When it comes to true down-home family fun, there’s no better place than Silver Dollar City. The theme park in Branson, Missouri, is one of the most exciting theme parks in the country, with plenty of high-speed coasters, great entertainment, and tasty treats to keep you fueled throughout the day. In fact, it’s one of my favorite theme parks in the country.
Silver Dollar City is celebrating a big milestone this year, its 65th anniversary. Throughout the year, the park is set to debut some incredible new shows, dining experiences, and an all-new Plaza area that just opened this spring. If you’re planning a trip to the park this year, keep reading all about the can’t-miss experiences.
Festivals at the park
Throughout the year, Silver Dollar City hosts seasonal festivals and events. Plan your visit around one of these for a guaranteed good time.
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Spring Exposition brings bright colors and new entertainment to the park
Even though it only lasts for a few weeks, the Spring Exposition is a great experience at the park. So much so that I made a point to visit this year to check it out. The park is in full bloom during this time of the year. If you’re looking for a great photo spot, check out the Parasol Sky walkway high above guests down Valley Road.
The Plaza, which is in the back of the park, is also debuting its new expansion during Spring Exposition. This area is a hotspot for food, crafts, and entertainment. I loved picking out seeds to bring home and talking to master gardeners from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Additionally, this area has a handful of Taste Of The City shacks dishing out Ozarks classics like fried catfish and glazed pork belly. (Pro-tip: if you think you’re going to munch on food around the park all day, consider getting a tasting Passport, which offers you a set amount of food samples for one cost. ) I also loved watching the Kinfolk Bluegrass Band bring the whole area to life with live music.
Summer Celebration is the best time to go to Silver Dollar City for more time in the park
If you want more time inside Silver Dollar City this year, visit during the Summer Celebration. The seasonal event kicks off June 7 and runs through August 3. The park will feature family-friendly dance parties in The Plaza, a new Silver Dollar City Circus Show, a new Wild West Comedy Stunt Show, and street performances.
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The big draw to Summer Celebration is the extended hours, where the park doesn’t close until 10:00 p.m. each night. This gives you even more time to ride iconic attractions like Fire in the Hole and Time Traveler, plus get in some nighttime rides on Outlaw Run. Nighttime will also bring a new drone and fireworks show to the park, which will run from July 12 through August 3.
Harvest Festival is great for families with kids
Fall brings the Harvest Festival to the park. This year, the seasonal event runs from September 12 through October 26 and features thousands of pumpkins. I love walking around the park to see the carved pumpkins and scenes made with the orange gourd. You’ll also find plenty of seasonal treats. While this year’s lineup hasn’t been announced yet, last year, a surprising favorite was a corn dog with a pumpkin-flavored batter.
An Old Time Christmas brings holiday magic to life
The holidays at Silver Dollar City are an exceptional time to visit. Not only is the park aglow with 6.5 million lights, but there’s also a light parade, a Broadway-style production of “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol,” and plenty of holiday food to try. New this year, the Heart of Christmas Show will bring the holiday spirit to life in a fun, heartwarming way. An Old Time Christmas runs from November 1 through December 30.
Incredible craftsman around the park
One thing that makes Silver Dollar City so unique is the number of craftsmen who share the knowledge of various crafts around the park. Most demonstrations take place near the front of the park, where you’ll see everything from blacksmiths and candy cookers to woodcarvers and leather workers. The park is known as The Home of American Craftsmanship, a title given to Silver Dollar City by the United States Congress in 2010. During the operating season, you can see more than 100 master craftsmen.
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After watching the talented craftsman at work, you’ll likely want to bring something they made home. The easiest way to tell if something was made at Silver Dollar City is to look for the American Craftsmanship sticker on an item. Products without a sticker were not made at the park.
A few of my favorite things to bring home are hand-carved wooden ornaments from Valley Woodcarvers, coffee mugs from Hillcreek Pottery, and peanut brittle from Brown’s Candy Factory. If you’re really looking for a treat, try the Fire in the Hole brittle, which is the standard brittle, covered in chocolate with a slight hint of cinnamon and spices.
Cinnamon bread and sticky buns are a must-have treat
Speaking of food, there are a few must-try food items, but none are better than the park’s iconic cinnamon bread. The sweet and sticky treat is at Clara Belle’s Cinnamon Bread. The loaves come in a variety of flavors like apple cinnamon and peach, but the original is my favorite.
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I like to order my cinnamon bread just before I head out of the park. I often order two loaves, one to eat outside the store and one to bring home. Yes, cinnamon bread reheats really well at home. And don’t worry if you’re flying to Branson, it can go in your carry-on bags.
If cinnamon bread isn’t your thing, consider the park’s plate-sized sticky buns. My favorite version of these pecan-topped swirled buns is from Eva & Delilah’s Bakery. The small bakery is just past the security checkpoint at Silver Dollar City. I like to go into the park early and order a box of sticky buns to pick up at the end of the day. The bakery will hold them for you to pick up before you leave the park.
Be sure to get on Fire In The Hole and Outlaw Run
The two most iconic attractions at Silver Dollar City have to be Fire In The Hole and Outlaw Run, but they couldn’t be more different. Fire In The Hole is a fun indoor attraction that starts as a slow-moving dark ride but quickly becomes a thrilling coaster. It’s got three drops, including a water splashdown (don’t sit in the front row if you want to stay dry).
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Peaking out from the forest of trees around the park is Outlaw Run. The wooden roller coaster reaches 68 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest wooden coasters in the world. It’s got the world’s first and only double-barrel roll on a wooden coaster, and it goes upside down three times.
Opening of White Water
Starting May 24 through September 1, Silver Dollar City’s water park, White Water, will be open for guests to enjoy. The 13-acre park has all of the classic water park attractions like a 500,000-gallon wave pool, a lazy river, and a kids’ area called Coconut Cove. Water slide enthusiasts looking for a daring race to the bottom of a slide with a friend will want to hop in line for Kalani Towers Drop Slides. This dueling drop features a 75-foot free fall at over 40 miles per hour.
FAQ about Silver Dollar City:
How do I know what time entertainment takes place at the park?
Times for all entertainment at Silver Dollar City can be found on the park’s app or by picking up one of the city newspapers, called the Pathfinder, which has all kinds of stories and tips inside.
How early should you get to Silver Dollar City?
Plan to be at the park about 45 minutes before its official opening. You’ll be able to get your photo in front of the iconic Silver Dollar City Log & Ax sign, go through security, scan your ticket, and get inside the park before the official opening.
How much is parking at Silver Dollar City?
The majority of parking at Silver Dollar City is free. Trams pick guests up from the parking lot and take them to the front of the park.
Can you use cash at Silver Dollar City?
While some theme parks have switched to fully digital payment, Silver Dollar City still accepts cash and credit cards.
Can you bring outside food and drink into Silver Dollar City?
Yes, families can bring snacks and drinks into the park. The only items not permitted are alcoholic beverages or glass containers.
