Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri is for everyone! Silver Dollar City is a theme park set in the 1880s. My friend Danyelle of The Cubicle Chick sums it up well, “It’s like Six Flags but is more centered on giving you a nostalgic experience. And yes, The Chicklet (her daughter) loves it!” The entire family will delight in watching crafters use historic tools to create works of art and delicious food right before your eyes. Stop at the blacksmith, glassblower, wood carver, broom maker and other crafters to watch skilled artisans create everything from wrought iron fences to marbles and baseball bats. Beyond crafts, Silver Dollar City also provides shows and live entertainment. Silver Dollar City offered my family tickets during WorldFest, as they were Celebrating America! It was a wonderful experience. The notion that Silver Dollar City is boring is nonsense. Here’s a Silver Dollar City Travel Guide for all ages!

Rides

Roller coasters, water rides, kid rides and theme rides… there are over 30 rides to explore!

For kids, the Grand Exposition featuring 10 family rides cannot be missed. The Royal Tea Party is a classic tea cup ride. Children’s roller coaster, spinning rides in the form of elephants, insects and frogs are just a few of the options.

For family, Fire-in-the-Hole (36 inch min. to ride) is an indoor coaster where riders experience mysterious sounds and mischievous deeds of the Baldknobbers who have set the town ablaze. The Flooded Mine (all ages/ heights may ride, 48 inch min. to ride without an adult) is a boat ride through a flooding prison mine where prisoners are trying to escape – ore carts carry you through the flooded mine shafts, past jack hammers, pump stations, mine explosions and even sleeping guards as riders use pistols to aim at targets along the way, competing for high scores with their fellow passengers. (Warning: your hands will get tired of shootin’, but it is well-worth the fun that will be had.) The Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train (all ages and accessible) is a real locomotive ride with a train robbery show along the way. These are just a few of the favorite attractions. In the heat of summer, cool off with a water ride. The American Plunge is a classic flume ride plummeting from five stories at 35 miles per hour. Lost River of the Ozarks is a six passenger white water rapids ride, where you will get wet! This ride is a game for my family on who NOT get as wet as the others. 😉For adults who don’t have small kids in tow, the world famous, award-winning wood coaster Outlaw Run (48 inches min. to ride) tops the must-ride bucket list, as it drop you a hair-raisin’ 162 feet almost straight down — 81° to be exact. PowderKeg (42 inch min. to ride), uses an air-launch from 0 to 53 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds and sends passengers on ride with hills including a 110-foot drop and speeds up to 64 miles per hour. WildFire (52 inch min. to ride) travels up to 66mph with multiple loops, hills and incredible views of the Ozark Mountains.

Edutainment

Silver Dollar City offers a little education with their fun-filled experience at the theme park. Marvel Cave is a great place to cool off in the summer, and the kids learn a lot while enjoying amazing views of a spectacular cave. The Cave Tour does require a LOT of stair climbing (almost 600 stairs to be exact), so it is only for the physically fit (no strollers). Tours depart approximately every half hour, weather permitting. Marvel Cave is a wet limestone cave, with many features including the Cathedral Room, the largest cave entrance room in the United States. The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes, with most of that time spent climbing nearly 600 stairs. A trained cave guide leads each group sharing information of historical or geographical importance.Each shop at Silver Dollar City is special… they do not simply sell souvenirs (though there is plenty of that), but the park features the talent of crafters and artists who specialize in forgotten arts. Blacksmithing, broom making, candle dipping, glass blowing, candy making, ice cream making, wood working, leather working & more are just a few of the crafts you may see demonstrated at shops throughout the park. Make a point to visit shops and watch demonstrations on your visit! This was one of my son’s favorite parts of the park.

Shows

Silver Dollar City offers numerous shows, and they change throughout the season with special shows for the festivals throughout the year. Country Music, International Bands, Bluegrass, Children’s Shows, Holiday Shows, Comedy, Magicians, short plays & more are offered. Be sure to check the show schedule when you visit the park. On busy days, you should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to show time to see a show.

Food

Silver Dollar City’s food is delicious with home cooked options at many vendors. My family’s favorite is Buckshot’s Skillet Cookery. Who doesn’t love succotash and harvest field vegetables?! Wash it down with some Frozen Lemonade in various flavors. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, make a stop at Berries and Cream for some fresh strawberries pilled on top of ice cream. However, you may also pack a picnic and bring your own food (we especially appreciate this with children who may not want to wait in line or desire smaller portions).

Silver Dollar City Travel Guide Tips

• Bring bottled water, snacks and consider bringing a picnic.
• Set a budget. You can spend as little or as much as you like. If you bring your own camera for pictures, pack a picnic and limit souvenir purchases (the $1.99 dipped candles are our top pick), you can still have a great time with rides, shows, demonstrations, etc. Plan according to your family budget and know that souvenirs and food are typical amusement park prices and plan accordingly.
• Measure your children before the trip and determine which rides they will be able to enjoy.
• Bring a camera.
• Dress comfortably for a day at an amusement park. Wear comfortable shoes. In the summer, plan for water rides. In the winter, plan to be outside in the cold.
• Don’t forget to put on or bring your sunscreen!
• Watch where you’re going…. Silver Dollar City’s ambience is in the details. Read signs, check out landmarks, stop in shops and ask questions, watch for street performances, sample foods you have never enjoyed before and keep an eye out for unusual things – it’s all part of the fun!

I hope this Silver Dollar City Travel Guide proves to be helpful for your next trip. I highly encourage you to bring your family and friends there!