Branson, Missouri, Here We Come

I’ve wanted to visit Branson, Missouri, ever since I heard my grandparents talking about the Silver Dollar City amusement park opening. Later, the talk turned to the openings of several musical theaters that sprang up in the town during the 1960s.

Sixty years later, I got my chance when we said goodbye to Laura and the grandkids and left Springfield for Branson on Monday, April 10, 2023. Driving was a breeze through town with no traffic. Around 1:00 p.m. we breezed down Highway 76 through the theater district encountering very few vehicles along the stretch. Surely, the traffic situation wasn’t this serene at nights and on the weekends.

We settled in at the Branson KOA, then hopped back in the truck for our early dinner reservations at College of the Ozarks Keeter Center.

On our way, we found an overlook with views of the Table Rock Dam and shoreline. The dam was built in 1959 to create, you guessed it, Table Rock Lake, the fourth largest lake in Missouri.

College of the Ozarks Keeter Center

The Keeter Center (built in 2004) features architecture based on the State of Maine Building from the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. The structure served as the primary school building from 1915 until it was destroyed by fire in 1930. The center houses the college’s hotel and restaurant management program, where students learn first hand about the hospitality industry under the work education program.

Walking into the dining room transported me back in time to an era before I was born. The wood beams, posts, tables, and chairs all looked like they were created from natural materials, not man-made objects shipped from China. Was that ceiling real copper or faux? Apparently, 250 students helped with the construction of the building under the watchful eyes of master craftsmen.

Our early seating reservations allowed us to enjoy a wonderful meal free from a packed and noisy restaurant. The wait staff often stood along the walls until a patron signaled for their services. My nut-crusted salmon and Jon’s fried chicken were perfectly cooked and delicious.

After our meal, we walked across the drive to Patriots Park built during 2015-2019 by staff and students of the college. The various memorials pay tribute to service men and women who served their country during various conflicts.

The following photos depict both sides of the Missouri Gold Star Families Memorial.

Then we drove farther into the college to Lake Honor. Students walked along the paths, rode bikes or found a spot to relax, and ducks paddled around in the lake.

The Edwards Mill on the other side of the lake is where students grind whole-grain meal and flour. Students also make baskets, rugs, and other items in the weaving studio upstairs. The products made are then sold in the store at Keeter Center and some student-made items are sold online.

Dogwood trees are among my favorite and this one on the corner across from Honor Lake was a beautiful specimen. The photos can’t always capture the feeling the tree in real life inspires, but I had to include them in this post.

The next day we had tickets for the Dolly Parton Stampede. We had seen the attraction advertised just about everywhere we went so far in Missouri and in several what-to-do-in-Branson lists and pamphlets. It didn’t start until 5:30 p.m., so what should we do before then?

“Hey. There’s the Branson Scenic Railway.” We’re like dogs chasing squirrels in the yard when it comes to trains. Our ears perked up, “Train? Train? Where’s the train? Let’s go.”

Branson Scenic Railway

The trains we usually ride are from the 1800s. This train was mid to late 1900s, which made for a smoother ride than most. It travels either north or south depending on the schedules of the freight trains.

The train only stops once before returning to the station and no one can get off. We had gone south into Arkansas, so our stopping point was on a trestle. Too bad we couldn’t see it. From our window, we passed clusters of redbud and dogwood trees, dressed in their red and white blossoms, but the train speed made it difficult to take photos.

Other than the trees, rocky cliffs, and the occasional tunnel, there wasn’t much to see from our side of the train. It seemed like the right side of the train had better views. And maybe fall might paint a more colorful view of the landscape.

As the train slowed to make its way into the station, waterfront property, a meandering river, and a glimpse of the City of Hollister on the east side of Highway 65 came into view.

Jon and I were at the back of the train, which allowed us to lag behind the rest of the passengers and take a few photos inside the cars.

We were too late to get a seat on the observation car when we boarded. But the conductor let me go up quick and take a pic.

After the ride, we stretched our legs downtown, where restaurants and shops are located. The Clockers Café looked like a good choice, and it was. We shared a chicken salad sandwich on a croissant with chips and it was as good as the sandwich we get at Pleasanton’s Downtown Café. I loved the cafe’s old-fashioned décor at Clockers.

Dolly Parton Stampede

Our last adventure in Branson was Dolly Parton Stampede. Besides the four-course dinner, the show included live buffalo, wild horses, and a variety of races and other challenges such as the carriage race, pig race, and lumberjack relays. And what would a show be without comedy? Not the stand-up variety, the Skeeter variety where there’s a comedic story running throughout the show. Be sure to bring a tissue or two with you. The finale is a patriotic tear jerker.

Photos are allowed on phones only. This is the best my phone camera could produce. The photos of the horses and trick riders turned out a noisy, blurry mess.

If we make it back to Branson someday, we will have plenty more to do like visit Silver Dollar City amusement park; take in a show, or two, or maybe three; check out Branson’s Wild World, the Aquarium at the Boardwalk, or take a ride on a jet boat. And Jon might even go fishing for trout at Lake Taneycomo. Fishing for trout on the lake is a year round activity.

Well, that concludes our quick trip to Branson.

Next up: Kansas City, Missouri.

Safe Travels