Branson Resorts

photo credit: rjones0856

The beautiful Ozarks Mountain gives shade to the Entertainment Mecca of Southern Missouri, Branson. It gives space to world-class facilities for live entertainment. ABA (American Bus Association) counts Ozark Mountain Christmas (2008) amongst the Top 100 Events of North America. If you are looking to spend sometime with your family and enjoy fresh air, scenery, entertainment and music, then you should definitely pay a visit to Branson.

Festival of Lights

Downtown areas of Branson are lit up using spectacular displays. They even have businesses adored with colorful lights (commonly seen during holiday season) for Branson Area Festival of Lights. If you move down the trail that leads to the Inspiration Tower, you would come across the displays of the city. Visitors have the option of climbing to the top of the tower and having an amazing view of the city and the mountain.

60th Annual Adoration Parade

It was during December 7, 2008, there was an old-fashioned parade for Christmas, which livened up the town. Floats and bands were a great complement to the wonderful parade.

Branson Entertainment

Amongst the reasons why people travel the city of Branson, the one most common to all is entertainment. Branson Theatres have holiday shows from November till the beginning of the New Year. Christmas Carols become a part of the atmosphere with a number of family shows being organized for you. Jim Stafford, Yakov Smirnoff, Presleys and Oak Ridge Boys are there to make your stay memorable. A variety is available for adding delight to your family. There are more than 100 live events for your family’s entertainment.

This year, it will be the Lennon Sisters and Tony Orlando performing in the city’s Branson Theatre, whereas Andy Williams is going to stage a show at the Moon River Theatre.

Old Time Christmas from the Silver Dollar City

An Old Time Christmas, presented by Silver Dollar City, was once given the honor of being amongst the top five events staged during the holiday season in the entire country by the ‘Good Morning America’. The city of Branson gets illuminated by almost 4 million lights. Again, all of these are complemented by a 5-story special and a Dickens’ Christmas Carol.

With an array of events taking place during the holiday season, you should not think of missing out on a visit to Branson.

Planning for a trip to Branson, then wait, don’t forget to enlist the visit to Marvel Cave as your trip will be incomplete without seeing the marvel cave. It is an amazing sightseeing. The Marvel Cave is located in the Silver Dollar City. This is in Branson, Missouri. It is one of the natural landmarks which were discovered by the Osage Indians in the 1500s. Anyone can go to visit this wonderland holding the ticket of Silver Dollar City.

The cave is among the largest caves in Missouri. It has a huge entry room which is known as Cathedral Room. This room is 200 stairs down. It is about 204 feet high having an opening at the top of the roof from which the sun makes its way inside the cave. This opening in the ceiling is also known as sinkhole and is originally discovered in 1500’s. Cathedral Room is so huge that it can easily fit five hot balloons into it. The five hot balloons were fitted in 1994 to celebrate the golden jubilee of tours in the Marvel Cave.

Visitors descend those 200 stairs to enter into the Cathedral Room. After that they are moved through the slippery narrow pathways and stairs. While passing through these passages you may feel uncomfortable but it is worth to visit the cave as you will be totally amazed to see the beauty of this cave. It is just splendorous.  The cave tour comprises of many narrow passages, numerous slippery stairs and very low ceiling pathways.

This cave is also known for its waterfalls, calcite formations, stalagmites and stalactites that takes place in it. An occasional bat can also be seen in this cave. There is a large colony of Gray bats. You can only see few of them as the majority of them stays in the Mammoth Room which is closed for the visitors.

As we all know that, it is the tour guide which makes the tour best or worst. A tour guide should know everything about the cave. He should have the historical knowledge then only the visitors can enjoy the tour. According to me if you unluckily get a bad tour guide, then it is better to avoid his talks and explore yourself. The cave is so amazing that you can’t stop yourself from clicking pictures. A group generally has 60 people. It is better to stay at the back as some people not come to visit the cave rather they run like they are in the race.

I must say, Marvel Cave is a great place to visit and every time you visit it you come up with more different and interesting aspects of it.

Are you looking forward to visit Branson, MO? Read this article to know about the BEST FREE places, which you can visit in Branson, if you are looking to spend quality time in the city at affordable rates.

Branson has many interesting options for you. However, most of them are expensive. Still, if you choose well, this place offers fun along with savings.

As most people are unaware of it, it is considered as a “secret” of Branson.

Still, thinking about what this article is about? Well, I am talking about the Fish Hatchery! This fish hatchery is a local favorite of many families. Let me tell you another secret. Branson and Taney County Missouri is immensely popular as a Trout fishing destination. For that reason, the lakes need to be full of stock by some means! This is where the fish hatchery gets into the scene.

Below the Table Rock Dam, a breeding and growing unit is located. This unit stocks up the lakes by producing 1,125,000 trout per year. This breeding and growing unit is run by the Missouri State Conservation Department and is entirely FREE for anyone to visit. For just a few cents you can feed large number of baby trouts which comes in groups. When you throw the food at them, they start swimming around the food. Some even start jumping making the scene more amazing to look at. Before entering the outside area to see all the fishes you have the option of visiting a small museum. In this museum, you can see various types of snakes, larger trouts, huge spiders and many other interesting animals. If you have any questions about these animals, you will find that there is someone all the time to answer. They also show a video every hour I through which you can learn more about the function of the hatchery. It is also educational for kids, as they offer touch and feel areas. After you have finished touring the hatchery, take a walk around the place. There are wonderful natural trails for you to walk on. You can also watched people fly-fishing by going down by Lake Taneycomo and standing there.

There are many more interesting and exciting FREE things, which you can do at Branson. Keep this in mind when you come to Branson next time. Go to Fish Hatchery near the Tablerock Dam to enjoy a great time with your entire family.

If you are on a trip to Branson, Missouri, then one thing you should not miss at any cost is Jim Stafford Theater. It is located at 3440 West HWY 76. Jim Stafford has been staying in Branson, Missouri since 1990. This year they are celebrating there 20^th anniversary and this is the right time to get your tickets booked for the funniest show ever.

This show has been nominated as Best Comedy show in Branson. Jim has also been nominated for the Best Entertainer.

Jim Stafford has a daughter GG with his wife Ann. Every time you go for the show, you will find them in the lobby and they will give you warm welcome. When I visited the show, they chatted with me so friendly that I felt like they are known to me.

This is just a part of the down home feeling they give. Just after a few minutes Jim Stafford greets the audience and makes audience comfortable enough to feel like home. He starts the show with telling his own story of how he started performing. He got a unique style of storytelling which he completely owes.

He is so amazing that you will love to hear him, watch him and involve with him in his show. He is very funny. I personally like his two songs, Spiders and Snakes and Cow Patty.

The show is not only about Jim Stafford, but his son, Shea Stafford is also outstandingly good. You will be surprised to see him playing piano in Jerry Lee Lewis style. He knows classical singing as well. He is amazing on drums and I assure you that you will be fully entertained.

GG is equally talented as she is a wonderful pianist and harpist.

The show is full of laughter. You will enjoy the show greatly as Jim Stafford will not let you sit ideally. In his show you can see active participation of audience.

After being seated, you will be given a card to fill out. You can write a funny joke on it, if you have, with your identity. You can even write a non-funny joke but be careful whatever you are writing can be put by Jim in his act.

I must say, the whole family is extremely talented. Then for what you are waiting, get your tickets booked for the Jim Stafford show because if you missed it in your trip to Branson, then you might have missed the best show in Branson.

Branson, Missouri, is one of the popular tourist destinations of the entire country. This small scenic town in the Ozarks is famous for its unique Country Music, interesting theatrical shows, shopping, and the list goes on. However, the places near Branson are full of natural wonders and also offer interesting sites of historical interest. These are the must see points of any visitor to Branson.

One can start his tour with the College of the Ozarks. This distinctive college hosts the Ralph Foster Museum. The Ralph Foster Museum has a proud collection interesting artifacts, relics, coins, ammunitions and many other Native American items. One can visit the museum any time of the year. The museum is open throughout the week except on Sundays.  To enter the Ralph Foster Museum, one needs to pay a small admission fee.

Another interesting place to visit close to Branson is Table Rock Dam and Lake. The lake area is a place known for its scenic beauty and diversified animal life.  One can relax over 40,000 acre lake areas with opportunities like fishing, picnic, camping, boating and many other water and land activities. One can also go for hunting in the hunting season. There are some access points where one needs to pay the admission fees.

The Mark Twain National Forest is also in the vicinity of the town. This national forest has 200,000 acres of land for the use of public. One can go for exciting options like horse riding, hiking, boating and camping in this forest. Other options like fishing and swimming are also available for the interested persons. Along the southern border of Missouri, the Mark Twain National Forest exists as a separate entity. The National Forest is near to Branson on the east and west side of the town. The forest offers a wonderful place to get away from our busy life and spend a relaxing time.

Near the northern part of the town, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is located. This is an important site of historical importance. The Civil War battle to control this area happened here in August 1861. The visitor center has a museum. One can enjoy a film presentation on the battle and learn the details about it.