Jesse and I grew up going to Silver Dollar City with our families and we have so many, many wonderful memories of times spent there.
So when my dad emailed us a few weeks ago about possibly meeting all of my extended family in Branson for two days, we jumped on it.
The weather was perfect and it was so fun to get to experience all the rides, fun music, good food, and watching the various people demonstrating old-fashioned crafts throughout the park.
Our kids loved getting to hang out with their cousins and play and ride rides together! It’s so fun to see them all together just loving life and laughing and playing!
It’s so much fun for Jesse and I to come back with our kids — especially now that they are old enough to really enjoy it!
And for the record, I think SDC totally beats Disney World. Yes, you can disagree with me, but that’s my opinion and I’m sticking with it. 😉
We came. We rode. We screamed. We got drenched. We ate. We walked miles (which was a good thing considering all that we ate!!)
We laughed. We rode more rides. We made so many memories. And our kids are convinced that Silver Dollar City is pretty much one of the best places on earth… Just like we both thought growing up! It was a good trip!
Oh and I turned 35. Which I’m still having a lot of trouble wrapping my head around. Especially while I was holding my hands in the air and squealing like a kid on some of the rides!!
This was a year of personal transformation and growth for me… Probably like no other year of my life. It was a good year and I’ll never be the same for it. I’m looking forward to seeing what adventures and opportunities for growth 35 holds for me — even if it feels kind of scary to be “so old” (as my kids reminded me I was this weekend!)
How was YOUR week? Have you been to Silver Dollar City before?
We live in Missouri and go to Silver Dollar City every other weekend all year round (when they’re open)!! Sorry we missed you this weekend 🙁
I hope you were able to taste their amazing cinnamon bread at Sullivan’s Mill! That is something that is a must have every time we go. Also, did you get a chance to check out Branson Landing? Very cool place to walk around the riverfront with the kiddos.
Happy Birthday, Crystal!! Hope you had a wonderful time and it sounds like you did!! I was thrilled to see the email come through about Branson as we will be going there very soon! We just recently agreed that SDC was worth a visit with our older toddler (3 1/2). I haven’t been to Branson but in my researching this trip, I have been amazed at how much beauty and nature and fun are here… I used to honestly think it was just for old people who liked shows! LOL. But now, at 40, I am one of those “old people” (ok, well sorta) but I still LOVE a Roller Coaster!
Thanks for sharing your pics! Did you eat anywhere in Branson that you just loved?
It’s funny that I read this today, because I was just planning our trip to SDC in December. I grew up going to SDC every summer and Christmas season for the most part. I haven’t been in 11 years and I am so excited to go for Christmas this year. I think SDC is even better at Christmas, all the lights and Christmas spirit really adds a lot to the park. Thank you for sharing how awesome SDC is!!
Silver Dollar City is a lot of fun! If you get a chance, I would suggest going to Sight and Sound Theater also.
Yes! I thought I recognized you when I was standing in line at the Lost River of the Ozarks ride (incidentally it is the only ride I do at SDC and had to beg my son to ride it with me since he didn’t want to get wet!)
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time but rarely, if ever, post. But I’m feeling proud of myself for actually recognizing you 🙂
Aw, I wish you would have come and introduced yourself! That would have been fun! I hope you had a fun time! We rode Lost River twice and didn’t get near as wet on it as we did on The American Plunge!
Happy Birthday!
Silver Dollar City sounds great. I will definitely add it to the list of destinations for our big cross-country road trip in a few years.
We, too, live in SW Missouri, and have had season passes to SDC for the last 10 years. I prefer Disney, as we moved here from central Florida, but SDC is the next best thing, and since it’s so close, it’s an easy 30 minute drive for a day of fun! We try to go at least a couple times a month, and sometimes we even go once a week. It’s great, cheap entertainment.
Happy Birthday Crystal! So glad you enjoy Silver Dollar City, I live near Branson and enjoy it every year! Will be going with friends in a couple of weeks, would have loved to have met you!
We had been to silver dollar city once and LOVED it. I don’t know if it will beat Disney though 😉
I didn’t feel old until the Classic Rock station on the radio started playing music from my high school years. Sorry, Nirvana is not classic rock. Neither is Pearl Jam, nor Soundgarden, nor Stone Temple Pilots. Queen and Led Zepplin, yes.
I’ve never been to Branson but Pigeon Forge, TN is sort of the same type of “happy place” for me. I vacationed there nearly every year with my family, and my husband and I were married there. We are taking our son there for the first time in a few weeks for his third birthday. And being even older than you, I’ll be 40 in January, I remember when Dollywood was Silver Dollar City 🙂
We live in Missouri and go to Branson every other weekend. We went to Pigeon Forge, TN for our vacation this year and we were in shock because it is so much like Branson that it was eerie. I heard it was but I wasn’t prepared for it. The only difference is the mountains on the horizon in Tennessee!
I wish I could hop on a plane right now to take my kids there. I grew up in Missouri and now live in SWFL and I have been back in 20 years I think going to SDC would be a driving force to go back to Missouri. I LOVED going there as a kids. Now as an adult I love the fact that included in all that fun is some education (or at least I hope there still is). The candle shop was my favorite and the needle point shop.
You’re not “so old!” 😉 I’m a few months from 40 and I’m struggling with that. But I’m deciding that I’ll take my age and experience over a smaller number!
So fun! We got season passes to SDC last year and would go down and camp for the weekend and hit the park. It really was fun, and I’m glad we did it. However, we all agreed that it’s not something we’d want to do every year.
As far as theme parks go, though, I so appreciate the positive/family-friendly atmosphere at SDC!
Happy Birthday, Crystal!
I’ve never been there, but we might have to detour there on our way to SD to visit friends. What a fun birthday surrounded by family! I hope this continues to be a wonderful time of growth and joy for you.
Belated birthday wishes from me too, Crystal – hope it’s a good year ahead for you.
I’m feeling a bit deprived since I’ve never heard of Silver Dollar City before. Sounds like fun though and happy belated birthday!
We live only 45 minutes from SDC and love going there. We took our kids to Disney World when they were little but I agree with you Crystal. I like SDC better.
We came back from overseas to visit family and took our two to SDC. Way better than Disney.
I love SDC! Grew up in Northwest Arkansas so we got passes occasionally. I moved away as an adult and my kids were born in VA; we moved to NWA 4 years ago and I was so excited for my kids to experience the delights of SDC like I did. Boy, had the park changed in 15 years! We love our season passes and enjoy the park mostly during school days when it’s not as crowded (we homeschool).
I turned 40 just the other day and my almost 20 year old was giving me the stare down. I said, “why are you looking at me that way?” She says, “I am just looking at what a 40 year old looks like.” :S She’s a goof!
So, I have to ask what is the date of your birthday?
Mine was this weekend too & I’m also 35 now.
We love SDC! We get season passes every year and spend several days throughout the year visiting. Living in Arkansas makes it a fairly short trip.
I have been a couple of times. We are actually going to Branson this weekend and have debated whether its worth the $$. We have 4 kids ages 9-18 and not sure we will get out money’s worth since we really aren’t into the show aspect. Anyone have any advice? Is is worth spending $300+ for 8 hours with 3 teens?
I think you can buy tickets after a certain time in the afternoon and go the next day as well. My family always does this and I feel you get a lot more for your money. I think they do a night parade as well. Something to look into.
If you go on a Thursday this Fall, go to Country Market OR Price Chopper and get tickets for $35 and of course there are the $20 discount ticket for kids. I would definitely combine those two deals so where you and hubby are paying $35 and the kids are paying $20. That is what we are planning to do NEXT week!! I hear its a lot of fun and the pics of rides and their descriptions tell me that the teens should get SOMETHING out of it.
We aren’t much into the shows either (whether in SDC or Branson itself) but there are actually some really cool things in Branson to do other than SDC and shows as I have researched. I hear Butterfly Palace is cool. And Table Rock State Park has neat trails. Don’t let Branson’s “long list of shows fool you… there are more than shows to do there! Have FUN! We hope to!
Happy birthday!!!! Enjoy being 35!
Happy birthday, Crystal! What a great way to celebrate!
I have never been to Silver Dollar City. Honestly, this west coast gal has not even heard of it. But I think I can relate. We just took the kids to Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho for the first time. It was adorable! We screamed, ate, walked. It was great! If my extended family had been there, and if it had been a childhood memory, I can totally see that being an all-time favorite.
BTW, I am 46. My kids are in high school. Now that their childhood is almost over, I don’t regret a single trip or fun moment we had. The memories are precious!
I am actually from the Kansas City area and yet have never been to SDC! I would love to go with my family though…especially during their $20 child ticket promotion and would appreciate any insider tips/can’t-miss shows & activities and favorite food stops in the park. Thanks!!
We live by SDC and just came back from there today! We have season passes so can go as often as we like. The cinnamon rolls by the entrance are wonderful!
Hey Mandy! we will be traveling there with our 3 year old and will be taking advantage of their Thursday Discount!! So excited!! Do you have some recommendations for other stuff? I have researched the area and there is much to do but not a lot of time so if you had some “must do” there, Id love to hear.. also regarding SDC, what were your favorites at SDC?
Lastly, you think the Fall color will be there soon?
Hey Tara,
I have a 3 year old so can relate well to that type of traveling! There are a lot of fun things to do depending on what price range you are wanting to be in. Promised Land zoo and Butterfly Palace are both fun but somewhat pricey. I like to do fun and frugal so I recommend the fish hatchery (my girls always think this is fun and it’s free unless you want to buy some inexpensive food and watch the fish jump for it…pretty neat to see!), Stockstill park is awesome and is usually not too crowded (plenty of play structures and tables for picnics, also has a creek running by it to dip your toes in), the Landing is another great option. There are multiple things to do here including a small play area, neat shops and good food (full service restaurants to snacks and gourmet ice cream). The highlight at the Landing is the fountain show which is choreographed to music and very neat, especially at night. There are nice sidewalks along the lake that provide a nice place to stroll.
There are numerous places to mini golf, ride go carts and play arcade games throughout Branson. At SDC, fireman’s landing is the new kids area and my 3 year old is tall enough to ride most things there. There is a carousel over by the train and a sand area just beyond that. The food is pretty big for portions so we can usually share. If they have the caramel apple dumplings, I recommend those!
The fall colors have not arrived much yet and will probably start showing up in a few more weeks. Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!!
We just live in Springfield so we go to SDC at least once a month(passes every year).
Happy birthday!
We are considering relocating to Springfield from Louisiana. May I ask how you like living there?
happy birthday I am happy you had a lovely vacation with your family
Oh, so homesick! We lived in Missouri for six years – two at Fort Leonard Wood, and four in Springfield. My kids absolutely LOVE Silver Dollar City. Yep, it is the best place on earth. I like it way better than Disney!!!
Oh, how I miss Branson!
We have a yearly tradition of going to Lake of the Ozarks for Thanksgiving, and even though we live 10 hours away, we still drive there every year. It is our sacred space, and our children look forward to it!
Another favorite place is Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It is a little farther south of Branson (not too far), but super fun, too!
Sounds like a great way to spend your birthday! I grew up going to silver dollar city and those were absolutely some of the funniest family trips! There are so many things to do in that area. I haven’t been in years but I have been wanting to go back!
Happy Birthday to you! Yes, we have enjoyed going to SDC with my parents who retired to and lived in Hot Springs Village, Ark for 30 years. My husband and I were able to visit them with our daughter and son many times! They had great fun! I agree that the family friendly atmosphere and historic aspects of the park are special. We enjoyed the Ozarks and the people there, too. Did you ever visit the Hot Springs National Park and enjoy the mineral baths and a massage? You would like that as well. Great place to relax! 🙂
Happy Birthday to you! Yes, we have enjoyed going to SDC with my parents who retired to and lived in Hot Springs Village, Ark for 30 years. My husband and I were able to visit them with our daughter and son many times! They had great fun! I agree that the family friendly atmosphere and historic aspects of the park are special. We enjoyed the Ozarks and the people there, too. Did you ever visit the Hot Springs National Park and enjoy the mineral baths and a massage? You would like that as well. Great place to relax! 🙂
I hope you had an incredible birthday! I’m so glad you guys got a chance to get away. How wonderful.
My sister and I took our kids to Silver Dollar City this weekend too! We have season passes and this was the first time my 2 year old daughter was old enough to ride more of the rides. She just barely made the 36″ mark!!! We love going to SDC. Happy Birthday!
I grew up going to SDC and still love it. When I smell fresh asphalt…I’m instantly at SDC in my mind since that smell is always there. I have to weigh in…I was at SDC last fall about this time and again in May and always have a great time. However, we were at Disney a few weeks ago and I have to say, while SDC is awesome and lots of fun rides and the food is SO good. I love Disney just a bit more. The parades, characters and fireworks are just SO fun and amazing that it surpasses SDC a bit. However, the cost surpasses SDC by a TON!!
The same of asphalt brings up memories of SDC for me too! As does the sound of bluegrass music…
Definitely one of my favorite places ever!
Happy birthday! I’ll be 35 next year. I’ve never been to SDC but have heard it’s fun.
Happy Birthday, Crystal!!!!!!!!! We grew up growing to SDC as well and there is nothing like the Ozarks in the fall! My little guy is just 3, but we plan to take him when he gets a little older and can more appreciate it.