I vividly remember every detail of the American romantic comedy "Sleepless in Seattle" as I drove to Branson City (Missouri), trying to decipher the question: Why do I have to return here for the fifth time in my life?
What's so fun about "Little Las Vegas"?
Branson, a small city in the Midwestern United States of Missouri, is famous throughout the country for its family-friendly resort and entertainment services, earning it the nickname "Little Las Vegas."
In 2016, Branson ranked 18th out of 25 most popular cities in the US for the fifth consecutive year, according to Tripadvisor, and first among the top 20 "worthwhile" cities according to Trivago. This proves that Branson remains a top summer destination choice for couples and families with children.
Along the legendary West 76 Country Road, we traveled slowly through the winding curves of the windswept hills, a truly fascinating experience. Yet, it took us almost an hour to reach the Bavarian resort with its wooden bungalows nestled in the pine forest.
This place is breathtakingly beautiful, just like Da Lat city 50 years ago, when the forests were still lush and green. Looking down, you can see the cool blue Table Rock Lake embracing the boats as if still half-asleep, and above, birds sing their joyful summer songs.
A family summer vacation in Branson can begin at the two indoor water parks, Castle Rock and Grand Country. If those feel a bit cramped, Branson's only large outdoor water park, White Water, offers thrilling underwater adventures, including thrilling slides and a picturesque, winding lazy river.
The biggest attraction, located about six miles from downtown Branson, is the Silver Dollar City amusement park, named after the practice of giving silver coins to visitors, which began in 1960.
Of course, this place is ideal for children of all ages, with theme parks modeled after 1880s Ozark villages, and a train ride that takes visitors on a tour of over 30 attractions, allowing them to choose based on the age of the kids in the family.
For younger children, the "American Plunge" waterfall slide, the "Electro Spin" giant Ferris wheel, and the "FireHouse Play Place" fire-themed amusement center should be top priorities. Older children should try the "Outlaw Run" on the world's scariest wooden coaster, with a drop of up to 50 meters and speeds reaching 110 km/h; or the "PowderKeg" rocket-speed roller coaster, which will take them from 0 to 85 km/h in just 2.8 seconds!
In addition, with over 40 daily programs, 6 special festivals throughout the year, and 60 different shops and restaurants, families will find it hard to leave this place before dawn.
Unique shows
Branson owns dozens of theaters offering over 100 live circus, art, and comedy shows daily. Therefore, choosing a show that satisfies the needs of the whole family isn't easy; sometimes you have to split up to find a balance!
We chose to have a late afternoon meal and watch the show at Dolly Parton's Stampede because, although there were three shows on the weekend at 3 PM, 5 PM, and 8 PM, we were too late and only got the late afternoon show. The meal was special, with four delicious courses and dessert, followed by a spectacular performance by magnificent horses handled by brave jockeys. Of course, if you've never seen a show featuring domestic bulls with hooked horns and American bison, or even pig or dog races, then don't miss this place.
After having eaten our fill... and feasted our eyes, we decided to split into two groups to truly "run the show." My wife and I went to see the "ABBA Tribute - Thank You for the Music," featuring two young couples performing covers of classic songs from the 1980s such as Chiquitita, Does Your Mother Know, Fernando, I Have a Dream, and Mamma Mia. The elderly, once fans of the band, kept clapping along to the rhythm and even stood up to dance when "Thank You for the Music" ended the show. As for the children, listening to their excited stories about the acrobatics, contortions, and flag-waving of the Acrobat of Shanghai, I could understand the sheer excitement in their eyes.
As the sun set over Table Rock Lake, the whole family reunited to board the luxury yacht and enjoy the Branson Belle Showboat, a must-try experience when visiting the area.
The dinner was professionally served with delicious dishes, and we couldn't take our eyes off the hilarious comedic acts and magic tricks of Christopher James, a former winner of the Best Comedian award in the Eastern United States. We were also captivated by the energetic dance performance by the dance troupe and five famous singers, including a finalist from the 2015 American Idols competition. Most notably, the performance featured 26 songs and costume changes in just 9 minutes, leaving the singers breathless and the audience applauding wildly!
It was getting late...
Tomorrow we're leaving Branson, but my heart wants to stay longer, so we'll have to hẹn to return the following Friday.
Additional information
Means of transportation:To get to Branson City, travelers will fly to Kansas City and St. Louis (Missouri, USA) and then rent a car to drive themselves, which takes about 4-5 hours. Some cities in the US have flights to the local airport, but this is still limited.
Accommodation:Depending on your budget, you can choose a guesthouse, hotel, or resort.
Cuisine:If you're looking for American cuisine, you should visit the "Great American Steak & Chicken House" at 2421 W 76 Country Blvd, easily recognizable by its 13-meter-tall rooster statue, the tallest in America. Diners who enjoy Thai and Chinese food should consider Thai Thai Cuisine and Hong Kong Buffet.
Skin:The weather in Branson in July and August is hot and humid, so you should only bring light, breathable clothing, an umbrella, and a sun hat. Remember to apply sunscreen and moisturizer.
Note:The main road only has one lane, so traffic jams are very common. You have to plan your time accordingly, either leaving early for shows or choosing a slightly longer but more time-saving alternative route.
Entertainment:
Silver Dollar City Theme Park
Address: 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway. Open from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
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