by Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull
A few years ago the Florida proudly announced that “Orange Juice isn’t just for breakfast anymore.” Well, with the opening of Branson Landing, the expansion of the Branson Show Schedule, the great year round selection of restaurants, shopping, and attractions like the Titanic, Ripley’s, IMAX, Ralph Foster Museum, and many others it can be said that “Branson isn’t just seasonal anymore,” it’s open for Hot Winter Fun and Branson’s “season” is year round.
In Branson it’s always show time. Although the selection of shows, particularly during most of January, is not as great as it is during the season, there is a selection of live shows available providing for just about every entertainment need. As we move get to the end of January and into February and March more and more shows will be opening, particularly on weekends. If shows are the primary reason for coming to Branson or one simply wants to see what will be open while they are in Branson, it’s advisable to check the “What’s Happening This Week” link on the Hot Winter Fun page of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB Site.
The oft used phrase “Shop till you drop” has special meaning in Branson all year round. Although there might be a “season” for water sports, shows, and some of the more outdoor related attractions and acitivites, there is no season for shopping in Branson. From its famed factory outlet malls, the shopping excitement of Branson Landing, to the unique shopping available it its historic downtown district and other places throughout Branson, shopping is always in season in Branson.
Although some of the “bus restaurants,” those that are open during the season and are set up more for busses and tourists, are closed, the vast majority of the restaurant’s that locals and tourist alike patronize during the season remain open year round. If ones taste is fine dining there is Candlestick over looking Branson Landing, the Château on the Lake, one of the Hilton’s fine dining restaurants at Branson Landing; and Buckingham’s, to mention just a few.
It ones tastes are for good ole home cooking Clocker’s, The Farm House, and the Shack in historic downtown Branson and the Ole English Inn in historic down town Hollister are hard to beat. If buffets are the meal of the day there is the Golden Corral, Shoney’s, and Grand Country, among others, open every day with the Ole Seagull’s favorite, the Chateau on the Lake’s Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet on Sunday. A unique dining experience, at least in terms of its ambiance and decoration, is Bass Pros White River Fish House built on Lake Taneycomo at the south end of Branson Landing. For a unique Italian dining experience don’t forget to try the Rocky’s salad at Rocky’s Italian Restaurant in historic downtown Branson and, while your there, if you like Chicken Piccata, you have an opportunity to taste some of the very best you have ever eaten.
Of course Branson has the standard list of national chain restaurants from Mac Donald’s to Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, Denny’s and Lone Start and everything in between. From breakfast to dinner, donut, ice cream, snack or sandwich, the selection of dining opportunities in Branson is just about endless not only during Hot Winter Fun but year round.
For those wanting to fish the Rainbow and Brown Trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo is great all year round. Whether one rents a boat from somewhere like Scotty’s Trout Dock and Marine located in historic downtown Branson and takes a unique fly fishing drift boat trip with River Run Outfitters, Lake Taneycomo’s trout are plentiful year round and are fun to catch. The Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery at the foot of Table Rock Dam is open year round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is free.
One of the biggest attractions of Hot Winter Fun might be that all it has to offer is is available with a lot less traffic and congestion. Although there could be lines on weekends and on some event days, on the typical day, during Hot Winter Fun they are virtually non existent.
To access the “official” Hot Winter Fun Site click here.
