branson at christmas (Springfield, Carthage, Ozark: rent, home, to live in)

[zebrashoes]

Hi we are planning a trip to see branson at christmas. What are the must do's and see's this time of year? What shows and attractions in the area are good to know about? Thanks!

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by zebrashoes

Hi we are planning a trip to see branson at christmas. What are the must do's and see's this time of year? What shows and attractions in the area are good to know about? Thanks!

Well, Silver Dollar City goes without saying, I think. Almost all of the music shows and attractions have special events for the holidays. I have always gone to see Andy Williams' Christmas Show, and I am not a big Christmas person, by any means. It's just that Andy is such a class act in a town where class acts are few and far between. (Not intended as an insult or a slam, just mentioning it as an alternative to the gee-haw country shows).

I have not been personally, but I understand that Dixie Stampede has a nice Christmas show as well. You really cannot go wrong for entertainment and having fun in Branson, any time of year.

20yrsinBranson

[linicx]

If you would like to see some awesome Christmas lights and don't mind driving a little bit, the Catholic seminary at Carthage Missouri has a million light animate display that ends with the birth of Jesus. It is loads of fun and its free. Kids love it. We would do that, see the lights at Precious Moments, then then go downtown to see the lighted courthouse on the square - because it looks alot like Disney castle at night. We stopped for hot chocolate at Braum's Ice Cream before going home. Kimberling City used to have a really nice light display too. The Ozark Fairgrounds in Springfield was lighted. Just East of Springfield at Stafford they had a wild animal park that lighted up with a million light display. The last time I was down a water buffalo stuck his nose in the car. It was funny. I think there is a lot of interesting Christmas displays in the area if you want to see it. Enjoy the weather. Its ususally very pleasant this time of year.

[Arkie4Life]

If you plan on doing any shopping, give yourself plenty of time to find parking and pay for your 'treasures". Branson is a great atmosphere, especially in the fall and during Christmas. I have been to the Dixie Stampede during the Christmas season. They put on a good show. Food pretty good too!

Make sure and get a good weather forecast close to when you plan on being there. I have been there during Christmas time when it snowed, and other times when it was really nice.

Have fun!

[vcd]

hi...totally agree with "20yrsinbranson"... Silver Dollar City is wonderful at Christmas. Be prepared for the huge crowds!!

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

a class act in a town where class acts are few and far between

20yrsinBranson

Why in the world did you choose to live in Branson and why, oh why, have you stayed there 20 years if you find it so low class?

I'm accused of negativity, but everything you write about Branson is negative. You say it's got too many churches, there's too much attention paid to Jesus, the music is too country, there aren't any jazz bars, etc., etc. You sound bitter and unhappy with Branson. I hate that, for your sake.

I'm with you, though. I'm bitter and unhappy with Branson, too, but not for the same reasons. I remember when Branson was truly a small town and there really wasn't anything there except a little place called Silver Dollar City and one or two local country music shows. It was great then. That was more than 20 years ago. The ruination of that place started in the early 80s. Branson is a blight on the Ozarks now.

[Darlynn0217]

Kimberling City no longer has its Christmas displays, but there are lots of other ones, in and around Branson.

Silver Dollar City is a MUST SEE! Their parade, geared especially for kids,is awesome! They put lights on EVERYTHING, including the people in the parade! It's great! Best time of year to visit!

Branson pretty much "does it up", too. Lights start going up in October!!
You can never have too much Christmas spirit!!

[Darlynn0217]

I, too wish they would slow down on their development, to a degree, but, a blight??

Some of us are REALLY happy here!

[Hillman]

Trying to get my wife to go down there even found a place to stay on the Lake.So if we go I might do a little fiswhing.

hillman

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

Branson is a blight on the Ozarks now.

Originally Posted by Darlynn0217

I, too wish they would slow down on their development, to a degree, but, a blight??

Some of us are REALLY happy here!

Branson is a sparkling-neon glitterfest family-oriented buffet-heaven veteran-friendly roll-up-the-streets-at-midnight kind of resort town that has had too many fly-by-night "developers" come and go...but there's a lot of good folks who are working hard to keep the good parts and limit the bad parts and clean up the junky parts!

There's no way all of us are going to agree on anything, one man's lean-to is another man's country retreat!

But getting back to Branson at Christmas, you can go to any show, attend any attraction, stroll the Landing or Old Town Branson, dine anywhere, and you won't go home feeling like you didn't get "enough"...

My favorite shows are Pierce Arrow, The Haygoods (don't let the name fool you, these boys are rockin'), Six, Paul Revere/Bill Medley & Yakov. I've also heard that Andy Williams & the Oak Ridge Boys are awesome. With SDC, you can avoid the worst of the crowds if you go when the weather is predicted to be bad...and turns out to be ok. Go early, bundle up in layers so you can rent a locker for the coats, hats & gloves if it warms up.

And don't miss Big Cedar Lodge at Christmas, even if it's just for a cocktail at Worman House.



And yes, dear Darlynn...some of us are really happy here.
Hillman found a place to stay on the Lake, I know of a nice older resort right on Table Rock that's open all year and has some pretty smokin' weekly winter rates. www.rockviewresort.com