Author: ridesparky

The Downtown Branson Adoration Scene has remained much the same since its inception in the late 1940s (pictured circa 1959, source: Missouri State Archives) Branson turns into a Christmas wonderland at the beginning of each November, but if you ask a local, you’ll find the Christmas season officially begins on the first Sunday of December every year. That's when Branson holds it's Adoration Parade and annual Adoration Scene lighting, an event that is unapologetically non-commercial and designed to remind participants of the Christian roots of Christmas. It's a unique experience that is at the heart of the Christmas season and shows the emphasis on faith and community in Branson. A 28-foot-tall nativity scene sits high on a bluff opposite Downtown Branson. Branson businessmen Joe Todd and Steve Miller designed the…

The Christmas season (and holiday shopping) are in full swing, and there's no better place to shop than Downtown Branson! The best shopping, and most options too, are in the downtown district, which includes dozens of unique shops in Historic Downtown Branson and more than 100 stores at Branson Landing. In addition to finding those great Black Friday deals, be sure to support independent small retailers on Small Business Saturday. You'll find everything on your list and more. And the free Sparky Trolleys are running each day to help you get around and carry those shopping bags. Christmas shopping is easier when you park the car and ride Sparky, the free downtown trolley. The comfortable trolleys operate all day long throughout downtown, and did we mention that it’s free? This Black…

Nothing takes you back to "Christmases long, long ago" like a classic holiday movie, and the Historic Owen Theatre will be showing three of the best-loved Christmas films in December, free to the public. The FREE Monday Night Christmas Favorites include: 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 2023It's a Wonderful Life (1946)Featuring James Stewart and Donna Reed 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 2023Holiday Inn (1942)Featuring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire 7 p.m. Dec. 18, 2023White Christmas (1954)Featuring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney The Historic Downtown Branson Community Improvement District, which operates the RideSparky Trolleys, is pleased to partner with the Branson Regional Arts Council to offer these movie screenings to the public. No reservations are required, and seating is first-come, first-seated. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is at 7…

The Ozarks has a rich history of proudly celebrating its active and retired military members! The lineup of Veterans Week events, lovingly dubbed Veterans Homecoming Week, for 2023 is definitely a perfect example of how Branson truly feels about its heroes. Here is a lineup of great ways to appreciate our service men and women in Branson, including the region's longest-running annual Veterans Day Parade, which is held in Historic Downtown Branson on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Nov. 5-10th Veterans Village — Ballparks of America, Buildings 2 & 3, 1000 Pat Nash Dr., Branson. Day room is open 9am-4pm daily, and Mess Hall lunch is free to Veterans, $10 for guests, daily 11:30 AM -1:30 PM. Nov. 5-11th America's Wall of Honor — During Branson Veterans Week, America's Wall…

The 17th Annual Safe Street Trick or Treating on the Landing is back again on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023 from 5-7 p.m.!  Finish up those costumes and gather all the ghouls, monsters, Wednesdays and Barbies and get ready! The fun starts on October 31st at 5 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m.! Look for the orange pumpkin in the windows of participating businesses. The teal pumpkin designates participating stores with allergy-safe treats or gifts! Come a little early, and Sparky the Trolley can take you to the north or south ends of the Landing until 6 p.m., just in time to help avoid parking traffic and hunt down all the sweets on the Branson Landing Promenade. Note: Trolleys don't run after 6 p.m., so you may need to walk back to your parking location if you're not parked at Branson Landing. So grab your bags and pumpkins and get ready for some sweet treats! Happy Haunting!

Just driving around the Branson area during Fall gives you great views of colorful foliage set against the Ozark Mountains. However, we recommend getting out and visiting a park or taking a walking tour to really get the full experience. The cool mornings and mild fall days are great times to enjoy scenic walking, jogging and hiking around! North Beach Park It's hard to beat North Beach Park on the northern end of the Branson Landing for serene natural beauty. It's easily accessed from the parking lot, and there's several majestic oak trees towering over the park, providing shade and colorful leaves. Several of these trees are more than two centuries old! Plus you'll have direct access to Lake Taneycomo, picnic tables, park benches and more. The park is one…

Oh magical coffee! No matter how you like yours, it's important to know where you can get a good cup where ever you go. When visiting Downtown Branson, here are some amazing options for your morning cup (and your afternoon cup)! Cup 'o Joe Before discussing the more artisanal coffees available, we need to mention that if you're looking for a good 'ole hot mug of brewed coffee, there's not better option around than downtown's homestyle cafes: The Branson Cafe and the Farmhouse Restaurant on Main Street, and Clocker's Cafe on Commercial Street. They keeps the mugs topped off and hot! Commercial Street Coffee Located in the back of a vintage and antique furniture store, grabbing your handcrafted coffee at Commercial Street Coffee is definitely an experience! It's located at…

Branson Landing's Boardwalk and the downtown trail system are ideal for your morning run Branson is mountainous/hilly pretty much everywhere you go, but along the shores of Lake Taneycomo in downtown, things are relatively flat. That's why so many locals and visitors head to the Branson Landing Boardwalk and connected trails as a preferred place for a jog. Here's a few great ways to enjoy a jog in Downtown. There and back Park in the north Branson Landing parking lot near North Beach park. From there, head south along the Branson Landing Boardwalk, and continue south along the southern parking lot until you get to the Lake Taneycomo bridges and Lakeside RV Park. Take in the amazing views, and then head back. It's a roughly 1.5 mile round-trip and should…

The turning leaves, the wealth of activities... and the great spots to stop and just be together... make Downtown Branson the perfect place for your next couple's trip or weekend! Lakefront Fall Foliage Surrounded by water on three sides, the peninsula that is home to Downtown Branson is perfect for nature lovers. The area's parks are home to some of the region's oldest hardwood trees (see North Beach Park), and Lake Taneycomo and Roark Creek offer great waterfront locations for walking, picnics and just hanging out on a park bench. Downtown Lodging You can choose to stay directly on the lakefront at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, or aross the street is the upscale Hilton Convention Center Hotel. The Hilton Branson Convention Center is a high-rise hotel with four-star…

The 50th Autumn Daze Arts, Crafts, and Music Festival will take place on Sept. 14, 15, and 16, 2023, featuring more than 100 vendors. Artisanal Fun Historic Downtown Branson is celebrating 50 years of its Autumn Daze Arts, Crafts & Music Festival. Over 100 vendors with handmade jewelry, woodwork, soaps, canvas prints, clothing and more will be on site. Local food trucks selling chili dogs, funnel cakes, snow cones and lemonade will help satisfy visitors' hunger. Branson entertainers will be performing throughout the entire three-day festival. Changes to Sparky’s Route: Stop #7 at Awberry Parking Lot on Sparky the Trolley’s route will be unavailable during the festival. You can still hop on and off at Stops #2,  # 3 (Convention Center), #5 (across from Dick’s 5 & 10), and #6…