The celebration truly starts with Silver Dollar City’s square, the setting for Christmas on Main Street, our biggest light show ever! Come see why HotelsCombined.com named Silver Dollar City home to the #1 Holiday Light and Tree Show in the nation!    
A Winter Wonderland!  See the musical 5-story Special Effects Christmas Tree as it twinkles and dances in unison with over one million lights adorning the City’s square. Music includes:

• Carol of the Bells
  David Foster
• Interlude
  Steven Curtis Chapman
• Joy to the World 
  Boston Pops Orchestra
• Medley
  Michael W. Smith
• Suite from Polar Express 
  Alan Sylvestri
• Sleigh Ride 
  Boston Pops Orchestra 

Emblazoned in over 100,000 lights, the Gifts of Christmas Holiday Light Parade glides through the streets of the “City” twice each evening, weather permitting.

The sounds of the season can be heard throughout the park with shows such as The Living Nativity and Frosty!  You can even see the jolly old elf himself at Kringles Krossing.

Silver Dollar City’s grandest production show ever, A Dickens’ Christmas Carol is an original musical adaptation of the classic by Charles Dickens. This inspiring story of redemption features a live band, a talented cast, astounding special effects, stunning Victorian scenery and period costuming.

]]> http://www.hickoryridgebranson.com/old-time-christmas-now-until-december-31st/feed/ 0 http://www.hickoryridgebranson.com/old-time-christmas-now-until-december-31st/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hickoryridgeestates/~3/bWRbUH1MrDY/ http://www.hickoryridgebranson.com/take-a-walk-hickory-ridge-style/#comments Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:13:58 +0000 Gary Winans http://www.hickoryridgebranson.com/?p=404
After dinner it is fun to take a walk along our 1 mile long private road! Most folks at Hickory enjoy walking, and running,  and saying “hi to neighbors.

Sound like fun??

Come Join Us!

 

 

 

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The Branson-to-Austin service will operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Sept. 16 through Dec. 14. Branson-to-Phoenix service will operate Saturdays from Sept. 17 through Dec. 10. Austin service will be provided on 50-seat Embraer 145 aircraft, while Phoenix service will operate on 138-seat Airbus 319 aircraft.

The airline already serves Denver and Milwaukee nonstop from Branson.

Introductory fares begin at $89 each way for the Branson to Austin nonstop route and $105 each way for the Branson to Phoenix nonstop route. The fares will be available on the company’s website through Sept. 17 for travel through Oct. 31.

Frontier has a great airplane with wide seating and Direct TV on each flight and they take off from the friendliest airport in the US (Branson mo).

Although the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Missouri was forced to close its doors after 42 years due to declining patronage, diehard fans displayed their enthusiasm last summer at an auction of the museum’s memorabilia. Roy’s famous horse Trigger (stuffed) sold for $266,500 and Trigger’s saddle & bridle went for a whopping $386,500, while Roy’s 1964 Bonneville sold for $254,000 proving that the real horse still had the most horsepower. (Despite the shutdown, the family legacy is going strong - Roy Rogers Jr. is currently performing at Mickey Gilley’s in Branson).

But the real legacy lives on through film. Trigger appeared with Roy in over 80 movies and 101 TV episodes and has the distinction of rivaling the Godfather for the most bizarre bedroom scene ever, in Son of Paleface, 1952:

1)  Barbeque  -  Dannas Restaurant – 963 St. Hwy 165, Branson, Mo. Phone 417-337-5527.  This restaurant is pure fun, good food, and very reasonable prices.  Website: dannasbbq.com.  The BBQ beef sandwich is excellent, we also enjoy the french dip sandwich with fries and cole slaw.  Nachos are large and cheesy.  Fried Catfish is also very good.  Everything is delicious!

2)  Home made family style food – Cracker Barrel = 3765 Country Blvd, Branson, Mo. Phone 417-335-3003.  Shopping for the ladies in the lobby.  Rocking chairs for the men on the front porch with checker tables to pass the waiting time.  The food is good, so it is worth the wait.  Homemade Chicken n’ Dumplins

A scrumptious portion of our homemade Chicken n’ Dumplins served up hot and fresh with your choice of any two country vegetables.

Country Chef Salad
Fresh greens topped with a bounty of oven roasted turkey breast, sugar cured ham, hickory smoked bacon, shredded Colby cheese, boiled egg, tomato, all topped with a wedge of Colby cheese, red onion and our own sourdough croutons. 

Momma’s Pancake Breakfast®

Three Buttermilk Pancakes and Two Eggs* cooked to order
~with your choice of either~
Any Fruit Topping or 100 % Pure Natural Syrup
~and~
Choice of Smoked Sausage Patties, Turkey Sausage Patties or Thick-Sliced Bacon

3)  Mexican Food:  Cantina Laredo – 1001 Branson Landing, Branson, Mo. – Phone 417-334-6062.  Website: 417-334-6062.  Located at the beautiful Branson Landing.  This is upscale mexican food.  Tacos are excellent, and guacamole is made at your table.  Views are fantastic overlooking Lake Taneycomo!

4)  Ribs:  Shorty Smalls – 2280 Shepherd Hill Expy, Branson – Phone 417-334-8797.  Best Ribs in town with fall off the bone meat to eat!! Yum Yum.  Website: shortysmalls.com

5)  Frozen Custard: Andy’s Frozen Custard.  3345 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, Mo.  417-337-5501. Amazing!  Try the Turtle and the Strawberry Concrete.  Forget calories, you are on vacation!  Heaven on earth.

6)  Hamburgers: Chesters Restaurant. 2005 West State Highway 76, Branson, Mo. Phone: 417-334-7838.  Biggest baddest burgers in town!

7)  Hot Dogs: Billy Bob Dairy Land. 1510 West State Hwy 76, Branson, Mo. Phone 417-337-9291. Foot Long Hot Dog, Add the fixins, and you will love this meal.

8)  Seafood: Landry’s Seafood. 2900 West State Hwy 76, Branson, Mo. Phone 417-339-1010.  High end dining!  Great Fish prepared in a romantic setting.

9)  Soup Sandwich Euro:  Vaskens.  1819 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, Mo.  Phone: 417-239-1195.  Great Lunch Place we love the soups, and the sandwiches are also very good.  This is where the local stars eat!  So bring a camera and autograph book.

10) Breakfast: Billygails. 5291 State Highway 265, Branson, Mo. 417-338-8883.  Omelettes are amazing in size and taste.  Must order a pancake!  Literally hangs over the plate and tastes like yummy in the tummy!

11) Salad Bar:  Ruby Tuesday.  3316 W. Highway 76, Branson, Mo. 417-335-5450.  Best Salad Bar in town!

GOOD EATIN!  FROM THE OWNERS AT HICKORY RIDGE

Branson Creek Stay-and-Play Package
Tom Fazio-designed Branson Creek Golf Club – ranked one of Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” – is offering March and April 2011 stay-and-play packages. The package includes staying at the Clarion Hotel in the heart of the acclaimed Branson Strip – near the live entertainment theaters. All of the rates are per person and based upon double occupancy per room. The rates include 18 holes of golf with golf cart and practice balls (any day of the week), standard hotel room, a deluxe continental breakfast, as well as all taxes.

The March rate is $80.53, a savings of $80 (or a whopping 50% off booking room and round separately). April package rate of $91.14 is a savings of $91. May through October package rate is $115.98, a savings of $55 (a 35% savings).

Contact the golf shop at Branson Creek Golf Club, at (417) 339-4653 or 1-888-772-9990, or for more information, visit www.clarionhotelbranson.com or www.bransoncreekgolf.com.

StoneBridge Resort & LedgeStone Golf Course
Described by Golf Digest as “a masterpiece of mountain golf architecture,” LedgeStone is an 18-hole championship course offering the kind of golfing experience where “players don’t want the round to end.” Starting at $99 per person, per night, guests can enjoy one round of golf and stay in an upscale two- or four-bedroom lodge.

If variety is what you’re looking for, the Stay & Play package can be customized to include other Branson courses – Pointe Royale, Payne Stewart, Murder Rock, Holiday Hills, Branson Creek and Thousand Hills – with an added bonus (stay three nights and receive a fourth round of golf free; only one course may be played twice). For information, visit www.StoneBridgeBranson.com or call (866) 332-1373.

Platinum Experience offered at Thousand Hills
The beauty of the Branson golf destination (www.golfbranson.com) is the live entertainment, outdoor activities and other attractions which complement its many, compelling golf options.

Thousand Hills Golf Resort provides great value across the destination with its Branson Platinum Experience. The resort is giving each qualified reservation during 2011 a booklet to experience some of Branson’s most popular shows, attractions, activities and restaurants at no charge. The Platinum Experience booklet provides tickets, admissions and meals, valued at more than $750.

To earn the free gift, book a reservation for a stay between March 1 – December 31, 2011 in any 2 bedroom or larger golf condo, lake condo, or log cabin unit. (Group reservations and reservations in 1 Bedroom, King or Queen Suite units do not qualify). Receive your Platinum Experience Booklet at check-in, and follow the instructions on each coupon for redemption. You can use as few or as many of the coupons as you would like during your stay. See a sample of the latest Platinum Experience Booklet.

Visit http://www.thousandhills.com/ or call 800-864-4145 for information or to book a stay.

About www.GolfBranson.com
The award-winning courses comprising the golf destination – known collectively under the brand promise “Branson: Discover Golf’s Ozark Mountain Oasis” – are:

• Pointe Royale Resort & Golf Course, www.pointeroyale.com, 417.334.4477

• Thousand Hills Golf Resort, www.thousandhillsgolf.com, 800-487.0769, 417.334.4553

• John Daly’s Murder Rock Golf and Country Club, www.murderrock.com, 417.332.DALY (3259)

• Payne Stewart Golf Club, www.paynestewartgolfclub.com, 417.337.2963

• LedgeStone Golf Course, www.ledgestonegolf.com, 417.335.8187

• Branson Creek Golf Club, www.bransoncreekgolf.com, 417.339.GOLF (4653)

• Holiday Hills Resort and Golf Club, www.holidayhills.com, 417-334-4838

• Top of the Rock Golf Course, www.bigcedar.com, 417-339-5085

With more than 22,000 lodging and hotel rooms, Branson matches every style and budget, and there are many golf stay-and-play packages available.

Known as the “Live Music Show Capital of the World,” Branson, MO is a one-of-a-kind family vacation destination — and incredible value — with 50 live performance theaters, three pristine lakes, 12 championship golf courses, an international award-winning theme park, dozens of attractions and museums, an historic downtown district, shopping galore, and full range of dining options, hotels, motels, resorts, RV parks, campgrounds and meeting-and-conference facilities.

The Lodging page at www.explorebranson.com includes a directory of accommodations, resorts and spas. For assistance planning a golf vacation to Branson: 800.296.0463

Branson is less than a day’s drive for one-third of Americans, and with low-cost flights to the new Branson Airport (served by AirTran and Frontier airlines) and Springfield-Branson National Airport, it has never been easier for families and groups to get to Branson.

Then Marvel Cave — and its tours 500 feet below ground — emerged as a tourist attraction.

That spawned the creation of Silver Dollar City, one of the largest theme parks in the country.

Silver Dollar City, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, in turn stimulated more tourist activity — initially country music venues. The Baldknobbers started entertaining the fishermen on the lakefront in 1959, and now second and third generations of that Mabe family are doing the same thing.

For a town of 6,000 full-time residents, Branson has come a long, long way in the last few years. It boasts a wide variety of tourist activities in close proximity, making it a quick and easy spring break getaway for the family — particularly if someone in the family likes to golf.

Missouri residents call this high-energy community in the heart of the Ozark Mountains the “Las Vegas of the Midwest.” The Oscar-nominated movie “Winter’s Bone” was filmed here.

Some 8.2 million tourists swung by last year, thanks in part to its family-friendly economical options and its location. One-third of the U.S. population is less than a day’s drive away. It’s about an eight-hour road trip from Chicago, or you can fly into one of two nearby airports.

Branson became known for its country music, but its 49 live theaters offer a wide range of entertainment. I especially liked the tribute shows that honored the likes of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly, the Blues Brothers, Toby Keith, Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley.

Shoji Tabuchi has been a Branson fixture for 22 years, putting on a family-style show in a theater that bears his name. Andy Williams, the legendary crooner, has his own Moon River Theater in Branson, too.

I enjoyed a highly entertaining evening in the Hamner Barber Theater, the showcase for magician Dave Hamner and his long-time partner, ventriloquist Jim Barber. And Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff is still good for plenty of laughs.

Branson also has cruises and fishing along three lakes: Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals. And you can hop aboard a replica of the doomed Titanic (billed as the world’s largest museum attraction) for a close-up look at the famous maritime disaster.

Other Branson museums are centered on antique toys, dolls, autos, dinosaurs, butterflies and war veterans. Five water parks will keep the kids entertained, and three outlet malls are nearby.

Visitors can get a taste of the old Branson at the Branson Cafe, a charming dining spot that has been around for 101 years — 82 in the same Main Street location. Less than a block away you’ll find the much newer Branson Landing, a waterfront shopping area. It’s made up of more than 100 upscale boutiques and restaurants flanked by the big Belk’s department store and a huge Bass Pro Shop. Bass is headquartered in nearby Springfield, Mo., where there’s a bigger outlet that’s worth a visit even if you’re not a hunter or fisherman.

In the last few years, Branson has emerged as a golf destination. The general area includes 13 courses that can accommodate all types of players.

Among the eight courses marketed together online at golfbranson.com is Murder Rock. It’s a difficult layout, and PGA Tour player John Daly had a role in its creation. Other options include Branson Creek, designed by Tom Fazio; the spiffy Payne Stewart Golf Club, built in honor of the late two-time U.S. Open champion and local resident who died in a 1999 plane crash, and LedgeStone, which may be the most beautiful of the lot with its sweeping views. The funky but fun Thousand Hills, a Bob Cupp design that features nine par-3s, eight par-4s and one par-5, is worth a visit, too.

A new golf facility, Top of the Rock, is expected to open this summer. It’s supposed to offer a nine-hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a practice range from Arnold Palmer and a putting course by Tom Watson.

A track for NASCAR racing also is in the planning stages — another sign that Branson isn’t finished broadening its horizons.

Len Ziehm is a local free-lance writer.

A Wilmette family fell in love with Missouri in the late 1940s and moved there. Fifty years later, the family dream turns 50: Silver Dollar City.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBo6HXtbA4w