Branson, Missouri

Branson calls itself the "music show capital of America."  This is a huge tourist attraction in the Ozarks.  We spent three nights here and saw three shows - Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, a show called SIX, a show called New Jersey Nights (Frankie Vallie tribute), and a show called Jonah.  No cameras allowed in the shows so we don't have pictures, but we do have some images of our activities.

The evening we arrived, we went to the Dixie Stampede.  This is a huge dinner show where the audience is in rows around a large arena.  There are horses, bison, long horn cattle, buckboard races and pig races.  While the show is going on, the audience is served a huge dinner (whole chicken, a slice of pork roast, baked potato, soup and dessert.  Oh, there is no silverware so you use your fingers and lots of napkins. The food was great and the show was very lively and entertaining.

The next day we took a Ducks ride.  This is one of those trucks that go into the water.  Branson is a popular place for them; there are two separate routes.  We took the one across a dam, up to a mountain top, and into the lake formed by the dam.  Lots of fun.  Matthew and Bill got to drive when we were on the water.

That afternoon we saw a show called SIX.  It's six brothers who have been singing together for about 40 years.  Their first national appearance was on the Osmond Brothers show in 1978.  They showed a clip of that performance.  They were a high-energy, feel-good performance.  They did a review of music from the 60s to today.

Our last day we saw two shows (that seems to be common at Branson).  In the morning we saw Jersey Nights.  This was a tribute/review of Frankie Valie songs with 4 guys and a set of dancers.  It was another high-energy show.  Most of the audience had come in tour buses; one from Georgia and one from Pennsylvania. 

Our second show was called Jonah.   It is the show by Sight and Sound, a production company that does religious shows.  This was our most impressive show.  They have a huge theater and it was full.  The staging was phenomenal.  They had a 40-foot whale that came out into/over the audience.  The writers took some liberties with the story, mostly to add some comedy, but the whole thing was very well done.  Here's the outside of the theater.

After the show we went to a part of town called Branson Landings.  This is the older part of Branson but there is a modern shopping area there that we enjoyed.  There was a promo for Jonah.

 Beth and Matthew needed a rest after all our activities.

Here are some random images of the "strip" - the main drag of Branson that has most of the theaters (and restaurants, miniature golf and go-cart race places).

 There's music everywhere in Branson.  One day we had lunch at a diner and woman sang country songs.

Our accommodations were very good - we stayed at a KOA campground.  The place had free pancakes for breakfast every day!  We certainly took advantage of that!  And they had a good swimming pool.  It was in the 80s every day so we really appreciated having a pool.  Our overall impressions of Branson were very positive.

Matthew's Notes:  When in Rome, do as the Romans

• If you are a kid you must go to Dixie Stamped! Also if you are an adult.
• the ride the DUKWs is really fun!
• The show SIX in the Mickey Gilly Theater is a must-see!!!
• The Sight and Sound Theater has really cool stories!
• The waterfront area is a really cool place to be.
• Go to the pre-show at Dixie Stamped! It is  AWESOME!