By LARRY VAUGHT
the Kentucky Advocate
www.amnews.com
Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part journal by Sports Editor Larry Vaught offering a glance at what there is to see and do in Branson, Mo.
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BRANSON, Mo. — Spring break often means heading to the beach. That doesn’t mean other spots can’t be just as much fun. Rather than head south, my wife and I decided to make the 580-mile drive to Branson, Mo., for our getaway week in April. We avoided the interstate traffic by going to Paducah and then taking scenic U.S. 60 into Missouri.
We spent six full days in Branson and didn’t start to do or see everything Branson has to offer. There are more than 50 theaters, 100 restaurants, more than a dozen golf courses, plentiful fishing at Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo, and numerous other attractions.
Then there is the shopping at places that range from a relatively new downtown landing and an outlet mall to craft stores.
By 2009, the Branson Regional Airport will be open and provide an easier, quicker way for visitors to arrive in the Ozarks. The city thrives on tourism and every local seems to make it a priority to help in any way possible. However, there’s no mistake that this is a family-oriented community. It’s one place where there is no problem saluting the military or singing Christian hymns at almost every show. Each show is family-oriented — and every show has a discount ticket offer of some kind. So while it’s impossible to do everything in six days in Branson, here’s what our trip included:
Day One
Silver Dollar City
This theme park offers about 30 rides and adventures for all ages, from roller coasters and water rides to a giant swing as well as a variety of craftsmen demonstrating their skills.
However, our visit came during World-Fest, which is billed as America’s largest international festival. We saw a wonderful Irish Show, “Feet of Fire,” that featured Irish dancers and music in non-stop action about Irish folklore.
The Zunyi Acrobats from China had an entertaining 30-minute show that combined superb athleticism with grace and precision. Another cultural experience awaited us with the Noticky, a group of young musicians from the Czech Republic who seemed to love interacting with the audience.
Silver Dollar City also has other annual festivals — Bluegrass and BBQ through June 1; National KidsFest, June 7-Aug. 10; Southern Gospel, Aug. 28-Sept. 7; National Harvest, Sept. 11-Oct. 25; and An Old Time Christmas, Nov. 1-Dec. 30. Also coming this fall is the Craft and Culinary School that will have tips from certified chefs in cooking classes and hands-on craft demonstrations. However, what we loved most about Silver Dollar City is the food. The park has more diversity — and far better prices — than any park we’ve visited.
Our favorite is the skillet-grilled succotash — chicken, green pepper, red pepper, onions, okra, squash and corn — that you can watch sizzle right in front of your eyes. But you can find so many tasty dishes that it’s impossible not to leave remembering the food.
Two other unique tidbits — free parking is available and a great weather guarantee allows you to exchange your ticket for one visit to Silver Dollar City anytime in 2008 if weather interrupts your visit.
Information: Call (800) 225-0222 or go to silverdollarcity.com. SIX
This is a unique entertainment experience, as the six Knudsen brothers perform for more than two hours with no musical backup except the sounds they create. It’s hard to describe just how extraordinary this show is, but it will have you singing, clapping and enjoying a variety of music from the Beach Boys and Elvis Presley to Tom Jones — and on and on. The brothers are able to create their own musical instrument
sounds, and their stage presence makes it impossible not to thoroughly enjoy this show and see why they have performed with artists such as Rod Stewart, The Beach Boys, Diana Ross, Three Dog Night and others.
They received a standing ovation when they sang “Amazing Grace” near the end of the show.
Information: Call (877) 749-2767 or go to www.sixrealbrothers.com.
Day Two
Ride The Ducks
This 70-minute ride aboard an original World War II DUKW starts on Branson’s busiest highway, climbs into the Ozarks, then glides into Table Rock Lake before the trip ends. There also is a 60-minute trip that leaves from Branson
Landing and goes into Lake Taneycomo.
Our trip captain told jokes as well as historical stories — and she never missed a chance to let us use our souvenir quackers that each passenger receives before the trip starts.
It’s a unique ride passengers of all ages enjoyed and it’s one way to see parts of Branson you cannot view any other way.
Information: Call (877) 887-8225 or go to bransonducks.com. Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House
The restaurant has a varied menu, but it is best-known for its tossed rolls. Put your hand in the air and Rudy the Roll Tosser will send a hot roll your way from up to 50 feet away — and he’s amazingly accurate. As soon as you want another roll, raise your hand and get ready to catch because the roll will be on the way in seconds.
Showboat Branson Belle
This two-hour cruise on Table Rock Lake provides a scenic getaway from downtown Branson, a three-course meal and a 60-minute show that includes singing, dancing and comedy.
The 1890s-style paddle-wheel boat can accommodate up to 720 people per cruise. During the peak season, it has three cruises per day. You have a chance to walk around the ship that is 278 feet long and 112 feet high, and weighs 2,500,000 pounds.
The Broadway-style show has close to 50 songs, including 22 in one lively, eight-minute span, highlighting a variety of Broadway shows. The most unique part of the show is comedian-ventriloquist Todd Oliver — and his two talking dogs. It’s non-stop laughter when they are on stage.
Information: Call (800) 775-BOAT or go to silverdollarcity.com. Day Three
Clocker’s Cafe
On our only other trip to Branson several years ago we stumbled upon this downtown cafe by accident. However, we remembered the unusual interior design, good food and reasonable prices, and made sure we made a stop here again.
Even if we had forgotten, it seems like every other local person recommended Clocker’s as the place to eat downtown. The cafe has several unique clocks inside as well as other interesting decor — containers that looked like old-fashioned washtubs with cream and sugar packets are on each table. A daily lunch special attracts the locals, and there is a melt-in-your-mouth blackberry cobbler that is a must for dessert.
Information: Call (417) 335-2328.
Branson Scenic Railway
This 40-mile round trip through the Ozarks foothills is a relaxing way to spend two hours. You can choose from dome cars to coach seating in cars from the 1940s and 1950s. The train departs either three or four times daily from the downtown depot depending on the season.
Information: Call (800) 287-2462 or go to www.bransontrain.com. Magnificent Seven
This variety show offers seven decades of musical entertainment from rock and pop to soul and country — and more. Show stars Tamra Holden and Joe Tinoco, who are married, lead the 22-member cast on their musical adventure that includes everything from songs from “The Wizard of Oz” to the Beatles and Elton John. It even included a tribute to Sly and The Family Stone — which brought back memories of a 1973 concert when I was still in college.
The cast has more than 300 costume changes during the show and interacts often with the audience — a big selling point for the DVD of the show you can purchase and have about five minutes after the show ends. Before the show, dinner is available for an extra charge. One unique feature here is the “dessert parade,” where the serving staff sings, dances and has sparklers to entertain those dining. Our waitress was even dressed to look like Marilyn Monroe.
Information: Call (877) 487-2386 or go to www.bransonwhitehousetheatre.com.
Next week: Butterfly Palace, Titanic, BransonFest, and Paul Revere and the Raiders round out the week.
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