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Silver Dollar City is an absolute must for anyone who loves Christmas. Located near Branson, MO in the hills of the Ozarks, Silver Dollar City is a city of wonder. When you walk thru the front gates of the city, you are swept off your feet and land back in the good ole days. The laid-back atmosphere is contagious, especially after traveling several hours to get there and being surrounded by tens of thousands of your closest new friends.
Once you arrive you are immediately lead thru an extremely large gift shop, full of knick-knacks that are completely worthless. But once you make your way into the heart of the city, you find a plethora of unique attractions that are sure to bring a smile to your face. The shops and demonstrations by the craftsmen help you appreciate how things are made, and many even allow you to make your own in the shop! Fun and entertainment for the whole family!
These are my Top 10 Reasons why you and your family need to get to Silver Dollar City this Christmas Season:
#1An Old Time Christmas. Christmas time is my ultimate favorite time to go to Silver Dollar City. They know how to do Christmas right. Aside from the temperatures a bit cold for the water rides, all the other attractions are perfect for a delightful fall visit. Even Good Morning America declared Silver Dollar City in the Top 5 to light up the Holidays!
If Christmas isn’t your ultimate favorite holiday, the water rides are a blast too! Check out the Season Pass to get the most out of your visit and see what Silver Dollar City is like in every season.
#2The Train, better known as the Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train, offers a delightfully scenic ride through the Ozarks! An exhilarating ride made even better with a little surprise halfway thru. During Christmastime, the train ride goes to the next level with Christmas tunes to sing-a-long to and the story of Christ’s birth from Grandpa himself. If you have young children or want to relive your childhood, don’t miss out on a train ride around Silver Dollar City and the Ozark countryside. For me personally, I love riding the train to take myself back to a time when there were fewer distractions, more freedom and the quietness of the outdoors to reflect on life and thank God for all he has blessed us with.
#3The Tater Twist is superb. If yours isn’t, then it’s your fault. A fried tater on a stick with more seasoning choices than you can shake a stick at is sure to satisfy any crowd. Fried potatoes have always been a favorite of mine, plus the delicious seasonings put this experience over the top. Another bonus, it’s completely mobile. You can enjoy your fried tater on a stick while you continue to peruse the shops for the next best Christmas gift for the dad that has everything.
#4Speaking of shopping. All the shops, each one with a unique theme are another highlight for us. Of course, as our favorite time to visit is Christmastime, we love examining all of the customizable Christmas ornaments. When we say customizable, we mean ornaments where they will write your name on it, and your 6 kids’ names as well! They even have ornaments for the dog lovers out there, grandparents, and the newlyweds alike.
Some of the other shops we are sure visit while we are at Silver Dollar City include the Apple Butter Shop first and foremost. Also, the General Store, Hazel’s Blown Glass Factory, Carrie’s Candles, White River Bath and Body, and Miss Kate’s Quilts. The Apple Butter Shop is a must because have you ever tried strawberry butter? Heat up a slice of Homemade Bread and spread a dollop of strawberry butter and boy howdy you are set. Delish!
The blown glass factory is always fun to walk thru, especially after spending a few minutes watching the craftsmen create beautiful works of art just next door in the workshop! More on that in a second… Miss Kate’s Quilts is another of my favorites. The fabric is always adorable and the number of projects on display is sure to be an inspiration if you’re a crafty person like me. While I visit Miss Kate’s Derek is usually next door choosing which candle is his favorite. No matter what your interests are, Silver Dollar City has a shop that you will love!
#5The shows in the Opera House and the Red Gold Heritage Hall are can’t miss attractions. If you’re going for a short trip, make time to see at least one show. If you’re visiting for the day, you will be grateful for a chance to sit down and rest your feet in a temperature-regulated building. Relax and take a load off while you’re entertained by a talented cast. The shows are quite impressive and enjoyable even for the second or third viewing. I really think each year they get better and better.
Every year for Thanksgiving, my family would watch It’s a Wonderful Life on VHS. Yes, that big bulky tape thing. Well, to my delight, It’s a Wonderful Life was one of the shows at Silver Dollar City during An Old Time Christmas! Although I have seen the movie time and time again, the show was a fresh take with the same storyline performed by a very talented crew. I highly recommend It’s a Wonderful Life and the Christmas Carol show, too!
#6The Rides – Big Barn Swing and Fire in the Hole. I’ve always been a fan of roller coasters. Although, as I’ve grown, I have learned to be more strategic when riding rides and deciding when to eat lunch. Always one before the other, just to be safe. After our last couple of visits to Silver Dollar City, I came to love the Big Barn Swing and Fire in the Hole just as much as the other big roller coasters. The Big Barn Swing offers just enough excitement and thrill, without the jarring back and forth. Fire-in-the-hole is another favorite for us! Again, the thrill is so fun! Let us know what you and your family’s favorite rides are by tagging us @Tribble_Tribe.
#7The Glass Blowing is Derek’s favorite workshop at Silver Dollar City. When I was a small child, I used to go to Silver Dollar City with my grandparents. They would walk around with me, wait for me to ride the rides, then we would always find our way to the glass blowing workshop. One year, I stood there long enough to watch the craftsmen make a beautiful vase from beginning to end. Can you imagine, I was probably around 10 years old and was so enthralled by the situation I was willing to stand there and watch this vase be created from a hot ball of glass. So, once the vase was done, we went on our merry way to the next activity. Little did I know, my grandma had gone into the glass shop and requested to purchase the vase they had just finished creating! I thought she was crazy at the time, but I was able to gift my mom a special glass vase when I got home. It almost felt as though I had a part in creating the vase that day at Silver Dollar City.
Each year Derek and I still visit the glass blowing workshop. Most recently, we watched the craftsmen create a gorgeous and intricate glass angel. So pretty and really fun to watch something so basic become something complex.
#8The Oreo Cookies & Cream funnel cakes and the parade. These are combined for a reason. If you work your schedule just right, you should head to the funnel cake stand about 6:30 pm to get your funnel cake. You’ll have to wait in line for quite a while to order your funnel cake and finally receive the sweet ring of yumminess. Just as you get your hungry paws on the funnel cake the parade will be starting right behind you! So, you’ll be perfectly perched on the steps of the funnel cake stand with an incredible view of all the fun parade floats!
The parade is another highlight because, once again, it takes me back to my younger years. Although there is no candy thrown, there are a ton of lights and music. You may even get to see a local high school band performing in the parade on special occasions. Most of all, the chance to wave at Rudolph with his giant red nose is the perfect dose of Christmas cheer.
#9Christmas in Midtown. I’ve put this next to last on the list, not because it is insignificant, but in fact, quite the opposite. Following the parade, Christmas in Midtown is such an amazing sight to see. I highly recommend finding a place to sit, off the main walkway, right in the middle and taking it all in after the sun goes down. I truly believe if you try, you can have a few moments of solitary self-reflection among the bustle of the people and all the lights. Take a second to just breath. Be thankful for all you have been blessed with and live in the moment. As an Enneagram 7, living in the present doesn’t come easy for me. So, taking a chance to be present and recount the day is peaceful and calming, helping me to get my heart and head in the right mindset for the upcoming Christmas season.
#10
Finally, last on the list but certainly not least is Branson, the town itself. Branson is a phenomenal little quaint town full of fabulous local cafes, boutiques, craft stores and so much more. With a Bass Pro downtown, Derek is thrilled and the shopping and Fountain Show nearby makes us both happy to be away from our day-to-day lives, spending time together while enjoying the wonderful fall weather. Our favorite spot to eat breakfast is Clocker’s Cafe in Old Town Branson. Their Breakfast Croissant will not disappoint! Plus, you have to visit Dolly’s Stampede. Be prepared to eat with your hands and enjoy a great show while cheering for the best side to win.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Branson? What are your must-do attractions at Silver Dollar City? Who will you take to Silver Dollar City this year? Let us know on social media tag us @Tribble_Tribe with #MySDCTribe or #MyBransonTribe
More photos from our visits to Silver Dollar City and Branson over the years!
Dolly’s Stampede 
Branson Landing Water and Fire Show 
Christmas in Midtown 
Christmas in Midtown 
Hurt’s Donut – Branson 
Barn Swing 
Candle Making 
Parade 
Waiting for It’s a Wonderful Life 
Welcome to An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar CIty
