At the end of June, my husband and I took a trip to Branson, MO for a few days to celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary. We had a great time! We stayed in a cabin in the woods and really felt like we were stepping back in time. Especially the first day, when we visited Silver Dollar City.
If you’ve never been to Silver Dollar City, I recommend it. Especially if you love the idea of exploring life in the 1800’s. I had never been, but when I heard that there was a theme park celebrating 19th century pioneer life, I knew I had to visit. We weren’t able to do everything on my list in one day, but we squeezed in as many things as possible.
We rode a few rollercoasters, including the steampunk-inspired Time Traveler. Wes and I had our picture made to commemorate the event.
But even better than the rides were the historic buildings available to explore. We started at the Wilderness Church, an authentic log structure, orignally built near a local creek, that was dismantled log by log, and lovingly rebuilt in its current location. Not only could we go inside and explore, but several times a day, they had old-fashioned hymn sing-alongs! I adore hymns, so Wes and I made a point to join one of the sing-alongs and enjoyed worshipping with other park attendees.
Next to the church was McHaffies Homestead. A real, hewn-log cabin built in 1843 by the pioneering Levi Casey family, it was home to the McHaffie family before it was reassembled and preserved at Silver Dollar City in 1960. Most historic buildings are “look but don’t touch,” but this one was open for exploration. I loved that! I decided to fix my hubby a little snack while we were there.
After some actual lunch, we headed to the local saloon for some entertainment. The bar served sodas and rootbear floats, but Wes and I headed to the balcony to watch the show from there.
After spending over 8 hours in the Missouri heat and humidity, we decided to unwind in a shaded area full of good old country rocking chairs. Most of the other guests had cleared out of this section of the park by this time, so we enjoyed the quiet along with some end of day treats. We found a shop that sold our two favroites desserts – Cakes & Cones. Wes loves funnel cake, and I’m an ice cream girl. Such a sweet way to end the day.
On the way out of the park, we spotted a giant-sized triangle peg game. My son and daughter-in-law always play this game whenever we go to Cracker Barrel. So in their honor, we grabbed a quick picture.
They have working craftsmen who demonstrate trades from eras past as well, like blacksmiths, candymakers, glassblowers, and soapmakers. I wish I’d had time to watch them work. We also weren’t able to find time for the train ride or exploring the cave the the theme park is built over. I guess we’ll just have to go back for another visit!
Have you ever visited Silver Dollar City?
If so, what is your favorite thing to do there?
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
I’m more of a national park kind of person. Glad you both had a great time.
I love national parks, Kim. Especially the forests and mountains. I love getting out in nature, especially if there aren’t many people around. 🙂
I haven’t been to Silver Dollar City, but I went to Dollywood when it was in its first year.
Dollywood was born out of a sister Silver Dollar property. They offered Dolly a deal to convert the property from the western theme to a Dolly theme, but it still had some of the western look then.
I’ve also been to Tweetsie RR in NC, which had a mix of western and Appalachian.
And, I’ve been to Knott’s Berry Farm which had a California western theme, real stagecoach rides, and nods to Indigenous People when I was there.
Great mentions, Denise! I visited Knott’s Berry Farm when I was a little girl, but I don’t remember much about it. I think I may need to go back. 🙂 I’ve never been to Dollywood, but it sounds fun. I’ve never even heard of Tweetsie RR, but I love the idea of a place with a western/Appalacha mix. 🙂
I haven’t been to Silver Dollar City in years, even though It’s less than two hours from where I live. I always enjoy the crafts and historic stuff – but not the roller coasters Glad you had fun.
I think if I lived closer, I would invest in a season pass. That way I wouldn’t feel so compelled to try to cram everything into a single visit. Glad I could help bring back some memories for you, Tracy. 🙂
I love how you and Wes always have fun together, Karen! Silver Dollar City has been on my bucket list for years. Super fun to have an inside glimpse of the place!
It comes in handy being married to my best friend. 🙂 I hope you get the chance to visit one of these days, Pam. I bet you would love it. 🙂
I’ve never been to Branson, although my husband is from Missouri. We keep talking about going there, but so far, the trip has remained on the back burner.
This was my second trip to Branson, and I really enjoyed it. Even better than Silver Dollar City was going to see Esther at the Sight & Sound Theater. Best show I’ve ever seen! Absolutely stunning! If you ever make it to Branson, be sure to check out Sight & Sound.
I have never been to Silver Dollar City, but it sounds like a great place to visit.
It was a lot of fun, Bonnie. All of the staff dress in period clothing, too. It’s not really a living history experience, but in certain areas of the park, it’s pretty close. 🙂
I’ve never been to Silver Dollar City but I was able to go to Old Tuscon before it burnt, circa early 90’s and have a picture of me where they filmed The Young Riders and also got to ride the stagecoach. We have Conner Prairie here in Indiana that is an old time settlement where you can walk around and see what life was like back then. My girls got to help wash dishes and clothes in one of the houses. They have people dressed for the time period who will explain and demonstrate different things from the time period.
I love those living history places, Naomi! Those sound wonderful. And as a teenager/young adult who swooned over the Young Riders, I would have loved Old Tucson! 🙂
No, I have never had the opportunity to visit. Sounds like a lot of fun.
If you ever get to Branson, give it a try, Barbara. 🙂
I have not had the privilege but would love to visit.
It’s a great place to take kids/grandkids. I’m thinking my next visit might be when I have grandkids to show around. 🙂
No, never been there, but sounds fascinating.
It was a lot of fun. I hope you get the chance to try it out someday, Karijean.
My wife knows a lot about blacksmithing. She is 4 1/2 inch tall and does not fit the traditional person who knows about blacksmithing. My favorite memory of Silver Dollar City is of hot talking to the blacksmith and asking increasingly complex questions ob techniques. He went for some time before he realized a short woman was so knowledgeable, his hammering slowed, he turned, and asked how she knew so much.
What a great story! I love spunky petite women with skills usually reserved for me. That’s awesome!
I haven’t been to Silver Dollar City. It sounds like fun. I have been to The Log Cabin Village in Ft. Worth. Some of the things sound similar. I think there are usually people at the cabins to tell about them and some doing demonstrations. When we went, we got to dip candles and watch a demonstration of carding wool and cotton and spinning yarn. It was a lot of fun.
I went to that area in Fort Worth once years ago. I really enjoyed it. I need to go back one of these days. I learn so much from those living history museums. 🙂
Yes, I visited Silver Dollar City over 60 years ago. I have seen it when it first became a destination, then about 10 years later when they first began to modernize it. Even then, I preferred the original park. I prefer the raw state of history rather than a refreshed make-over. At my age I prefer the original and am sad to see things change and, sometimes, not for the better.
For pure history, I complete agree with you, Judy. But I do like that the modern park brings in people who would otherwise ignore the history around them. Maybe some of those young ride-loving kids will grow into history loving adults. 🙂
Karen, my dad was really fascinated with outlaws. I think he secretly wanted to be one because he absolutely admired their way of life and they did things he wanted to but couldn’t. So, we went to every museum and exhibit the he ran across on our road trips. Billy the Kid was one of his heroes and each year Lincoln, New Mexico had a big celebration of Billy the Kid Days. Lincoln was fairly close to where we lived and it was in the mountains so off we’d go. That jail there was always open to tourists and I went many times. They still have the chain in the floor in Billy the Kid’s cell. I just Googled that and they still have it in August. They still have the old Tunstall store where they had a shoot-out in the Lincoln County War. As a kid who loves history that place really drew me. You and Wes look amazing in those Steampunk clothes!
What fun, Linda! No wonder you grew up to be such an avid cowboy history nerd. Love that your dad influenced you by bringing history to life through visits to those historic sites. 🙂
I went to Silver Dollar City years ago. Enjoyed it very much.
Nice!
I’ve never been to Silver Dollar City, but it’s now on my bucket list!!! That looks like a fun place!!!
Yay! I think you would enjoy it, Trudy. 🙂
I love Silver Dollar City. We have been going there for over 40 years. I like the glass making shop and I love the Southern Gospel groups that they have in the fall . I like the lost river ride.
Sounds like you are an expert, Linda!
I have never been but sounds interesting.
I was glad I made the trip. It was worth doing. 🙂
I love Silver Dollar City!! I went the first time in 1977 when I was four years old. It’s one of my favorite Happy Places! We live just under two hours away, so we’ve been season pass holders for years. I could probably write a book about all the fun things I’ve enjoyed there over the years, yet I think I could still find some little fascinating tid-bit that I’ve never seen/discovered before every time I go. As my husband & I get older, it’s become a little less about the big rides & a little more about the unique little hidden-away gems that are often overlooked… the things that truly make Silver Dollar City a one-of-a-kind park & help make it the best theme park ever! imo 😉 We do still love to ride the train. It’s just kinda relaxing & a break from the crowded streets.
I’m so glad y’all got to go & hope that someday you can come back & take in a few of those things that you missed the first time around! 🙂
And if you love Christmastime & ever get the chance, you would LOVE the Old-Time Christmas Fest! It’s kinda magical with over 6.5 million lights, the train becomes a sing-a-long train through the woods with a story-telling of Jesus’ birth, there’s a beautiful parade, there’s a live Nativity, & in one theater, they put on an awesome performance of Dicken’s Christmas Carol!
I could go on & on, but I’ll stop now…. haha! 😀
Lori – Old-Time Christmas Fest sounds WONDERFUL! I defintely need to get back there during the holidays. Thank you for all your hints and expert advice before we went. You helped make our trip extra fun!
We did go to Branson years ago, but didn’t make it to Silver Dollar City. We were there for a conference and did a bit of exploration of the area and caught a couple of shows during our free time. We do enjoy going to places like this. Dollywood is about an hour from where we live and there are several strictly educational reconstructed homesteads and villages in the area.
Actually, much of what we have in our and our daughter’s homes could furnish one of these cabins. We have crocks, cabinets, churns, cast iron, a wood kitchen stove much like the one pictured above, utensils, and most of what is in that picture, even the child’s chair hung on the wall. These items were made to be serviceable and last. It is a shame how many were thrown out because they weren’t in style years ago.
I love antiques but own very few. I have a washstand I inherited from my grandmother that I chersh. I love that you and your daughter find beauty in these pieces of the past. 🙂
My best friend works at Silver Dollar City! She plays fiddle and sings with the Horse Creek Band that was performing at the gazebo on Main Street! We just went to visit her there last month. My kids had fun riding the roller coasters, and we all rode the train together. Lisa (my friend) and I watched the dog show together, she got us front row seats, and we watched one of the bluegrass bands perform. It was a fun day.