A visit to Branson, Missouri brings with it a wealth of  choices for fun and adventure the whole family can enjoy and appreciate. As live entertainment capital of the world, Branson offers up more than 100 shows ranging from concerts and magic to comedy and Vegas style revues.

Outdoor enthusiasts will want to take full advantage of Branson’s three extraordinary lakes which provide opportunities for a variety of water sports, including some of the world’s best trout and bass fishing. You could also hike or bike the many miles of trails throughout the surrounding Ozark Mountains.

You could “ride the ducks” to experience a land and water tour of the Branson area aboard one of the city’s unique amphibious vehicles. Or you could just spend a leisurely and relaxing time along Branson Landing, the area’s waterfront shopping and entertainment complex.

Located just a short walk from the Branson tourism district, Branson Landing occupies 95 acres including 1.5 miles of picturesque waterfront along Lake Taneycomo.  There you’ll find 450,000 square feet of shopping and dining, as well as the Branson Convention Center, a 4-star 260-room convention hotel, a 100-room boutique hotel, 140 waterfront luxury condominiums and penthouses, and a marina.

The highlight of Branson Landing is a scenic 1.5-mile boardwalk along the shores of Lake Taneycomo. Yet the centerpiece is a vibrant town square that terraces down to Branson Landing Fountain, a spectacular water attraction.

The $7.5 million Branson Landing Fountain merges water, fire, light and music in a dazzling sequence of choreographed events. From fire cannons blasting to fountains shooting 120-foot geysers and synchronized lights and music, the attraction is a must see show for all Branson visitors. The shows are scheduled hourly starting at noon and running through 10 pm Sunday-Thursday and until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.

For information on discount Branson vacation packages and lodging, including the luxurious Westgate Branson Woods Resort, please visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Branson’s only outdoor water park, White Water, , offers a full day of wet and refreshing fun and adventure. But on weekends from now through Sept. 3, you can also splash into the night with Nightwater at White Water.

The special event offers extended park hours on weekends throughout the summer. You can splash and play all day and well into the night with the park’s hours extended to 10 am - 10 pm. Nightwater dates include: July 8-9, July 15-16, July 22-23, July 29-30, August 5-6, August 12-13, August 20, August 27, September 3.

White Water’s high flying water rides take on a whole new look and feel after dark. Try dropping 75 feet in the dark on Kalani Towers or soaring along on the Raging River Rapids.

White Water offers a wide variety of water slides, water blasters, super-soakers, speed slides, a wave pool and more. For moere information on discount Branson theme park tickets and discount Branson vacation packages, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Stumble it!

A quaint town in the heart of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, Branson is a world away from the Far East and China. Yet the member’s of New Shanghai Circus bring their jaw-dropping display of daring and acrobatics to Branson with their amazing Acrobats of China show.

This unique show has an amazing array of elegance, skill, grace and precision. It’s a show that goes far beyond the ordinary while offering elegant costuming, high intensity choreography and spectacular non-stop action and adventure. The entire family, young and old, will be enthralled by this two-hour extravaganza that includes everything from juggling, plate spinning, aerial unicycles, high wire performances and extreme acrobatics to hoop diving, dragons and colorful pageantry.

Acrobats of China is just one of dozens of family friendly shows that help make Branson the live entertainment capital of the world. For more information on discount show tickets or discount Branson family vacation packages, go to www.westgatereservations.com.

In Branson, you can catch a world class roller coaster at Silver Dollar City theme park. You can catch one of more than 100 different live shows ranging from comedy and magic to country, gospel and rock music to Vegas style revues. Or you can catch fish - lots of fish!

The Branson area’s three exceptional lakes offer some of the best bass and trout fishing in the nation. Catching a limit of trout on Lake Taneycomo is a common occurrence. Lake Taneycomo is a cold water lake that offers up a wealth of Brown and Rainbow trout. Meanwhile, Table Rock Lake and Bull Shoals Lake are both warm water lakes providing anglers with outstanding bass fishing.

The area also offers a number of local full service marinas where visitors can find boat rentals, complete tackle shops and even guide services.

For more information on Branson’s myriad activities, attractions and lakes in addition to Branson discount vacation packages, visit www.ticket2Branson.com or www.westgatereservations.com.

mouth watering BBQ.

This year’s Bluegrass festival features a variety of top Bluegrass artists including Rhonda Vincent, a seven time winner of IBMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year; The Grascals, two time winner of IBMA’s Entertainer of the Year and Russell Moore, 2010 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year, and IIIrd Tyme Out, seven time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year.

While the music fills the air, so too will the scent of delicious BBQ. Tempt your taste buds with everything from Memphis dry rubs and Carolina vinegars to Texas-style BBQ all slow cooked to perfection in a massive wood fired smoker filled with 40,000 pounds of brisket, chicken, ribs and pulled pork.

The Bluegrass entertainment is included with Silver Dollar City admission. The 1880’s themed park offers 30 fun-filled rides and attractions designed to thrill the entire family. You’ll also find dozens of period craftsmen demonstrating their work.

For additional details, go to http://www.silverdollarcity.com/. Or visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for information on discount Branson vacation packages and accommodations such as Westgate Branson Woods Resort.

Branson, Missouri is known for its live shows. But while the city’s 40 theaters host more than 100 shows per day, one of the best shows around can be seen outside just a few miles away. Better yet, it’s a free show the whole family will enjoy.

The action takes place, not on a stage, but in water near the Table Rock Lake dam in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. It’s call the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery and it’s quite an amazing production put on by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The Shepherd of the Hills hatchery has been producing rainbow and brown trout for Branson area lakes for more than 50 years. It’s no wonder that the Branson lakes continue to provide anglers with some of the world’s best fishing year in and year out.

The hatchery typically produces about 1,125,000 catchable trout each year, weighing more than 300,000 pounds.

Branson’s popular Lake Taneycomo receives nearly 700,000 catchable trout per year from the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery and others such as the nearby Neosho National Fish Hatchery in Southwest Missouri.

This fun adventure is also a great learning experience for the kids who can see the various stages of development in different holding tanks. Be sure to bring a few quarters to purchase fish food, as well!

The facility offers all trout production phases. Egg incubation and early rearing is completed in the hatchery building in jar type incubation units, and aluminum/fiberglass tanks. There are also 12 outdoor concrete raceways or man-made canals, for intermediate rearing, and the final rearing is completed in 20 outdoor concrete raceways. Three earthen ponds are also used for fish production.

 The Shepherd of the Hills hatchery hosts more than 250,000 visitors annually. To find more information and suggestions on things to do in Branson, visit www.ticket2branson.com or www.westgatereservations.com.

Known for its many theaters and more than 100 different live shows, Branson is also a destination famed for its widespread and myriad outdoor activities.

Branson sits nestled in the heart of Missouri’s beautiful Ozark Mountains, a popular destination for hiking, biking and camping. Three spectacular lakes make it a prized area for water recreation as well, including swimming, boating and some of the world’s best trout fishing.

For those looking for a full day’s adventure, there’s Silver Dollar City theme park, featuring 30 exciting rides and attractions ranging from roller coasters and water rides to a Crafts & Culinary school, plus more than 40 shows. Silver Dollar City also features a variety of festivals each year including World-Fest, KidsFest, Southern Gospel Picnic and a National Harvest Festival.

Geyser Gulch also offers Silver Dollar City visitors an expansive water-themed play area.

Other outdoor adventures include the Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours. With several options to choose from, visitors can fly through an amazing forest canopy while certified guides provide interesting stories and the history and ecology of the area.

The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama is based on the novel by Harold Bell Wright. One of the most widely read novels of all time, this large scale production of the book is a timeless tale that brings the area to life through a cast of 80 actors and 40 horses. Visitors are sure to enjoy not only the play, but also the beautiful outdoor setting.  

Inspiration Tower is a 230-foot-high observation point that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Ozark Mountains. Located on the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead, Inspiration Tower was built in 1989 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of author Harold Bell Wright’s visit to the Ozarks. Enjoy spectacular views from the enclosed observation deck or take a fresh breath of air on the outdoor observation area.  You can see more than 90 miles on a clear day!

The Historic Homestead Tour offers an hour-long tram ride with stops at Inspiration Point, Old Matt’s Cabin, Little Pete’s Cave, and Wright Church.  The cabin is featured in the novel, Shepherd of the Hills. Inside you’ll find many historical items and antiques, furniture, clothing, cooking utensils and tools.

For more on Branson’s outdoor activities and discount Branson vacation packages, go to www.Westgatereservations.com today.

Spring has arrived in Branson and that means the self proclaimed “live entertainment capital of the world” is once again one of the nation’s premiere destinations for live shows.

A vast number of live shows in Branson have already opened their 2011 season. In addition, the area’s most popular attraction - Silver Dollar City theme park - also re-opened for the season on March 17.

The long list of shows already open for 2011 in Branson include: # 1 Hits of the 60′s, Absolutely Patsy, A Country Legacy - Fountains of Country, Acrobats of China, Amazing Pets, Baldknobbers Jamboree Show, Bucket ‘n’ Boards, Cassandre’ The Voice of an Angel, Circle B Supper Club, Clay Cooper Country Music Express, Comedy Jamboree, Comedy Hypnosis Dinner Show, Dixie Stampede, Eagles Tribute, Grand Jubilee, Hamner Barber Variety, Hank Williams Revisited, Haygoods, Hooray for Hollywood, Hughes Brothers, Jeerk Rhythm Artist Group, Jim Stafford, A Tribute to John Denver, Joseph Hall Elvis Rock N Remember Tribute, Kirby VanBurch, Legends in Concert, Legends of Kung Fu, Liverpool Legends, Neal McCoy (Limited Engagement at different times), New South Gospel, Ozark Mountain Jubilee, Pierce Arrow, Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Rankin Brothers, Red,Hot & Blue, Shake Rattle & Roll, SIX, Strait Country, Sunday Gospel Jubilee, Todd Oliver & Friends, Tony Roi’s Elvis Experience, A Tribute to Marty Robbins, Twelve Irish Tenors, and Yakov’s Dinner Adventure.

Just as spring brings a colorful new season of flowering beauty to the surrounding Ozark Mountains, most of the Branson shows incorporate colorful new changes and new material each spring. For example, the Presleys’ Country Jubilee is said to create 50-70 percent new material for its show each year.

For additional information or tickets for any of the shows mentioned or to make lodging arrangements at Westgate Branson Woods resort, please visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.  

It wouldn’t be Silver Dollar City without a great festival. So let the fun begin.

With a total of six world-class festivals throughout the year, Silver Dollar City offers fun for everyone. You can take a trip around the world without ever leaving the Ozarks during World-Fest. You can celebrate BBQ, Bluegrass and Gospel music. You can experience America’s largest Kidsfest. You can see hundreds of America’s finest craftsmen create amazing works of art. Or you can be dazzled by the Christmas spirit during an Old Time Christmas celebration. It’s all part of Silver Dollar City’s annual run of exceptional festivals.

Of course, every day is a fun-filled adventure at the 1880′s style, award-winning theme park. Silver Dollar City offers 30 rides and attractions for adventure seekers of all ages. You can hop aboard the thrilling “Wildfire,” a multi-looping roller coaster that reaches speeds up to 66 miles per hour. Or check out the new $1 million “Half Dollar Holler,” a ride designed for kids through age 7.

Silver Dollar City also offers some of the best live shows and entertainment available in an area known for its exceptional live entertainment.

Festival season kicks off with World-Fest, April 7 to May 8. 2011. This international event is a colorful and musical celebration of entertainment, food, culture, music and fun that has become a must-see tradition every spring in the Ozarks.

World-Fest features world-class performers and musical artists from around the globe including folk singers, an Irish tenor, steel drum corps from Trinidad and Tobago, stilt dancers, champion fiddlers from Canada, amazing acrobats and more.

World-Fest also features the “Tastes of the World,” a delicious food pavilion providing a taste-tempting selection of international food specialties such as Irish Stew, Chicken Fajitas and Italian Calzone and desserts like Baklava, Tiramisu Torte and Apfel Dumplings served with Cinnamon Ice Cream.

For additional information or tickets to Silver Dollar City or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements, visit www.westgatereservations.com or www.ticket2branson.com.

From its headwaters, 92 miles southwest of Branson, MO, the White River begins a long and winding 760 journey to an ultimate junction with the Mississippi River. Along the way, the river has helped create three amazing lakes that provide the Branson area with hydro-electric power, flood prevention and the ultimate in outdoor recreation.

These three lakes offer hundreds of thousands of Branson visitors an opportunity to fish, boat, water ski, and enjoy many other outdoor water activities year round.

The most popular of the lakes is Table Rock Lake which was formed with the completion of the scenic 6,423 foot long Table Rock Dam in 1958. The result of the dam was a lake offering more than 43,000 surface acres and 745 miles of shoreline. Table Rock Lake features warm water fishing for largemouth Bass, smallmouth Bass, Crappie and Catfish.

The second body of water, Lake Taneycomo, starts as the White Rive flows through Table Rock Dam and then downstream 22 miles to the Powersite Dam. Lake Taneycomo is a cold water lake because its main source of water is the water run through the generators of Table Rock Dam. That water comes from about the 140 foot depth of the lake and has a temperature of about 45 degrees year round.

With waters generally too cold for swimming, Taneycomo remains a haven for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and trout fishing. In fact, the lake’s rainbow and brown trout populations are plentiful, making it one of the most popular trout fishing destinations in the country.

The third lake, Bull Shoals Lake, formed with the completion of Bull Shoals Dam in 1951. This 45,000 acre lake offers great boating and fishing and it gets much less use than the other two Branson area lakes.

 For more information on Branson’s fabulous lakes area, visit www.branson.com. Go to www.Ticket2Branson or www.WestgateReservations.com for information on discount Branson vacation packages and discount Branson lodging, including Westgate Branson Woods Resort.