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For starters, if you are not familiar with the area, click here to download a copy of this Branson map that is put out by Silver Dollar City. It is the same map that we give to all of our guests when they check in and knowing how to QUICKLY get in and out of traffic will make your vacation a million times more enjoyable. DON'T let the "infamous" Branson traffic ruin your vacation. Leave that to the others who struggle on 76.
For simplicity sake, I have pasted a copy of this same map here for our tips. In order to view this map completely we have set the size to 850x600. If this goes off of your screen please bear with us.
To begin with, PLEASE note the top of the map has a road that has been modified with diamond icons. This is a relatively new road here in Branson called the Ozark Mountain Highroad or Highway 465. This is a 7 mile stretch of road that is a lifesaver for time. From start to finish it is 4 lanes of wide open. You will not find this road on many maps or websites such as Mapquest. You will literally shoot right into highway 76 on the "backside" of Branson and will have missed 30-90 minutes of fun just sitting in your car. ;)
Next, I have numbered numerous places on this map of places we feel are important to mention. Places that normally receive little to no mention yet can make your vacation a ton more enjoyable.
#1. The Wal-Mart SuperCenter. This is the only WSC in Branson. The other Wal-Mart in Branson is tied into the Branson Mall and does not have the grocery store or nearly the selection of this store. Luckily, we are only a couple of miles from it and our guests enjoy the ease of getting to it quickly.
#2 In between the numbers 2 and 3 you will see a red road. This is called Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. Again, this is a marvelous timesaver to shoot from one side of Branson to the other. It is also where you will find the nation's largest Golden Corral which I have marked with the #2. I cannot say enough good to great things about this restaurant. They have a live show each evening, fantastic food, clean, and affordable.
#3. Recently, we had an odd occurence. We noticed more and more customers came in telling us about this fantastic meal they just had at a restaurant called Paradise Grill. Neither Handan or I had ever heard of it prior to this year, but our customers kept mentioning that we just HAD to go there and try it out. Finally, we were able to break free and go over for an evening meal. All I can say is, THANK YOU HUNTER'S FRIEND CUSTOMERS! Paradise Grill was positively excellent and I will be devoting a special page here on the website in the near future. We highly recommend them to everyone.
#4. If you are looking for a nice free trip, swing down to #4 at the Missouri Department of Fish and Game's hatchery. They have a nice museum, a million fish, and daily showings. Kids go bananas with all of the fish, but so do the adults. A nice diversion that only costs you time.
#5. Silver Dollar City, need we say more? (I know, I mentioned that we would concentrate on places that get little to no attention, but where else could you spend $43 on a ticket and be overwhelmed with entertainment for the entire day?) Kudos go out to Silver Dollar City for putting together one of the greatest amusement parks in America.
#6. Believe it or not, Celebration City has something of an identity crisis. Throughout the year, we will have somewhere in the area of 40% of our guests ask us "What is Celebration City?" We commonly refer to Silver Dollar City as the daytime park and Celebration City as the nightime park. Celebration City is a small amusement park, but they make up for it mightily with their evening fireworks and laser show. As an added bonus, it is about 25% less to get into CC than SDC.
#7. And lastly White Water. Another great place to play for an entire day. With large slides in the Raging River Rapids, lounge chairs in RainTree Island, to a relaxing ride on the Lazy River guests can ease away an entire day quite affordably.
