A couple weeks ago my husband and I celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary with a trip to Branson. I had only been there once before, back in 2018, as part of a writing retreat, but I had been wanting to return. I’m so glad we did. We had a marvelous time.
We stayed in a lovely little cabin tucked into the woods. So quiet, peaceful, and wonderful shade with a breeze to cut back the heat.
Day 1
On our first day, we tackled Silver Dollar City. If you’ve never been, it’s a theme park centered on a 1800’s country theme. Just my cup of tea. 🙂 It was very hot, but we still had a great time. We started the day by getting breakfast at a popular local diner famous for their 14″ pancake – Billy Gail’s. Yes, the pancake really was that big. I had to see for myself. I managed to do some serious damage, but I just couldn’t finish it. Super yummy, though.
After fueling up for the day, we headed to the park. Thanks to getting some recommendations before we left, I knew to visit the Wilderness Church for the hymn sing-a-long they do several times during the day. We sang my favorite worship music–old hymns–for about 30 minutes. It was wonderful!
We also rode many rides and explored several historic buildings. There was so much to see, and I’m sure we missed some gems. I suppose we’ll just have to go back one of these days.
Day 2
After being out in the heat all day the previous day, we decided for a more relaxed (and air-conditioned!) day. We played some indoor mini golf at the Coral Reef, where I’m thrilled to report that I beat my husband by 5 strokes. WooHoo! We both managed a pair of hole-in-ones, too!
After mini golf, we headed to the Branson Aquarium. It wasn’t a huge aquarium, but it was exceptionally well done. Beautiful with lots of fun opportunities for photos. My husband is a big fan of aquariums, so when I found this option, I knew we needed to add it to the itinerary.
We ended the day with the show I had been waiting to see for two years. Esther – at the Sight and Sound Theater. I saw Sampson back in 2018 and was amazed. When I saw that they were doing Esther in 2023-24, I started plotting a return to Branson. I’m so glad we were able to make it work. It was an incredible production! The sets were phenominal, the actors ultra-talented, and the singing outstanding. We had seats on the center aisle, and they are famous for bringing the actors up and down the aisles. King Xerxes even rode his horse right past us. Yes, a live horse! They had several horses in the show along with a camel, a pair of llamas, some goats, a dog, and even live birds that were released to fly above the audience’s head. Just stellar! I love seeing God’s word brought to life on the stage with such care to scriptural accuracy as well as high-level entertainment.
Day 3
We ended our Branson stay with a book signing at the Fig Tree Books & More Christian store. They were so gracious to have me come, and I loved getting to see readers from the Branson area. It was a wonderful way to end our stay.
Have you taken any summer trips yet?
Do you have any planned?
I’d love to hear about them!
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Loved the photos and we love Branson too and have been several times over the past few years. Ken and I saw SAMSON in 2018 as well and would love to go back. Happy anniversary to you! Great way to celebrate!
You would love Esther, Deb. It was even better than Samson. It closes this October, though, so you’ll have to hurry if you want to see it. 🙂
I love Silver Dollar City and Branson, and have been visiting since a small child. As a young addult, I took my church youth group to The Young Christian Weekend SDC does in the spring.
A health crisis a number of years ago has kept me homebound, so thank you for wonderful description, it made me feel the fun of being there.
I am a great fan of your books.
I’m so glad I was able to bring back some happy memories for you, B! From everyone I’ve talked to who goes there frequently, it is a place they hold dear to their hearts.
Great pictures! Sounds like a wonderful time.
I have been fortunate to attend the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA, twice. They always present a great show.
Happy anniversary!
I might have to plan a trip to Pennsylvannia to attend one there someday. There are many fun historical sites to see in that part of the country, that I’m sure we could fill our itinerary very quickly.
I remember our writers retreat there with fondness! I’m glad you and your husband made it back to Branson and had such a wonderful time. Happy anniversary!
I found myself looking for the row of seats that we sat in when I entered the theater. So many great memories from that trip, Becky! 🙂
Looks like you had a wonderful trip–a good mix of busy and calm!
Yes, it had a good mix and opportunity for “recovery time.” 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing all the cool info and pictures from your trip to Branson! Wow, my husband and I also saw Samson back in 2018, haven’t been back since, and have had a trip planned (for 2 months) for right after Labor Day to visit Branson and go to the S&S Theater to see Esther! We have also been married for 32 years (in May)! But I know we are older than you and your hubby! We have planned this trip to Branson (for early September) to meet up with my twin sister and husband from Illinois (about 600 miles from their direction and ours, with us living here in Abilene), to celebrate all of us turning 70 this year!! God is so good, as we have had some brushes with serious health problems this past decade of life, but are all doing great again, and are very active. Thanks be to God! Thank you for all of your interesting stories online here, and your wonderful books; I have bought and read most of them!
Denise! How fun to learn we have so much in common. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful trip in September. I know you will enjoy Esther. It is just amazing!
What a fun trip, Karen! 🙂 Thank you for sharing it with us (and that pancake—oh my goodness—YUM!).
I’ve never visited Branson, but remember that my mother visited there years ago with a group of friends and loved it. So much to see and do!
I love reading about my author-friends’ travels and adding places to my “Wish List” to visit. Maybe one day! 😉
Thanks again for sharing (and by the way—you make an adorable mermaid!). 🙂
Hugs from *very warm* Georgia, Patti Jo
Ha! Thanks for appreciating my scaly side, Patti Jo. 🙂 My husband courted me with Little Mermaid lyrics while we dated, so it seemed appropriate. 🙂
Other than maybe sneaking down to Silver Dollar City/Branson for a day or two, we usually don’t plan a vacation in the summer. July is busy for us with campmeeting. Our church has an annual (86th) international campmeeting of the Church of God at Monark Springs, Missouri, (five miles W of where we live) that starts the third Friday of the month & lasts 10 days. It’s an open-air tabernacle & we have dinner on the grounds each day. We sing acapella, so that’s one thing that has attributed highly to our family’s love for singing. It’s a highlight of the year… something my husband & I have attended all our lives & now our kiddos have, too… we’ve all made many good memories there.
I hope we can plan a little vacation getaway in the fall. Fall is my favorite time of year, the air is so crisp & cool.
Oh, & I forgot to mention that I enjoyed your pics from Branson! I’m glad you had a great trip & were able to enjoy some activities here in our neck of the woods!!
Ronald & I haven’t tried Billy Gail’s yet, but we’ve wanted to. Wow, that’s a huge pancake!
And Congrats to you for beating Wes at mini golf! We went there last year because it was indoor & scooter-friendly. 🙂 My husband always beats me!! 😀
I love the idea of those old-fashioned gospel meetings, Lori. It’s like being swept back in time. I bet it’s a wonderful time of spiritual renewal. We sing acapella too, and I just adore hearing those harmonies!
We took an anniversary trip to Wabasha, MN to the National Eagle Center. We loved it! We crossed the Mississippi the next day for a short trip to Pepin, WI to see a re-creation of the first Little House and the nearby museum. Great little trip.
That sounds lovely, Janice! I grew up with Little House, and would have enjoyed seeing that museum. I got to see Laura and Almanzo’s house iin Missouri several years ago and really enjoyed that. 🙂
So glad you had a great trip! Branson is a fun mini-vacation for me to go with family or friends (I live in central Arkansas, so it’s a very doable drive just right over the state line).. I especially love Silver Dollar City at Christmastime, so hope you are someday able to go back at that time of year! It’s worth it! And yes, the Esther show was amazing! I was blessed to see it last year, my first Sight & Sound production but hopefully not my last!