Archive for the ‘Ozark Mountains’ Category

Springtime in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Missouri offers a burst of color as well as an accompanying burst of activity throughout the Branson Lakes area.

If you’re looking for a unique getaway, there’s no better time to experience a Branson vacation. Visitors will find family festivals and thrill rides at Silver Dollar City, dozens of live concerts and shows, and outdoor recreational adventures throughout the Branson Lakes area. From abundant shopping and dining to fishing, golfing and water sports, Branson has something for the entire family.

Set on 145 pristine, wooded acres, Westgate Branson Woods Resort offers convenient access to Branson’s most popular family activities, attractions and theme parks.

Rooms at Westgate Branson Woods range from economical traditional accommodations to cozy one-bedroom cabins and all the way up to spacious four-bedroom cabins. In addition, you’ll find a wealth of onsite amenities including swimming pools, exercise facility, hiking trails, daily scheduled activities (seasonal), shuffleboard, horseshoes, basketball, sand volleyball, lighted playground, campfire area, clubhouse, bike rentals, and more.

Just minutes from Branson’s live entertainment venues, attractions, outlet malls, outdoor recreational opportunities and family-friendly restaurants, Westgate Branson Woods cabins feature all the comforts of home including large screen TV, fully equipped kitchen, private deck, fireplace and more.

For details on discount Branson family vacation packages and discount accommodations at Westgate Branson Woods Resort, visit www.westgatereservations.com today.

 

 

 

New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas, Honolulu…and yes, beautiful Branson, Missouri!

Branson, Missouri was recently named as one of the top 25 U.S. destinations in the 2012 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice® Destinations Awards.

Branson made the list alongside major U.S. cities like New York, Orlando, Las Vegas and Honolulu. The awards highlight awe-inspiring travel locations of all varieties and are based on opinions, comments and reviews of travelers posting on TripAdvisor, one of the world’s largest travel websites.

 Despite its small size, Branson welcomes millions of visitors to the Missouri Ozarks each year with its unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, lakes, live entertainment, shopping, dining and attractions.

As number 16 in the TripAdvisor list of top U.S. travel destinations for 2012, Branson was rewarded for its assortment of live entertainment. The Live Music Show Capital of the World offers nearly 100 music, magic and comedy shows daily. Branson was also cited for its abundance of great fishing, hiking, biking and water sports plus popular attractions like the Titanic Museum, beautiful lake cruises, golf and the 1880’s themed Silver Dollar City theme park.

For details about Branson family vacation packages and discount Branson accommodations at Westgate Branson Woods Resort, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

 

Branson, MO remains one of the nation’s most patriotic destinations. True to its tradition of honoring America’s veterans, active duty military and their families, the city is preparing for its 4^th annual “Hand-in-Hand” event saluting Purple Heart recipients.

Hand-in-Hand includes a series of events April 26-28, 2012. The Purple Heart is awarded to those who received wounds in combat while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

The objective of the Branson event is to “honor the Purple Heart participants; give them tools they can use to get the benefits they are entitled to and provide an opportunity for healing through a few days of fellowship, Branson entertainment and fun with their fellow Veterans.”

All the events scheduled for Hand-in-Hand are free to Purple Heart recipients. Hand in Hand starts with Registration, coffee, cookies and fellowship on the morning of April 26th at the Factory Merchants Mall.

An Opening Ceremony at the Hamner Barber Theatre offers an informative and inspirational event featuring comedy and musical entertainment, an inspiring Caldron Lighting Ceremony, and a “Town Hall Meeting” on how to get the benefits participants are entitled to, with participation by a panel of experts from the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The three-day event also includes a free entertainment show featuring many Branson acts and performers, a free trout fishing tournament, a motorcycle run and a closing ceremony featuring Staff Sergeant Robert Henline, U.S. Army (Retired) as the guest speaker. Henline was burned over nearly 38 percent of his body as the result of injuries received in Iraq from a road side bomb (IED.)

 

 

 

 

 

Silver Dollar City recently opened for the 2012 season and the theme park has plenty of new excitement planned for visitors. In addition to more than 30 exciting attractions, Silver Dollar City will debut a number of all new shows throughout the year.

More than a dozen new shows are scheduled to appear on stage at the popular Branson theme park, located in the heart of the beautiful Ozark Mountains. You’ll also find the usual wide assortment of demonstrating craftsmen and the park’s annual world-class festivals.

The year’s first festival, World-Fest, features six exciting acts, including the new “La Bella Musica.” Located in the new Italy section of the festival, the show offers stilt-walkers, acrobats, flag throwers and a special parade.

World class acrobats, The Flying Walendas, will return to headline Silver Dollar City’s Kids-Fest which also features two new shows. “Luma” brings the story of Marvel Cave to life using a high-tech 3-D light show. Meanwhile, kids will enjoy the interactive fun at “Gazillion Bubbles.”

Coming this fall, the National Harvest Festival will debut a new western stunt show. Meanwhile, in November, An Old Time Christmas celebration will present “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

 

There’s a new event rumbling at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede in Branson.

“Rumble in the Treetops,” an all new lumberjack competition is being added to the friendly North vs. South rivalry that is part of the Dixie Stampede experience. The fun kicks off on Feb. 24, 2012 as the popular dinner show begins its 18^th season in the Ozark Mountains.

The entertaining new event is a unique opportunity for guests to witness a piece of history, as logging has played an important part in Branson’s development since the earliest days of the town’s development. It also coincides with this year’s 100^th anniversary Centennial Celebration of Branson’s incorporation on April 1, 1912.

The lumberjack competition will include four events. The first is a race to the top of a tall pine tree. That event will be followed by a two-man crosscut to see who can saw a giant log the fastest. A third event is the underhand chopping contest pitting lumberjacks in a race to split a log. And finally, there will be a fun-filled log roll to see which lumberjack can send his competition falling off a log into the water.

Rumble in the Treetops is just the start of your Dixie Stampede entertainment. You’ll also continue to experience the magnificent horses, the pageantry, and the excitement of other events like Roman Riding, barrel racing and other feats of spectacular horsemanship…not to mention a delicious four-course feast!

Guests are also invited to meet the stars of the show - the horses - as you walk by their stalls when entering the arena. And there’s a preshow in the Carriage Room that starts approximately 50 minutes prior to entering the main auditorium.

For information on discount attraction tickets and resort accommodations, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

While Branson’s popular Silver Dollar City theme park remains closed for the winter season, it’s never too early to start dreaming about opening day on March 15, 2012.

The internationally award-winning theme park may have a vintage 1880’s look and feel, but there’s nothing old about the exciting, state of the art roller coasters that thrill park guests.

The park offers more than 30 fun rides and attractions, including four exciting roller coasters - “Fire-in-the-Hole,” “Wild Fire,” “Powder Keg” and “Thunderation.”

“Fire-in-the-Hole” is Silver Dollar City’s oldest coaster and a park favorite for decades. This indoor coaster takes guests on a nighttime trip through an Ozarks town set on fire by the infamous “Baldknobbers.” The adventure offers everything from high-speed drops to an exciting ending that explains the ride’s name.  

“WildFire®” is Silver Dollar City’s iconic coaster, a truly world class experience and offering a fantastic view of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake. Traveling at speeds up to 66 mph, the cobra-rolling coaster incorporates a high-speed spiral, a full loop with five inversions, a vertical drop of 15 stories and corkscrew into one of the most exciting coaster rides anywhere.

“PowderKeg®” is a compressed air-launch coaster that accelerates from the “Powder House” exploding from 0 to 53 MPH in a scant 2.8 seconds. An initial 110 foot drop sends riders through spiraling turns and trees at speeds up to 64 mph while creating negative “G” forces during an exciting 3,500 foot journey back to the Powder House.

Like a runaway mine train, “Thunderation” is a high-speed coaster that takes riders 121 feet into the air for a scenic view of the Ozarks at speeds up to 48 MPH before a spiraling drop and a trip through an underground tunnel.

Of course, the coasters are just a small part of the Silver Dollar City experience. For additional information on the park’s six world class festivals, dozens of demonstrating craftsmen, exceptional live shows and entertainment, visit www.silverdollarcity.com. Or for discount Branson theme park tickets and resort accommodations, go to www.westgatereservations.com.

 

 

 

As one might expect, off season in Branson, MO is like off season in most popular vacation destinations. Yet the winter season still offers plenty of fun and excitement for the entire family. And you can still enjoy a great Branson experience.

Although many of the town’s famed live shows are closed during January and many through February, you’ll still find a variety of great shows to choose from, including the Grand Jubilee, the Hughes Brothers and others.

And while the Ozarks biggest attraction, Silver Dollar City theme park, is closed til March 15, 2012, the Branson area remains filled with year round options such as Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum, the Castle of Chaos and Hollywood Wax Museum. 2012 is also a big year for the Titanic Museum attraction as it honors the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the legendary ship. The museum will host a number of special events throughout the year.

Even in the winter, Branson offers plenty of opportunity to get outside. On February 4-5, 2012, visitors can enjoy the National Ice Carving Association’s U.S. Nationals. And you can also test your skills fishing for trout on Lake Taneycomo or bass on Table Rock Lake. Or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Branson Landing Boardwalk.

Any season is shopping season in Branson. From the Tanger Outlets and Branson Landing to a wide range of boutique and specialty shops, Branson offers an unparalleled shopping experience and great values, year round.

Off season also means fewer people and a lot less traffic around Branson and the surrounding Ozark Mountains. Plus you can take advantage of off season value and savings at area accommodations such as Westgate Branson Woods Resort. For discount Branson vacation packages and tickets, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

 

 

In a town known for its amazing Christmas celebrations and live shows, the term “white Christmas” takes on a whole new meaning in Branson, Missouri. The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure attraction presents one of the most unique and beautiful displays in the Ozark Mountains.

“White Flight” features thousands of white butterflies representing about 20 different species of tropical white butterflies, including the most common - the Paper Kite Butterfly. The exhibit, now in its fifth year, runs through January 15, 2012.

In addition to thousands of beautiful butterflies floating through a rain forest sparkling with holiday lights, the exhibit features living angel statues and the sounds of delightful holiday music.

The butterflies in the exhibit are shipped by air express in their chrysalis (cocoon) stage from tropical rain forests. They are released into the exhibit after emerging from the cocoon. The butterflies are then able to live out their average three-week life span in a predator-free, rain forest environment.

The exhibit also includes a 15-minute movie documenting the rain forest butterfly.

The aviary is filled with poinsettias and flowers and includes a large poinsettia Christmas tree.

If you can’t visit the exhibit during “White Flight,” the rainforest remains filled with butterflies throughout the year, featuring 50-60 species of brightly colored butterflies.

 

For discount Branson attraction tickets and details regarding discount Branson vacation packages, including resort accommodations, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

 

Fall is in the air and it won’t be long before Mother Nature begins her annual fall color display throughout the Ozark Mountains in and around Branson, Missouri.

Branson is widely known for its wealth of live concerts, stage shows and performances. Yet the colorful autumn foliage offers up one of nature’s greatest shows. Wherever you are in the Branson Lakes area, you’re sure to witness a fall show that is simply full of magnificent glory with its many hues of red, yellow and orange.

One of the best ways to catch the color change is by taking a drive around the Branson area. One scenic drive that offers exceptional views is the Ozarks Mountain Highroad (State Hwy 465) from its junction with Hwy 65 to its end at Hwy. 76.  You’ll travel over Table Rock Dam and experience beautiful vistas and millions of leaves in virtually every stage of color, vibrancy and hue.

Another scenic panorama during fall color season is The Overlook on Hwy 165. From there, you can see Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock Dam, along with all the surrounding foliage.

If you prefer, you can also experience one of Branson’s many tourist attractions while viewing the fall colors.  Hop aboard the Showboat Branson Belle riverboat on Table Rock Lake or the Lake Queen on Lake Taneycomo. Either boat ride offers up a 360-degree view of the spectacular colors.

Another option is the Branson Scenic Railway, a vintage train that offers railroad cars from the ‘40s and ‘50s. You’ll experience memories of a bygone era while viewing the colors during a special trip through the Ozarks.

If you prefer a little more excitement with your color tour, try out the Wildfire roller coaster at Silver Dollar City theme park. You’ll view the colors from above as your coaster car climbs high in the sky before dropping down 135 feet and looping upside down five times.

For more information on Branson attraction tickets and discount vacation packages, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

The Ozark hills surrounding Branson, Missouri have long resonated with beautiful Southern gospel music. The vibrant music can be heard from county fairs and country churches to grand stages and family backyards. Yet the biggest stage of all features the spectacular Southern Gospel Picnic at Silver Dollar City theme park.

The Southern Gospel Picnic is actually an annual festival at Silver Dollar City running from August 25 through Sept. 5, 2011. This year’s festival features hundreds of performances from the most famous names in southern gospel music.

Of course, as the name implies, the Picnic is also a delicious feast, with savory southern cooking at The House of Chicken & Fixin’s on the City’s square! You’ll find a variety of styles of chicken, all the extras. Choose from Apple-Glazed Chicken, Hickory-Smoked Chicken or Southern Fried Chicken.

You can also learn new recipes at Silver Dollar City’s Culinary & Craft School where a Master Craftsman of Culinary Arts demonstrates favorite recipes and cooking tips and tricks in a state-of-the-art kitchen. A small fee applies for all classes.

A Full Lineup of Southern Gospel Greats!  

The Southern Gospel Picnic features a daily musical celebration filled with great gospel harmonies and soul-stirring melodies from a variety of artists:

HisSong - August 25

The Pfeifers - August 25

Blackwood Brothers Quartet - August 25 - 26

Chuck Wagon Gang - August 25 - 26

Soul’d Out Quartet - August 25 - 26

Tribute Quartet - August 25 - 27

The Harper Family - August 25 - 28

Booth Brothers - August 26

Albert E Brumley Jr. - August 26 - 27

The Browders - August 27

Legacy Five - August 27

The Freemans - August 27 - 28

Gold City - August 27 - 28

Hosea Bilyeu & Family - August 28

Brian Free & Assurance - August 28 - 29

Tim Lovelace - August 28 - 29

The Whisnants - August 28 - 29

Bowling Family - August 29 - 30

The Perrys - August 29 - 30

2nd Generation - August 29 - September 1

The Downing Family - August 29 - September 1

Dixie Echoes - August 29 - September 2

The Hoppers - August 30 - 31

New Horizons - August 31

The Lesters - August 30 - September 1

Mark Trammell Quartet - August 31 - September 1

Reggie & Bridgette Saddler - August 31 - September 1

Down East Boys - September 1 - 2

Karen Peck & New River - September 1 - 2

The Williamsons - September 1 - 3

The Collingsworth Family - September 2 - 3

The Morace Family - September 2 - 3

Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain RR - September 2 - 5

Spoken 4 Quartet - September 2 - 5

Dr. Dennis Swanberg - September 3 - 4

Triumphant Quartet - September 3 - 4

The Diplomats - September 3 - 5

Jeff & Sheri Easter - September 4

Ninth Hour - September 4 - 5

The Isaacs - September 5

The Petersen Family - September 5

Southern Sound - September 5

The Taylors - September 5

Southern Gospel Nights

Let your spirit sing during the Southern Gospel Nights concert series each evening at park closing. Hear your favorite artists as they perform an unforgettable concert at Silver Dollar City’s 4,000-seat Echo Hollow Amphitheater. The show begins at 6 pm each evening during the festival, 7 pm on September 4 & 5. Seating in Echo Hollow Amphitheatre® will begin two hours prior to show time, weather permitting.

Blackwood Brothers Quartet and Chuck Wagon Gang - August 25

Booth Brothers - August 26

Gold City - August 27

Brian Free & Assurance and The Whisnants - August 28

The Bowling Family and The Perrys - August 29

The Hoppers - August 30

Mark Trammell Quartet and Reggie & Bridgette Saddler - August 31

Down East Boys and Karen Peck & New River - September 1

The Collingsworth Family - September 2

Triumphant Quartet - September 3

Jeff & Sheri Easter - September 4

The Isaacs - September 5