Wednesday, November 28, 2012

City Lights....


One of the highlights of our trip to Branson each Thanksgiving is Silver Dollar City, a theme park that hosts An Old Time Christmas each year that Good Morning America called one of the top 5 holiday events in the country.


We went 2 different afternoons and I only took my camera with me the second day.   I've taken so many photos of this beautiful place already!  I did have to snap a few to see if I could improve on my night-time shooting.  Some are okay, others not so much, so I need to keep practicing!  That means we'll just have to keep going back another year until I get it right!  Right? 


Here is a closer look at the same area as in the photo above.  You can see by the sky that it wasn't quite dark yet.  If you haven't been to this park and plan to go, wear comfortable shoes and expect to walk a lot.  This park covers 61 acres, of course that includes the space for the 30 rides and attractions, 60 shops and restaurants, etc.  Yes, there are lots of shops to entice you to spend money...lots of money.  Some have been known to call it Steal Yer Dollar City...ha!


There are so many food stands/restaurants that sell yummy, good-smelling food that it's certainly not too hard for me to part with my money!   There are funnel cakes, apple dumplings with cinnamon ice cream, potato twists, cheese-filled Italian bread sticks, hot chocolate with various toppings...just to name a few!
I always like the Family Feud bowl and my daughter ate a potato twister on a dog.  The Family Feud is so called, I believe, because the family tries to help you eat it and I don't like to share!  Ha!  This yummy dish is made in a really huge iron skillet over a fire.  Have you ever tried fried pork rinds?  Kettle corn?  
 

  

There are beautiful trees and displays everywhere.  And, Christmas music!!  If you aren't in the Christmas spirit when you came in, you will be when you leave.  Unless you are a real Scrooge!  

 
The old Wilderness Church is small but often used for weddings.  It is close to the old cabin where we enjoy listening to the Homestead Pickers.


I shot this photo just as we were boarding the bus that took us to the parking lot where we parked.  The colors of all the lights are just fabulous in the park and my camera just doesn't do them justice.  

I hope you've enjoyed this short tour of Silver Dollar City.  We had a fabulous and fun time!!  It's a beautiful experience and I wish everyone could visit this place.  The first time you see it, it really is overwhelming and just takes your breath away.   I must warn you that there are lots of people there!  But we easily found places to sit down to rest a bit.  There are picnic tables by some of the food stands and also benches all around the park.  Besides gazing at the beautiful lights, it's almost as fun to just people watch!  We had a wonderful 5 days in Branson, I'll post another day about another favorite place we visited. 

Until next time...

23 comments:

  1. You've done it again, Cheryl! I keep trying to "sell" Branson to my family for a family vacation spot... they keep holding out for the beach. I like the beach... but, you make me want to hit the road to Branson everytime you share about it! ;) Thank you. blessings ~ tanna

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  2. Great night shots!!!

    Beautiful post!!!

    And I just love, love, love your present blog look!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. I can not seem to "rock" the all white blog look. But you do!!!

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  4. Christman light paradise indeed. Beautiful shots. It would be hard to lug a tripod around there. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous shots.

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  5. Oh how beautiful, love all the night light shots......so so festive, thanks for sharing, Francine.

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  6. yes, i did enjoy the trip through the Steal Your dollar city. love that name, and keep practicing, but these look wonderful to me. I love the blue tree and the Rejoice is super duper

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  7. Of all these sights, my very favorite is the REJOICE sign and reflection and the potato on a dog photo. That looks yummy! =D Thanks for the warning about all the people. Wonder if there's an "off" time in Branson as I might do best then.

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  8. they do go all out. love it when the trees are wrapped all the way like that.

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  9. Branson does it right for Christmas! Beautiful pictures Cheryl!!

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  10. Looks like we missed the best part of Branson! We did not go to Silver Dollar City and now I wish that we had. Gorgeous place.
    I just love the lights at Christmas time.
    Shug

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  11. Just last night my husband and I were talking about visiting Branson. He had seen a Groupon and that's what got us talking.
    I was thinking a summer trip would be good, but after seeing your amazingly beautiful photos, I may have to reconsider.

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  12. Loved the shots, but got to say that Family Feud Bowl looks absolutely delicious! I would be tempted to steal it if I were sitting next to you!

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  13. Just looking at these fun pictures puts me in a Christmas Mood. I hope someday to visit Branson. I loved this tour of Siver Dollar city theme park. I would love the food; I am sure of that.
    Blessings for a wonderful week.

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  14. Bet that put you in the Christmas Spirit, didn't it? I'd love to see it--but can't stand the crowds.... SO--glad I can see it through your camera! Thanks!!!

    I love your passion about Branson... It's like our passion to Ocean Isle Beach or to Mt. Nebo. We all have special places that we love, don't we?

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  15. Wowza! Really looks like a fun place to go! I wanna do that some time!

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  16. Lovely shots.
    I will be going to Branson next April for a convention and trade show. Nice to see a little of what to expect.

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  17. Some day I am I AM going to go there. It looks so beautiful and so much fun. sandie

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  18. this is beautiful cheryl!! where exactly is this?? i would love to go!!

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  19. All so pretty! I really like your Rejoice!

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  20. Such fun pictures! It has been too many years since I was at Silver Dollar City and I want to go back.

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  21. You did a beautiful job with the night photos! I love the ones reflected in the water!
    Love Stormy's first Christmas too.

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  22. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures from Branson. We went to Branson one year when we were coming home from OK, but it was not during Christmas. Those lights remind me of when PTL was near Charlotte, NC, and we would go during the Christmas season. It really was beautiful and you could ride through in your car. Thanks for your visit to my blog. I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season.
    Love,
    Marie

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