Branson is a favorite family destination from Kansas City. You may be familiar with some of the "big name" attractions and shows, but do you know about these hidden gems?
On our recent Branson trips, we were excited to try new adventures as a family. From bow fishing at night (with Stained Water Bowfishing), to riding Clydesdales (with Good Shepherd Ranch), to tram rides, horseback riding, knife making, mountain coasters, and caves... these are a few fabulous adventures we highly recommend on your next Ozark getaway! Best of all, each of these experiences can be enjoyed by children, teens, parents, and grandparents - ideal for multi-generational trips to Branson.
The Ozark Mountain region (Branson and Springfield) are wonderful weekend destinations for Kansas City families, but often we think of this area as appealing especially to younger kids. Recently we enjoyed a family getaway for teens and tweens - these are our tips to enjoy family time in the Ozarks with older kids.
The Clydesdale Experience at Good Shepherd Ranch
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Good Shepherd Ranch photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Our girls love horses and have had the pleasure of seeing Clydesdales at Grant's Farm in St. Louis, Warm Springs Ranch in Booneville, and the Missouri State Fair...but we'd never had the chance to experience the horses... feeding, petting, combing and riding them.
At Good Shepherd Ranch guides James and Tiffany share their passion for horses with visitors of all ages.
We met Clydesdales Caravelle, Jericho, Thunder, and Reba. James' daughter Hazel said that Thunder is her favorite because he takes good care of you. This was true of all the horses at the ranch. You can tell that these horses are loved and cared for by the Good Shepherd Ranch team as they are all gentle and great with newcomers.
The Clydesdale Experience is truly unique as visitors are given the chance to get to know and interact with the horses. We were each able to hold a Clydesdale hoof (amazed at the sheer size), pet, brush, and even lead the horses. Our girls helped learn how to hook up the horse wagon, enjoyed a ride through the woods, some in the front seat, others in the back, and finished our visit with a ride on a Clydesdale in the corral.
In addition to Clydesdales, they also have Percheron horses at the ranch. During our visit, the Percherons pulled the wagon for our ride.
Good Shepherd Ranch offers a variety of packages and can customize the needs of your group. You can choose trail rides or wagon rides, all affordably priced. It was the vision of the team at the ranch to give visitors a true horse experience. Guests are invited to hug, feed, and get to know the horses. On the trail rides, the rider is in control of the horse. All of the horses were trained with direct rein and verbal commands so they were able to drive wagons or go on trail rides.
The Ranch is also home to a beautiful field where they host holiday events including spooky experiences over Halloween, Christmas experiences, and firepits and yard games for group gatherings and events. The vision is to add kayaking, fishing, Chuckwagon dinners, and more in the future.
Our family, ranging in age from 12-71 all said this was one of the highlights of our Branson getaway. The girls loved petting the horses, feeding them apples, and of course the wagon ride and corral ride. We also love the hospitality of this small locally owned family-run business. As a small business, Good Shepherd Ranch offers a personal experience that is extra-special and memorable for visitors.
Visit Good Shepherd Ranch to make reservations.
Stained Water Bowfishing
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Stained Water Bowfishing photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Stained Water Bowfishing photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Stained Water Bowfishing photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Stained Water Bowfishing photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
I grew up fishing with a rod and reel with my grandfathers. My girls and I have a bit of archery experience with scouts, and the Missouri Conservation Department, and practice in our backyard. But, we had never put the two together.
What a blast it was to head out with Stained Water Bowfishing for a nighttime adventure on Bull Shoals Lake! Our family loves adventure in the great outdoors and this was one for the bucket list. My husband and I took our three oldest girls, his brother and father, and went bowfishing with Bryan Wilson of Stained Water Bowfishing and his team.
We went out in two boats for a bit of a "tournament" (each boat has a captain, a helper, and up to four guests). The wide-bottom Legend SS Jet boats are equipped with Evinrude outboard motors and lights to be able to see in the shallow waters of the lake. Each boat was fully equipped with compound bowfishing bows designed for big fish and a 15-40 lb range which worked well for my teen daughters. Each bow was outfitted with fiberglass arrows and strong lines. The bows have push-button reels and are adjustable to accommodate the strength of the archer.
Bryan loves the outdoors and loves fishing... he has over two decades of experience on the water and you can tell. Bryan was as familiar with the lake as if it was his backyard and he made every effort to help us find the biggest best fish to catch. Before we began they taught us how to use the bows and how to aim. With the reflection of the water, you want to shoot a little lower than the target.
Our family found many small fish on our trip, but the goal is larger fish. On our trip, my sixteen-year-old daughter Kayla caught a 21 lb Buffalo Fish, and Uncle Jeff caught a 12 lb Drum. We're planning to enjoy them on our Thanksgiving weekend menu. Our boat caught the first fish with Kayla's and Uncle Jeff's boat caught the most.
I enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors away from the stimulation and excitement of the Branson strip for a night making memories together. It is great to get away and enjoy fresh air and nature. We saw cranes, otters, deer, and so many fish. Stained Water Bowfishing offers truly unforgettable experiences for all ages from novice to experienced fishermen.
Tips for booking fishing charters: You will need a fishing license to participate (in Missouri licenses are required for ages 16-64). Ask if your charter is fully licensed and Coast Guard approved (it is important to follow laws set by the state with safety and conservation in mind). Also, you may want to bring bags and coolers to keep your catch. And, be sure to dress for the weather and for an outdoor adventure (sturdy shoes, warm clothes you don't mind getting messy, and weather-appropriate attire will enhance your experience.
Note: Stained Water Bowfishing offers Bowfishing, Gigging, and snagging Charters in Branson & Lake of the Ozarks. We tried bow fishing, but all experiences promise memories and adventure. They fish all lakes and most rivers in Missouri, including Truman and Smithville.
Runaway Mountain Coaster
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Runaway Mountain Coaster photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Runaway Mountain Coaster photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
Runaway Mountain Coaster was the very first mountain coaster in the Ozarks, and its our favorite. We recently rode the Runaway Mountain Coaster with our family (grandparents, uncle, parents, kids and teens), and it was a first-time on a mountain coaster for part of our group, while others of us had ridden before. All agreed it was an incredible adventure and for those of us who have ridden other mountain coasters, this was our favorite.
Mountain, or Alpine, coasters are incredible thrill rides where you control your speed as you barrel down mountains, through the woods, experiencing your natural surroundings all from the seat of a toboggen-style coaster.
Runaway Mountain Coaster, at 4,900 feet long, 1,900 feet up, and a 3,000 downhill ride that can go up to 30mph, is the fastest, longest and most exciting alpine coaster in Branson. Built into the natural topography of the area, this coaster takes you up into the woods where you're greeted by "animals" (or at least animal decor and sound effects), and then let loose for a 3,000 thrill ride through the trees and down the hill for an incredible photo finish.
Runaway Mountain Coaster offers daytime and nighttime rides with a fully lit colorful track to enjoy at night. The colors of the track are programmed and change creating a fun and exciting nighttime touch. My girls LOVED this ride and wanted to ride it again and again. I love the smooth thrill ride in the beautiful setting. The entire family gives Runaway Mountain Coaster two thumbs up!
37 North Expeditions: Trail Ride
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37 North Expeditions is a locally-owned business serving southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. The company offers adventure tours for people of all skill levels to experience the great outdoors. Some tours even begin at The Ozarker Lodge!
Visitors may select from a variety of adventures in Missouri and Arkansas including Horseback Riding, Yoga, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Backpacking, Camping, Wineries & Breweries, Goat Hiking, Fly Fishing, Ziplining, Kayaking, Train Rides, and more! Adventures range from half-day to multi-day treks.
Each adventure is guided and organized by 37 North Expeditions and available to individuals, families, and groups.
Our family participated in Horseback Riding, Barnyard Pets, and Wine Tasting at Twin Willows Stables and Whistling Springs Brewing Company.
The tour began with an introduction to the horses, all of whom were gentle giants perfectly trained for trail rides. The staff partnered each rider in our group with the horse best suited to their size and disposition. Children and adults who wanted one were outfitted with riding helmets. Then, we each received riding instructions.
On the 90-minute trail ride, we wound through the Ozark mountains and prairie. The entire family enjoyed the scenery. Our friendly guide was great at instructing our group and leading us along the way.
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After the ride, we enjoyed a delicious soup and corndog lunch at Whistling Springs (the small brewery and restaurant on the Twin Willows property). This family-owned business is known for delicious wood-fired pizza (on Saturday), and soups and other goods on Friday and Sunday. They are a small-batch brewery with a variety of beers and hard ciders (the mango habanero hard cider was my personal favorite). Additionally, they offer craft soda for the kids (rootbeer, grape, etc.). The owners pay homage to local veterans with a wall of honor for each branch of service. The food and hospitality were truly outstanding - making this eatery a great destination on an Arkansas getaway.
After lunch, the girls met the barnyard goats and pigs. One "miniature pig," Bumpers even enjoyed his custom piggie brew and found his way to explore the restaurant while we ate.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
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Dogwood Canyon photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Dogwood Canyon photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, straddling the Missouri/Arkansas border, is a beautiful 10,000-acre oasis in the Ozarks. The park is beautiful year-round, but we’re especially partial to autumn weather when the air is crisp and the fall foliage starts to change. At Dogwood Canyon, the first stop is the water-powered mill, where families may watch live demonstrations, tour the small museum showcasing Native American artifacts or savor a delicious meal at the restaurant, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the waterfall. We were very impressed with the hospitality and helpfulness of the staff.
Next, you may explore the park. On previous visits, our enjoyed a bike tour through the park’s paved trails (you may bring bikes for free or rent bikes on-site). They also offer Segway tours, horseback riding, fishing, and walking tours (note: attraction availability is subject to change). On the bike trail, you'll see beautiful waterfalls, crossed bridges, explored a small cave, and saw a variety of wildlife, including fish and birds.
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Dogwood Canyon photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The attraction also offers amazing tram tours - a favorite experience for all ages. Tram tours may be booked in advance and this popular attraction fills up quickly, so advance reservations are recommended. The open-air trams take you on a two-hour guided tour where you will see bison, elk, whitetail deer and Texas longhorns. The knowledgeable guides are passionate about the wildlife at the park and provide many opportunities to take photos along the way. We loved watching the beautiful elk, longhorns and bison on our tour. The tram tour is one of the most popular attractions at the park, so reservations are necessary as slots fill quickly.
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Dogwood Canyon photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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My girls also enjoyed visiting the treehouse built by Treehouse Masters for television. The two-story nature hideaway features treasures like arrowheads, a spiral staircase, hands-on science and more. You can walk the bridge from the Treehouse to the gift shop and nature center with even more hands-on nature and science to explore.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is a beautiful nature reserve with acres to explore biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, eating, and just relaxing. Plan to spend an entire day if you visit this attraction.
I love spending time in the great outdoors in my home state, and Dogwood Canyon truly celebrates the best of Missouri's beautiful outdoors. This is a serene attraction that we truly love visiting.
Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail Cart Tour
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Top of the Rock Nature at Night Tour photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Top of the Rock Nature at Night Tour photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
Top of the Rock is one of the most scenic places overlooking Table Rock Lake. During the holiday season, you may experience the Ozarks after dark on a 2.5-mile golf-cart tour through the Ozarks enjoying phenomenal views their spectacular Christmas Lights. Top of the Rock places emphasis on nature and conservation in all they do, and that includes Nature at Night their holiday light tour.
Guests drive their golf carts along the paved path while listening to an audio telling of the history of the Ozarks, the Osage, and Christmas memories. Waterfalls, beautiful Amish-built bridges, tree lined trails, and bluffs overlooking the lake, create a stunning view around every bend. The kids enjoyed driving through the Lost Canyon Cave. They even have a "Bat Bar" in the cave where you may enjoy fresh drinks.
Nature at Night is a unique light tour with one-of-a-kind displays resembling historic Native American scenes, wildlife, and holiday memories.
Tips: Electric carts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Top of the Rock Welcome Center, and are not available for purchase in advance. Carts hold up to four people. You must be 18 years or older to operate. This tour lasts approximately 40-50 minutes. Admission is charged.
Shows
We recommend Sight & Sound Theatre's Queen Esther, read our review here. Our girls also enjoyed Dolly's Stampede and Reza: Edge of Illusion, read reviews here.
Shepherd of the Hills Inspiration Tower
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
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Inspiration Tower photos for KCParent.com
Shepherd of the Hills Inspiration Tower offers panoramic views of the Ozarks from 230-feet in the air. The tower was built on Inspiration Point, which is the highest point in Southwest Missouri. Visitors may purchase tickets to ride the elevator to the top and take photos of the Ozarks. You may spend as much time taking photos as you like and they even have a giant checkerboard for kids. The tower is open 10am – 4pm everyday. No reservation is required.
Fun Mountain Bowling
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Fun Mountain Bowling photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fun Mountain Bowling photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fun Mountain Bowling photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fun Mountain Bowling photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
After enjoying educational and outdoor attractions, the huge blast of indoor fun that is Fun Mountain was a fantastic end to our getaway! Fun Mountain offers many attractions including laser tag, arcades, an interactive rock wall, and bumper cars. On this trip, we took time to bowl Uncle Buck's... the COOLEST bowling alley we've ever enjoyed. Fun Mountain truly offers something for all ages.
The bowling alley is all themed as an underwater experience. The girls loved the shark and octopus ball returns and the fish motif. The atmosphere was super cool! We also ordered food from the restaurant to enjoy while we played.
Fantastic Caverns
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Fantastic Caverns photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
Fantastic Caverns: 4872 N Farm Rd 125 Springfield, MO 65803. 417.833.2010
Missouri is the cave state, with approximately 7,500 recorded caves. However, only a few are open for tours, and only one is accessible for guests of all abilities.
Famous as America's only ride-thru cave, Fantastic Caverns is an unforgettable attraction for the whole family. The ride-thru tour is accessible for all guests, including wheelchairs and strollers who can board the tram via a ramp. On a tour, guests travel 120 feet below the surface and about a half mile into the cave.
Guests to Fantastic Caverns ride aboard trams as they receive a guided tour of the cave. Our guide began the tour by explaining the zones of the cave: the entrance zone, light zone, and twilight zone. As most animals need light to get around, animals from the outside don't come into the cave past daylight. Cave-dwelling animals in Fantastic Caverns include salamanders, crawdads, Ozark cavefish, and about twenty tricolor bats that weigh as much as a quarter, are about the height of a thumb, and are the smallest cave bat in Missouri. As water flows through the cave into the river, there are a few permanent pools of water where the Ozark Cavefish, a small colorless blind endangered fish, lives.
Fantastic Caverns is a growing limestone cave where we saw a variety of formations from the beginning stages of cave growth with hollow soda straws hanging from the ceiling, to stalactites (hanging from the ceiling), some forming curtains where water dripped at an angle, and stalagmites (growing from the ground). It is estimated that the cave grows about 1 cubic inch every 100 years. When stalactites and stalagmites grow together columns form. Throughout the cave, we saw calcium-rich limestone and flowstone that was red because of iron in the soil.
In 1862, the cave was discovered by a dog named Juneau, his owner John Knox as he went to retrieve the dog who climbed into the original hole. In the process of following and extracting his dog from a small opening, Knox discovered the cave. Along the tour, we saw evidence of early cave visitors and owners including a garden bed in the 1930s that was used during the Depression to grow and sell mushrooms. Because the cave was a coveted spot during the Civil War, John Knox hid it from the military. The cave was a great location to obtain potassium nitrate that could be used in making gunpowder. So, from 1862 until 1867, he hid the cave from the public. After the war, the cave was first explored seriously in 1867 by the Springfield Athletics Club, a group of 12 young women who autographed the cave wall. Electricity was installed in 1887 with steam power and was a big draw for tourists who were excited to see light bulbs for the first time in the region.
The cave's storied past continued with stories of it housing a speakeasy during Prohibition until one bootlegger shot another. By the 1960s, the large room had become a place for local entertainers to perform including the Presley family from Branson.
Fantastic Caverns tours are an exciting way to learn the history of the Ozarks and a bit about Missouri geology - best of all, as a ride-thru cave, makes this a great family outing for all ages and abilities.
Crystal Cave
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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Crystal Cave photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
Crystal Cave: 7126 N Crystal Cave Lane, Springfield, MO. 417.815.CAVE (2283)
Having visited many caves over the years (Marvel, Meramec, Bridal, Rockbridge, etc.), you quickly discover that every cave is unique.
Even caves that are a few miles apart (as is the case for Fantastic Caverns and Crystal Cave), are quite different. We visited both caves on our Springfield getaway and we were impressed by the different formations and stories we learned at Crystal Cave.
This cave is not easily accessible, but because you hike into it, following paths of varying heights and lengths, you get a truly up-close and personal view of the cave quite different from the ride-thru tour at Fantastic Caverns.
On our tour, our guide, who was very passionate about geology and eagerly shared his enthusiasm with us, explained the process of cave growth. Crystal Cave first opened in the 1890s but closed to the public around twenty years ago and only recently reopened in March 2022.
We "followed the stream" along the tour where we saw a variety of formations that were creatively named by the original owners. In some cases, we were able to identify the shapes and inspiration for the sites (witch's boot, ghost room), in other cases we failed the Rorschach test that led the ladies of the late 1800s to name certain formations. One formation, the Washington Monument was cast by the Smithsonian and they made a replica for their museum in the 1930s. Because of scars on the formation from the cast, visitors can see that mineral growth speed is not consistent or steady, but can happen quickly at times. Formations showed evidence of the cave ceiling falling long ago and signs of calcite and iron.
Along the way, we saw the garden bed where the original owner even grew mushrooms and celery in the cave. The celery was small and white with no chlorophyll, but he was still able to sell it at the market. One of our favorite spaces was the Rocky Mountain chamber, one of the larger rooms with many unique features, about 450 feet below the surface. The helictite room has formations that defied gravity, some forming unusual shapes like an upside-down J for instance which may be due to wind or other factors.
The most prevalent animals in the cave were the cave salamanders - we encountered many and learned about them from our guide who loved the reptiles even more than geology.
Our family thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Crystal Cave and found it to be more adventurous than other cave tours we've experienced. This is a must-see in the Springfield area!
Silver Anvil Metal Craft
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Silver Anvil Metal Craft photos by Kristina Light
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Silver Anvil Metal Craft photos by Kristina Light
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Silver Anvil Metal Craft photos by Kristina Light
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Silver Anvil Metal Craft photos by Kristina Light
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Silver Anvil Metal Craft photos by Kristina Light
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Silver Anvil Metal Craft photos by Kristina Light
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Silver Anvil Metal Craft photos by Kristina Light
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Silver Anvil Metal Craft photos by Kristina Light
Silver Anvil Metal Craft: 486 Branson Landing Boulevard Suite 203, Branson, MO. 417.334.6151
I wanted to include one of the most unique Branson experiences we've enjoyed over the years - Silver Anvil Metal Craft knife-making lessons. On a previous Branson trip (a year ago), our entire family learned how to forge a knife. For fans of Forged In Fire, this was a truly terrific multi-generational experience.
At Silver Anvil, guests may make an appointment for a knife-making class and learn to make a knife from a pony horseshoe or a railroad spike. The girls and I chose horseshoes (the most affordable option), and my husband (the train enthusiast) chose the railroad spike. Each completed knife comes with a sheath. During the class, each person hammers out their blade and shapes it on the anvil.
Appointments are required for classes. Simply contact Silver Anvil Metal Craft directly through Facebook. Classes take about an hour. Wear closed-toe shoes, and leather aprons and safety goggles are provided. Appointments are booked back to back, so you are asked to arrive during your assigned time (not more than 5 minutes before your appointment or late). 2023 Prices: Pony shoe size: $25. Horseshoe size: $50. Railroad spike size: $75 (ages 16 and up only for this size). It takes an hour for groups of 1-4 people, more time for larger groups, and classes are offered for ages 5 and up.
The owner of the shop, Jo Smith, comes from Oklahoma and is a professional Custom Bladesmith. He learned respect for knives from his father and over the years studied bladesmithing and joined bladesmithing competitions. Jo was a finalist on The History Channel’s hit show Forged in Fire: Season 3 Episode 9 airing in October 2016. And in April 2018 he won as Champion in the debut episode of the History Channel’s spinoff cutting competition show officially titled, Forged in Fire: Knife or Death.
In 2019 he and his wife opened their shop in Branson teaching basic knife-making or more in-depth bladesmithing classes. At the shop, he also sells and makes custom cutlery.
This was one of the most unique things we've enjoyed in Branson and the entire family highly recommends it.
Gingerbread House at Chateau on the Lake:
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Every year, Chateau on the Lake displays an opulent Gingerbread Village in their lobby. Going to see this display is FREE!
Additional Tips:
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We love to enjoy nature and the outdoors on vacation, and the girls especially enjoyed the more lowkey schedule of our recent getaway.
Check out these tips for your next Branson getaway:
- Branson Landing Fountain Shows: This $7.5 million water show features 120-foot geysers and blasting fire cannons, choreographed to music. Free shows begin every hour starting at noon daily.
- Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area: Explore more than 1,500 acres of forest and hiking trails.
- Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area: The Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area features over four miles of hiking trails, a waterfall, a cave, the historic 1911 Lyle Owen homestead, picnic areas, and ample parking.
- Pickleball: We keep our pickleball bag in our van as a quick go-to for spontaneous fun on trips. Enjoy indoor or outdoor pickleball. Indoor open play for Pickleball is offered at the Branson RecPlex. The drop-in fee is $5.00 or $35 for a punch pass for 10 visits. Location: Branson RecPlex, 1501 Branson Hills Parkway, Branson, MO. Outdoor open play is available for free at Eiserman Park (201 Compton Drive, Branson, MO).
- Dewey Short Visitors Center (4500 Historic Hwy 165, Branson, MO): This free visitor center offers exhibits and a free film telling the history of Table Rock Lake Dam, Missouri conservation, and nature. Paved and rugged trails start at the center.
- Follow your favorite attractions on social media: We were fortunate to visit during National GoKart Day when The Track Family Fun Park posted they were giving social media fans one free ride for the day! You will often find deals and discounts this way.
- Shopping: Tanger Outlets (name brands at a discount), Dicks 5 & 10 (candy and novelties), The Landing (name brand retail and more), and more shops offer great shopping options.
When you're looking for an easy getaway "less than a tank of gas" from Kansas City, Branson is an excellent choice for visitors of all ages.