Winter means it is off season in Branson, Missouri. Just like the off season in most popular vacation destinations, things are a little slower and a lot less hectic than the busy summer season. Yet the off season in Branson still offers plenty of excitement for the entire family. And you can still enjoy a unique and fun-filled Branson experience.

Many of Branson’s famed live shows are closed during January and most stay closed through February, yet you’ll still find a variety of great shows to choose from, including the Grand Jubilee, the Hughes Brothers and others.

And while the Ozarks biggest attraction, Silver Dollar City theme park, is closed til March 15, 2012, the Branson area remains filled with year round options such as Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum, the Castle of Chaos and Hollywood Wax Museum. 2012 is also a big year for the Titanic Museum attraction as it honors the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the legendary ship. The museum will host a number of special events throughout the year.

Even in the winter, Branson offers plenty of opportunity to get outside. On February 4-5, 2012, visitors can enjoy the National Ice Carving Association’s U.S. Nationals. And you can also test your skills fishing for trout on Lake Taneycomo or bass on Table Rock Lake. Or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Branson Landing Boardwalk.

Any season is shopping season in Branson. From the Tanger Outlets and Branson Landing to a wide range of boutique and specialty shops, Branson offers an unparalleled shopping experience and great values, year round.

Off season also means fewer people and a lot less traffic around Branson and the surrounding Ozark Mountains. Plus you can take advantage of off season value and savings at area accommodations such as Westgate Branson Woods Resort. For discount Branson vacation packages and tickets, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

The term “white Christmas” takes on a whole new meaning in Branson. In a town filled with Christmas celebrations, the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure presents one of the most unique attractions in the Ozark Mountains.

Now in its fifth year, “White Flight” features thousands of white butterflies representing about 20 different species of tropical white butterflies, including the most common - the Paper Kite Butterfly. The exhibit runs through January 15, 2012.

In addition to thousands of beautiful butterflies floating through a rain forest sparkling with holiday lights, the exhibit features living angel statues and the sounds of delightful holiday music.

The butterflies in the exhibit are shipped by air express in their chrysalis (cocoon) stage from tropical rain forests. They are released into the exhibit after emerging from the cocoon. The butterflies are then able to live out their average three-week life span in a predator-free, rain forest environment.

The exhibit also includes a 15-minute movie documenting the rain forest butterfly.

The aviary is filled with poinsettias and flowers and includes a large poinsettia Christmas tree.

If you can’t visit the exhibit during “White Flight,” the rainforest remains filled with butterflies throughout the year, featuring 50-60 species of brightly colored butterflies.

For discount Branson attraction tickets and details regarding discount Branson vacation packages, including resort accommodations, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Branson is known for its Christmas celebrations. From bright lights and nativity scenes to dozens of holiday-themed live shows, Branson remains a festive and active destination throughout the Christmas season.

The “live entertainment capital of the world” lives up to its nickname right through to the end of the year as many shows will not conclude their 2011 season until December 31.

According to the Branson Tourism Cente, the following popular Branson shows will continue performing throughout the dates listed below.  For more information regarding Branson family discount vacation packages and discount show tickets, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

December 23

A Country Legacy - Fountains of Country

December 28

Baldknobbers Jamboree Show

December 29

Breakfast With Mark Twain
Elvis and the Super Stars
New South Gospel

December 30

Absolutely Patsy
A Christmas Snow
Branson Country USA
Joseph Hall Elvis Rock N Remember Tribute
Ozark Murder Mysteries
The Lennon Morning Show
Red, Hot & Blue
Showboat Branson Belle
Todd Oliver & Friends

December 31

Acrobats of China
Amazing Pets
Christmas on the Trail
Circle B Supper Show
Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express
Comedy Hypnosis Dinner Show
Comedy Jamboree
Dixie Stampede
Doug Gabriel
Grand Jubilee
Hamner Barber Variety Show
Hank Williams Revisited
Haygoods
IMAX Theatre
Jim Stafford
Jukebox Journey
Kirby VanBurch
Legends in Concert
Miracle of Christmas
Pierce Arrow
The Lennon Morning Show
The Rat Pack - Live & Swingin’

One of the most popular attractions in Branson is taking an area Duck Tour. Adults and children alike are sure to enjoy a Ride the Ducks tour aboard an amphibious vehicle.

You’ll tour Branson by land, then splash right into the lake aboard the very same vehicle to enjoy a waterfront view. Along the way, your Duck captain will entertain with stories of past and present, offer information about Branson history and the Ozark Mountains, discuss Branson’s famous personalities and more.

Throughout October, Branson’s Ducks go boo! Nighttime tour guests can expect tricks from their captain while taking a special trip through a haunted forest. Keep your eyes out for ghosts, bats, spiders and other creepy creatures during this spooktacular special Duck tour.

For more information on all of Branson’s shows and attractions as well as discount resort accommodations at Westgate Branson Woods, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

With theme parks like White Water and Silver Dollar City, more than 100 live shows and performances, plus outdoor recreation, shopping and dining, you’ll always find plenty of excitement in Branson, Missouri.

Yet the city is gearing up for an even more exciting 2012 as Branson gets ready to celebrate its centennial. Branson was incorporated on April 1, 1912 and plans are already in place for an extended Centennial celebration. The year-long celebration will “educate, celebrate and honor 100 years of Branson” by telling Branson’s story and its dedication to heritage, harmony and hospitality.

Branson’s unique heritage will be displayed with a special history museum. Harmony will be expressed in a live tribute show and hospitality will continue to be the cornerstone of Branson’s entire community.

While most of the Centennial celebration activities have yet to be announced, the city remains ready to greet visitors with open arms.

For information on discount Branson show and theme park tickets or discount Branson resort accommodations, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Branson’s Silver Dollar City theme park, with its 1880’s craft village, takes visitors back in time to experience a simpler way of life. And the home of American craftsmanship welcomes even more exquisite arts and crafts during its annual National Harvest Festival, running now through Oct. 29, 2011.

The park welcomes hundreds of visiting craftsmen during the National Harvest Festival. Guests are invited to experience an all new Timberworks lumberjack show, delight to chalk street artists and watch as craftsmen turn wood into an art showcase.

You’ll also enjoy a 50-ton sand sculpture, chainsaw carvers, papermaking demonstrations, pumpkin carvers and much more including a Made in Missouri Juried art exhibit.

Another highlight of the Festival is the show, Headin’ West at the Opera House stage. The 45-minute live musical production tells a timeless tale of American expansion westward during the 1860s. The show includes colorful characters, harrowing adventures, a moving musical score, special effects and more. The theme park’s biggest production show ever is included with park admission.

For additional information on Silver Dollar City and discount theme park tickets, as well as discount Branson vacation packages, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Fall is in the air and it won’t be long before autumn’s spectacular colors burst out amidst the Ozarks foliage in and around Branson.

While Branson is known for its multitude of live shows and performances, the colorful foliage offers up one of nature’s greatest shows. Wherever you are in the greater Branson area, you’re sure to witness the show in its full magnificent glory.

One of the best ways to catch the autumn hues is by simply driving around the Branson area. One scenic drive that offers exceptional views is to take the Ozarks Mountain Highroad (State Hwy 465) from its junction with Hwy 65 to its end at Hwy. 76.  You’ll travel over Table Rock Dam and experience beautiful vistas and millions of leaves in virtually every stage of color, vibrancy and hue.

Another scenic panorama during fall color season is The Overlook on Hwy 165. From there, you can see Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock Dam, along with all the surrounding foliage.

If you prefer, you can also experience one of Branson’s many tourist attractions while viewing the fall colors.  Hop aboard the Showboat Branson Belle riverboat on Table Rock Lake or the Lake Queen on Lake Taneycomo. Either boat ride offers up a 360-degree view of the spectacular colors.

Another option is the Branson Scenic Railway, a vintage train that offers railroad cars from the ‘40s and ‘50s. You’ll experience memories of a bygone era while viewing the colors during a special trip through the Ozarks.

If you prefer a little more excitement with your color tour, try out the Wildfire roller coaster at Silver Dollar City theme park. You’ll view the colors from above as your coaster car climbs high in the sky before dropping down 135 feet and looping upside down five times.

For more information on Branson attraction tickets and discount vacation packages, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Fall is in the air in Branson. As the calendar rolls over to September, it won’t be long before the Ozark Mountain leaves start their annual autumn transition from lush green to vibrant red, yellow and orange.

It’s also a great time to visit Branson’s most popular attraction - Silver Dollar City theme park. The internationally-awarded 1880’s-styled park has been thrilling guests for 50 years. Nestled in the heart of those same colorful Ozarks, Silver Dollar City features more than 30 rides and attractions, six world-class festivals, 12 delicious restaurants, 40 lives shows per day and 60 unique shops and boutiques.

Get your thrills on high speed coasters like the explosive launch coaster, PowderKeg. Experience the watery excitement of America’s Biggest Water Battle on RiverBlast. Or let the younger kids explore Half Dollar Holler, a million dollar play area for the little ones.

Of course, the entire family will also enjoy the exceptional American craftsmanship that can be found throughout the park. More than 100 craftsmen demonstrate the arts of woodcarving, glass blowing, pottery, blacksmithing and more.

For discount tickets to Silver Dollar City or for details on a discount Branson family vacation package, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Branson’s Ozark Mountains have long resonated with beautiful Southern gospel music. The vibrant music can be heard from county fairs and country churches to grand stages and family backyards. Yet the best is saved for the amazing Southern Gospel Picnic, a celebration of music and food at Silver Dollar City theme park.

The Southern Gospel Picnic runs from August 25 through Sept. 5, 2011. This year’s festival features hundreds of performances from the most famous names in southern gospel music.

Of course, as the name implies, the Picnic is also a delicious feast, with savory southern cooking at The House of Chicken & Fixin’s on the City’s square! You’ll find a variety of styles of chicken, all the extras. Choose from Apple-Glazed Chicken, Hickory-Smoked Chicken or Southern Fried Chicken.

You can also learn new recipes at Silver Dollar City’s Culinary & Craft School where a Master Craftsman of Culinary Arts demonstrates favorite recipes and cooking tips and tricks in a state-of-the-art kitchen. A small fee applies for all classes.

Each day, you can enjoy a special musical celebration filled with great gospel harmonies and soul-stirring melodies from a variety of artists:

HisSong - August 25

The Pfeifers - August 25

Blackwood Brothers Quartet - August 25 - 26

Chuck Wagon Gang - August 25 - 26

Soul’d Out Quartet - August 25 - 26

Tribute Quartet - August 25 - 27

The Harper Family - August 25 - 28

Booth Brothers - August 26

Albert E Brumley Jr. - August 26 - 27

The Browders - August 27

Legacy Five - August 27

The Freemans - August 27 - 28

Gold City - August 27 - 28

Hosea Bilyeu & Family - August 28

Brian Free & Assurance - August 28 - 29

Tim Lovelace - August 28 - 29

The Whisnants - August 28 - 29

Bowling Family - August 29 - 30

The Perrys - August 29 - 30

2nd Generation - August 29 - September 1

The Downing Family - August 29 - September 1

Dixie Echoes - August 29 - September 2

The Hoppers - August 30 - 31

New Horizons - August 31

The Lesters - August 30 - September 1

Mark Trammell Quartet - August 31 - September 1

Reggie & Bridgette Saddler - August 31 - September 1

Down East Boys - September 1 - 2

Karen Peck & New River - September 1 - 2

The Williamsons - September 1 - 3

The Collingsworth Family - September 2 - 3

The Morace Family - September 2 - 3

Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain RR - September 2 - 5

Spoken 4 Quartet - September 2 - 5

Dr. Dennis Swanberg - September 3 - 4

Triumphant Quartet - September 3 - 4

The Diplomats - September 3 - 5

Jeff & Sheri Easter - September 4

Ninth Hour - September 4 - 5

The Isaacs - September 5

The Petersen Family - September 5

Southern Sound - September 5

The Taylors - September 5

In addition to the daytime music, the Southern Gospel Picnic offers up a rousing evening of music, as well, with the Southern Gospel Nights concert series at park closing. Top artists perform at Silver Dollar City’s 4,000-seat Echo Hollow Amphitheater. Concerts begin at 6 pm each evening during the festival, 7 pm on September 4 & 5. Seating in Echo Hollow Amphitheatre begins two hours prior to show time, weather permitting. Southern Gospel Nights performers include:

Blackwood Brothers Quartet and Chuck Wagon Gang - August 25

Booth Brothers - August 26

Gold City - August 27

Brian Free & Assurance and The Whisnants - August 28

The Bowling Family and The Perrys - August 29

The Hoppers - August 30

Mark Trammell Quartet and Reggie & Bridgette Saddler - August 31

Down East Boys and Karen Peck & New River - September 1

The Collingsworth Family - September 2

Triumphant Quartet - September 3

Jeff & Sheri Easter - September 4

The Isaacs - September 5

Kids will feel right at home in Branson, Missouri.

Known for its family friendly hospitality, Branson has a wide variety of kid-friendly attractions the entire family will enjoy.

You can choose from theme parks and water parks to exceptional magic and variety shows. In fact, Branson has enough kid stuff to keep the little ones happily occupied for days. 

Branson offers two popular indoor water parks in Castle Rock and Grand Country’s Splash Country. Meanwhile, White Water, the area’s largest and only outdoor water park, provides a variety of water adventures that run from thrilling water slides to a relaxing, lazy river.

Branson’s most famous attraction, Silver Dollar City, is a theme park for kids of all ages. With an 1880’s Ozarks look and feel, Silver Dollar City offers over 30 thrill rides and attractions, 40 daily shows, and 60 quaint shops and restaurants. There are also six special festivals throughout the year including National KidsFest.

When it’s time to feed the kids, everyone will enjoy Dixie Stampede, a family dinner show featuring 32 magnificent horses, trick riders, hilarious racing pigs, a thundering stampede of longhorn steer and a delicious four course feast.

For a little slower pace, try one of Branson’s many miniature golf courses where kids can enjoy themes ranging from pirates to dinosaurs.

The live entertainment capital of the world, Branson is full of family shows, including many that will thrill the kids. Noah the Musical offers animatronics and live animals. Acrobats of China thrill with their amazing feats of grace. The Hamner Barber Show is filled with magic and ventriloquism.

And for the ultimate kid adventure, you can Ride the Ducks! The Branson sightseeing tour provides a land and water trip around town in one amazing vehicle. You’ll tour through the heart of Branson and the Ozarks before splashing into Table Rock Lake for a tranquil cruise.

For additional Branson activities, discount tickets and discount resort accommodations at Westgate Branson Woods Resort, you can visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.