Hot Winter Fun is a great season to visit Branson. Even during the winter months, there are many exciting activities available for your entire family.One of the newest trends in travel is edu-tainment travel, a blend of educational and entertainment activities that appeal to the curiosity seeker in everyone.
Branson has several museums where you can explore the past and take lessons for the future. Many area museums are open year-round.
In 2005, you could win a trip to Washington D.C. by visiting a participating Branson area museum! A family trip for four including airfare and hotel accommodations will be given away at the end of the Hot Winter Fun season. Be sure to sign up for your chance to win at each area participating museum. The more times you enter, the better your odds of winning. In Washington, you’ll get to see many of the nation’s most famous museums and archives.
Branson Area Museums Open During Hot Winter Fun
Veteran’s Memorial Museum – A powerful and emotional experience for everyone, Veteran’s Memorial Museum features 10 great halls that tell the stories of the great conflicts of the 20th century. The centerpiece is the world’s largest war memorial bronze sculpture with 50 life-sized soldiers storming a beach.Don’t miss this powerful experience during your visit.
American Presidential Museum – Explore the history of our nation’s leaders and the development of our nation during its rich history. Several displays recently returned from Democracy Plaza in New York City during NBC’s election coverage, and were featured on the Today Show in the two weeks prior to the 2004 election. Democracy Plaza was on display from Oct. 20 – Nov. 5th, 2004.See a replica of Air Force One under Richard Nixon, the Oval office and an infamous Florida voting booth from 2000. Museum opens in late January.
Ralph Foster Museum – Fondly called “The Smithsonian of the Ozarks” by Ozark residents, the Ralph Foster Museum is located on the campus of College of the Ozarks. Visit all three floors to fully discover the history and culture of the Ozarks. The museum features the original truck used by the Beverly Hillbillies during the show, Kewpie dolls designed by Rose O’Neill (a native of the Ozarks), a restored one-room schoolhouse, and the Discovery Room, a special room for children. Museum opens in late January.
IMAX – Explore the history of the Ozarks with a movie!Exclusively at the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex, you can take a powerful journey through the rich history and heritage of the region with the giant-screen IMAX adventure, “Legacy and Legend”. Experience life through the eyes of the McFarlain family in this beautifully-told story.
Stone Hill Winery – During the free tours, you can get an entertaining look at the history of wine making and the sherry-making process. Watch as cream sherry is produced. Experience yesteryear’s wine making heritage at Missouri’s #1 winery.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum – Explore the unique and unusual! Do you know why The Ripley’s building looks the way it does? Most people think California has had the worst earthquake in history, when actually Missouri holds the record. In 1812 an earthquake measuring more than 8.0 on the Richter scale occurred at New Madrid, Missouri. This earthquake made the Mississippi River run backwards for three days. Stop by and see why Ripley’s is “The Most Photographed Building In Branson”!
