✕
☰

Tips for Family Fun at Silver Dollar City

by

With skyrocketing vacation prices, Branson remains a favorite for Kansas City families... whether you spend a weekend, several days, or a week, there are many attractions for every interest. Our favorite for the entire family is Silver Dollar City. It is magical at Christmas, beautiful in the fall, and pure fun for Summer Vacation! It is impossible to see and do everything Silver Dollar City has to offer in one day. With that in mind, here are some tips to make the most of your trip!

Silver Dollar City

399 Silver Dollar City Parkway Branson, Missouri.  www.SilverDollarCity.com

Silver Dollar City is a theme park set in the 1880s. Shows, rides, and crafts make this a theme park for all ages. The entire family will delight in watching crafters use historic tools to create works of art and delicious food right before your eyes. Watch a candy-making demonstration, and enjoy samples. Stop at the blacksmith, glassblower, wood carver, broom maker, and other crafters to watch skilled artisans create everything from wrought iron fences to marbles and baseball bats. Beyond crafts, Silver Dollar City also provides terrific shows and live entertainment. Enjoy special shows during festivals (including Kids Fest each Summer, World Fest in the Spring, Festival of Arts and Crafts in the Fall, and Old Time Christmas each winter).

For those who Love Rides:

Roller Coasters, Water Rides, Kid Rides, and Theme Rides... there are over 30 rides to explore!

Tip: Before you go, read the height requirements for Silver Dollar City rides. Rides are offered for toddlers, preschoolers, kids, and adults. Many rides may be enjoyed by the entire family (i.e. the Steam Train and Carousel), while others are limited.

"Silver Dollar City is all about the kids. Hand dipped candles the children make themselves is the best souvenir in the park." ~ Carrie Payne of Carrie's Candles at SDC

The roller coasters include: Powder Keg (42 inch min. to ride), uses an air-launch from 0 to 53 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds, sending passengers on ride with hills including a 110-foot drop and speeds up to 64 miles per hour. Thunderation (42 inch min. to ride) is a scenic coaster through the trees, with an 81 foot drop at speeds up to 48 mph. This is a great "beginner coaster" for kids who are just starting to ride adult rides. Wildfire (52 inch min. to ride) travels up to 66mph with multiple loops, hills, and incredible views of the Ozark Mountains.

Part of the fun at Silver Dollar City is the creativity behind the classic theme rides. Fire-in-the-Hole (36 inch min. to ride) is an indoor coaster where riders experience mysterious sounds and mischievous deeds of the Baldknobbers who have set the town ablaze. The Flooded Mine (all ages/ heights may ride, 48 inch min. to ride without an adult) is a boat ride through a flooding prison mine where prisoners are trying to escape - ore carts carry you through the flooded mine shafts, past jack hammers, pump stations, mine explosions and even sleeping guards as riders use pistols to aim at targets along the way, competing for high scores with their fellow passengers. The Steam Train (all ages and accessible) is a real locomotive ride with a train robbery show along the way. These are just a few of the favorite attractions.

Children love the Grand Exposition featuring 10 family rides. Adults may ride some of the rides as well. The Royal Tea Party is a classic tea cup ride. Children's roller coaster, spinning rides in the form of elephants, insects, and frogs, and giant swings are just a few of the options.

In the heat of summer, cool off with a water ride. The American Plunge is a classic flume ride plummeting from five stories at 35 miles per hour. Lost River of the Ozarks is a six passenger white water rapids ride... you will get wet! And, the RiverBlast is a water gun war along a 567’ river channel with over 150 targets.

For an Educational Vacation:

Silver Dollar City offers online Kids-U-Cation resources for parents to add a little education to their fun-filled experience at the theme park. Kids-U-Cation experiences are organized by grade level and include activities you may complete at home before or after your visit and several to enjoy on your visit. These range from calculating the physics of coasters to learning about Marvel Cave and Chemistry.

"It was my dream as a little girl to work at Silver Dollar City. I grew up in Kansas City and came to SDC on vacation often. It was my favorite place. Now, I am happy to work in the Mill at one of the most special places I know." ~ Teresa Kasbaum of Sullivan's Mill, SDC

Marvel Cave is one of our favorite attractions at Silver Dollar City and it is often overlooked. We love it because the consistently cool cave tour is a great place to cool off in the summer and the kids learn a lot while enjoying amazing views of a spectacular cave. The Cave Tour does require a LOT of stair climbing (almost 600 stairs to be exact), so it is only for the physically fit (no strollers). Tours depart approximately every half hour, weather permitting. Marvel Cave is a wet limestone cave, with many beautiful features including the Cathedral Room, the largest cave entrance room in the United States. The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes, with most of that time spent climbing nearly 600 stairs. A trained cave guide leads each group sharing information of historical or geographical importance.

Special classes are offered at the Culinary & Craft School, where Silver Dollar City's own culinary team offers hands-on programs where you make and sample delicious SDC foods, and leave with excellent recipes. You do need advance reservations for classes and there is an additional fee.

Each shop at Silver Dollar City is special... they do not simply sell amusement park souvenirs (though there is plenty of that), but the park features the talent of crafters and artists who specialize in forgotten arts. Blacksmithing, broom making, candle dipping, glass blowing, candy making, ice cream making, wood working, leather working, and more are just a few of the crafts you may see demonstrated at shops throughout the park. Make a point to visit shops and watch demonstrations on your visit.

For those Who Love Live Entertainment:

Silver Dollar City offers numerous shows and they change throughout the season with special shows for the festivals throughout the year. Country Music, Bluegrass, Children's Shows, Holiday Shows, Comedy, Magicians, short plays, and more are offered. Be sure to check the show schedule when you visit the park. On busy days, you should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to show time to see a show.

Things you Might Overlook:

Grandfather's Mansion is a fun house with slanting floors, fun house style mirrors, visual tricks, and special effects that will have you laughing. This is a fun walk through attraction for all ages. Watch as fresh bread is prepared hourly at the Mill. Children may dip their souvenir own candles at Carrie's Candle Shop ($1.99-$6.99 for a pair of dipped candles, depending on size and style). Girls may purchase personalized parasols as a souvenir. Boys may choose a personalized baseball bat.

Food:

Silver Dollar City's food is delicious with home cooked options at many vendors. Bar-b-que, Fried Chicken, Soups, Sandwiches, Spaghetti, and more are offered. Fried Pickles are my personal favorite. However, you may also pack a picnic and bring your own food (we especially appreciate this with children who may not want to wait in line or desire smaller portions).

Sweet Things:

"I love working in a family-friendly place. Customers come in to cool off and have something sweet to eat. Everyone is happy here!" ~ Roy Dodd, Hannah's Ice Cream Shoppe at SDC

Tips:

Back to topbutton