ridesparky, Author at RideSparky

04Jan 2017 by ridesparky

Parking is Easy in Historic Downtown Branson

[caption id="attachment_171" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Historic Downtown Branson Parking Map[/caption] It's easy to park in Historic Downtown Branson and the Branson Landing with more than 1,800 free parking spots and two convenient paid-parking garages. See the map below for the major parking areas, as well as nearby trolley stops. Here are some of the great options depending on which part of downtown you want to access: Central Main Street (Main & Commercial) [caption id="attachment_195" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Trolley Stop #7 inside the Awberry Parking Lot (behind Dicks 5 & 10)[/caption] In addition to the on-street parking spots through downtown, convenient parking is located at the Awberry Parking Lot, a free, 68-spot lot on Atlantic Street, immediately north of Main Street. This parking lot has public restrooms and for added convenience, Sparky trolley stop #7…

03Jan 2017 by ridesparky

Phase 3 of Downtown Streetscape Project Underway

Downtown Branson

[caption id="attachment_165" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Downtown Branson Streetscape Project, Phase 3[/caption] One of the most visible portions of the multi-million dollar downtown Branson streetscape project has begun, the section focusing on Commercial Street and the intersections of Main Street/Commercial and Atlantic Street/Commercial. The project includes improvements to the district's water lines and drainage sewers. But the most noticeable changes will be improved sidewalks, crosswalks and lighting. This will create better common areas for people to congregate. The timing was very carefully set to coincide with the slowest time of the year for traffic patterns downtown because the project will require closing of sections of Commercial Street at times. Downtown businesses are still accessible via sidewalks and alternate trolley stops, and most businesses will remain open during the winter months. The entire project is…

20Dec 2016 by ridesparky

Free Attractions: Explore Branson’s History at Centennial Museum

Downtown Branson, Shows and Attractions

One of the city's top free attractions is the Branson Centennial Museum, now located at the corner of Commercial and Pacific streets in Historic Downtown Branson. It's easily accessed on the RideSparky trolley system by using Stop #12. The museum opened on April 1, 2012, the 100th anniversary of Branson's incorporation as a city and was originally at the corner of Business Highway 65 (Veterans Boulevard) and Main Street. In 2016, the museum moved to its permanent home in the former Reish Shoe building at 120 S. Commercial. Curated by the White River Valley Historical Society, the museum tells the unique and colorful history of the Branson area and how this small mountain town became one of the top tourism destinations in America. You can see pioneer-era artifacts, autographs of famous musicians…

15Dec 2016 by ridesparky

Downtown Sparkles on the Branson Christmas Tree Trail

Downtown Branson

[caption id="attachment_139" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Tree #33 at Branson Landing[/caption] Branson has always been a wintry wonderland at Christmas time, but this year a new Christmas Tree Trail is giving visitors a way to see the city's many unique decorations. The trees vary in styles from traditional Christmas trees, natural trees with beautiful lighting and trees made out of dancing lights. Of the 35 trees on the Christmas Tree Trail in Branson, 10 of them can be found in Downtown Branson. They are: Tree #1: Branson Centennial Museum 120 S. Commercial St. Tree #3: Branson Petal Pushers 209 W. Pacific St. Tree #4: Central Bank of Branson 400 Hwy 65 (Veterans Boulevard) Tree #6: City of Branson (A) Cox Medical Center Roundabout Tree #7: City of Branson (B) City Hall Front Fountain Tree…

08Dec 2016 by ridesparky

Stay Near the Excitement: Downtown Branson Hotels

Downtown Branson

If you're staying in Branson, staying downtown makes a lot of sense. In addition to being at the center of all the excitement, shopping and dining that downtown offers, you also can leave the car parked and ride the free Sparky trolley to get around. Here's some of the unique lodging options you have near Historic Downtown Branson: The Hiltons of Branson The two largest hotels in downtown Branson are the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing. The high-rise, AAA "Three Diamond" convention center hotel is attached to the 220,000-SF Branson Convention Center and includes its own full-service restaurant, Level 2 Steakhouse. The Hilton Promenade has more of a boutique hotel feel with a variety of suites and room styles. For more information, visit the…

28Nov 2016 by ridesparky

Historic Downtown Branson: One-Stop Christmas Shopping

Dining, Downtown Branson, Shopping

So you're one of those shoppers who likes to stay away from the stampede, instead finding unique or one-of-a-kind gifts that delight your friends and family members. Historic Downtown Branson has everything you're looking for. Unique crafts, handmade gifts, hard to find classic toys and more. Just to help jump-start your list, here are a few unique items you can find in Downtown Branson shops and flea markets. Unique Christmas Decorations A number of stores around Downtown Branson have unique or hand-made ornaments. Some are blown glass, others are fabric. All make wonderful gifts! You can find scented candles and potpourri, advent calendars, beautiful nativities and more. You can also find other inspirational items to decorate the homes of you or your family members. And where else can you find those bubble…

25Nov 2016 by ridesparky

Things To Do in Historic Downtown Branson

Downtown Branson

When Branson was incorporated as a city in 1912, the small settlement on the shores of the White River encompassed practically the entire city. Of course, the town has expanded in the century since then and has become one of America's top tourism destinations. But Historic Downtown Branson has remained a unique district that is full of history, natural beauty and fun attractions. [caption id="attachment_117" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] The old Main Street bridge in Downtown Branson, circa 1940s[/caption] Walking Tour One of the best ways to experience downtown is to take a walking tour. Of course you can stroll at will, but we've put together a mapped walking tour of downtown. The tour starts at the corner of Business U.S. 65 and Main Street and winds through the downtown streets, taking you…

22Nov 2016 by ridesparky

Black Friday 2016 Shopping Made Easy with Branson Trolley

Downtown Branson, Shopping

We're going to let you in on a Branson secret: Black Friday shopping is easier when you park the car and ride Sparky, the free Downtown Branson trolley. The comfortable trolleys operate all day long throughout downtown, and there's room for you and your shopping bags. And did we mention that it's free? Many thousands of people come to Branson each year for Black Friday deals, and the city's highest concentration of shopping in town is in Downtown Branson, which includes the dozens of unique shops in Historic Downtown Branson and more than 100 stores at Branson Landing. The Branson Trolleys don't run on Thanksgiving Day, but begin their routes at 9 a.m. on Black Friday. The trolleys run until 6 p.m. on Friday (See a detailed map of the trolley…

16Nov 2016 by ridesparky

Branson’s Christmas Tradition: The Adoration Scene and Parade

Events

[caption id="attachment_73" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Branson's Adoration Parade[/caption] Date: Dec. 4, 2016 Time: Scene lighting at 5 p.m.; Parade at 6 p.m. Branson's oldest and most cherished Christmas Tradition, now in its 68th year, is the lighting of the city's Adoration Scene and the annual Adoration Parade that follows. The giant nativity scene sits atop Mount Branson, across Lake Taneycomo from Branson Landing and is officially lit for the first time at dusk on Dec. 4. The scene was unveiled in 1949 by businessman Joe Todd and artist Steve Miller, designed in the style of the Christmas cards of the time. Refurbished in 2012, the 28-foot-tall scene remains largely as it has appeared for seven decades. The parade that follows is reminder of the true meaning of the Christmas season. Intentionally non-commercial, the Adoration…

15Nov 2016 by ridesparky

Downtown Steetscape Phase 3 Begins in January

Downtown Branson

[caption id="attachment_79" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Phase 3 Sidewalk and Intersection Upgrades at Main & Commercial Streets[/caption] During the winter and spring months in 2017, crews will be working quickly to complete Phase 3 of the multi-year streetscape project, which improves parking, walkways, signage, lighting and other infrastructure at the center of Historic Downtown Branson. Work begins on Jan. 2 and is expected to be completed by May 9, 2017. Phase 3 work focuses on Commercial Street between Atlantic and Pacific streets, including the intersection of Main and Commercial Streets. Roadways will be closed at times to accommodate the work. To minimize any impact on visitors and traffic patterns, this portion of the project will be broken into 3 sub-phases: Part 1: The intersection at Main and Commercial Streets and the alleyway south of…

Author: ridesparky