Then we checked into the rustic luxury of the Big Cedar Lodge...
Big Cedar Lodge Site Map
We stayed in the Falls Lodge (left photo) and the Valley View Lodge (right photo), both located next to one another on top ofa ridge.
Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl & Grill
After settling into our hotel, we went to Fun Mountain to have dinner and go bowling at the under-the-sea themed restaurant, Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl and Grill.
Day Two
Silver Dollar City
We spent the entire day at Silver Dollar City! A 100-acre theme park that has the look and feel of an 1880s Ozarks mountain village. It offers rides and attractions, historical buildings, heritage craft demonstrations, live entertainment, and so many food options it made our heads spin! We were fortunate to be at Silver Dollar City during their 'An Old Time Christmas' holiday event. We saw the musical production of the Dicken's Christmas Carol, we drank hot mugs of Wassail, we saw the eighty-foot Christmas tree, we watched the Christmas Light Parade, we listened to Victorian Christmas carolers, and we were surrounded by 6.5 million lights and endless Christmas decorations!
After a full day of fun at Silver Dollar City, we waved goodbye to Santa and went back to Big Cedar Lodge where we fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow!
PART Two --- CHRISTMAS IN BRANSON
Part Two ~ Day Three
Breakfast in the Governor's Suite
We met for anincredible breakfast FEAST with a KILLER VIEW at the Governor's Suite - AKA our "SCIL Travel Club Clubhouse" - in the Valley View Lodge, where some of our group were staying.
After breakfast we drove out to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park - a 10,000 acre Ozark Mountain paradise where we had special arrangements for an ADA accessible open-air tram to take us on a tour of the park.
We saw beautiful scenery, lots of wildlife, and even an amazing treehouse built by Pete Nelson and his crew from Animal Planet's hit TV show, Treehouse Masters!
After our tour we hada yummy lunch at the Dogwood Canyon Grill.
WONDERS OF WILDLIFE MUSEUM AND AQUARIUM
After lunch, we spent the second half of our day at Johnny Morris’Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium.
This 350,000 square foot facility has more than 1.5 miles of trails through exhibits and displays which feature 35,000 live fish, and more than 800 different species of 'mammals,' reptiles, birds, amphibians, --- such as frogs, --- and birds.
The perfect ending to our very busy day was spent at Hemingway's Blue Water Café for a delicious dinner across from the 60,000 gallon freshwater aquarium built by the team of "TANKED," the popular tv show on Animal Planet!
We wasted no time returning to our comfy lodge 'accommodations' where we immediately fell fast asleep!
We met up for 'Brunch' --- Big Cedar Lodge Style --- in the Governor's Suite. There was a SPECTACULAR feast set out for us with our own personal chef, Chef Jean-Paul, who created 'made-to-order' breakfast items for us like crepes and 'Monte Cristos'.
Chef Jean-Paul even gave us a cooking demonstration on how to make quiche! While the quiche was in the oven he passed out handy-dandy recipe cards to each of us!
The weather was briskbut really nice so we put on our sweaters and ate outside on the deck! What a view!
After one, or two (or even three in some cases) trips to the buffet we all had the same idea... Time for a NAP!
Afternoon Activities
When our food comas finally wore off and we were ready to see something besides the inside of our eyelids, we split up into small groups and set out to enjoy some of what the Big Cedar Lodge had to offer!
We enjoyed many of the of activities available to us at Big Cedar Lodge. Some of us were spectators, while others were participants, but everyone had the BEST TIME EVER!
At some point in the afternoon everyone stopped by Truman's Café & Custard for a drink and a yummy treat!
The Showboat Branson Belle
After our afternoon activities we relaxed in our rooms for awhile until it was time to go to the Showboat Branson Belle. for a 3-course dinner and a show!
When we got back, we found a Big Cedar Lodge's signature treat, a Pepparkakor cookie (It tastes like Gingersnaps), and a recipe card, waiting for us on our beds. On the back of the card was the story about the Pepparkakor and the old Swedish custom related to them.
Then we went to Top of the Rock which is located at the highest point in Taney County near Branson and overlooks the Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake. Top of the Rock offers world-class recreation and attractions, including the Lost Canyon Cave, Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, the recently formed Cathedral of Nature, the picturesque Chapel of the Ozarks, and a Civil War-era cabin. Plus, five legendary golf courses, three world-class restaurants, and magnificent scenery!
LOST CANYON CAVE & NATURE TRAIL Golf CART TOUR
We started ouradventure in ADA electric golf carts on a 2 1/2 mile nature trail to Lost Canyon Cave! Then stopped off at the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum where saw a lot of cool stuff like a prehistoricWooly Mammoth skeleton! We left the museum and went to see the Cathedral of Nature! which was created by removing thousands of truckloads of dirt and rock out of a sinkhole! After that we stopped for lunch at Arnie's Barn before exploring the Chapel of the Ozarks and staying to watch the Sunset Canon Ceremony.
We were pretty tired by that point so we went back to Big Cedar Lodge and relaxed before dinner.
By 8:00 pm we were well-rested and HUNGRY so we went over to the Devil's Pool Restaurant located on the Big Cedar Lodge property for some yummy southern homestyle cooking!Following dessert we headed down to the lower level to the Buzzard Bar --- by way of the ADA outdoor ramp --- and spent a few hours listening to Clay Self, known as the 'Singing Cowboy.'
By the time we got back to the Big Cedar Lodge we were ready to 'hit the sack.' But, we weren't so tired not to notice the SPECTACULARblanket of stars over head and feel sincerely blessed to be there!
Part Four ~ Day Six
Branson is an Ozark town in southwest Missouri known as a family vacation destination. The 76 Country Boulevard is famously lined with theaters, which once hosted mostly country music performers but today features all kinds of different entertainment.
Breakfast at BILLY GAIL'S CAFÉ in Branson
We got up early and headed into Branson to have our morning meal at a down-home breakfast & lunch joint known for its jumbo pancakes & other country comfort grub!
Billy Gail's Café has a 'good-ole-boy'country atmosphere with red & white checkered table cloths, and the BIGGEST pancakes you have EVER seen in your life! They're a whopping FOURTEEN inches wide! (For a comparison, look at the pancake next to Michael Jordan's hand in the above photo! Yeah... They're THAT big!)
Branson Site Map
The Titanic Museum Attraction
After a delicious --- and VERY filling --- breakfast, we went to the Titanic Museum Attraction! Visitors take a 90-minute self-guided tour of the museum’s 20 galleries located inside a 17,000 square foot, ship-shaped structure that re-creates the Titanic on a half-size scale. All of the priceless Titanic 'artifacts'displayed in the museum were either carried from the ship and into lifeboats by passengers and crew, or were found afloat soon after the sinking and quickly salvaged by rescue boats. The collection pays tribute to these 2,208 people that were on the ship when it sank.
We were met by cast members in 1912 period costumes who gave us boarding passes with information about actual passengers or crew members who were on the Titanic when it sank. We got to 'walk in their shoes' while we were visiting the museum.
At the end of our tour we found out if the person on our boarding pass survived the disaster or not. We were also able to read about those who had survived and what happened to them afterwards.
Passengers of interest
We heard stories about many of the important people who were on the Titanic when it sank. Some survived, some perished. To name just a few, there was John Jacob Astor IV - the richest person on the ship who perished (Far top left corner), William Murdock - 1st Officer who perished (top row-left), E. J. Smith - Captain who perished (top row-middle), Margaret 'Molly' Brown - an American 'socialite' and 'philanthropist' who survived (top row-right), Isidor & Ida Strauss - co-owners of Macy'sDepartment store who perished (middle row-left), J. Bruce Ismay - chairman and managing director of the White Star Line who survived (middle row- middle), Thomas Andrews - Titanic architect & shipbuilder who perished (middle row-right). Cosmo & Lucy Duff-Gordon - landowner and British fashion designer who both survived (bottom row-left), Noël Leslie Countess of Rothes - 'socialite' and 'philanthropist' who survived (bottom row-middle left), Karl Behr - tennis player who survived (bottom row-middle right), Elsie Bowerman - lawyer who survived (bottom row-right).
We also heard Millvina Dean's story. Millvina was born on February 2, 1912 and, at 9-weeks old, was the youngest of the ship’s 705 survivors. She was lowered into a lifeboat in a canvas mail sack and together with her mother, Georgetta, and 2-year-old brother, were picked up by the RMS Carpathia and taken to New York. Millvina died on May 31, 2009 making her the last survivor of the RMS Titanic.
Interactive exhibits
The Titanic Museum is an 'interactive' attraction so the visitors could see what it was like to be on the Titanic! Those of us who wanted to participate, got to touch an iceberg, steer the ship from the Captain's Bridge, sat in a lifeboat and listened to recordings of real life survivors tell their stories about being on the Titanic when it sank, touched 28 degree water, and shoveled coal.
We saw exact replicas of the First, Second, and Third Class Cabins.
We saw costumes from the 1997 movie Titanic to give us an idea of what types of clothing the passengers would have worn.
James Cameron's 1997 Movie - Titanic
We found out that James Cameron --- who directed, wrote, produced, and co-edited the blockbuster movie'Titanic' in 1997 --- had been inspired by the discovery of the Titanic in 1985. He even went down to the see it for himself 12 times! He wanted to make sure his movie was 'authentic' and an incredible $200 million dollars was spent to make the film. It was well-worth the investment too! The movie won eleven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, and grossed of over $1.84 billion dollars world-wide. Showing the tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic still fascinates people even over a hundred years later.
The luxury steamship, RMS Titanic, was on it's 'maiden voyage' when it sideswiped an iceberg on April 15, 1912, and sank in the North Atlantic. Of the 2,240 passengers and crew on board, more than 1,500 lost their lives in the disaster.
Lunch
Mel's Hard Luck Diner
We stopped for lunch at Mel's Hard Luck Diner is a long-running music-themed, 1950s-style diner serving up burgers & down-home American comfort food. Plus, they have a staff of seriously talented singing servers!
As Mel's Hard Luck Diner is located in the Grand Village Shopping Center, we decided to do a little shopping afterwards.
Wonderworks
Next, we went to Wonderworks --- they call it an 'amusement park for the mind' with 48,000 square feet of “edu-tainment”. This attraction combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands-on exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination!
The Hollywood Wax Museum
After Wonderworks we went to the two-story Hollywood Wax Museum featuring life-size waxreplicas of our favorite celebrities!
Castle of Chaos
We left our celebrity friends behind at the Hollywood Wax Museum and went next door to Castle Chaos where we discovered the 1920s horror film star Carli Winepeg and her crew --- who mysteriously disappeared in 1925 while filming the epic 'Castle of Chaos' movie --- had been turned into ZOMBIES!!! We had to shoot our way out of that place! Thankfully we all made it because we still had a dinner show to go to!
Dinner
Dolly Parton's Stampede
We were so excited to go to Dolly Parton's 35,000 square foot arena to see her Dixie Stampede Dinner Show! Wow! It was incredible! We had ADA accessible seating, a four-course southern dinner, and watched an INCREDIBLE SHOW! There were 32 magnificent horses, a cast of top-notch trick riders, a friendly competition, spectacular special effects, and phenomenal musical productions!
We all got back in the Trips Inc ADA vans with our Souvenir Cowboy Boot Cups, ready to head on back to our home away from home --- the Big Cedar Lodge!
Part Five ~ Day Seven
We only have two more days of our week long vacation in Branson. Before we know it will be time to getback on a plane for L.A.. So, once again, we're up bright and early and ready for Adventure!
We get in the Trip Inc's ADA vans and head up State Highway 265 to our next stop.
Breakfast
We're looking forward to eating a good ole' fashion country breakfast at one of our favorite restaurants, the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store!
If you like good ole' country-comfort-style cooking (and we sure do!) then the Cracker Barrel is the restaurant for you!
You can always recognize a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store by its front porch lined with Wooden Rockers and Checker Boards.
When we found out there was a Cracker Barrel located in Branson just two minutes from our next stop, it was a 'no-brainer' to have breakfast there!
The first Cracker Barrel location was opened off Interstate 40 in Lebanon, Tennessee in 1969 by a man named Dan Evins.
The Interstate was expanding but travelers couldn’t count on a consistent, quality place to stop at along the way to stretch their legs, refuel, and find a good meal at a fair price. Evins envisioned building an old general store— a place that preserved the ways of country life — to meet the needs of travelers and locals a like!
Since the 60's, the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurant chain has grown in popularity. More and more locations have been popping up across the United States. All of the restaurants are decorated to look like old-fashioned general stores. In addition to each one having a front porch with rocking chairs and checker boards, they also all have a stone fireplace and are filled with at least 1,000 antiques!
Did you know?
Cracker Barrel locations
There are 668 Cracker Barrel locations in the United States as of September 05, 2022. They're located in 571 different cities, in 45 different states, and the state with the most number of Cracker Barrel locations is Florida! The 'Sunshine State' has 60 locations --- which is 8% of all Cracker Barrel locations in America!
All of those tools, signs, photographs, and toys that decorate the walls of the Cracker Barrel restaurants are all authentic vintage items — no reproductions allowed. Back in the late 60's, when the first Cracker Barrel opened, founder Dan Evins asked Don and Kathleen Singleton, a couple who ran a local antiques store, to decorate the space like an old country store. In fact, Don and Kathleen's son, Larry Singleton, took over as chief 'picker' --- the man in charge of finding all those interesting and unique regional antiques that are displayed at all the Cracker Barrel locations --- and managed the antique warehouse for over 39 years until he retired in 2019.
Here's Larry showing off his prize 1926 Model T, he nicknamed “Ole Lightening,” which once stood in front of the Sweetwater, Tennessee store!
Joe Stewart
Joe Stewart, who worked alongside Larry for over 33 years, is now serving as Cracker Barrel’s décor manager.
Joe now manages the massive 26,000 square foot décor warehouse filled with over 90,000 antiques, at the company's headquarters in Tennessee. His team restores and 'archives' every incredible vintage item item that he purchases.
Our server lit a fire for us in the stone fireplace as soon as we sat down. It was chilly outside and sitting by a nice warm fire was 'just the ticket!'
At Cracker Barrel, telling stories is part of who they are. In fact, their name comes from the days when people would gather around a cracker barrel on the front porch of the local general store and tell stories. In that spirit, they have created a video series called, “Stories ‘Round the Barrel.” This is where they share heart-warming stories from their Cracker Barrel family, including guests, employees, and suppliers.
JACK'S STORY
Most kids will tell you they want to be an astronaut, a actor, or a rock star when they grow up. But not 7-year-old Jack. He wants to combine his love for cooking and his fondness for the Cracker Barrel, and be a chef for them one day. Why? Because according to Jack, he would get paid to eat dumplins’ anytime he wanted! What could be better than that? So, as soon as management heard his story, they set up a time for Jack and his family to visit Hannah at his local Cracker Barrel in Henderson, Kentucky, so he could learn how they prepare their made-from-scratch dumplins! Check out the video of this future chef-in-the-making and his big day!
It doesn't matter what state you're from, if you're an American, comfort food almost always equals Southern food. Fried, barbequed, slow-roasted, or smoked; these are the kind of dishes that wrap you up like a big ole' bear hug from Mom. Simply put, Southern Comfort Food --- as 'cliché' as it sounds --- tastes like home!
The menu at the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is based on traditional Southern-comfort food. They are known for having an endless variety of yummy breakfast items.
Next stop: The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure --- a wildlife 'sanctuary' that's home to over 1,500 live butterflies, dozens of unique reptiles, and several memorable adventures available within the Mirror Maze, Science Center, and Banyan Tree Adventure!
The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure sits on top of a hill located directly off of 76 Country Blvd in Branson. It's a unique, rainforest-themed attraction that presents itself as an ideal place of discovery, adventure, and butterflies!
Lots and lots of butterflies!
The 7,000-square-footBUTTERFLY 'aviary' is just like the habitat that butterflies would live in when in the rainforest.
While the Butterfly Palace doesn't have an elevator, it does have ramps and there is seating every 15 feet or so throughout the building as well. The only two areas that are not accessible by wheelchair are the Emerald Forest Mirror Maze and Banyan Tree Bungee Maze.
Then there's a special bench that an angel sits on. Actually, it's an Angel statue weighing 3,500 pounds!
Base Camp
There's a stunning blue monarch butterfly above the entrance of the Butterfly Palace. We enter through the tall glass doors of the impressive white building and enter into a beautifully crafted two-story base camp and gift shop.
five different exhibit areas
The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure is an educational attraction that has five different exhibit areas to explore. The Exotic Butterfly Aviary, Living Rainforest Science Center, Rainforest Theater, Banyan Tree Bungee Adventure, and Emerald Forrest Mirror Maze.
The Exotic Butterfly Aviary
Usually, when you think of an 'aviary' you think of a large birdcage or enclosed birdhouse. And, while there are three different types of birds at the Butterfly Palace, this aviary is especially created not only for birds, but to showcase hundreds of beautiful butterflies as well!
A kaleidoscope is a continually changing pattern of shapes and colors so, hundreds of butterflies are called a kaleidoscope of butterflies because they create a pattern of shapes and vivid colors that change every second.
This is a kaleidoscope you can look into and see ever-changing colors and shapes.
As we wander through the Exotic Butterfly Aviary, we hear the soothing sounds of the rainforest. This would be a nice soundtrack to listen to at home to relax to!
Tropical rainforests are forests located where it's warm and there'sno dry season – all months of the year get at least 2.5 inches of rainfall.
In addition to hearing the sounds of the rainforest, we also hear music playing! They have live music at the aviary too! John is a musician who plays a 'dulcimer' for the guests.
The Butterfly Palace offers free flower nectar for guests to use to feed the butterflies. But they go fast, so make sure you get one! You can make your own nectar at home for the butterflies around your house!
Making butterfly nectar at home is easy! Here's how to do it: Add 1 scoop of powdered orange Gatorade to 2 quarts water. Mix thoroughly and pour desired amount into a shallow plastic dish. Place a sponge inside the dish to create a place for the butterflies to land. Feeders may be placed by flowers in your garden or window-box. The solution should be changed daily. Extra mixture should be refrigerated in a closed container until next use.
The Exotic Butterfly Aviary is really 'interactive' place! The butterflies not only land on the nectar flowers but also on you!
And, if you're lucky, you might get a chance to release a butterfly so it can take it's first flight!
Wow. Look at this beautiful butterfly!
RAINFOREST THEATER - FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES
And, finally, the Rainforest Theater, where they show two different '3D' butterfly-themed movies. A 45 minute 'documentary' on the Monarch butterfly and a 15 minute film on the life of a butterfly. There’s also a video that tells all about one of the butterfly farms in Costa Rica that some of the butterflies are imported from, they are on a mission to preserve the rainforest.
Did you know?
'3-D' stands for 3-dimensional. A photograph is 2-dimensional and so the image appears flat, but in 3-D film, the 3rd dimension adds depth to the image which makes it appear more real.
So, we stop into the Rainforest Theater where Flight of the Butterflies is playing in 3D. This 2012 Canadian documentary film was directed and co-written by Mike Slee for 3D IMAX. It's a natural history detective story and scientific adventurerolled all into one! It's about the remarkable Monarch butterfly 'migration' --- the most amazing migration on Earth --- and the determined scientist who spent nearly 40-year-long scientific investigation trying to discover exactly where the butterflies mysteriously disappeared to when they flew south for winter.
Flight of the Butterflies is the true story of Fred Urquhart, Canadian zoologist and professor of zoology, who studied the migration of monarch butterflies together with his wife, Norah and their search for the answer to the mystery of where they spend the winter.
Not only did Fred find out where the warmer locations were that the monarch butterflies spend the winter, he also discovered that it takes two or three generations for most of the monarchs to reach the Canadian breeding grounds, while there is one much-longer-lived "super generation" that can make the 3,000-mile return trip south into central Mexico in one life span.
The Monarch Butterfly Super Generation are also known as the Methuselah generation. They live longer, travel farther, and reproduce on a different schedule than their parents or grandparents.
Wow! 3,000 miles is REALLY far for one little butterfly to fly!
Did You Know?
Many members of the Lycaenids butterfly familyuse ants to take care of their babies. The caterpillars (butterfly babies) have special chemicals that attract the ants. In some cases, the ants even carry the babies back to their nest and protect them.
Did You Know?
Caterpillars can have up to 4,000 muscles in their body, while humans have approximately 640 muscles. On average a single caterpillar can have around 248 muscles in their head segment alone!
I wonderhow many muscles the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland had... That was one REALLY BIG caterpillar!
Living Rainforest Science Center
We make our way up the ramps around and above Base Camp to the Living Rainforest Science Center on the second level.
The Living Rainforest & Science Center has over 25 different kinds of live 'amphibians' and reptiles like these Alligator Lizards. Theyreally dolook like alligators, don't you think?
These are the kind of animals that would share a home with butterflies in the rainforest. Visitors are able to get up-close-and-personal views of turtles, frogs, lizards, and reptiles like Panther Chameleons and geckos --- Sort of like the animated Gecko who talks about saving money on car insurance on television, only REAL!
There are even giant cockroaches! Ewwww!
There also interactive displays, and a Critter Encounter presentation where it's possible to pet a real lizard!
EMERALD FOREST MIRROR MAZE
Near the Living Rainforest Science Center is the vine covered entrance to the Emerald Forest Mirror Maze. This is like being in the middle of the rainforest in the early evening when just a little bit of sunlight can be seen from time to time. Guests must wander around the hidden mirrored areas to find their waythrough the hanging vines and realistic mazes.
Visitors have to be careful not to be fooled by the vine-covered mirrors along the way; these are meant to confuse people and turn them away from the path. And, as the Mirror Maze was not ADA accessiblenot all of us went inside. But we met up at the exit and those that did venture into the maze told the rest of us all about it!
THE BANYAN TREE ADVENTURE --- THE BANYAN MAZE
From the Emerald Forest Mirror Maze we followed the second-floor walkwayto the entrance of the Banyan Tree Adventure. This section was also not ADA accessible so it definitely wasn't for everyone.
The Banyan Maze is modeled after the Banyan Tree, India’s national tree, which grows in the rainforest. The tangled web of rope “vines” that hang from the ceiling to the floor are supposed to resemble the roots of the Banyan Tree. As explorers weave their way through the many obstacles, they come to a Magic Pond and can climb all around the twisted roots of the convincing 'replica' of the Banyan Tree.
The Banyan Tree maze is quite the obstacle course! It was inspired by the owner of the Butterfly Palace, Bruce Herschend'strip to the rainforest to visit the Butterfly Farms and got lost!
Base Camp Gift Shop
We take a stroll back down the ramps to the lower level to the Base Camp Gift Shop to take a look around and see if there any souvenirs we can't live without.
The Butterfly Bench is the Butterfly Palace's first bench design. It is their best seller and can only be found at the Butterfly Palace! They come in three sizes and two colors.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON AT BUTTERFLY PALACE - WHITE FLIGHT
Lucky for us, we were there during the 'White Flight' holiday exhibit which is held there from November 1 to January 15. Amazing living angel statuesmove slowly --- and oh, so gracefully --- throughout the property and interact with the visitors.
Their beautiful 18-foot-tall Christmas tree is made of more than 300 living poinsettias and is the perfect place for a 'photo op!'
There are over two thousand white butterflies fluttering through the air like living snowflakes in a rainforest filled with poinsettias and thousands of twinkling lights. The Butterfly Palace imports 20 different types of white butterflies from all over the world and are the only butterfly aviary in the world to showcase all white butterflies at one time. Usually, they have more than 1,000 fluttering around, but during the holidays it's closer to 2,000.
All the while, John is playing beautiful Christmas music on his dulcimer.
It puts me in the mood for a cup of hot cocoa. How about you? The Butterfly Palace was so much fun, but we have a lot more to see today. Where are we going next?
As we get into the Trips Inc. ADA vans, Amy, our expert Trips Inc. travel guide tells us we are heading to Branson Landing --- a 95-acre entertainment and retail destinationnext tohistoricdowntown Branson. We will be driving by a few of Branson's 'landmark' wall 'murals' and taking a quick stop in Historic Downtown Branson which is next to the Landing.
Branson Landing is located on Lake Taneycomo and has incredible water & fire features, live shows, outdoor dining, and a range of places toshop at from outlet malls to quaint and unique shops --- there's something for everyone!
DOWNTOWN BRANSON'S UNIQUE ARTWORK
Historic Downtown Branson has perhaps the most recognizable selfie spot in town and is also Branson's newest mural.Completed in October 2016, it was designed by artist John Bell and painted by Raine Clotfelter, known as “America’s Muralist.” Clotfelter is a retired U.S. Navy draftsman and historian who has painted more than 100 murals across the nation, including many around Branson. He painted the mural to look like a vintage "Greetings from Branson" postcard and it is the perfect place for us to take a group photo!
Raine Clotfelter also painted the giant mural on the west side of the Liberty Utilities building celebrating the 'bicentennial'of the Star Spangled Banner in 2014. The background is of our American flag flying over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. In the 'foreground' there's a giant eagle, a drummer from the American Revolutionary War, and the song originally written by Francis Scott Key. Most people comment on General George Washington at prayer with a modern-day American soldier on the right side of the mural.
Ever wondered what Branson looked like a hundred years ago? Well, this mural shows you! It's the perfect place for a 'century'-old photographmural. The '1913 Mural' is an 'illustration' of Commercial & Pacific Streets as they looked like when Bransonbecame a city in 1912. It was painted in 2007 by local artist, John Short.
We make a quick stop at the popular Dick's 5 & 10 store on Main Street.
DICK'S 5 & 10
Dick's 5 & 10 is a classic “five & dime” (or sometimes called a “dime” store). A five & dime was a store that sold inexpensive items that virtually anyone could afford.
Did you know?
The first 'five & dime' was opened by Frank Winfield Woolworth in 1879 in Utica, New York. He only sold items that cost a nickel. The first thing he sold was a five-cent fire shovel. They later went on to stock penny candy, toys, kitchen utensils, diapers, even turkey dinners! Just about anything you could think of! Dick’s 5 & 10 is one of the last five-&-dime stores still operating today.
Dick’s 5 & 10 was founded by Dick Hartley and has been family owned and operated in Branson since 1961. Dick's son, Steve, and son-in-law, Dave, now run the store and carry on Dick’s legacy.
Dick’s 5 & 10 had never been closed during their regular business hours—even if the weather was severe! On December 9, 2006, Dickworked at the store like he always did. He locked up at closing time and went home. He passed away laterthat evening at the age of 80. On December 13, 2006, the store closedfor the first time during business' hours in order to allow all employees to attend founder Dick Hartley’s funeral.
Dick’s 5 & 10’s hasbeen at its current location since the early 1970s. The store is 10,000 square-feet, and its shelves are stocked with over 75,000 items! Wonder where they keep all their stock? Over Christmas break in 1981, Steve and a friend dug out a 400-square-foot addition to the basement stockrooms!
Dick’s Candy Emporium is second-to-none with over 1100 different kinds of candy and snacks, including hard-to-find, old-fashioned candy and over 100 different varieties of soda. In fact, Dick’s has sold enough flat taffy to stretch from downtown Branson to Silver Dollar City!
Our very kind 'benefactors' gave us each a generous Dick's 5 & 10 Gift Card to use for spending money in Dick's 5 & 10. Their only request was that we use at least half of it for Christmas presents to take home to our family and friends.
We found all kinds of cool stocking stuffers and Christmas presents at Dick's 5 & 10... and some great stuff for ourselves too!
Branson Landing
Branson Landing Site Map
Did you know?
Bass Pro Shops and Belk are considered "anchor locations."
"Anchor locations" are often popular department stores like Macy's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue that are located at the ends of the malls and shopping centers to attract shoppers. In recent years department stores at shopping malls are being replaced with popular restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, or Applebee's. Even Movie Theaters like AMC or Regal are becoming popular "anchor locations." They draw just as many customers, offer a more unique shopping experience, and are unaffected by people increasingly shopping more and more online.
After touring the Wall Murals of Branson and stopping off at Dick's 5 & 10 for a quick shopping spree, we head to Branson Landing to do a little exploring...
...and a little more shopping!
Bass Pro Shops
We pull into the parking lot and see a familiar sight!
Another location of Bass Pro Shops --- the White River Outpost --- is located on the south end of Branson Landing, on beautiful Lake Taneycomo. This location has it all, from fishing, hunting, 'watercrafts,' outdoor gear, camping supplies, gifts, clothing, boats, and even a marina!
Plus, right next door, on the lake, is the White River Fish House, a floating restaurant serving some of the greatest seafood, steaks, and pasta on water!
Johnny Morris
Johnny Morris, the man who owns the Big Cedar Lodge, started Bass Pro Shops in 1972 in a small space in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. Today, he has earned a reputation as, “the Walt Disney of the Outdoors” as a enthusiastic 'conservationist' on a mission to connect everyone with nature.
As we walk into Johnny Morris's Bass Pro Shop we aren't surprised to see the impressive selection of outdoor merchandise everywhere we look.
The incredible display at the end of the building doesn't surprise us either, but it does leave us in awe. We have come to expect nothing less from the 'Walt Disney of the Outdoors."
Carefully prepared and preserved stuffed animals are surrounded on three sides by 'Trompe L'oeil' murals creating a realistic scene. Birds fly above the Beaver Creek Mill while deer, wolves, and foxes play on a rocky hillside with waterfalls flowing down into the aquarium below --- filled with fish.
We leave Bass Pro Shops and head into Branson Landing.
There as so many cool shops to see here!
And, lots of Christmas decorations.
After all, Branson is America's Christmas Tree City!
Even Ripley's Believe It Or Not has a Christmas Tree...
...even if it is made out of EYEBALLS!
Festival of Trees
We went into Branson's Festival of Trees where we saw unique handmade ornaments, holiday wreaths, 'Yuletide' decorations, and fully decorated Christmas trees!
The decorated Christmas trees and wreaths are designed and donated by Branson area businesses, churches, and local 'residents' too! The 'proceeds' go to benefit food pantries and mobile food outreach in Taney County. The Christian Action Ministries put the Festival of Trees on as a fundraiser to help more than 40,000 people who are in of need food and other supplies.
Our TRIPS Inc. travel guides take us into Buster's to get a special Branson souvenir.
Hmmm. Old Time Photos. I bet we're going to get our picture taken. What do you guys think?
Sure enough that's EXACTLY what we are going to do! We're not only going to get our portraits taken, but we get to dress up in costume! How FUN is THAT? This lady dressed up like a Southern Belle while her son dressed up like a Rooten' Tooten' Cowboy! They let us take their picture while they were waiting to have their portrait framed!
We go inside and meet the friendliest lady EVER who showed us framed portraits of some of her other customers to help us decide what we wanted to dress up like.
This little 'buckaroo' was super proud of his portrait --- and who could blame him. His picture turned out GREAT! Even if there was a reward on his head for being a Cute Li'l Gunslinger And, for a million bucks, that's pretty doggone cute!
We took a group photo with our awesome TRIPS Inc travel guides and had SO MUCH FUN! It was the closest thing to being in a time machine! So, which 'Era' do you think we should have chosen?
Not far from Buster's we hear singing.
Hey, look! They're Christmas carolers wearing Victorian costumes. They should go over to Buster's and get their portrait taken too, huh?
Did I just hear somebody's stomach growling?
Oops. That was me!
It must be time for lunch because all of a sudden I'm starving, aren't you?
Lunch
Paula Deen's Family Kitchen ~ Branson's Landing
We stop for lunch at Paula Deen's Family Kitchen located on the opposite end of Branson Landing from Bass Pro Shops.
They serve 'Family Style' dining at Paula Deen's Family Kitchen --- which means all-you-can-eat platters of delicious southern-inspired comfort food are placed on the table to be passed around just like being at home!
All-you-can-eat southern-inspired comfort food sounds goodto me. Plus, they are ADA compliant and have an elevator in their restaurant!
Paula Deen is an American chef, author of 15 cookbooks, hosted several TV cooking shows and owns many restaurants like the one were eating at today. She opened her first very successful restaurant with her sons, Jamie &Bobby Deen, in Savannah, Georgia where they live --- called 'The Lady & Sons' and they also have 'Paula Deen's Creek House' there too! Every entrée, side dish, and dessert comes from Paula’s cookbooks and is made fresh daily and served hot by a friendly server.
We arrived before the lunch crowd so we had our choice of seats,but it wasn't long before the restaurant filledwith people! As soon as we got our food we knew why!
It was nice inside and Danell, one of our Trips Inc. travel guides, was impressed by how clean it was. I just liked the Christmas decorations and seeing Santa there!
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We ordered "The Georgia," so we could pick four different entree's for the table and four sides.
Which entrees and sides do you want?
Would someone please pass me some of that crispy fried chicken!
They say no one cooks as good as your momma does, but at Paula Deen's Family Kitchen, they work hard everyday to be a close second!
The BELK DEPARTMENT STORE
Belk is a long-running department store chain offering brand-name clothing, accessories, cosmetics, and household products.
After lunch, our Trips Inc. travel guides took us into the Belk department store to pick out some Christmas PJs! Our generous benefactors made it possible for us to pick whatever pajamas we wanted!
Our families promised not to open any packages addressed to us, if they arrive home before we did. It's going to be so great to already have some of our Christmas shopping already done when we get back home!
After our Christmas Pajama Shopping Spree the girls and guys decided to split up. For an extra bit of fun, out Trip Inc travel guides suggested we have a friendly little competition and participate in the 'Blue Elfie Selfie' challenge!
During the holidays there is a 'Blue Elfie Selfie' challenge at Branson Landing! People try to find the little blue Branson Landing Elfie and take a selfie with him. If they post their photo to Facebook or Instagram with the 'hashtag' #BLElfieSelfie they can win prizes from the store where they found the little blue elf.
There a lot of great shops at Branson Landing! So, Amy & Danell, our awesome Trip Inc. travel guides, took us girls shopping for a couple of hours. We stopped at stores we were familiar with like Brighton --- No Blue Elfie there though.
...and Hot Topic ---.No Blue Elfie there either.
...and, Victoria's Secret --- Yep. you guessed it. No Blue Elfie hiding in the underware.
There were lots of other great stores that were new to us like Francesca's, Earthbound, and the Versona Boutique! But the little Blue Elfie was nowhere to be found!
There is more than just clothes at Branson Landing, there is also candy shops too! Amy & Danell let us pick out candyfrom both It'sugar and the Northwoods Candy Emporium but only if we agreed to take everything back to the Big Cedar Lodge and share our goodies with the guys.
Sharing is Caring!
Just as we were heading for the doorsomeone said...
Hey look! Is that what I think it is over there by the Caramel Popcorn? Isn't that the little Blue Elfie?
It is!!! Quick! Somebody pull out their cell phone so we can take a selfie with him!
While we girls were taking selfies with the little Blue Elfie, the guys were having fun at the arcade! We had 'shopped till we dropped' and were ready to find a place to sit down somewhere.
Ed and David took the guys to Arcade City to spend a couple of hours playing video games. They hunted for the little Blue Elfie but eventually had to give up.They couldn't find him anywhere!
But that was okay. In fact, theywere having so much fun at Arcade City they didn't want to leave. That was until Ed told them " Hey, guys! The girls areon their way to Mr. B's Ice Cream Parlor! We better get going or they'll start without us!"
We all met at Mr. B's Ice Cream Parlor just a few minutes later. Shopping and video games had worn everybody out! It was chilly outside so we had the place to ourselves.
They have a lot of yummy things on the menu but we don't want to 'overdo' it because it will be time for dinner soon.
After taking a break at Mr. B's Ice Cream Shop --- and sampling some of their 'Yummy-in-the-Tummy' desserts --- we took a stroll down Main Street to Branson Landing Blvd. and watched the parade.
Who doesn't love a parade?
There were local celebrities.
And, cool floats like the Maxine's Christmas Carol float, vintage cars, and even a tiny electric car!
There was an Elvis 'impersonator,' 'Chinese Dragon Dancers,' and, of course, Santa was there all the way from the North Pole... or maybe just from the town over, I'm not really sure about that one.
Are tummies are starting to rumble which tells us it's dinner time!
Dinner
Cantina Laredo
Cantina Laredo serves 'authentic' Mexican dishes in a festive atmosphere. They offer daily fish specials, grilled chicken, and steaks with special sauces such as chipotle with portobello mushrooms, or sauteed artichoke hearts&roasted red bell peppers.
We're early enough to have our pick of tables outside on the terrace with a view of the fountains.
We chose the tables on the end because they had the best views!
Amy, our Trips Inc. travel guide, orders fresh 'guacamole.' Queso, & Chips for the table as we are busy trying to decide what we want for dinner. Then, our server Megan, shows up at our table with a tray and started making our guacamoleRIGHT THERE AT OUR TABLE! Talk about FRESH!
Have you ever noticed when you're hungryeverything looks soooo good you could order the entire left side of the menu?
See what I mean!
I'm splitting the Tortilla Soup, Shrimp & Strawberry Salad, and Chicken Fajitas with Danell. What are you guys gettting?
As soon as our dinner was served, the Christmas Show began down on the Landing. There were singers, a surprise visit by one of the backup singer's fur-kids (her doggie :- >), a Christmas 'Choral Group,' Elf Dancers, a country western singer, and a country 'quartet!' Branson Landing sure knows how to put on a show!
Just imagine what the view must look like fromthose housesacross the river! They get to see the Branson's Landing Fire & Water Show EVERY NIGHT!
Getting ready for the
Polar Express
While David & Danell pay the bill, Amy & Ed take us into the restrooms to change into our Christmas PJ outfits. We got matching PJ's, socks, slippers, a scarf, a hat, and a SUPER WARM robe!
Good thing too, caz, 'boy, oh boy,' is it ever COLD outside! No one was in much of a hurry to go back outside. On theCantina Laredo terrace there were heaters. There are no heaters between us and the railroad station so, I don't know about this...
Then all of a sudden Amy pulls out a bag --- that no one noticed she had with her --- and says, "We just have to go down to the end of the block, but just incase you're still cold, I brought THESE..."
Then she pulled out ear muffs that fit around the back of our heads and wrap around the sides to cover our ears!" Next she pulled out some gloves and added, "With these touch screen gloves you won't have to take them off to use your phones and iPads! Pretty cool, right?" You guys might want to write Thank You cards to your benefactors for being so thoughtful and taking such great care of you on this trip."
Wow, Amy. These gloves really ARE cool! Now, did you say something about ear muffs?
Oh, yeah! That's what I'm talking about!
We leave Cantina Laredo in our warm and toasty Christmas PJ 'ensembles' with our leftovers in hand. We don't have far to go. The Branson Scenic Railway Station is just down the block from Cantina Laredo.
The historic 1905 depot in downtown Branson, is just one block west of Lake Taneycomo (formerly the White River) at the intersection of Main Street & Branson Landing Boulevard. It is the headquarters for the Branson Scenic Railway. The depot has the administrative offices, the reservation & ticket office, and a train theme gift shop.
You can also be transported back in time on the 1940's-era Branson Scenic Train as it travels through tunnels,over bridges for 40 miles through the Ozark Mountains.
We need to use our imaginations for this part of our trip. The Polar Express is only partially ADA accessible so we're going to pretend this doesn't stop us from having a great time on the train. Sound like a plan? Great! Get comfortable in your armchair and join me for a ride on the Polar Express!
The Polar Express train ride is based on a children'sbook 'The Polar Express.'
In 1985, Chris Van Allsburg published The Polar Express, a children’s bookabout a young boy who catches a train outside his bedroom window heading for the North Pole where he, along with other kids on board, meets Santa Claus.
We arrive at the Branson Scenic Railway depot in Historic Downtown Branson by 7:45 P.M. We have a train to catch! The Polar Express is leaving the station at 8:15 P.M. sharp on a trip to the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus!
The Polar Express is a 1 hour 15 minute train ride that runs from November through December out of the Branson Scenic Railway depot.
Did You Know?
In addition to Branson Scenic Railway, The Polar Express train ride is produced in nearly 60 other locations across the U.S. by Rail Events, Inc.
We get on the train and find ourtables in the lower dining car. The 'conductor' punches our initial into our golden tickets. He punched an 'S' for Shannon in my golden ticket. What letter did he punch in yours?
Dancing chefs bring us mugs of hot chocolate and delicious Walkers Shortbread cookies. We find out that our wonderful benefactors have given us Premium Polar Express tickets so we get unlimited hot cocoarefills, unlimited cookies, and a souvenir Polar Express Mug!
Boy, I kinda wish I didn't have that second churro at dinner tonight.
During the trip the Polar Express book is read out loud and anyone who brings their own copy of the bookgets it signed by Santa himself! How did we get so lucky? Our 'benefactors' have sent us each a Polar Express 30th Anniversary Edition Hardback book --- and the book comes with a gold ornament too!
As the story is being read, a Hobo comes around with refills for our hot cocoa!
Why is the train stopping?... Are we picking someone up? Oh, look! There's somebody waiting over there for the train... I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! It's SANTA CLAUS! We must be at the North Pole!
Whoopee!
Santa joins the train and talks to every person ineach of the 'railroad cars,' signs their books, and gives them a shiny new silver bell.
As the last person gets off the train, the Polar Express slowly pulls out of the station.
As the train is leaving, Santa steps out of the back of the 'caboose.' He leans against the railing, and with a wave calls out, "Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!", Then Santa cups his hands in front of his face andblows... Magically, a 'snow flurry' appears from his hands! That is SO coo!, right?
It's been a really long day and most of us fall asleep on the ride back to Big Cedar Lodge. No one even remembers passing through the gate to Big Cedar Lodge, or getting out of the van, or climbing into bed!
We just remember dreaming about Santa and his snow flurries!
The next morning I wake up and glance out the window... Ican't believe my eyes!
It SNOWED last night! And, snowed A LOT!
Oh, my gosh!Do you suppose Santa's snow flurries had something to do with this?Maybe his flurries kept blowing all night long until the countryside was covered in snow! I mean Santa can do anything, right?
"Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. And since we’ve no place to go, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!" — Sammy Cahn
Those of us staying in the Falls Lodge, bundle up and take a shuttle over to the Valley View Lodge to meet the rest of our group in the Governor's Suite ('A.K.A.' the SCIL Travel Club Clubhouse)
There are Breakfast Sandwich Biscuits waiting for us with hash browns, extra bacon, and orange juice.
David, one of our amazing Trips Inc. travel guides, pulls out a copy of The Polar Express on Blu-Ray and put it up on the big screen for us to watch while we eat breakfast.
POLAR EXPRESS MOVIE TRAILERS
Late, one Christmas Eve, a boy who was having doubts about believing in Santa Clause, hears a 'thunderous' noise outside his window. He grabs his robe and rushes out the front door to have a look. He finds a train in the middle of the street and the conductor asks him, "Well? You coming?" When the boy asks him where the train is going, the conductor answers, "To the North Pole of course! This is the Polar Express!" At the last minute, the boy jumpson the train with his golden ticket.
The boy finds other children on the Polar Express in their pajamas. They're all heading to the North Pole to meet Santa. During the trip, the boy, and his new friends, have quite an adventure! They are served hot cocoa by singing & dancing waiters, they go in search of a lost ticket, they stop the train for a herd of caribou crossing the tracks, and the boy has a conversation with a mysterious hobo who appears on top of the train!
When the children arrive at the North Pole's Town Square, the boy still has doubts. Because he doesn’t truly believe he can’t hear the sleigh bells, or see Santa when he makes his grand entrance.
Then a silver bell falls off one of the reindeers and rolls right upto his feet! At first, the boy can't hear it when he picks it up --- not until he finds it within himself to believe. He returns the bell to Santa, who selects him to receive the first gift of Christmas. Santa agrees to let him keep the bell, and the boy puts it in his robe pocket.
Unfortunately, when the children get back to the Polar Express to go home, the boy discovers the bell fell through a hole in his pocket! When he wakes up on Christmas morning he finds a present under the tree containing his lost bell with a note from Santa that said, "Found this on the seat of my sleigh, better fix that hole in your pocket. Mr. C."
As the boy grew up, his friends and family eventually grew deaf to the sound of Santa's bell as their belief faded. But even when he became an adult, the bell still rang for him, as it does "for all who truly believe".
While it was a Winter Wonderland outside, it was warm & cozy inside the SCIL Travel Club Clubhouse. So, wejust hung out, watched movies, played board games & video games, raided the fridge (which our Trips Inc. travel guides keep well-stocked),...
...and, took the occasional nap whenever we felt like it.
Then, around 5:00 pm,there was a knock on the door.A spectacularChristmas dinner with all the 'fixings' was delivered --- Turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, mac-n-cheese, yams, green beans, glazed carrots, cranberry sauce, freshlybaked rolls, and pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies for dessert! DEE-LISH!
And, then, after dinner we all got a present to open!
Our benefactors gave each of us a Big Cedar Lodge Snow Globe to take home with us for a little souvenir to remind us of our incredible trip to Branson, Missouri!
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING SCIL Travel Club Benefactors! You're the BEST!
Tomorrow we catch a flight back home but we'll never forget the time we spent at Big Cedar Lodge and all the fun we hadin Branson, Missouri!
We hope you enjoyed the fifth and final installment of our Virtual Christmas in Branson Adventure! See you soon for our next virtual Travel Club Adventure in the upcoming issue of the DISABILI-TEA Newsletter!