Have a Ball in Branson this Fall

Fall is a great time to visit Branson, Missouri. The scenery becomes enflamed with brilliant oranges, yellows and reds creating a backdrop of outdoor beauty that compliments any visit. It’s also a great time to visit due to the variety of entertainers who come to the area and perform special limited engagements. Plus, the cooler weather makes outings to Silver Dollar City even more enjoyable, especially as they host the National Harvest Festival.

During September and October, several stars come to Branson. Johnny Mathis, who is known for his song “Chances Are,” will perform at The Mansion Theater on October 9 & 10. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, best known for their hit “Fishin’ in the Dark,” has a special performance scheduled on October 23 at The Mansion Theater. Neal McCoy will continue his limited engagement at the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre through November 1st. Lee Greenwood and the Bellamy Brothers will be performing at the Welk Resort Theater on select dates through October 24. The Tri-Lakes Center will host Roy Clark on select dates through October 24 as well. The Oak Ridge Boys will take the stage at The Oak Ridge Boys Theater in a limited engagement series through October 22.

Now is also the perfect time to enjoy some of Branson’s perennial favorites, like the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama and the Showboat Branson Belle. The fall weather makes the outdoor setting of the Shepherd of the Hills the perfect night out for families and it creates beautiful scenery for guests aboard the Showboat Branson Belle. While you’re here, make time for top-rated shows like Legends in Concert, SIX, The Duttons and Liverpool Legends, as well as the Dixie Stampede and Presleys Country Jubilee.

You’ll need a place to stay in Branson when you visit, and Branson has plenty of options to choose from. Whether you need a budget-friendly hotel like the Green Gables Inn or are looking for the spaciousness of a condo, like those at Thousand Hills Golf Resort, you’ll find it in Branson. We offer guaranteed lowest rates on most of our lodging options, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the best deal in town.

Break away to Branson this fall for a quick getaway or extended vacation. With so much to see and do, you’ll have a ball this fall in Branson.

Ten Ways to Play in Branson Missouri

There are plenty of things to do in Branson. With a wide range of outdoor activities, as well as indoor fun available, Branson offers a little something for everyone when they visit. Whether you are a new Branson visitor or a repeat traveler, there’s always something new to do in Branson.

1) Silver Dollar City: Branson’s #1 attraction is home to old-fashioned fun as it is themed as a 1880s style theme park. There are demonstrating craftsmen at the park, delicious food, 40 live shows daily and thrilling rides like WildFire to keep your day in Branson filled with fun. Silver Dollar City also features six world-class festivals, so anytime you come there is something different to see and do. Currently, KidsFest is underway, which is a great festival for kids because it’s all geared towards them.

2) Branson Shows: Branson is home to a variety of shows. With more theater seats than Broadway, this town knows how to put on a show. Branson is known for its country music, and at shows like Pierce Arrow, The Duttons, The Presleys, The Baldknobbers and Country Tonite, there are plenty of country tunes to keep audiences entertained. There are a variety of other shows in Branson that don’t feature country music, including Bill Haley’s Original Comets, Broadway!, Noah – The Musical, Six, and the Acrobats of China. Of course, perennial favorites Yakov Smirnoff, Shoji Tabuchi, Dixie Stampede and Jim Stafford perform throughout the year, offering first class shows right in the heart of Branson.

3) White Water: Branson’s beach within reach is a great place to spend a day while you’re in town. Dive into summer fun on their over 12 acre park which pumps over two million gallons water daily. There are thrilling water rides like Kalani Towers, Ohana Falls, and Raging River Rapids for the older kids, and a lazy river, splash island, and wave pool for guests wanting to lounge and soak up some sun.

4) Table Rock Lake: Table Rock Lake is a beautiful Branson treasure offering swimming, boating, fishing and amazing scenery. People flock to this lake to enjoy the sights and activities found here. Located just minutes from the heart of Branson, a day at Table Rock Lake provides families with some time to enjoy the great outdoors while also enjoying the amenities of an entertainment town such as Branson.

5) Branson Shopping: Branson is a fantastic place to shop because it is home to three outlet malls, the waterfront Branson Landing, and plenty of craft malls to find that unique treasure to call your own. When you visit, make time to go to the various shops at Branson because there is always a deal to be found!

6) Ride the Ducks: These unique amphibious vehicles provide an entirely different way to see Branson. When you ride on duck, you are treated to a 70 minute tour given by a guide who has some interesting insight into Branson. 30 minutes of your 70 minute tour is spent on Table Rock Lake, cruising and enjoying the splendor of the area. One thing is for sure, when you go to Ride the Ducks you’re in for a quack-tastic sightseeing adventure.

7) Titanic Museum: Spend some time at the Branson Titanic Museum while you visit and you’ll learn all there is to know about this fateful ship. Housed in a massive half-size replica of the original ship, the museum itself is a sight to behold but once you’re inside there is even more to explore. With over 400 artifacts to discover and interactive displays, like touching an iceberg, make the Titanic Museum a must-see attraction in Branson.

8) Shepherd of the Hills: The Shepherd of the Hills complex offers a lot for visitors to see and do. They are home to the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama, the longest running outdoor drama in America. Based on the story written by Harold Bell Wright, Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama features life in the Ozark Mountains in the late 1800’s. This story was one of the first things to make Branson’s Ozark Mountains famous and is still one of the more popular shows in town. The complex is also home to Inspiration Tower and they offer a Homestead Tour.

9) Golf in Branson: Branson is home to outstanding golf courses that offer some of the finest courses in the Midwest, if not the country. Whether you’re a novice or a pro player, there’s a course that’ll fit your needs. A few of the courses to choose from include Pointe Royale Golf course, which is newly renovated, Thousand Hills Golf Course, Branson Creek, Murder Rock Golf Course and LedgeStone Golf Course.

10) Sightseeing: There is a lot to see in Branson. Between the lights of the famous country music boulevard that is Hwy. 76 & the gorgeous Ozark Mountain scenery, you can spend a lot of your time just checking out the sights and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Be sure to make time to soak it all in and enjoy the beauty that is Branson.

Super Summer Cruise in Branson Announces Changes

The Shepherd of the Hills Super Summer Cruise is moving to a new location. For 2009, the Summer Cruise will not be held on West 76 Country Boulevard. Instead, it will be located on the actual Shepherd of the Hills expressway, shortening the cruise length, as well as the amount of places to park and check out all of the classic cars. Many are on the fence regarding this decision, but Branson Police Chief Carroll McCullough stated that it was made in conjunction with city officials and Shepherd of the Hills. The decision was the result of concerns voiced over the ability to patrol the cruise when it stretches along 3 miles of Hwy. 76.

However, this year’s event is scheduled to be another great event for car lovers and it will include annual events like Show’n’Shine, with over 500 trucks on display at The Shepherd of the Hills Historic Homestead, and the Midnight Cruise, which will feature a parade of vehicles down the Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

2009 Schedule of Events

Thursday, August 6, 2009

8:00 am - 5:00 pm - Vehicle Show & Shine at The Shepherd of the Hills

Friday, August 7, 2009

8:00 am - 5:00 pm - Vehicle Show & Shine at The Shepherd of the Hills

Saturday, August 8, 2009

8:00 am - 5:00 pm - Vehicle Show & Shine at The Shepherd of the Hills

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Best In Show Awards at Pavilion Theatre and Driver's Briefing for Cruise

Midnight - The Shepherd's Super Summer Cruise!

The cruise is on Saturday night, August 8th, at Midnight, and will begin at the paved parking lot of Celebration City, proceed up Hwy 376, go through the intersection and drive up The Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and extend the length of the Expressway to Roark Valley Road. The rally point for all cars participating in the cruise will be the Celebration City parking lot, just off of Hwy. 376.

Holiday Light Displays Bring Christmas Spirit to Branson

Soon, the Tri-Lakes Area will be awash in brightly colored Christmas light displays.

One of the centerpieces of the area’s holiday lights celebration is the Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through.

“We are very excited about this year’s display,” said Kathleen Bullock, director of tourism development for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

The drive-through display, which is open from Nov. 1-Dec. 31, is located at Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Expressway Lane in Branson.

Bullock said the mile-long drive-through boasts more than 230 separate displays with more than 1 million lights.

“This is definitely something different, this year,” she said. “About 95 percent of the displays are new. It is really something to see.”

The display is open from dusk until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from dusk until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

There are also three other major holiday lights displays.

• Trail of Lights — The Trail of Lights, which runs from Nov. 1-Dec. 31, is a drive-through animation display that will carry you into the very heart of Christmas.

The trail winds its way through the historic 160-acre Shepherd of the Hills Homestead, and will take you down the famous “Trail That Nobody Knows How Old” into a holiday wonderland.

The trail also includes millions of multi-colored Christmas lights.

• Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City — This annual event, which runs from Nov. -Dec. 30, has been named one of the top 10 places in the country to have a bright Christmas by USA Today and the A&E Network.

Along with the millions of lights all over the park, this celebration features the five-story special effects Christmas Tree, adorned with more than 250,000 lights coordinated to blaze to the musical movements of Christmas songs. Families will also love the Holiday Light Parade.

• The Enchanted Forest — Located at the U.S Army Corps of Engineers Campground on Indian Point Road in Stone County, the Enchanted Forest drive-through holiday light display is made up of more than 500,000 lights.

It is scheduled to be open from Nov. 10-Dec. 31.

There is no admission fee for this display, which will be open from dusk to midnight each day.

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News

Country Music Capital Branson Turning into Top Golf Destination

A case could be made that Branson is sort of the mini-Las Vegas of the Midwest, just add corn bread and take away the casinos.

The little town south of Springfield, high in the Ozarks, has exploded in the last couple of decades into the gangly epicenter of live country music, country kitsch and country money.

It all started with a cave, believe it or not - they have Ripley's here, too by the way.

About 100 years ago, people came to see Marble Cave, which is actually limestone. Then they made a movie about the area from the best-selling book, "The Shepherd of the Hills," starring John Wayne, and people started flocking in.

A couple of brothers calling themselves the Baldknobbers began putting on shows, showcasing both country and western music - in case you're wondering, there is a big difference between the two. Slowly, musical acts began trickling in until they reached a flood, and in 1991, "60 Minutes" did a story on the town.

Then things really took off.

They're still going strong, and have only felt the country's economic woes mildly; the value of new construction in 2006 in Branson topped $200 million, breaking all previous records. People may be feeling the money pinch, but you can't keep them away from the Presley Country Jubilee.

And it ain't all country. You want to see Andy Williams, Tony Orlando, Paul Revere and the Raiders, the Osmonds, Twelve Irish Tenors and Yakov Smirnoff, you come to Branson.

Or how about a Red Skelton impersonator? Come to Branson.

When a place gets this big, it often starts thinking about becoming a golf destination, because, let's face it, golfers spend a lot of money.

That's where Branson is at. They have about a dozen courses in the area now, and some of them are excellent.

"We're just starting to get to the point where we can call ourselves a golf destination," said Cliff Easum, the head pro at the Thousand Hills resort.

The area will get a huge boost when the Payne Stewart Golf Course opens some time in the fall.

Must-play Branson golf courses

• Branson Creek Golf Club isn't just the class of the Branson area, it's the class of Missouri, according to many golf publications.

The golf course plays up and down the hills of the high plateau that takes up most of southern Missouri. Those holes that play along the high, rocky ridges give off grand, misty views, and the holes that plunge down to the valleys are perhaps even more scenic, with purple-flowered hills rising gracefully above the fairways.

It is a dazzling layout in this part of the postcard-ready Ozarks, and its scenic beauty is matched only by the artistry of the Tom Fazio design.

"I've played all the nice courses in Missouri, and there aren't any that compare to this," said Easum.

You won't find many public, daily fee golf courses of this caliber. One beautiful hole flows from the next, and although there seems to be a plethora of dogleg lefts, every hole brings a separate adventure.

The scenery is everything you'd expect from a mountain course high in the Ozarks: Lakes, ponds, little mountain streams and rugged rock outcroppings to go along with the purple redbuds, white dogwood, and pine and cedar trees.

The green fees here are substantially cheaper than they would be for a golf course of this standing in certain other parts of the country.

• LedgeStone Championship Golf Course unfolds inside the ritzy Stonebridge Village, just outside Branson. The Ozarks aren't a mountain range in the typical sense, but LedgeStone is, for all intents and purposes, a mountain golf course with sweeping, distant views and steep, rocky hills rising above the fairways.

It is an excellent course, consistently ranked among the best in the state by golf magazines. The course was designed by Thomas Clark, who's done such courses as the TPC at Avenel in Maryland and Blue Ridge Shadows and the Woods Course at Kingsmill Resort, both in Virginia.

At LedgeStone, Clark let the surroundings showcase the course; it climbs up and down the steep terrain, with some serious elevation changes. LedgeStone is indeed a dramatic layout, 6,800 yards from the tips with a slope rating of 133, but it is also playable, especially if you don't get too bull-headed and play on the conservative side - at least on your first few trips around.

Golf Digest has described it as a "masterpiece of mountain golf architecture."

• John Daly's Murder Rock Golf and Country Club is 6,600 yards from the back tees. The next set of tees goes down to less than 6,200 yards, one of the few drawbacks to this lofty layout, high in the Ozarks and south of the live, country music capital of Branson.

In fact - gulp - it's been called "lady friendly" by Murder Rock officials, and we're not talking about Hooters girls. The course has few forced carries, and many of the greens are open in front, qualities many women enjoy.

"Obviously, it's not a long golf course," Assistant Golf Professional Mike Meade said. "But, it can be demanding as far as accuracy. The back nine, it can get breezy, and it's all about hitting the right spot on the green."

It gets breezy because Murder Rock occupies the highest place in Taney County, 300 feet above the neighboring Branson Creek, which itself is considered a mountain golf course. The view from the big window at Murder Rock's clubhouse bar is spectacular.

"I guarantee you this is the longest 6,600-yard golf course you'll ever play when the wind blows," Meade said.

The greens are excellent. They're Crenshaw bentgrass and have a very lush look and feel. Though slower and smaller than Branson Creek, the greens at Murder Rock have enough slope and undulation, but not too much, to make putting on them a pleasure.

Branson golf: Solid seconds

• Thousand Hills Golf Resort is a Bob Cupp design with fairways that dip, swoop and twist, falling off to rocky creeks and canyons. It has excellent elevation changes, despite being in the heart of the Branson strip.

The only factor holding this course back is its lack of length; it measures only 5,111 yards from the back tees with a par of 64. That includes nine par 3s. Thousand Hills is a good course to test your short game with all the par 3s.

• Holiday Hills Resort & Golf Club suffers from a myriad of problems. The fairways are too close together for one thing, and the course isn't in particularly good shape. It's a short course - none of the four tees measures over 6,000 yards with the longest being 5,625 with a slope rating of 115. It has a par of 68.

All that being said, the course does have its charms because it is busy; it's one of the locals' favorites. It does have history on its side. It is the oldest golf course in Branson - Charlton Heston used to play here. Also, there are some interesting green complexes and some of the mounding around the greens is imaginative, and the fairway mounding does what it can to keep wayward balls in the proper fairways.

Information & Image courtesy of Travel Golf

Noah~The Musical Hits the Branson Stage

Everyone in America knows and loves the story of Noah, with its flood, its ark and its animals marching in two-by-two. On May 24th the Millennium Theatre in Branson, Missouri, raised the curtain on “Noah—The Musical," featuring more than 40 actors, along with 75 live animals and 75 animatronic ones. Branson, one of the great musical capitals of America, has no shortage of theatres, but the new Millennium is its largest building and the country's largest Christian theatre.

The cast, animals and robots included, performs on a 330-foot (100-metre) wrap-around stage in a 339,000-square-foot building. The theatre's dome, which resembles an ancient temple, can be seen from many points around Branson's rolling surrounds. The huge complex has its own training facility and indoor zoo for zebras, camels, donkeys, llamas and even skunks. The animals are trained to handle stage lights, applause and music. Some beasts parade down the theatre's aisles to board the four-story ark.

Branson has more than 50 theatres featuring an array of acts, from old crooners like Andy Williams to Yakov Smirnoff, a Russian comedian. But none is like the Millennium, which is owned by Sight and Sound Theatres in Pennsylvania. The theatre has its own generators so that if local electricity cuts out, the show will go on. Near the stage is a green room for the animals where they will be dressed in their costumes. The musical will run for two years before the company adds new shows, on other biblical themes.

Branson is a logical spot for the spectacle. The town of 7,000 got its touristy start with “The Shepherd of the Hills," based on a 1907 feel-good novel that brought visitors from around the country to the Ozark mountains. Today the play is America's longest-running outdoor drama. Tiny Branson manages to attract 7.2million tourists a year and is reachable within a day's drive by half of the country's population. Although tourism hasn't slowed as much in Branson as other parts of the country, that could change because of rising petrol prices. But Branson hopes that Noah and his ark will keep the town afloat during the summer months.

Information & Image courtesy of The Economist

Branson Festival of Lights display Holiday Cheer

The Shine of Christmas lights will be coming from a different part of Branson this holiday season. Beginning on November 1 and all aglow through December 31, this year’s drive-through will be located at Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Expressway Lane, close to the new Sight & Sound Theatre.

Experience the magic of an Ozark Mountain Christmas with the Branson Area Festival of Lights 2007 as all of Branson sparkles for the holidays. From fabulous Christmas shows and dazzling lights to spectacular shopping and breathtaking scenic beauty, Branson is a special gift for everyone in your family at this festive time of year.

The centerpiece, Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through, will delight children of all ages. Your journey begins with a magical 1-mile drive along a path aglow with over 120 displays. Conveniently located off of Shepherd of the Hills Expressway at Expressway Lane, this one-of-a-kind family experience promises to be memorable.

Also in the Branson/Lakes Area you can enjoy extraordinary Christmas lighting displays at Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas celebration, the Enchanted Forest on Indian Point Rd. and the Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills.

“It’s the perfect facility for the festival to grow, so we can add some new elements over the next couple years,” said Chamber Director of Tourism Development Krystal Simon.

2007 will mark BAFOL’s second year back in Branson after a one-year hiatus in 2005 due to the construction of Target, Home Depot and TJ Maxx in the Branson Hills area. Last year, the festival returned to Branson Hills Parkway but added traffic and the current Wal-Mart Supercenter construction project forced the chamber to look for a new venue for the holiday tradition.

“Expressway Lane has all the criteria that we need,” Simon said. “The drive-through was 1.25 miles long last year, so we’ll have plenty of room to make it about that length again. There is plenty of access to electricity, and there will be minimal interference with residential traffic.” Simon all stated that all of the 120 light displays used last year will again be utilized this season. “We’re going to be working with an individual to come up with a new design and configuration for the displays.”

The BAFOL Drive-Through will be open daily November 1st through December 31st from 5-11p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5p.m.-midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Admission fees for 2007 will be $50 for full-sized motorcoaches, $25 for mini-coaches, church vans and limos, and family vehicles will be $10.

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News and Branson Chamber of Commerce

Summer Sizzles in Branson!

Branson, Missouri is the perfect place to escape to for summer fun. This live entertainment capital is known for its great shows, but there are plenty of things to do in Branson, Missouri! The summer only adds to these great opportunities, because visitors can take advantage of the wonderful outdoor recreation found in the beautiful Ozarks.

Many families, couples and retirees travel to Branson each summer for a vacation that includes a little bit of everything. Branson’s history of fantastic shows began with the Baldknobbers, with the Presley’s following shortly after, and continues today with shows like Pierce Arrow, The Duttons, Grand Jubilee and the Branson Brothers. These fantastic country music shows highlight the best of yesterday and today, providing entertainment for those of all ages. Branson is more than just country music, though, and shows like Acrobats of China, Broadway!, Magnificent 7, Shoji Tabuchi and Kirby VanBurch prove it! There’s a great variety of shows in Branson, where everything from magic to comedy to Broadway is performed.

After visitors see a show, they love taking in the sights, either by walking, boating or even a duck! That’s right! At Ride the Ducks, visitors can take advantage of a WWII style amphibious vehicle that drives on both land and water. Riders can choose from the Branson entertainment district route, where you’ll cruise on Table Rock Lake, or from the Branson Landing District, where the Ducks will cruise on Lake Taneycomo. Either choice is a wonderful way to view Branson’s beauty and learn a few things about this wonderful vacation destination.

Other great ways to see the beauty of the Ozarks in Branson is by hiking or going to the lake for boating and swimming fun. Outdoor recreation in Branson includes water sports on gorgeous Table Rock Lake, including a swimming beach named Moonshine Beach, as well as scenic hikes through beautiful forest and lakeside areas. Two of the best areas for hiking opportunities include Henning State Forest and Lakeside Wilderness Area. Another great way to see the rolling hills of Branson is a trip to the top of Inspiration Tower. This scenic wonder is found on the Shepherd of the Hills grounds and on clear days, you can see for 90 miles. It truly is a breathtaking experience.

Of course, Branson attractions include several ways for guests to have fun in the sun. With three theme parks in Branson, there’s a park for every time of the day! Silver Dollar City celebrates the kid in all of us, with their National Kids Fest, and continues their tradition of thrilling coasters and water ride fun, with a dash of pioneering spirit mixed in for a unique experience. Celebration City is a night time park, complete with a carnival-like atmosphere and laser light show. Branson’s beach within reach, White Water, provides exciting rides like Kalani Towers, Lazy River and Caribbean Plunge. It’s a great place for families to enjoy summer fun in Branson!

The list of things to do in Branson is endless. Between great Branson shows, exciting Branson attractions and beautiful outdoor recreation opportunities, Branson truly is the place where you can do it all…one trip at a time!