Our Most Favorite Theme Park!

When you hear the name Branson, Missouri, what do you think of? For us it is Silver Dollar City. This 1800s theme park is our favorite. Kevin grew up coming here most every year and he and I came here quite a bit when we lived in Missouri. Later we still would make it here several more times over the years. We love the park; it is very clean – no one drunks and the shows are all clean, no off color or dirty jokes allowed. Silver Dollar City has added more roller coasters over the years; we are sure it is to keep up with the new generations. Still has the 1800s feel with the artisans: woodworking, blacksmith, candles, candy, glass blowing, leather, etc. Love that! The park just opened for the year in March and there were some spaces not open yet. 

Day 1: This day we were so excited and got there just after 8:30 a.m. We were the only ones parked in lots 5. We learned last time (October 2023) the secret to parking…go to the free lot 5. The bus picks you up and at the park entrance has it’s own special bus parking. The entire time here, we were usually the first ones in the parking lot (always arriving around 8:38 a.m.) and the bus would come over to pick us up before we even got parked! True. And just for us. HA At the end of the day, we walked around the long lines for the trams and walked right on as there was always a bus waiting for us at the stop for 5. Only once was anyone else on the bus. As soon as we got on, the driver took us to the lot. Super cool.

Even though the park opens at 10:00 a.m. you can walk right in, starting at 8:30 a.m., buy fresh cinnamon rolls and coffee if you want, go through the store and then to the main plaza where Horse Creek Band is playing. 

Right before 10:00 a.m. the music stops and there is a “Hatfields and McCoy” gun fight in the town center. Then they ask who are veterans and give them a red, white, and blue ribbon to wear. The vets are invited to walk together in formation with one person carrying a flag. At the pole they stop, salute, and the flag is raised. The pledge of allegiance and then national anthem are spoken and sang. Then someone declares, “Silver Dollar City is open!” 

I enjoyed people-watching and taking selfies on Kevin’s phone! LOL Walking around we see an old cemetery. The Hearse is an old covered-type wagon. On it it says, “Barry M. Deeper, funeral director. ‘We will be the last to let you down.’” We thought that was very funny. Several places around there are phone charging stations. One looks like a fire alarm, in the fire district. Cute. 

Riding the train is always fun. Of course, the train had a “stick up” where the robber held up a stick. Looks like a cute little play. 

Next? Roller coasters for Kevin! We wanted to beat the crowds. I get vertigo so I don’t ride them. But I encourage him to ride and I have fun people-watching and taking selfies on Kevin’s phone! LOL

He first rode on Thunderation which has been “evicted” after this year, meaning, they are tearing it down after this year. He said he can see why they are going to tear it down…it was really wobbly. Next to that roller coaster is Time Traveler. This one was his favorite ride. 

We had packed our sweater (me) and light jacket (him) as it was cool in the morning. It soon got nice and warm and we didn’t want to pack around them. We saw lockers and it was about the best $12.00 we spent! 

The Opera House had All That Clogging group. Oh boy, they were great! We sat in the front row and I had full view of the cloggers and their wild feet. I would clap the deaf way and soon a clogger gal saw me and did the deaf clap, too. Afterwards she came over and signed to me! That was so sweet. She knows a little ASL. She is from TN (most of the group is from there) and has been clogging since she was 5. So nice to meet her. 

Next door is Powder Keg roller coaster. Kevin likes this one because at the start, you just sit there. And then all of a sudden you are shot out like a powder keg blowing up and you are going a million miles a second, or so it seems. 🙂 

Spoken 4 Gospel Quartet is one we first heard last time. They were a favorite of ours. They have been moved from Boatworks Theater inside now in the Riverfront Playhouse. It looks like a church inside. I didn’t enjoy them much this time; probably because last time they were outside and I could feel the bass and drum (on a track). But Kevin enjoyed the music. Being deaf, I get really bored if someone is just standing there singing. 

David Howarth is at Boatworks Theater and does comedy and magic. The thrill for us during the show was he had everyone watch a spinner and then he would stop it and as we looked at his face, it appeared to grow very large. Then he reversed it and his head grew very small. Neat! 

The theme at Silver Dollar City is Spring Exposition. I didn’t really see much of that. Probably too early in the spring because they had lots of fake flowers and such. Oh, this is funny….Kevin and I would both say, “what do you want to do next” and it took us some time to decided next. So then I suggested we take turns picking out what to do next. He liked that plan. Later, I realized that I was picking the roller coasters and music shows (for him) and he was picking out shopping (for me). Isn’t that something about us? Love us. Miss Kate’s was Kevin’s next choice and it is a quilt store. I got a Patriotic Pride from Fabric Cafe and a blue and red fat quarts. Plus a magnet that says, “Sorry the kitchen is closed due to quilting emergency.” HAHA Also a small magnet “quilt mobile” and looks like a motor home with ladies hanging out of it holding quilts. Cute. 

For lunch we ate Lumberjack Hamburgers. Kevin had chicken strips and fries. We ate outside under the open roof. My pick next was Wildfire roller coaster. This one has two loops. We remember last time and Kevin told his brother that he wouldn’t be going upside down. Oops! 

Stopped in at the knife shop and Kevin found a leather Leather Man knife sheath. The one he has on his belt is cloth, very worn, and the clasp is broken. He wanted this new one and I said yes. He put it on right there and then threw the old one away. Next door to the knife shop is the leather shop. What did we find immediately? A leather knife holder Kevin liked better than the one we just bought, literally, 5 minutes ago! HAHA He wanted it and we got it. So funny. Well, he said, he does have another knife that could use the other holder. 

And then, we looked for Silver Dollar City hat for him. We were looking for one with the Silver Dollar City logo but couldn’t find. He asked a worker and the old guy said those are only for workers. Ah, that makes sense. He picked out one that has a picture of Silver Dollar City on it. Then walking through the store that you have to go through to get out of the park and what did we find? A hat with the logo on it! Oh my gosh – two Leatherman knife holders and now two hats! He asked at the check out counter if we could return the first hat here. No, you have to go back to the other store. We went back and exchanged the first hat. 

We left at closing and went to Danna’s B-B-Que & Burger Shop. We went here last time with Kevin’s brother. This time it wasn’t crowded and we got a seat and our food fast. Very delicious! Rated: Come Here Once Each Time We Come To Silver Dollar City And Watch The Young Kid Go Around And Ask How We Are Doing A Million Times. We Think His Mom Must Own This Place! 

Day 2: Back by 8:30 a.m. again. After flag raising we walked quickly to the other end of the park so Kevin could ride the new Fire in the Hole. Last time we were here it was the last year for it. Well, they redid it almost exactly the same as it was! Except disappointing because before, as you came up to the burning bridge, you would feel the heat. Now it is just an LED. He didn’t want to ride it again. 

Ozark Polka Society was performing at Red Gold Heritage Hall. At the other end of the building was the cajun food set up. I looked at the menu and it looked really good – gumbo, maque choux, etc. But we never ate there. I think, even though that is south, we wanted more Ozark food. So what did we get after that? Sugar free kettle corn for him and a pretzel for me. Yum!!! 

Another watching of Spoken 4 Gospel Quartet. This time they did the Mississippi Squirrel Revival song and Ray Stevens had the funniest video of that story. They play it in the background while they sing to the track. 

At 1:15 p.m. it started to rain like crazy! Lightning was spotted and all ride stopped. Thankfully we knew the forecast and had brought our raincoats in a backpack.

We moseyed over to Opera House to watch the clogging. Same show and so fun. Afterwards the clogger we met yesterday came right over to us and started signing with me. The park cleared out of people because of the rain. We hardly saw any people. 

Kevin had read this place has pork rinds. Turns out it is on the menu we stood in front of yesterday for a long time. HA He got a bag and even I thought they were good (but I only ate one). Someone stopped us and asked where we got those. 

Docksiders is great, and my favorite, show. They are at Dockside which is outside but covered. The show is full of singing, dancing, and funny acts. 2 gals and 4 guys. I enjoyed this very much because they weren’t just standing there, stiff, and singing. Plus I could feel the bass. 

A favorite thing of ours to do here is to go to the old Wilderness Church hymn sing along. You can pick out a song from the hymnal and every sings the first and last verse. 😉 A very tall guy, the “sheriff”, and two ladies sang parts and full harmonies. Kevin said they sounded amazing. 

Outside and drizzle, we watched for a few minutes a guy playing ragtime. The piano is outside under a porch cover. I asked Kevin if the piano was in tune, although, I added, ragtime usually has the keys off a bit. HA He said it was very in tune. I thought that was interesting and wondered how often it has to be tuned, especially in this humidity and rain. We had decided to eat a very late lunch today and eat at Miss Molly’s Mill Restaurant here in the park. Well, we went over there, around 3:00 p.m. and it was completely closed! Later we wondered by a security guy and we asked him. He said the restaurant should be open. Most everything was shutting down early because there were just a few of us here. 

We left at closing and went to Longhorn Steakhouse in Branson. Got right in and the food was very delicious. Kevin had a huge T-bone steak with veggies. I had potato soup and we shared the shrimp appetizer. The place started to fill up as we were there and soon there was a lot of people waiting to be seated. We came at a good time, around 6:00 p.m.

Day 3: It was an extra foggy and moist morning. You could hardly see the tall zip line near Shepherd of the Hills is. Here around 8:30 a.m. and the bus pulled in, like every day, at the same time for us. Kevin got in line at Miss Molly’s Mill Restaurant to see what time they were open for lunch. He was told they sometimes close early if no one is there. Ah, that happened yesterday. Horse Creek Band and flag raising. 

After Wilderness Church hymn sing along, we walked outside the church I said to Kevin, “Well, we have been to the flag ceremony and to church and now it is all down here from here!” We laughed so hard we were almost crying. AND, the entire park grounds really is down hill from here! 

Walking along the path sometimes you will see a permanent looks-like-chalk-drawing saying which direction something is. For example, restrooms, arrow, 100 steps. There are some for roller coasters, train, etc. One place I stopped quickly and started laughing. On the ground was an arrow and the word “tree” and yes, it was pointing to a tree right at the top of the arrow. So many fun things like that here, just hidden away and waiting for someone to notice.

Silver Dollar Saloon and the Frontier Follies. So nice to be in a fun place that is completely clean of words, jokes, and acts. This is a cute show but I don’t know anything since I didn’t request interpreters. (I had interpreters here back in 2023 but didn’t request them this time.) I did like that the music is all live with a piano and a drummer. 

Lunch was at Rivertown Smokehouse. Delicious brisket and sausage along with broccoli and beans for him and a loaded baked potato with pulled pork on top for me. Rated: Delicious Meat But Small Portion. 

Hunter Courville & Cajun Fever were performing at Red Gold Heritage Hall. A guy sat a seat down from me and he started talking with us. His wife is in the band and plays bass. He told us he used to play the bass but he lost his arm. They are here from Louisiana for 5 weeks. Silver Dollar City provides them apartments while here. They do 3 shows a day for 4 days a week that it is open. (Later the park will be open one more day each week.) He said they loved being here. The band wore funky clothes: all matching is baggy pants and big long sleeve shirts. It looked like it was flannel and the fabric had little logos of Silver Dollar City. Interesting. Out of the top of the sleeves on the arms where yellow cuts like you cut and tie a flannel quilt. 

We went to the Plaza Stage a bit early but it was fine to sit and people watch. Kinfolk Bluegrass Band walked up and boy did they look grumpy. I don’t know if they had just had a fight or what but their faces and body language was they were not happy. The app said they were handpicked by Silver Dollar City to be this band. The only one smiling, later, was a Santa Claus looking guy playing the banjo. They were the bottom of our list of enjoyment.

Kevin then rode a spiny-thing in the Grand Exposition area. This was new to us last time and mostly has rides for kids. Darby’s Dixielanders at Red Gold Heritage Hall played jazz. Walking around Kevin said he was taking me someplace. A ride that I wouldn’t get wet (we both didn’t want to get wet) and it was a flat ride. Flooded Mine is a cute ride through a prison underground that is flooding. You can also shot targets along the way. We rode it again! As we come outside on the ride, there is a tombstone that said, “John, said he couldn’t swim, He’z right.” HAHA 

Hazel’s Blown Glass Factory is always something to see. How they make things from glass, blow it, and make different shapes is amazing. We watched one guy make an owl about 5 inches tall. Today the place was crowded but not jam packed like in the summer and fall.

Day 4: We felt the sadness like we do on the last day of a cruise. This is our last day here this week but we hope to come back next Saturday. The day had some rain and there was hardly anyone here. 

We were there, again, at 8:38 a.m. and went to the church. It was open and we sat down in front. I walked around and took some pictures. I saw a funny: a cannon is pointed directly at the church. What is the story there? Soon the pastor came in. There was a guy on the other side and Kevin said the pastor talked with him. The guy is a worker here and was sad he would have to miss the service. The pastor told him they actually have an 8:00 a.m. service here every Sunday for the workers. That is awesome! Plus, he is the chaplain here for workers, as well. Love that! The church filled up and when it was time for the flag ceremony, we were invited to step outside. Everyone just left their bags and drink cups at their seat and stepped out. Then back in for several hymns and sermon on Psalm 23. The whole thing was about 40 minutes.   

Walking around it is always fun to watch the blacksmith do his work. We stopped at the wood place and Kevin talked wood with the guy. We didn’t know, or didn’t remember, this building burned back in 2021. Several buildings around here were lost. This used to be a restaurant and the wood shop was over there. 

At noon we went into Miss Molly’s Mine Restaurant. We always forget it is all you can eat and we pile our plates high going through the first (and only) time for us. HA Fried chicken, potato casserole, Mac and cheese, southern beans w/ bacon, of course, corn, full salad bar, pulled pork, rolls, dessert included, and more. So glad we got in! HAHA Rated: Make Sure To Come Here Before They Close Early Because Otherwise We Will Be Very Upset! 

After making ourselves very full, we went to watch Docksiders again. My favorite here. Same show and lots of energy and dancing. Clogging was our next stop and we sat farther back. Here Kevin said the music was better heard plus the clogs. Kevin went on the Powder Keg…twice! Back to the Time Traveler for his last ride of the day. We shopped around looking but didn’t find anything we wanted. In Kevin’s backpack he carried another bag of sugar free Kettle corn popcorn that we bought in the morning. It sells out fast and the guy said it is hard to make because they have to completely clean out the huge kettle. Glad they made some more. I got a little container of orange creme cotton candy. Sounds so good! Outside we got right on the bus for stop 5 and off he went to deliver us to lot 5. Amazing place. Here is the history of the place: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Dollar_City

On the way home (footnote 1) we stopped at Price Chopper grocery store.  Fun story: there was one I went to when we lived in Missouri. One time when mom was visiting us, we went there and she called it, no mistake intended, Food Chopper. So that is what we call it now. Beautiful produce!

*The blog posts are taken from my daily travel journal. Would you believe – it takes me a 1/2 day every week to whittle down a week’s worth of journal so it won’t be too long for the post each week. HAHA Thank you for reading!

1. “Home” is where we park it. Home is our 2022 Alliance Avenue, 36 ft, 5th wheel.