar City to see their ginormous light display. From November 1st to December 30th, this popular theme park, recreated as an 1880s Ozark mining town, is transformed into a evening wonderland with more than 4 million lights and 1,000 decorated Christmas trees — truly a feast for the eyes. Though it’s a brisk 40 degrees during our visit, families outfitted in scarves and mittens eagerly line up on Main Street for the impressive Holiday Light Parade.
The cold also means the majority of the rides are closed, a fact that disappoints the boys. But a walk through the fun house is a hit, and we watch various artisans at work, doing crafts like glassblowing and etching.
Later, we catch the musical production of A Dicken’s Christmas Carol, a wonderful adaptation sung with gusto by the young theater troupe. New this year is the park’s Culinary & Craft School, which offers classes in cooking and craft-making. For more dazzle, check out the Shepherd of the Hills production of the Trail of Lights, an elaborate drive-through light display that’s just before you get to the park.
Finally, you’ll want to stroll Branson Landing, a tony open-air shopping and restaurant complex built along the Lake Taneycomo waterfront. A new Hilton is based here providing more upscale accomodations for those who want to put on the dog for the holidays. Branson throws a great holiday party. Check it out.
Recommended Resources
Reservebranson.com
vacation packages for Branson attractions and lodging
Branson Chamber of Commerce
branson-missouri.com
Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB
explorebranson.com
Silver Dollar City
silverdollarcity.com