The Ozark Mountain Christmas Show At The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre

January 17, 2019

Did you grow up watching the Osmond Family performing on television? I did, so it was so exciting to learn that Jimmy Osmond was the host of the Ozark Mountain Christmas Show and the owner of the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center & Theatre.

During our #BloggingBranson trip we saw several Christmas performances including:

However, The Andy Williams Ozark Mountain Christmas Show was very nostalgic. Jimmy Osmond hosts the show along with The Lennon Sisters, and their granddaughters. They sang our favorite holiday songs, and then we had special guests join the show.

Charlie Green from Britain’s Got Talent also joins them on stage along with some other talented artists who were discovered on television. America’s Got Talent performers, AYO featuring Voices of Glory are now performing in Branson after their experience on America’s Got Talent.

Voices of Glory is a group of siblings with tight harmonies, and inspirational messages starring Michael, Avery, and Nadia Cole. The group were top five on “America’s Got Talent,” and they were personally selected by Mr. Andy Williams to be in his annual Christmas Show.

The Ozark Mountain Christmas Show

The Ozark Mountain Christmas Show has been running for 27 seasons. If you are interested in attending the show, the dates for 2019 are November 1 – December 14, 2019. You can purchase tickets online directly from the theatre.

Here’s a quick preview of the show.

The Andy Williams Performing Arts Center & Theatre

The Andy Williams Performing Arts Center & Theatre is a beautiful theatre with enough space to seat 2,000 guests comfortably. There are no bad seats in the house and every view is unobstructed.

The grounds are so beautiful with natural rock formations and streams throughout the 16 acres. The theatre was designed and created with the help of Andy Williams in 1992. Great performers such as Glen Campbell, Petula Clark, Ann-Margaret, Charo, and other special guests have performed at this major Branson attraction.

I was surprised when I saw ice skaters dancing across the stage as the performers were singing. That was a nice feature of the Christmas Show that no other performers in Branson offers. That’s what I love about Branson, every theatre offers something different for each show. You will love each one for their unique touches.

The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre doesn’t just host a Christmas show. They have shows throughout the year including:

When selecting a holiday show to book when visiting Branson, Missouri, you must include this show on your list! If you enjoy original television clips of the variety shows that used to air on TV, you will love this show! There are several clips from the years when the Lennon sisters and Jimmy Osmond were small children.

Pasghetti’s Italian Restaurant in Branson, MO

January 10, 2019

Wanna eat at the world’s largest fork and meatball? Wanna ride a Ferris Wheel inside the restaurant? Yes, I said INSIDE the restaurant! How about taking a souvenier photograph at a photo station?

You can have all this fun and more at Pasghetti’s family owned restaurant in Branson, MO. During the #BloggingBranson trip we had the opportunity to have lunch there and it was so delicious! I had the meatball sub and probably could have eatten two it was that good!

What Makes Pasghetti’s So Famous?

The large fork and meatball may be an attention grabber for one. The decor inside the restaurant is also what makes it stand out from any other place I have ever gone for a meal. It’s a fun place to eat!

When you walk in you feel like you are stepping back in time to the Al Capone era, but along a New York City street, with storefronts along the sides and seating “out front” of those storefronts.

There are seven themed rooms, each with their own music to match the theme. And in the middle of the restaurant you will find a full size trolly car that also serves as a bar!

Upstairs is where you will find the ferris wheel along with a Coney Island gameroom for kids, and private banquet facilities should you need space for hosting a larger event with a large preset menu to allow the staff to serve the meals in a timely manner. This is perfect for motor coach tours.

You Get Great Value For A Great Price

The cost of the meals at Pasghetti’s is very reasonable. Entrees range from $11 to $25. The sauces are fresh from scratch and everything is freshly prepared. You also get hearty size portions, so you won’t be leaving there hungry, that’s for sure!

When we were there for lunch we had the opportunity to meet with the owner Nolan who told us the story of how they built the restaurant and how the bricks were all brought in and made to look old and authentic.

If you are planning a trip to Branson, MO, you MUST put Pasghetti’s on your list of one of the places you HAVE to eat a meal at. You will not be disappointed.

Would you go to Pasghetti’s for a meal? You can visit their website to see their full menu along with their hours and location.

The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center – Why It Feels Like Home

January 3, 2019

Are you looking for a “home away from home” where you can have a FREE hot breakfast buffet every day? Where you can drive straight to some of the greatest shows in the Midwest, and avoid the traffic? I know just the place! It’s The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center. Not only do they offer an incredible rate for their rooms; but they save you time as well! I’m also raffling off a gift certificate to the Stone Castle Hotel in my blog post as well!

I was invited by The Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center as part of a media FAM trip to explore Branson, Missouri. All opinions are 100% my own.

I had the pleasure of staying in the Camelot Suite with a jacuzzi tub in my room. We were so busy during this trip that I hit my pillow each night and slept so well, for the short time we did sleep!

We had a full itinerary from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. each day to capture all our Branson knowledge to share with you all through our eyes and our blogs.

Here are pictures of my room, the Camelot Suite.

The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center - Why It Feels Like Home

The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center

Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center - Why It Feels Like Home

This beautiful, three building hotel is located in the heart of Branson, MO. They are adjacent to the Mount Pleasant Winery and the Curling Vine Winery. How can you go wrong if you chose a place located right near not one, but two wineries! Plus it also has the appearance of a castle in the hills.

Where else can you go where you can have a Christmas story read to you each night during the months of November and December? The minute you step foot into the lobby and are greeted by such friendly staff members, you will feel right at home.

I am from Connecticut, so to have such a warm greeting was a welcome surprise to me. I found out that everyone at The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center are like that. It was a pleasure to be treated so kindly.

What Makes The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center So Different?

The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center have great trusting relationships with their partners.

Partners including Clay Cooper Theatre, Andy Williams Performing Arts Center & Theatre, Titanic, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, The Haygoods, Silver Dollar City, Branson Craft Mall, Hughes Brothers Theater, The Track Family Fun Parks.

Speciality Designed Themed Suites

During a scavenger hunt we had at the #BloggingBranson event, we had the opportunity to visit several of the themed suites, family suites and standard rooms. Take a virtual tour of the hotel and check out their accommodations!

When making your reservations you can experience Branson on another level with one of their speciality designed themed suites:

19th Hole
20,000 Leagues Room
Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza Suite
Aspen Room
Camelot Room
Captain’s Quarters Room with Balcony
Clay Cooper’s Crib Suite
Dolly Parton’s Stampede Suite
Jungle Suite with Balcony
Major League Legends Suite
Medieval Knights Suite
Miss Kitty’s
Native American Room with Balcony
Observatory
OK Corral Suite with Balcony
Outback Room
Oval Office
Safari Room
Sherlock Holmes Room
Tahitian Nights Suite with Balcony
Taj Mahal Room with Balcony
Titanic Suite
Vineyard Suite with Balcony

Free Amenities At The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center

Hot country breakfast buffet served daily from 6:30 – 9:30 a.m. (scrambled eggs, biscuits, and gravy, sausage, oatmeal, yogurt, toast, cereals, milk, juices, and coffee). Served in Building 2
Wifi
32″ flat screen televisions
2 Swimming Pools and a hot tub
There is a beautiful Gazebo Area located above the Guinevere Building and provides a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the views of the Branson hills.
Family friendly arcade designed by the Tracks Family Fun Parks

Things To Know About The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center

All beds are pillow-top comfort beds.
All rooms include:
- Coffee Maker and Coffee
- Hair dryer
- Iron and ironing board
- Refrigerator
All rooms are non-smoking.
2 Guest laundry rooms.
Check in time is 3:00 p.m.
Check out time is 11:00 a.m.
45 minutes from Branson-Springfield Airport
14 miles from the Branson Airport

Should you need childcare, the staff at The Stone Castle Hotel can make recommendations for you. Also, if you need baby gear while vising Branson, Baby’s Away Supply Rental can also make arrangements with you.

Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center Gift Certificate Giveaway

Enter to win a Gift Certificate for 2 nights at The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center.

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From Museums to Ferris Wheels Branson Has It All!

December 13, 2018

From museums to ferris wheels, Branson has so much to do for the family during your visit. You can gain a real understanding of what happened the night the Titanic struck an iceberg and actually feel the temperature of the sea water at the Titanic Museum. And you can get a stunning view of the Ozark Mountains on the Branson Ferris Wheel at the Track Family Fun Park.

I was invited by Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center as part of a media FAM to explore Branson, Missouri. All opinions are 100% my own.

My trip to Branson was filled with Christmas Shows, a theme park visit, a paddle boat ride (including a show and dinner), amazing restaurants and a movie. But there was still so much more we were going to do on this trip! The Titanic Museum and Branson Ferris Wheel were also on the agenda.

The Titanic Museum

My son and I are amazed by the story of the Titanic. I especially loved the movie that came out 21 years ago. But to actually see, hear, and feel the artifacts, stories and photographs of what happened that night was eerily fascinating.

Due to our tight schedule for the day we had to take an abbreviated tour of the Titanic Museum that is a self-guided walking tour through a one-of-a-kind exhibit. The museum features many original artifacts from the ship and has an exact replica of the $1 million grand staircase.

When we arrived, we were told that we could not take pictures or videos inside of the museum because of the precious artifacts housed there. But I feverishly took notes on my phone from our tour guide. Our tour guide Jim, conversely shared with us an astounding number of facts as we weaved through the museum’s exhibit.

Fun Facts about the Titanic Museum

The museum is a half-scale model of the Titanic itself.
Each guest receives a boarding pass which represents one of the passengers or crew members (see photo below).
There are 400+ original artifacts and items valuing $4.5 million.
You can touch a real iceberg.
There are sloping decks that emulate the various angles of the ship as it went down that you can walk on (or try to walk on).
You can view the various cabins and suites from first class to third class.

Thank goodness I took notes because there was so much information to learn about that one visit isn’t enough to really learn about that fateful night and the 37 seconds from the time the iceberg was spotted to the time the ship struck it. Those 37 seconds were spent trying to turn the ship to avoid catastrophic damage; sadly 35 minutes later it was clear the ship would not survive. It took two hours to fill the lifeboats.

Passengers of the Titanic

To give you some perspective on the fate of the ship’s passengers here are some more facts:

2,208 passengers were on board, 712 of them survived
- One fifth of the men lived
- 433 women were on the ship, 322 survived
- 133 children were on the ship, 67 survived
  - Seven children were in first class
  - 27 children were in second class
  - 97 children were in third class
  - Two children were part of the crew

Did you know that there is a famous polar bear that belonged to one of the children on the ship? The bear belonged to Robert Douglas who was six when he was on the Titanic. He survived that dreadful night; but was struck by a car at the age of 9 and was killed.

There are so many more stories I can share from my experience on the tour, but the one that really stayed with me was one of the last stories Jim told us. One of the survivors of the ship couldn’t go to baseball games and his grandson asked him why he didn’t take them to games. He told his grandson that when the crowd cheered at a baseball game, it made the same sound as the people going into the freezing water as the ship was sinking. Wow! That story gives me the chills!

My passenger. The name that I was given when I received a boarding pass at the beginning of the Titanic tour.

I consider a stop to the Titanic Museum a MUST DO when you visit Branson, MO. Here’s a quick recap from my Facebook live sharing with you the view of the Grand Staircase and some of the items in the gift shop.

Track Family Fun Park

If you are looking for some fun and adventure with your family, the Track Family Fun Park has it! We arrived early to the park to ride the Ferris Wheel and it was the perfect Autumn morning for it. I rode in a car with Tina Brown from Footprints in Pixie Dust and the view was beautiful. The foliage in Branson had just reached its peak so we could see the beautiful colors in the distance.

The Branson Ferris Wheel

But the best part of the Branson Ferris Wheel is the story behind it! The Branson Ferris Wheel came over to Branson, MO from Chicago’s Navy Pier. When Chicago’s Navy Pier Ferris Wheel was created, the design was inspired by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. He designed a revolving steel observation wheel for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It’s first ride was on June 21, 1893.

Fun Facts About the Branson Ferris Wheel

When it was in Chicago, The Chicago Navy Pier Ferris Wheel opened on July, 1, 1995
It was 150 feet tall
It displayed 16,000 lights
There were 40 gondolas to seat 6 people per car
Total capacity 240 riders
The last spin in Chicago was September 17, 2015 to make room for a bigger ferris wheel.
While in Chicago for 20 years, it provided 17 million rides!

The ferris wheel moved to Branson, Missouri in 2016 and offers its riders a view of the several theaters, landmarks, attractions and best of all, the Ozark Mountains! It has special enhancements of its own now that it is housed in Branson. Check it out!

There are an additional 16,000 LED fixtures holding 144,000 individual lights.
Each individual light can be computer controlled.
The foundation was constructed using over 4 million pounds of concrete, over 6 million pounds of gravel, 80,000 pounds of steel, and piers that go down as far as 23 feet into the solid rock.

Check out the video of the delivery and installation of the Branson Ferris Wheel from Chicago, IL to Branson, MO.

Then the installation and next chapter for the Branson Ferris Wheel. The footage for this footage was captured by the Haygoods’ documenting production crew. They also helped design the lighting for the ferris wheel. I love how the businesses of Branson work together with each other.

Attractions at Track Family Fun Park

The Track Family Fun Park doesn’t just have a ferris wheel. In addition to the Branson Ferris Wheel you can also do the following:

Drive Go-Karts on 14 different tracks featuring:
- Heavy Metal High Rise track that is over four stories tall.
- The Wild Woody high-rise wooden track with hills and thrills, twists and turns.
- The Lumberjack
- A Road Course Track
- Classic Go-Karts
- Rookie Go-Karts
- Kiddie Go-Karts for children beginning at 4-years-old
Rides and More
- Enjoy Bumper Boats or Bumper Cars
- Kids Rides
- Batting Cages
- Laser Tag
- Laser Maze Challenge
- Skycoaster
- Mini Gold
- Route 76 Glow Golf
- Arcades
- Wild Woody Mining Company

I know when I go back I want to ride the Go-Karts with my kids and my daughter would love the batting cages!

Make sure you add the Titanic Museum and Branson Ferris Wheel to your itinerary when you travel to Branson with your family!

What would you do if you came to the Track Family Fun Park? Leave me a comment of what your favorite activity would be.

Great Restaurants and the Imax Entertainment Complex in Branson

December 6, 2018

In addition to the several wonderful live Christmas shows I saw in Branson, MO; we also had the pleasure of sharing meals together as a group at several delicious restaurants in Branson and also visited the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex.

I was invited by Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center as part of a media FAM to explore Branson, Missouri. All opinions are 100% my own.

During the trip we visited the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex, Montana Mike’s Steak House, and McFarlain’s Family Restaurant. All three of these destinations are owned by the Bluto family. When we were having lunch on Sunday, Tom, the Sales Manager, told us that he was heading over to their house for Mr. Bluto’s 90th birthday party.

Montana Mike’s Steak House

Montana Mike’s Steak House was our first restaurant during our visit to Branson. We were greeted by Tom who shared with us the story of Montana Mike’s and the other businesses that are partnered with Montana Mike’s which is the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex and McFarlain’s Family Restaurant. He also explained that 90% of the people are on vacation when they are in Branson and they want a great experience. So it is his goal and the goal of all of the businesses in Branson to give their guests that great experience.

It has a very welcoming rustic theme with the stuffed bears, deer heads, antlers, beautiful paintings of the mountains, and beautiful rustic sliding barn doors. It’s a great choice for a family restaurant.

We chose from a preset menu which is meant to accommodate for larger groups of people but with a great selection of choices. As we waited for our meal together we were served amazing onion rings, and a few of us tried a delicious Bloody Mary. You can view the entire menu here.

Our options were:

Soup and a baked potato – creamy broccoli soup with a baked potato with sour cream and butter
Hamburger basket – 1/4 pound of Mike’s freshly ground sirloin on a homemade bun, with lettuce, tomato and onion, served with fries.

Montana Mike’s is also a popular stop for motorcoach groups. They have a large dining area which would fit a group from the motorcoach. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the food; but most of all I enjoyed the company.

Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex

Branson’s MAX Entertainment Complex is just like it says, a complex of great shops, restuarants and theaters. They have:

A Little Opry theatre where they perform live shows. Check the schedule here.
3 Hollywood Cinemas
Center IMax movie theater which is the largest in the midwest with the newest technology, 550 seats, 2 rows of VIP seating and the screen is 3D capable with a laser projector.

We watched the movie Rocky Mountain Express in the incredible IMAX theater about trains. As soon as I heard that I was so excited. I LOVE trains, especially the large steam engine trains. And to see it all on a big Imax screen was going to be great with the surround sound and the large screen. During the movie I kept thinking about how much my son would enjoy the movie.

What’s great about the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex is that you can purchase the movies that are played on the big screens. All you need to do is walk out to the lobby and visit the stores!

McFarlain’s Family Restaurant

After the movie we had time to shop the 17 shops in the Entertainment Complex and then had lunch at McFarlain’s. When we arrived Angie had insisted that I sit with several of the “new” bloggers who were attending the trip this winter. I didn’t think anything of it and loved the idea so I could get to know them better!

We had a preset menu like we had at Montana Mike’s to accommodate a larger group and to serve us our meals quickly to allow us to move on to our next adventure. I like that option with the restaurants. It eliminates a lot of time going through the menu undecided on what you want to have. You can view the entire menu here.

Fried Green Tomatos

While waiting for our food I had the chance to try something I never had before – Fried Green Tomatoes! I always heard of them and even thought of making them at home because I always have a lot of green tomatoes at the end of the summer. They were good. Not overpowering or sour, like I thought they may taste. I will definitely try to make them at home next summer.

They also served us delicious sweet potato fries. With the tomatoes and the fries they had special sauces. The tomatoes had a ranch sauce and the fries had a special pineapple and jalopeno sauce. You could not tast the jalepeno and it was very delicious! I’d also like to try to make this.

I ordered the turkey sandwich and vegetable soup for my lunch. I wanted to have something warm yet light for lunch and it was very good. About halfway through our meal, Regina asked if we noticed that the table seemed to be a litlte higher. I hadn’t really noticed, but I am short. However, it was easier for me to spoon my soup right into my mouth! Then there was a lot of laughing and pointing going on from the other tables. We had gone through an initiation with the Branson Bloggers!

Have Some Fun At Other’s Expense at McFarlain’s!

McFarlains has a trick table. There are several tables throughout the restaurant that “rise” very slowly. It’s actually an attraction of this restaurant. People request the rising tables for their unsuspecting guests It’s hilarious. The only way to get it back down is to stand up and sing a song so everyone in the restaurant looks at you! I love some good old fashion fun. Thanks everyone!

You can enjoy the video our tricksters made of us having to “perform” for everyone. Thank you Becky Fixel for this video.

After lunch we had a few minutes to shop before our next stop so I did a little more Christmas shopping for my family.

If you are looking for fun places to eat in Branson, I highly recommend Montana Mike’s and McFarlain’s. I loved walking around both locations to check out the decor.

Which restaurant would you like to eat at? How would you feel if you ended up at the trick table?! Help me spread the word about Branson’s great restaurants and the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex!

Want to see how to have fun at your friend's expense? Visit McFarlain's in Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex and ask for a rising table! Check out the video in the blog post! Share on X

Must See Christmas Shows in Branson, Missouri

November 29, 2018

When I received my itinerary for the #BloggingBranson trip I couldn’t believe how many Christmas shows we were going to see! I had seen more shows on that trip than I have seen my entire life. Which makes me want to take my kids to more shows!

I was invited by Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center as part of a media FAM to explore Branson, Missouri. All opinions are 100% my own.

Three of My Must See Christmas Shows in Branson

While on this trip I saw seven live Christmas Shows. The three of them that I am sharing today were performed by (in no particular order).

The Clay Cooper Theater
The Hughes Brothers Christmas Show
Branson’s Famous Baldknobbers

After seeing my first ever Broadway-style Christmas show in Branson, I was blown away by the quality of the performance, the friendliness of the staff, and the hospitality from the star of each show! These theaters were run by families, and each family was very proud of their theaters. Each show had a special uniqueness to them which makes it possible to see several shows in one trip.

I would love to see a show from each theater during the non holiday season. If you would like a chance to see two of these performers I have a giveaway at the end of this blog post. You will have a chance to win tickets to Clay Cooper Theatre or The Baldknobbers.

Clay Cooper Theatre

The first thing that I noticed when arrived was our greeting. One of the actual performers was our welcome guide who would direct us into the lobby for our group photograph and then to our seats. While there he talked with us a little bit about his role in the show and when to look out for him. Little did I know he was in the most of the show!

Then we had a hysterical pre-show. My face hurt from laughing so much. I was so entertained.

The hospitality was felt again when Clay Cooper came out and sang and then welcomed us and walked out to the audience to greet people. It was amazing! He remembered everyone’s names too! He even walked over to us and I got to speak to him!

The performance was amazing. I also really enjoyed their nod to the classics with the Grinch and the antics with the Batman versus Robin style mischief. Having not been familiar with variety shows, I loved it. The first half of the show was part of Clay’s Country Express show and then the holiday show after intermission.

When the show was over and the audience left we had the opportunity to interview a member of the show. I had the great pleasure to interview Tina Cooper. Clay’s wife creates the Christmas show and the choreography for it among other things like being a mom, and wife and a business owner! I loved hearing that even performers have lives just like ours. Their “office hours” may be different from ours are, but at the end of the day, they are packing lunches and getting their families ready for their next day, too.

After the interviews were over Clay was so gracious to do individual and then group photographs with all of us. What a fun night! And the bar was now set high for the expectations of the Must See Branson Christmas Shows!

The Hughes Brothers Christmas Show

I was so touched by the Hughes Brothers Christmas Show. This show was different from the Clay Cooper Show and the Branson Baldknobbers show because it was a Christmas Show from start to finish.

The Hughes Brother Show was so beautiful. The entire show’s performers were all family members whether they were brother, sister, cousin, husband, wife, niece or nephew. Somehow they are all related.

The theme of the show was to explain the meaning of Christmas and the symbolism of Santa Clause, candy canes, Christmas trees, and the colors of holiday to the story of the birth of Jesus and the real reason for the season.

The harmony of their voices, and the sounds of their violins were so beautiful. The show was filled with beautiful dances, beautiful dresses, eloquent dancing, solos and also lots of children! This show moved me.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Joseph Hughes. I was goofing around with several of the children right after the show and so when it was time for me to interview Joseph, all of the kids wanted to see what we were doing! So I had to squeeze us all in the shot! Hope you enjoy their curiosity and playfulness during this interview!

If you are ever in Branson you have to visit the Hughes Brothers Theater. They have been awarded the Best Christmas Show from BransonShowAwards.com. I don’t want to give too much away, but one of my favorite parts of the show is the Carol of the Bells.

The Branson Baldknobbers

Like the Clay Cooper Show, The Branson Baldknobbers are a variety show that mixes comedy in with their musical performances. They had us in stitches with their comedians Hargus and Droopy.

The Mabe Family perform at the new Branson Famous Theatre and began this entertainment phenomenon 58 years ago. Their style of music is a blend of country music, gospel and some bluegrass. The Mabe family intends to take their legacy into the future as well.

After the show I had the chance to interview one of the band members, Grant Moody who also happens to perform in several other theaters in Branson. This young musician has a lot going on!

Must See Branson Christmas Shows Giveaway

If you would like to win tickets to a Clay Cooper Theatre or The Branson Baldknobbers show, follow the steps below to enter the giveaway.

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Now that you have heard about the three different shows I had the pleasure to see, which one would you like to see first?

Silver Dollar City and Southern Branson Belle

Branson’s Silver Dollar City and The Southern Branson Belle

November 22, 2018

I was invited by Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center as part of a media FAM to explore Branson, Missouri. All opinions are 100% my own.

As my adventure in Branson, MO continued for an Ozark Mountain Christmas during the first weekend in November, I had the pleasure of exploring two great locations for a wonderful time of exploring, sight-seeing and watching amazing performances in BOTH locations! We went to Silver Dollar City and The Southern Branson Belle.

Silver Dollar City

Our first stop on the agenda for the #BloggingBranson trip was at Silver Dollar City on Sunday. I couldn’t wait to go there because I love theme parks, especially the smaller, more intimate ones. This year Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas is bigger and brighter than ever this year, presenting the NEW Christmas In Midtown Light Spectacular.

Christmas in Midtown

What is Christmas In Midtown? I took a tour through Christmas in Midtown and loved the light displays that soared up to 9 stories high. The park’s total number of Christmas lights to 6.5 million lights. The festival also features an evening light parade, two Broadway-style original musical productions, a 5-Story Special Effects Christmas Tree with a sound and light show and holiday dining.

Christmas In Midtown is a fun walk through brightly lit wreaths into tunnels that lead to an area of flying angels, running reindeer, moving trains, a tree 90 feet high, musical trees with moving lights, dozens of stars and snowflakes, and a giant turning globe, all created at Silver Dollar City.

Photo by Silver Dollar City

As the sun sets the Christmas tree in the town square comes to life with lights that move to the Christmas songs. All the lights around the square also flash along. The parade of lights, Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Christmas Light Parade, winds through the streets of the City twice each evening. The Grand Marshal, Rudolph leads the evening parade of nine musical, lighted floats, illuminated with 200,000 LED lights.

Shows and Entertainment at Silver Dollar City

I didn’t know that within Silver Dollar City there are musical productions. We saw A Dickens’ Christmas Carol and I loved it! You can also see It’s a Wonderful Life. The Dickens’ Christmas Carol was such an enjoyable show! They had revolving sets, flying spirits, special effects, amazing singers, and a live band to accompany the show! I know that my kids would have really enjoyed the show!

While we had time to stroll around the park we saw strolling carolers, horse and carriage rides, craftsmen creating hand-made holiday items, glass blowing artisans making one-of-a kind pieces ranging from jars, to holiday ornaments.

Things to Know Before You Visit Silver Dollar City

During An Old Time Christmas, Silver Dollar City is open Thursdays – Sundays November 4 – December 23, and Wednesday, December 20.
They are closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
They are open daily December 26-30. Hours are 1 to 9 p.m. most days, with extended hours on Saturdays and Thanksgiving weekend.
Silver Dollar City is also open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day this year, for a new event, a “New Year’s Celebration.” The 6.5 million holiday lights are still on and special entertainment includes
- A dance party with Members Only, a tribute band performing the hits of the ‘80s
- Christian Rock with the Dove Award-winning band Disciple
- The group AYO, seen on America’s Got Talent
- World-renowned juggler, artist and comedian Albert Lucas
- Hours are 11 am to 7 pm December 31, and noon to 8 pm on Jan. 1, 2018.

Showboat Branson Belle

After a day of clouds and drizzle, the sun broke through the clouds and blessed us with a beautiful sunset cruise on Table Rock Lake. We had a delicious three-course meal prepared right on the ship; and enjoyed entertainment from the show’s master of ceremonies, Mike Bliss. My family watched him on America’s Got Talent one season and loved his acts. He would choose guests from the audience and had us rolling on the floor laughing!

Then the main act performed popular songs from the 1960s to today. There was tap dancing, swing dancing, and singing, accompanied by a four-piece band. I loved it! They also added Christmas songs into the line up too!

I loved having time to also explore the paddle boat and enjoy the views along Table Rock Lake. We had the perfect evening with the beautiful views. We even spotted an eagle in a tree on an island.

The Showboat Branson Belle is a true sternwheeler. This means that it is propelled through the water by two huge rear paddlewheels. The paddlewheels are 24 feet in diameter and 16 feet wide. It’s a beautiful boat!

Things to Know Before You Visit Southern Branson Belle

The Showboat Branson Belle takes guests on a two-hour cruise across the waters of Table Rock Lake.
As you stroll the ship’s four decks, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the lush Ozark Mountains — beautiful at any time of the year.
The Southern Branson Belle offers a Santa’s Pancakes & PJs Cruises
Shows are typically run on 12:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Refer to their schedule online for details and times.

Have Yourself An Ozark Mountain Christmas #BloggingBranson

November 15, 2018

I was invited by Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center as part of a media FAM to explore Branson, Missouri. All opinions are 100% my own.

Where Are the Ozark Mountains?

If you are a Netflix subscriber, then you are familiar with the reference to the Ozarks. But have you ever been to the Ozarks yourself? I have not, so when I landed in Springfield, Missouri, I did not know what I was going to expect. When I arrived in Branson, Missouri, it was already dark out. So I really didn’t know what the landscape looked like. But I did get a sense for the “hills” in Branson as I was traveling along the Interstate with long winding hills and no street lights.

The next morning as I met the members of the #BloggingBranson group I would soon learn about the beauty, hospitality, loyalty, and patriotism that this little city can offer on top of its entertainment, lodging, attractions, and restaurants!

What Is There To Do In The Ozark Mountains?

Over the next several weeks I will share with you what I have experienced from my visit to the locations listed below. But that’s not all that Branson, Missouri has to offer.

The Showboat Branson Belle and Silver Dollar City
Clay Cooper Theatre, The Hughes Brothers Christmas Show, and the Baldknobbers
Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex, Montana Mikes, and McFarlains Restaurant
The Titanic Museum Attraction and the Branson Ferris Wheel
Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center
Pasghetti’s
Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction

In addition to the several locations that I was able to enjoy during my three-day tour of Branson, the bloggers also had the opportunity to find an adventure of their liking. I selected zip lining and snow tubing (without snow) at Branson Zipline at Wolfe Mountain.

My family and I love adventures so I knew I wanted to try something that I think we all would enjoy. There’s no doubt that my family won’t love zip lining. We took one ride down the mountain and ended our journey with a 100-foot free fall. And-I-Loved-Every-Minute-of-It!

How To Get Into The Christmas Spirit In Branson

That’s not hard to do! Once I exited the main highway and drove towards Branson, I saw the twinkling of some Christmas lights. Then I slowed down as I went around the corner and started to take in the signs and lights everywhere, the theaters and mini golf parks, the shops, the entertainment complexes, and the hotels. They were all decorated for the Christmas holiday!

So I’ve been told, on November 1, a switch it clicked and Halloween is only a distant memory as the holiday lights flood your view along the streets, hotels and theaters. And it sure does look beautiful!

Visit the Live Christmas Shows

Even if you just see one holiday show, it will be enough to put you in the mood for the holidays.

There’s more than one to choose from and the Branson partners that we had the opportunity to visit were:

Clay Cooper
The Hughes Family
The BaldKnobbers
The Showboat Branson Belle
Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction

I’ll be sharing in more detail my experience at each of the shows listed above in future blog posts. They all have a unique story to tell and I want to be sure I give you the true essence of what each show offers. But I can guarantee you that there is not one bad show.

See The Holiday Lights

There are several places where you can see the holiday lights, but no other place has over 6.5 million! Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas features the Christmas in Midtown Light Spectacular once again.

Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Christmas Light Parade winds through the streets of the City twice each evening. A 5-story special effects Christmas Tree with a light and sound show also “performs” throughout the evening.

You can also catch two Broadway-style original musicals, A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, and It’s a Wonderful Life during your visit to Silver Dollar City.

Dining in Branson, Missouri

There is no shortage of places to eat in Branson. And it wasn’t hard to find a great place to eat as well! I enjoyed every meal I had while touring Branson. We ate our first group meal at Montana Mikes, famous for their great steaks and burgers! We had the pleasure of meeting the Sales Manager Tom who told us the story of how the current owners are 90 years old but still enjoy running the business.

Ninety percent of people who are on vacation want a great experience. You will get that when you visit Montana Mikes. Montana Mike’s is also owned by Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex.

Lunch on Monday was at McFarlains Restaurant inside Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex, where I had my first experience trying fried green tomatoes! I liked them and would consider making them at home since many times my tomatoes stay green for quite a long time! You can add to your experience at the restaurant by asking for a round table in the dining area. I’ll share what makes that seating arrangement so special in my recap of the restaurant.

The Perfect Ozark Christmas Itinerary

From booking your room at the Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center, to finding the right entertainment and activities for your family. You can do as much or as little as you want when you prepare your trip to Branson. With so much to do there, you have to leave options open for future visits.

Don’t forget, when you stay at the Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center, you can enjoy a full hot breakfast every day, the convenience of a location in an area where you can avoid the traffic, themed rooms, two indoor pools, and an amazing staff!

Veteran’s Appreciation Week

I had no idea how supportive Branson is to the veterans. During the week prior to Veteran’s Day Branson supports the veterans with various events, special shows and a parade. I had several opportunities to talk with veterans, be an outlet for them to share their story and to just listen.

Include Branson As A Must Do For Your Upcoming Vacation

Everything in Branson is family or privately owned. So when you are coming into town to see the shows and eat your meals out at restaurants. You are helping the families and owners support their business and keep their doors open for another season.

The Clay Cooper Country Express in Branson, MO

July 5, 2018

In a town where the theme is about fun, entertainment and food, The Clay Cooper Country Express is just one more wonderful thing you can do for fun and entertainment while visiting Branson, Missouri. Did you know that Branson is home to over 50 theater venues? Did you know that Branson is the “Live Entertainment Capital in the World”?

The Bloggers who attended the #BloggingBranson trip in April have written several blog posts about their experiences at the Clay Cooper Country Express. You will laugh until your stomach hurts. You will be entertained on a personal level. And you won’t walk out of there disappointed.

Learn More About The Live Entertainment At Clay Cooper Country Express

Read the insight from several of the #BloggingBranson bloggers below.

http://talesofonemomsmess.com/spend-an-evening-at-the-clay-cooper-country-express-in-branson-missouri/

https://www.couponmamacita.com/clay-coopers-country-express-at-clay-coopers-theatre-branson/

https://footprintsinpixiedust.com/blogging-branson-clay-cooper/

http://moneysavingparent.com/clay-coopers-country-express/

https://www.southernfamilyfun.com/clay-cooper-theatre-branson/

Now that you have a little more insight on what to do in Branson, I’ll share with you more entertainment coming up with the Baldknobbers, followed by some great restaurant recommendations!

Stay tuned!

Silver Dollar City Attractions in Branson, MO

July 1, 2018

In my series of Things To Do In Branson, Missouri I am now going to share with you an amazing place called Silver Dollar City. Silver Dollar City was one of the stops that the bloggers from the Blogging Branson trip went to on their April trip to explore the many treasures the town of Branson has to offer. Silver Dollar City is listed as one of the top five Amusement Parks in the US and is open throughout most of the year. Refer to the Silver Dollar City website for current times and hours.

Silver Dollar City

Here are the blog posts about Silver City from the bloggers points of view.

https://www.footprintsinpixiedust.com/blogging-branson-six-things-silver-dollar-city

http://www.thecreativesahm.com/2018/05/24/silver-dollar-city-a-branson-marvel

https://www.week99er.com/new/explore-silver-dollar-city-with-us-food-rides-shopping-and-more

Things to do at Silver Dollar City Besides Ride the Rides

Silver Dollar City, It’s More Than A Theme Park

htps://www.momontheside.com/branson-itinerary-couples-and-families

https://www.midwestmomlife.com/branson-missouri-vacation-with-kids/

https://www.southernfamilyfun.com/branson-missouri-travel-guide/

https://www.couponmamacita.com/5-things-to-see-at-silver-dollar-city-in-branson-mo/

http://www.moneysavingparent.com/silver-dollar-city

The Time Traveler

The Time Traveler Ride is what looks most exciting to me! I’m not sure if I would be too chicken to ride it though! A spinning roller coaster….. not so sure I can handle that!

I really hope I get the chance to get to Branson, MO. I am so impressed by everything this place has to offer! Silver Dollar City alone makes me want to make the trip out there with my family! I also heard the holiday lights for Christmas are a reason alone to take the trip!

Tag: #BloggingBranson

The Ozark Mountain Christmas Show

The Andy Williams Performing Arts Center & Theatre

What Makes Pasghetti’s So Famous?

You Get Great Value For A Great Price

The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center

What Makes The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center So Different?

Speciality Designed Themed Suites

Free Amenities At The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center

Things To Know About The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center

Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center Gift Certificate Giveaway

The Titanic Museum

Fun Facts about the Titanic Museum

Passengers of the Titanic

Track Family Fun Park

The Branson Ferris Wheel

Fun Facts About the Branson Ferris Wheel

Attractions at Track Family Fun Park

Montana Mike’s Steak House

Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex

McFarlain’s Family Restaurant

Fried Green Tomatos

Have Some Fun At Other’s Expense at McFarlain’s!

Three of My Must See Christmas Shows in Branson

Clay Cooper Theatre

The Hughes Brothers Christmas Show

The Branson Baldknobbers

Must See Branson Christmas Shows Giveaway

Silver Dollar City

Christmas in Midtown

Shows and Entertainment at Silver Dollar City

Things to Know Before You Visit Silver Dollar City

Showboat Branson Belle

Things to Know Before You Visit Southern Branson Belle

Where Are the Ozark Mountains?

What Is There To Do In The Ozark Mountains?

How To Get Into The Christmas Spirit In Branson

Visit the Live Christmas Shows

See The Holiday Lights

Dining in Branson, Missouri

The Perfect Ozark Christmas Itinerary

Veteran’s Appreciation Week

Include Branson As A Must Do For Your Upcoming Vacation

Learn More About The Live Entertainment At Clay Cooper Country Express

Silver Dollar City

The Time Traveler