Looking to stay stateside this year but you’re tired of the usual theme parks and beaches? Here are seven family-friendly attractions and destinations in Branson, Missouri.
Explore the great outdoors at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, where biking, fishing, horseback riding and Segway tours are just a few of the fun options for families. Parents and kids can also join a narrated, two-hour Wildlife Tram Tour in an open-air vehicle that stops at the 1800s-style Hope Wedding Chapel, Thunder Falls Crossing to feed the fish, and the blue-green Glory Hole, home to some of the area’s largest trout. The ride then crosses the Arkansas border to the Bison-Elk Country pasture to get an up-close-and-personal look at American bison, elk, whitetail deer and Texas Longhorn.
Spend an afternoon at Table Rock Lake for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, as well as power and pontoon boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing and even scuba diving. Can’t get there this summer? The good news is the lake area is also beautiful in the fall.
Go high-adrenaline at Silver Dollar City, a theme park with a menu of rides appropriate to a range of kids’ ages. The way it works is families present themselves at the Official Measuring Station, where staff will advise on the best rides for your children and issue them a color-coded wristband for ride entry. Silver Dollar City also pays homage to its location in the Ozarks with festivals, food and crafts and live entertainment.
Celebrate the fall at Pumpkin Nights, an annual event getting a new look this year. Picture thousands of glowing pumpkins illuminating the park from the Town Square, along the Pumpkin Pathway all the way to The Grand Exposition and stop to greet two new characters, Peter and Penelope Pumpkin and watch master carver Barry Brow create intricately designed pumpkins. Families can tasted seasonal treats like pumpkin spice lattes and funnel cakes and even glow-in-the-dark drinks and enjoy more rides, open until 9 p.m. during the event. Pumpkin Nights run Sept. 25-Oct. 26, Wednesdays through Sundays.
Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at construction on the park’s newest attraction, which has generated a lot of speculation and buzz, even though no one yet knows what it will be about. All we know for sure is the attraction will debut in spring 2020.
Take flight at Fritz’s Outdoor Flying Adventure Aerodium, a giant wind tunnel that lets novices and experts alike do some reverse skydiving. Kids aged 4 and older are welcome, and there are no height restrictions — although expectant mothers should give this a miss.
Go for a spin on the brand-new Skyscraper, a windmill-style attraction that gives you the sensation of a pilot flying a fighter jet. Good for kids 52 inches or taller, the attraction comprises propeller arms that spin riders at up to 60 mph from an 80-foot-tall tower. At night the Skyscraper features LED light, adding to the ride’s wow factor.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedTravel Tips
Nov 24, 2023Friendly Like Me App Helps Families Find Accessible Travel Options
Friendly Like Me, available for Apple and Android devices, is a first-of-its-kind app designed with the more than 33 percent of Americans who may need special accessibility accommodations while on family travel in mind.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Slideshow
Nov 23, 20236 Pies from Around the World to Try on Family Travels
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through these pies from around the world, and maybe you’ll be inspired to take that next trip for a delicious slice.
Travel Tips
Nov 22, 2023New Hilton Report Shows What All Ages Want from Travel
Trying to plan a multigen trip? You may anticipate trouble finding a travel destination, activities and more to appeal to every member of your crew. However, a new report from Hilton found there are certain experiences all travelers want right now, regardless of generation.
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Multigenerational
Nov 21, 202310 Resorts & Hotels Around the World with Festive Celebrations 2023, Part 2
With the holiday season upon us, resorts all over the world pull out all the stops to bring the joy of the holidays to family travelers of all ages. Here are five more resorts to check out this holiday season:
ShareThis