Trip Ideas - Page 22 of 23

31Jan 2017 by ridesparky

Shop Local in Downtown Branson and Support Your Neighbors

Dining, Downtown Branson, Shopping, Shows and Attractions

Historic Downtown Branson is full of locally owned businesses, and the district is quickly getting ready for the 2017 tourist season with new streets, new sidewalks and even some new businesses. The winter months are a great time for locals to rediscover downtown and also support your neighbors who work or own businesses in downtown. Even with street construction taking place over the winter and early spring months, all the sidewalks are open and it's still easy to get around downtown. You're never more than a one-block walk from any business in downtown! Come see us! Lots of Parking Even with the Downtown Branson Streetscape project underway in the first months of 2017, there's still plenty of convenient parking along downtown's streets and parking lots. Parking on Main Street The section…

26Jan 2017 by ridesparky

Many Downtown Businesses Open in January and February

Dining, Downtown Branson, Shopping, Shows and Attractions

[caption id="attachment_213" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Construction is proceeding on the new Liberty Plaza in Historic Downtown Branson. The new plaza, entertainment stage, picnic area, trolley stop and restrooms will be completed by early summer 2017.[/caption] The months of January and February in Branson are sometimes referred to as the "off-season," a time when many visitors are busily planning their Spring Break or Summer trips. However, many Downtown Branson shops and restaurants are still open, and these slower months are a great time to browse at your leisure and find great deals! Below is a list of some of the great Historic Downtown businesses that are open in January and February 2017 and ready for your visit: Dining & Restaurants: Branson Cafe (Winter hours: 6 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily) Chick-Fil-A Clockers Cafe (Mon-Thu…

17Jan 2017 by ridesparky

Free Things to Do in Downtown Branson

Downtown Branson, Shows and Attractions

The largest (and we think best) free attraction in Downtown Branson is the Sparky trolley system. But there's also many other free things to do in the area that Sparky can take you to. Here's a list of some popular things to do in Branson's downtown: Branson Landing Fountains The Branson Landing Fountains are one of the top free attractions in the city and a major draw for downtown. Located in the "Town Square" section at the center of Branson Landing and with the picturesque Lake Taneycomo as its backdrop, the $7.5 million fountains shoot water and fire up to 120 feet in the air. Oh, and it's all choreographed to music by Wet Design, the same company that designed fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the Downtown Disney…

09Jan 2017 by ridesparky

The Easy Way to Shop at Branson Landing

Dining, Downtown Branson, Shopping

[caption id="attachment_43" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Trolley Stop #6 at the North End of Branson Landing[/caption] On the eastern edge of Downtown Branson is the popular Branson Landing, a mixed-use shopping center that sits on 1.5 miles of the Lake Taneycomo waterfront. The center has more than 100 specialty stores and restaurants and is home to the $7.5 million Branson Landing Fountains, a unique fire and water show that is synced to music. Smart shoppers can take advantage of the free Sparky trolley system to get to and from Branson Landing, while also exploring the many other great things that downtown has to offer. The trolleys offer front-door drop-off and pick-up at both ends of the Landing. Stop #2 is located in the circular drive outside of Bass Pro Shops on the southern…

06Jan 2017 by ridesparky

Track the Branson Trolley Using Your Phone or Computer

Downtown Branson

Did you know that you can track the Sparky trolleys in real-time using your mobile device or your computer? Each of our three trolleys has a GPS transmitter on-board. That information is uploaded to our tracking system, and the trolleys' positions are superimposed on a map that you can display on your phone. This is especially handy if you're at a trolley stop and wondering when the next trolley will come your way! You can access this information anywhere from this site by using the "Trolley Tracker" link at the top of each page. Here's what you'll see: Updates every minute. Trouble loading this map? Load the Sparky Spotter in Full Screen

04Jan 2017 by ridesparky

Attending a Branson Convention? Let Sparky Be Your Guide

Downtown Branson, Events, Shopping

[caption id="attachment_174" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Trolley Stop #3 outside the Branson Convention Center[/caption] If you're visiting Branson for a convention, a special event or a meeting at the Branson Convention Center or the Hilton hotels, the free downtown trolley can help you easily get around. You can save the cab fare or car rental to get out for shopping, a show and dining by using the convenient trolley stop #3 across Sycamore Street from the convention center front entrance. From here, you can easily travel to the historic section of downtown, where you can find unique shops, theatres and restaurants. You can also easily access the north and south ends of Branson Landing, which includes many more stores and restaurants, as well as the popular Branson Landing Fountains. See our How…

04Jan 2017 by ridesparky

Parking is Easy in Historic Downtown Branson

Downtown Branson, Events

[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…