Hey, Hey Friends!
Happy Tuesday!
Today, I’m sharing a little recap of our Branson getaway…
Instead of packing our bags and heading to my hometown in Missouri, this Thanksgiving break we headed for Branson. We arrived just in time for a quick dinner before our show.
My hometown is about four hours from Branson so we spent a lot of vacation time in Branson, Missouri. We even had school sponsored trips there once a year when I was in high school. Needless to say, back in the day I was very familiar with this spot, but I hadn’t been in years.
We had show tickets for Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. so we had dinner at The Burger Shack. We didn’t have much time to spare, so burgers and fries were on the menu.
My parents drove over to hang for the weekend.
I’d heard a ton of great things about the Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson. During our stay, the Miracle of Christmas was showing. I grabbed us tickets a few weeks before our trip. I’m not certain about this but I think this company just does biblical shows…Moses, Samson, Birth of Jesus. {Don’t quote me on that…but those are the only ones I’ve heard of in this theatre.}
They say prior to the show starting that everything you’ll see isn’t biblically accurate. They’ve added some things for the show, but overall we thought it was GREAT! The first half was almost an hour and a half, then a fifteen minute intermission, and then about thirty minutes in the second half. The first part got a little long and Britt and I found our way to the “Family Room”. It was a small area upstairs with television access to the show but closed off so the babies could be loud. We joined our crew for the second half {it was my favorite!} and there was so much going on-she could hang.
Saturday morning we started it off right with a big country breakfast at McFarlain’s. I should add we woke up to CHILLY temperatures. I’d packed extra layers for this day considering our plan was to be outdoors at Silver Dollar City.
When breakfast was over, it wasn’t only cold outside. It was cold AND raining! Silver Dollar City didn’t open until noon so we decided to play a round of indoor miniature golf because INDOOR. 🙂 My big kids love to play miniature golf.
I let them play with the grandparents while I chased Britt around.
Instead of heading directly to Silver Dollar City, we decided to grab a good meal before we braved the cold all evening. You guys recommended Pasghetti’s. {And I’m SO glad you did!} They were a little short staffed the day we were there so the service wasn’t the best but the food was AMAZING! Everything we ordered was delicious! Highly recommend this spot if you’re in the area!
We had about a thirty minute wait and you can see the second floor above their heads. They had quite a few games along with a small ferris wheel to keep the kids entertained.
Britt was starting to get the whole, “CHEESE”, thing down. She just doesn’t know to look at the camera. 🙂
Then we layered up and headed to Silver Dollar City!
Please note-I’m wearing two coats…the big kiddos are wearing multiple layers, and we’ve wrapped Britt up in all the layers!
Does she look theme park ready? She actually looks REALLY confused. ha!
We entered the park and made our way straight to the kid area. There were a variety of kid rides. I must tell you that at this moment Tab Slaughter would have been giving our nervous-to-ride-the-big-roller-coaster-kids BIG motivational speeches. {That totally would have worked on at least 1/3 of the children, BUT I didn’t want to hear anyone being nervous about anything so we steered clear of that area for a while.}
Instead we rode tea cups, swings, and rides that went around and around.
We just happened to check the time and saw the Christmas show, It’s a Wonderful Life, was starting in about thirty minutes. We managed to grab some of the last few seats-even though we were thirty minutes early! I must say I thought the show was really cute, but everyone else in my group that it was just -eh.
When we got out of the show, it was dark and the entire park was LIT with Christmas lights. It was amazing!
We made our way over to the parade route and snagged a spot for the Christmas parade.
Again, I think Miss Britt was really confused. I promise you-she was wearing enough layers.
This was our view from this cute little front porch.
We saw all kinds of cute floats lit up for Christmas.
I’m telling you…they had ALL THE LIGHTS in this park!
They were absolutely gorgeous!
I was walking right behind a lady when she tripped over a little rocky garden area. I helped her up as she was explaining she tripped because there was so much to see she was looking up! I couldn’t blame her one bit!
At this point, it started getting colder because we’d been there a long while AND the sun had gone down. I’d been told by numerous people to ride the train, but the line was just too long. However, I should add-I told several people that and they scolded me for not waiting {You know who you are. ;)} I was reassured the line moves really quickly! So, if you’re going soon…stand in this line. I’m sad we missed it.
We grabbed a little bit to eat and then I talked one brave kiddos into riding a roller coaster with me. At this point, you couldn’t see any roller coasters so I was so impressed he agreed to go. Seriously, in line we could hear the roller coaster but had no idea what it actually did…upside down, big drop? We had no clue.
The roller coaster was GOOD! I think riding in the dark made it even more fun for me. {And probably more scary for Nix, but he was a trooper!} And of course he rubbed it in everyone’s face that he was the only brave soul to do it. #brotherlylove #ha
We ended the night and let me tell you…that warm hotel bed never felt SO good. Speaking of warm hotel beds…not sponsored at all, but we stayed here. I thought it was a great location and the room was so nice and clean.
Sunday, we grabbed a little breakfast at Dunkin’ Donuts before driving to Springfield {about 35 minutes}. Our first stop was the Bass Pro Shop. Again, don’t quote me on this, but I’m pretty sure the Bass Pro in Springfield, MO, is the biggest one in the country. {Is this true??}
There was lots to see and do. Miss Britt saw her first bear up close and personal. 🙂
Bass Pro always has a really cool area for Christmas…a cool carousel, fun games, and even Santa.
Britt’s first carousel ride was a huge success.
The look on Bowen’s face…I’m guessing he got something.
We made our way around the store to check out all the animals.
And we sent this to Marla because she has a thing for buffaloes.
Then we met up with my mom’s twin sister and her family who lives just about 30 minutes from Springfield. This sweet baby, Avery, was the newest to join the family. Ebby Lee was excited to hold her.
This was our crazy loud table. 🙂
What were we thinking??! A group picture IN THE SUN! These are just about half of my grandparents’ GREAT grandchildren.
At this point, the plan was to swing by the Springfield Airport to pick up Tab, but he missed his connecting flight so we had a couple hours to kill in Springfield. I voted for the mall but the kiddos voted for the aquarium at Bass Pro.
We bought just the aquarium tickets but they also have tickets for the wildlife museum. {As well as combo tickets for both.}
The entire aquarium was really nice…super cool exhibits and everything was really clean.
Can you spot all four of my crazies?
They liked seeing the fish, but they REALLY liked crawling up in these tunnels.
Selfie in the aquarium…hands-down their favorite area was the sting ray spot. You could put your hands in and touch one as they swam by.
Then we drove to the airport to grab this guy!
He hadn’t been to Branson in years as well, so we made our way back to Branson for one more night. {And my parents went on home.}
We made it to Branson quickly, the sun was still out, so we decided an outdoor game of miniature golf at Pirate’s Cove would be fun. Check out my skills. 😉
We began by playing girls against boys…we brought the trash talk. Until we realized we were gonna lose, we got much quieter as the game went on.
Selfie inside the cave where mama HAPPENED to get a hole in one. Again, I promise Britt wasn’t cold-she was layered up. She just wasn’t feeling the cave selfie.
This guy managed a hole-in-one too!
I also had gotten a lot of recommendations on the Branson Landing area…so we checked that spot out for dinner. I LOVED it but I wasn’t a fan of the parking. Sunday night was CHILLY and it was a LONG walk to the car. But Cantina Laredo’s queso and guacamole made me forget all about the cold. ha! The fountains in the middle were so pretty as well. Fun, fun night!
Monday morning we ate breakfast at the Belgian Waffle and Pancake House…delish! The plan was to ride the indoor go-karts but when we arrived we learned you have to be ten to drive one on your own. Back-up plan…black light miniature golf! Girls against boys and AGAIN…we trash talked until about hole number ten where we realized we’d have to get a lot of hole-in-ones to really make it happen. Then we loaded up and headed east to my hometown for Thanksgiving.
On Monday the temperature was supposed to get warmer and be really nice, but when we were out looking for a little adventure it was still REALLY cold!
Again, THANK YOU for all your recommendations! Thanks to those, I wanna take another trip where I do a lot of eating really soon! Top of the Rock got a lot of love from you guys. Unfortunately, we just didn’t have the time on this trip but next time!
I want to note…nothing was sponsored on this trip. I just added the links so it would make it easier for you guys if you were interested in any of those locations. And this is the link for the post where I asked for ideas in Branson. Just in case you’re going, you should read all the comments with lots of great ideas on restaurants and activities.
Have a GREAT day!
XO
What a fun trip!! I love how gorgeous Silver Dollar City was at night! So pretty with all the Christmas lights! Also, We used to stop at that Bass Pro shop on the way to Michigan! It is so big!!
What an awesome trip!!!! Lots of memory making happened for sure!
Looks like you guys had a great time! My hubby talks about us going to Branson when our son gets a little bigger. I’ve never been, but he went when he was younger.
I think the biggest Bass Pro Shop is in the pyramid in Memphis. It is HUGE!
Oh my goodness! What a fun trip!! I haven't been to Silver Dollar City in years, but now, I want to go back!!
Oh the Hensley 5 are big putt-putt fans also. This post makes me want to load my crazies up & head west to Branson like right now. So much fun!
You’re such a fun mom!! That looked like great memories were made on that trip! Thank you for sharing!
Looks like y'all had a great time!! I need to write down some of these restaurants because we can never really find good food😂 but, we love to shop there! And SDC is stunning during Christmas!! My kids love going there in the summer too, there's so much to do!
What a fun weekend! Yes, the Bass Pro in Memphis is the largest location with a hotel, bowling alley and so many other features inside. It is located downtown on the Mississippi River. So if you are ever in the area, it is a fun place to visit for all ages!
Is Springfield the original Bass Pro? Memphis is our old college stomping grounds BUT back then there was only talk of a Bass Pro in the pyramid. 🙂
What a fun trip!!! All those Christmas lights …. my heart! 😍
Looks like yall had a great time!! I went to Branson for the first time this year when we were visiting Round Top! It was a fun and unique little city! Have a great Tuesday!!
As a born and raised Springfield girl, our Bass Pro is the largest (and the original). So glad y'all got to enjoy the beauty that is Southwest Missouri! And Silver Dollar City at Christmas is magical!
Such a fun time in Branson, there is no shortage of things to do. I have heard the lights are amazing at Silver Dollar City as my brother in law's family lives in Mountain Home and they have season passes. We liked the landing too but I do remember the parking 😉 xoxo ERIN
Ahh you were in my town!! 🙂 Springfield's Bass Pro is the biggest- second to that is the Bass Pro in the Memphis Pyramid- check it out if you're ever in Memphis! We are heading to Silver Dollar City this weekend, taking my one year old daughter for the first time. Your post got me a little more excited. Glad you all had a good time!
I loved Silver Dollar City as a kid! Love your pictures!!
That Inspired Chick
What a fun trip! It looks like your family had a great time!
My husband is from Oklahoma. He and his family have made tons of trips to Branson, but I'm from the Southeast so I've never been. I keep telling him I want to go at Christmas one year. We have toddlers, so maybe when the kids are just a little bit older. It looks like you had a blast!
Yes Springfield is the original Bass Pro! So glad you got to make it up to Wonders of Wildlife too, it is such a great place, we are excited to have it in our town. Your vacation looked so fun and enjoyable, glad you all had a great time!
I'm so glad you had a fun trip! Sounds like you hit some good spots while you were here. 🙂 Summertime is fun too, and there are also different things like White Water and the waters rides at SDC 🙂 So you'll definitely have to come back!!
Oh and I agree with the parking at the Landing. Completely sucks, especially when it's cold, but Cantina Laredo is totally worth it!