A NOTE TO OUR READERS:
"Fun Times, Cozy Places" is from the December 2007 issue of Southern Living.
Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please check all
information to make sure it's still current before making your travel plans.
It's no secret that Branson, Missouri, offers enough live shows to
entertain you every day for the next three months, and they become more
spectacular during the holidays. Attend a few, then focus on Christmas
lights flickering like a jillion fireflies against the Ozark hills,
shops filled with must-haves, and away-from-it-all lodging on Table Rock
Lake. Add a few snowflakes, and you have the perfect winter getaway.
Settle In
If you want to be in the middle of everything,
Branson offers plenty of accommodations near the theaters and
restaurants. But I like it quiet and scenic, preferably in a cabin at
Big Cedar Lodge. Wrapped around a finger of Table Rock Lake, the resort
sits 10 miles south of Branson—near enough for you to take in all the
attractions, yet far enough away so that you may enjoy the natural
beauty of the area. Low-key holiday activities here include creating a
gingerbread house and making s'mores.
For digs closer to town, rent a lakeside condo at The Village At Indian
Point, just down the road from Silver Dollar City. Or reserve a room at
Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa, set atop a hill near the theater
district. One of the newest hotels, Hilton Promenade, puts you at
Branson Landing, a downtown entertainment and retail area.
Silver Dollar Nights
Spend at least one evening at Silver
Dollar City. Carols fill the air, and the 4 million twinkling lights
that outline trees, bushes, and buildings present an awesome display now
through December 30.
The aroma of fresh baked goods from the plentiful vendors makes it
impossible to walk around without something to munch on. So go for a
cinnamon pastry and a cup of hot chocolate with a candy cane in it to
warm your hands and heart.
Pop into The Basket Shop to peruse the selection of white oak beauties,
or peek into the blacksmith shop to watch artisans pound metal into
decorative forms. Be careful of the time, though, and don't miss The
Living Nativity and the musical A Dickens' Christmas Carol.
Stroll and Shop
Take your gift list downtown to Branson
Landing, a 95-acre smorgasbord of shops and restaurants. Bass Pro Shops
anchors one end of the pedestrian street that flows through the area.
One of my favorite stops is The Fudgery, where I watched as delicious
fudge was made. Baseball fans will want to browse Cardinal's Clubhouse.
Dick's Oldtime 5 & 10 has anchored its corner of Main and Commercial for
nearly 35 years. It carries everything from pots and pans to stationery,
but the best reason to step inside is the inexpensive toys—they make
perfect stocking stuffers.
Another favorite shop, Round Tree Pottery, is a few miles away—but
worth the drive. It's a treasure trove of local and regional art.
