Silver Dollar City Guide
Jed and Granny Clampett, the famous “Beverly Hillbillies”, knew a great place to get away and have a whole lot of fun, Silver Dollar City. This was true in 1969 when they taped the popular TV show there, and it is even more true today. What started as an authentic 1880′s frontier town located at the mouth of Marvel Cave, Silver Dollar City has become one of the most exciting and popular theme parks in the world. With dozens of thrilling rides, scores of demonstrating craftsmen and skilled artists, several daily performing shows, unique attractions, seasonal festivals, and great food in every corner of the park, you cannot visit the Ozarks and not spend at least one day at Silver Dollar City. There is so much to tell you about Silver Dollar City that Discover Branson has devoted an entire blog to it. Stay tuned to this page where we will be writing regular posts with detailed information about all of the thrilling rides, exciting shows, interesting artists and craftsmen,unique attractions, great food, fun festivals, specialty stores and more.
For a photo gallery of Silver Dollar City, location maps, customer reviews, operating hours, ticket prices, or to book tickets online, CLICK HERE. For vacation packages that include Silver Dollar City tickets and lodging, check out our SDC Packages.
For additional information visit Silver Dollar City’s website.
If you like the SOUND of an all-you-can-eat BBQ rib feast and you have a TASTE for Bluegrass music then make plans to attend the Bluegrass and BBQ Festival at Silver Dollar City.
The name “bluegrass” comes from the band name, the Blue Grass Boys, whose singer, Bill Monroe, is often considered the founder of bluegrass music. Following in Bill Monroe’s footsteps is an outstanding lineup of bluegrass artists performing May 10th to June 3rd including Rhonda Vincent, who is a seven-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the year, and five time SPBGMA Male Vocalist of the Year, Larry Stephenson, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, who has been named the IBMA Vocal Group of the Year six times.
The 2012 performance schedule is:
- Bluegrass Martins 2012 Midwest SPBGMA Instrumental Group of the Year; Dobro Performer of the Year – Larita Martin; Banjo Performer of the Year – Janice Martin; Fiddle Performer of the Year – Jeana Martin Faris May 10-11
- NewTown May 10 – 11
- The Ward Family May 10 – 11
- The Huntley Sisters May 10 – 12
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- Rhonda Vincent & The Rage 7 time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year; 2011 SPBGMA Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year; Entertainer of the Year; 2012 SPBGMA Female Vocalist of the Year May 10 – 12
- The Link Family 2012 Midwest SPBGMA Vocal Group of the Year; 2011 National Single Microphone Champions May 10 – 13
- Nothin’ Fancy 4 time SPBGMA Entertaining Group of the Year May 10 – 13
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- Bama Blu-Grace May 12 – 13
- Brightwater Junction May 12 - 13
- Flatt Lonesome 1st Place Winners in the 2012 SPBGMA International Band Championship May 12 – 13
- Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers May 13 – 14
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- Majerus Family May 13 – 14
- The Bankester Family May 14 & 16
- Bluegrass Missourians May 14 – 16
- The Farnum Family May 14, 21 & 28
- Bluegrass Addiction May 16 - 17
- The Petersens May 16 – 17
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- Tony Holt & Wildwood Valley Boys May 16 – 17
- The Kruger Brothers May 16 – 18
- Blue Rain 2011 Youth In Bluegrass Band Champions May 17 & 18
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- Mississippi Sawyers May 17 – 18
- Don Rigsby & Midnight Call May 17 – 19
- Sherman Mountain Boys May 18 – 20
- Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike May 18 – 20
- Steel Bridge May 19
- Bluegrass Brigade 2012 Midwest SPBGMA Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year – Mae Burlison May 19 – 20
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- Missouri Boatride May 19 – 20
- National Single Mic Championship May 19 – 20
- The Cleverlys May 19 & 26
- Nu-Blu May 20
- Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road May 20 – 21
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- The Spinney Brothers May 20, 21 & 23
- The Baker Family May 21
- Gold Wing Express May 21 & 23
- The Punches Family 2011 Midwest SPBGMA Entertaining Group of the Year and Entertainer of the Year May 21 & 23
- Bost Family Traditions May 23 – 24
- Digger Davis & Tombstone May 23 – 24
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- Redhead Express May 23 – 25
- All 4 Hym May 24 - 25
- Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver 6 time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year May 24 – 25
- The Gibson Brothers May 24 – 25
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- Triple L Band May 24 – 25
- Potters Wheel May 25 – 27
- Southern Raised May 25 – 27
- David Davis & The Warrior River BoysMay 25 – 28
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- Mike Balos Family May 26 – 27
- KSMU Youth In Bluegrass Band ContestMay 26 – 27
- Balsam Range 2011 IBMA Song of the Year May 26 – 28
- Hootin’ Annies 2012 Midwest SPBGMA Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year – Karla Campbell May 26 – 28
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- The Roys May 26 – 28
- Little Roy & Lizzy Show May 28 – 29
- Snyder Family Band May 28 – 29
- Larry Stephenson Band 5 time SPBGMA Male Vocalist; 2012 SPBGMA Mandolin Player of the Year May 29
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- King Family May 29 – 30
- The Chapmans May 29 – 31
- IIIrd Generation Bluegrass May 29 – 31
- Marty Raybon & Full Circle May 30 – 31
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- NewFound Road May 30 – 31
- Westbound Rangers May 30 – 31
- Special Consensus May 30 – June 1
- Locust Ridge May 31
- Rigney Family May 31 – June 3
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- The Rochesters June 1
- Bull Harman & Bull’s Eye 2012 Midwest SPBGMA Contemporary Bluegrass Band of the Year; Guitar Performer of the Year – Bull Harman June 1 – 3
- The Grascals 2011 SPBGMA Instrumental Group of the Year; 2012 SPBGMA Instrumental Group of the Year & Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson; 2 time IMBA Entertainer of the Year June 1 – 3
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- Jerry Butler & The Blu-J’s June 1 – 3
- Leroy Troy & the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band June 1 – 3
- Monroe Crossing June 2 – 3
- Pickin’ Chicks June 2 – 3
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Great music is only part of the fun, as Silver Dollar City is smothered in great food as well. BBQ afficiando’s will have a smokin good time sampling pulled pork shoulder, St. Louis style ribs, beef brisket, slow smoked chickens, pork sausage and more. The Reunion Hall is offering an all-you-can-eat Ribfest, with four kinds of ribs and all of the sides. The Red Gold Hall is converted into the “The House of BBQ” where you can find all kind of delectable, dry-rubbed, slow – smoked, and mopped delights. Don’t miss the Bottle Neck Bros. Sauce Shack located on the Square. You can sample more than 200 different barbecue sauces and take home a bottle of your favorite.
Posted in
Silver Dollar City Festivals on April 19th, 2012
Every spring, entertainers from around the globe come to Silver Dollar City for America’s largest International Music and Food Festival. Music is truly an international language, and “Worldfest” celebrates this idea by bringing artists from nine countries to SDC. This years festival runs till May 6th, and features
Viva Italia – An Italian Showcase!: The Red’s Gold Courtyard becomes “Little Italy” with authentic Italian entertainment including ” Viva Italia”,acrobatic flag throwers, living statues and stilt walkers, and “La Bella Musica”, an Italian music show that features world-class tenor Aaron Caruso, Italian-style soprano Melanie Goerlitz, and world accordion champion Cory Pesaturo.
- • The Mariachi Divas, a Grammy Award-winning all-female music ensemble with 12 members from Mexico, Cuba, Samoa, Argentina, Colombia, Honduras and more. Their music is a blend of latin, ranchero, and merengue.
- • Hawaiian Country Music:This tribute to the traditional music of the Hawaiian islands featuresg four-time Grammy winner George Kahumoku playing slack key guitar, along with native musicians and dancers.
- • Peru’s Yawar Chicchi Scissor Dancers: This Peruvian folk music and scissor dance troupe features 12 amazing performers.
- • Kenyan Sarakasi Acrobats: This high energy troupe from Mombasa, Kenya combines high-energy acrobatics and pulsating African rhythms for an unbelievable performance featuring rapid-fire pyramid building, tumbling, mind-boggling feats of balance, juggling comedy and more.
- Kerry Christensen: This Austrian Master Yodeler has traveled across the US and is a repeat performer at WorldFest.
- Ecuador Manta: This Ecuadorian group beautifully performs the musiv of the Andes using traditional Andean instruments including the zampona, a bamboo wind flute, the quena, similar to a recorder, the charango, a small 10 string guitar made from armadillo shell, and the bombo, a goat-skinned drum.
- Dearbhail Finnegan: Dearbhail is a master of the Irish Harp and is a member of the Grammy-winning Belfast Harp Orchestra. She has performed before former U.S. President Bill Clinton. She returns to Worldfest 2012 to perform her haunting melodies with her husband, Robin Slater.
- Academic Band: This brass band from Russia performs their own special brand of traditional Russian and Dixieland music.Directed by Nikolai Novitchkov of the Ulyanovsk State Symphony Orchestra, Academic Band performs at many international festivals, and has performed at the United States Embassy in Moscow.
Music, dance and comedy are only part of the fun of WorldFest. Silver Dollar City always serves great food and during Worldfest, International dishes are served up in the Frisco Barn. Sample fantastic foods from Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Greece, Germany, China, and more!
Posted in
Silver Dollar City Shows on February 27th, 2012
GREAT AMERICAN COUNTRY NIGHTS at Echo Hollow
Every evening ( except some Tuesdays through the summer ), Echo Hollow comes alive with a live stage version of the popular television show, Great American Country Nights. This show is hosted by Jae McFerron and Jessica Jordon, and features a cast of twelve great singers and dancers. The show includes a very talented band called the Time Machine. The curtain opens at the time that the park closes, which varies at different times of the season, so check our Silver Dollar City schedule of hours for exact times on specific dates. The show is at Echo Hollow, which is an outdoor amphitheater that holds 4,000 people. Because Echo Hollow is outdoors, all shows are weather permitting.
CEDRIC BENOIT AND CAJUN CONNECTION
One of our personal favorite shows at Silver Dollar City is Cedric Benoit and the Cajun Connection Band. Cedric and his band performs classic Cajun zydeco hits as well as original music. Cajun zydeco music is a uniquely American blend of accordion, fiddle, washboard or rub board, and other varied instruments, set to a fast tempo rhythm that will have you dancing in your seat. Cedric Benoit’s show is high energy and includes traditional Cajun dancers. Cedric has been inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. As they say in southwest Louisiana. “ les bon temps rouler”. or in English,” let the good times roll”!
CHOCTAW CHARLIE’S FRONTIER FOLLIES at the Silver Dollar Saloon
The Silver Dollar City Saloon has been well known for beautiful girls, can can dancers, singing bartenders and comedy since its opening in 1973. Past shows have included Carrie Nation and her temperance union, ”Mean Murphy”, the saloons arch enemy. and “Miss Tilly” a loveable dance hall girl. This years show, Choctaw Charlies Frontier Follies, is a hilarious, WIld West Comedy show following in these traditions.
HORSECREEK BAND
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Four talented performers play traditional country and western, bluegrass, and gospel music.
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HOMESTEAD PICKERS at McHaffie’s Homestead
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Sing along with this entertaining quartet as they play and sing old folk tunes and bluegrass favorites on the front porch of McHaffie’s Homestead. Becker, Danny, Steve, and Bailey play over 15 instruments as well as perform outstanding vocals.
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PURE HEART
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You will be amazed by this gifted female trio. Teresa is the 2006 Western Music Association yodeling champion. She performs vocal acrobatics along with her sister Tanya and friend, Melanie. Get ready for beautiful vocals and delightful family stories with a little country flair.
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SONS OF SILVER DOLLAR CITY
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If you like bluegrass, southern gospel, old cowboy songs, and comedy, then “Timbuk” Tom Johnson, Mark “Hoss” LeTourneaug, and “Maddog” Michael Todd might be your favorite Silver Dollar City show. Don’t miss this outstanding trio, the Sons of Silver Dollar City.
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STREET TROUPE
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Watch out for these very funny characters, as they will talk you into becoming part of the show as they display their unique brand of Ozarks humor. The Street Troupe will be sure to create a special memory for you as they perform their shenanigans.
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Imagine a day in the life of an 1880’s family living in the Ozarks. Take your imagination back in time to when butter was churned by hand from the fresh milk of the family cow. Because the mountainous terrain made travel to and from the Ozarks so difficult, families lived isolated from the rest of the world. They learned to rely on themselves and their neighbors for their needs. They farmed, hunted and raised animals for their food. They sewed, weaved, knitted, quilted and crafted their clothes and textiles. They hand forged tools and implements. They made soap, baked bread, canned vegetables, cured meat and occasionally make a little moonshine. Together they had house raisings, spelling bees, hog killings, and country dances. They were proud and independent people.
These skills and traits have been handed down from each generation to the next and are on display everyday at Silver Dollar City. At Silver Dollar City, known as “The Home of American Craftsmanship”, you can meet demonstrating craftsmen and watch them as they create their handiworks. Their shops showcase hand-crafted, one of a kind, functional as well as decorative items.
Learn a little about these craftsmen.
Don Bair – Silversmith
Don joined Silver Dollar City in 1990 as a silversmith and pewter spinner after spending most of his life in the jewelry business. Don had gained an expertise in gold and diamonds, and was excited to have the opportunity at SDC to work with and learn from other master craftsmen He learned to spin pewter on a lathe from Marty Degaffenreid, and he was taught wax casting and stone setting from Mark Prater. Together, they collaborated on many fine jewelry pieces. Even after 20 years at SDC, Don is amazed at the knowledge and skills that are passed between craftsmen at SDC. He appreciates the many crafts that are made at SDC and acknowledges that hands-on learning is the best way to learn a craft and that there is no place better than SDC for this experience.
Baker-Frank Capps
Frank admits that his career took him down many paths before he joined Silver Dollar City in 1997 to work at Sullivan’s Mill. It was his interest in old things that attracted him to the job at the old water operated grist mill, but it has been the many friends that he has met and continues to meet that makes him appreciate his craft the most. In 1997, he learned to grind wheat and corn at the mill. In the fall of that year he baked his first loaf of bread and he has continued ever since. “I have made lifelong friends of the people that I have met working here” he stated. “This place reminds them of their grandmother’s kitchen.” Frank also writes poetry which is on display at Sullivan’s Mill. He has written a children’s book as well.
Candy makers- June Ward
June has been making candy at Silver Dollar City for over 40 years. Making great candy takes skill and personality and June has plenty of both. She learned the craft of making candy from Paul Davis and Paul Whitmar. Though I never met Paul Whitmar, “Grandpa” Davis was as fine (and funny) of a man as you could ever meet. June is affectionately known by her co-workers as the “Candy Queen” or “Queenie” and has quite a reputation for playing practical jokes
Judy Cottle-
Judy is the junior candy maker at Silver Dollar City as she has “only” 19 years experience. Making 240 lbs of peanut brittle and 64 lbs of fudge each day for 19 years might seem like quite a chore to most, but not to Judy. She took a job at Silver Dollar City to get away from the real hard work of her family’s small farm in northeast Arkansas, and says that she has loved every day at Silver Dollar City. She is 66 years old and has no plans to retire. Judy says about June, “ June is a wonderful teacher who taught me everything I know about candy making, and a few things I didn’t need to know,” (with a big laugh).
Bladesmith- Ray Johnson
If you have any kind of question about knives, Ray Johnson is your resource. He began making knives as a hobby in his 20’s, and has been making knives for a living since 1983. In 1988, Ray began demonstrating his skills at the forge in front of Silver Dollar City’s Mountain Outfitters Shop. Ray forges about 200 knives per year and makes them out of all kinds of materials like stone, bone, chains, carbon steel, and his favorite material, Damascus steel. Damascus steel knives have as many as 640 layers and take between 40 and 100 hours to build. Ray explains,” the soul of the blade is in the hammering and the quench and the temper”. “I’m the luckiest man in the world, because I’m doing exactly what I want to do, and making a living at it. Most people aren’t so lucky”.
Woodcarver- Pam Gresham
Pam was introduced to chip carving by her husband who is also a woodcarver. She enjoyed the craft as a way to relax. Chip carving is a 1000 year old northern European method of carving wood into beautiful pieces of art by using a short bladed knife to chip away the wood from a block. She commonly uses basswood or linden wood for her pieces. Pam participated in the Fall Festival of American Crafts at SDC for many years before accepting full time employment at Silver Dollar City. She carves intricate, one-of-a-kind pieces and is best known for her fireplace mantels, shelves, cabinets, and decorative keepsake boxes. She has carved beautiful carousel horses as well. Pam has been featured in a variety of woodworking magazines and has authored three “how-to” books. She is considered one of the world’s top chip carvers.
Blacksmith- Wayne Rice
Wayne has always enjoyed making things with his hands and has especially enjoyed his eight years at Silver Dollar City. He learned to forge during high school and later worked with die casting and metals for 30 years. At Silver Dollar City, Wayne makes everything from small kitchen utensils to fireplace sets, tools, and more. He enjoys intricate pieces like wrought iron roses. He adds a few drops of rose oil and says “Young folks’ eyes light up when they realize the iron rose’s smell like the real thing.” Blacksmithing can take a toll on a person. Wayne said that he has caught his shirt on fire more than once and showed me his thumb to prove that even the master blacksmiths occasionally hit their thumb with their hammer.
Glassblower – Todd Nelson
Todd’s passion for the arts began as a potter, while in college in Mankato, Minnesota. His passion for pottery took him to Silver Dollar City, where he began his employment over 25 years ago. He helped train apprentice crafters at Hillcreek Pottery, and later moved to Hazel’s Blown Glass Factory. His shop is known for its dichroic glass, which is glass with a thin coat of metal that has been applied in a vacuum chamber. His art begins as glass bars that are initially heated in a 2,400 degree furnace. Todd then has a short window of time to form the glass into the beautiful art pieces that are on display in the shop next to the factory. It is an amazing process to watch. Todd loves his work and said, “I know that many of these pieces of me will live on long after I am gone.”
Glass Cutter – George Stiverson
George began his second career as a glass cutter by completing a three year apprenticeship program at the Silver Dollar City Hillside Glass shop. That was over 25 years ago. Over the years he refined his skills and progressed to Senior Craftsmen, and later gained the distinction of Master Craftsmen. George enjoys creating custom glass designs for the guests of SDC as much as the day he started. His creations are considered large scale heirloom designs, but I can attest that they require quite intricate cutting. He says that he “enjoys meeting so many people from all over the world, and every day is unique.”
Furniture Maker – Warren Cook
Handcrafting heirloom quality wood furnishings takes a hand for precision and an eye for detail. Warren Cook has both. He has been crafting fine wood furniture for over 20 years. Working in Silver Dollar City’s traditional 1880’s workshop, Warren uses turn of the century tools including a Baxter & Whitney back knife lathe and a vintage dovetail machine to create impressive home furnishings. His work speaks for itself. His beautiful bookcases, entertainment centers, bedroom sets, dining tables, and other home furnishings can be viewed or purchased in the SDC furniture showroom
Potter – Jeff Walker
Jeff Walker is one of the newest master craftsmen at Silver Dollar City. He came to SDC in 2010 from Kansas City, where he owned his own pottery studio. Jeff had shown his pottery at the annual National Harvest Festival for many years prior to joining SDC full time. His artistic influence on the Hillcreek Pottery shop became immediately evident with his unique shapes and uses of glazes. There are many elements necessary to convert the 30 tons of clay that Hillcreek Pottery uses annually into works of art. It takes 3 or more weeks to complete many pieces. The pieces that Jeff creates must be fired in ovens at 2,400 degrees to fuse the clay, the glass, and the glaze. Jeff enjoys making pottery that people can use every day. He said, “Art is something that should enrich our daily lives,” and his art will definitely accomplish his mission.
Candle maker – Gene Evans
The long time master candle maker Joyce “Cricket” Huth has retired and passed the torch, or wick may be more appropriate, to Gene Evans. Gene has been visiting SDC since it opened 50 years ago, and began his employment with SDC 11 years ago as a leather maker. When the opportunity arose to learn the candle making trade from “Cricket”, Gene jumped on it. He has loved every minute of his work at SDC. He especially likes working with his store manager, Carrie Payne, though he said that “she can be a true pain at times” (with a big laugh). Carrie has worked at SDC since she was 13 years old and said that SDC is the best place to work imaginable. Together, Gene and Carrie make Carries Candles a shop that you will not want to miss.
Culinary Arts- Debbie Dance Uhrig
Debbie is Silver Dollar City’s Master Craftsmen of the Culinary Arts. She regularly conducts cooking classes at the Culinary & Craft School. Her engaging personality and cheerful smile makes her a perfect choice for the role. She has a Masters Degree in Education and is a renowned culinary writer. She authored the cookbook, “Simply Yours”, and has contributed articles to many newspapers as well. She has a love of food and especially appreciates great down-home style comfort foods.
Silver Dollar City has over 30 fun-filled rides and unique attractions that make it one of the most entertaining places to visit anywhere in the world for all ages. From the unbelievable natural beauty of Marvel Cave, to the historical display of 1880′s Ozark life at McHaffies Homestead, from floating on a butterfly to the thrilling roller coasters, you will find something to entertain everyone.
American Plunge
Climb aboard a hollowed out log that takes you on a float trip through the Ozarks. Your log-boat floats along a water filled flume as it climbs five stories into the sky. You straddle your seat while using footrests and hand bars to brace yourself. What goes up must come down, and you get to experience a thrilling 50-foot drop at speeds of 35 miles per hour as you make the final drop into a splash pool that, as it stops your log-boat, will soak you and all of the spectators.
Electro Spin
The sign over the Electro Spin says that it is” A Grand Marvel of Technological Wonder.” You will sit facing outward with your chest against a padded panel while riding a rotational vehicle that somewhat resembles a big sombrero. The “sombrero” spins at high speeds while it traverses 50-feet into the air along a U-shaped track that is the shape of a half-pipe for skateboarders. This ride is not for the meek and is located in the Grand Exposition Area
Elephant March
Climb aboard a flying elephant shaped vehicle that revolves much like a carousel around a central axis. Your elephant can rise up 10 or 15 feet or stay near the ground at the press of a button, which you control. This ride is part of the Grand Exposition Area
Elsie the Milk Cow
Kids love to pull on Elsie’s udders and retrieve their own
“milk.”
Fire-in-the-Hole
Look out, the Baldknobbers have set an Ozark town ablaze and the only way out is through the “Fire in the Hole.” This ride is the park’s first, and oldest, roller coaster and it remains a favorite. You ride this coaster through a dark building with scenes that tell of a town set ablaze by the Baldknobbers. Just as danger approaches, you abruptly make a change of directions to avoid trains, fires, and broken bridges.
Flooded Mine
On this family friendly ride, the setting is a dark, broken down prison mine where the convicts are escaping during a flood. The prison warden needs your help in shooting the escapees down. As you ride in a johnboat through the flooded mine, you have laser powered guns that count how many times you hit targets that pop up around every corner. At the end you can compare your “hits” against the score of your friends and family.
Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train
This authentic steam driven train takes a slow moving ride through the beautiful Ozark’s countryside until “Alf Bolin” and his accomplice stop the train and try their best to get on the train to rob the passengers. The wily conductor has a trick or two up his sleeve to save the day.
Geyser Gulch
This giant playground includes the” World’s largest treehouse”, a Courthouse, and a 3 story Clock Tower where kids of all ages can shoot each other with water blasters, while dodging foam balls being thrown by other kids or shot through foam ball cannons. There are also bridges, ramps, crawl spaces, interactive gizmos and gadgets including moving targets, intermittent water spouts and more.
The Giant Swing
Set in a massive hay barn, the Giant Swing is like an old fashioned barn swing that has been taken to a whole new level. On this thrilling ride you are strapped to a huge pendulum that blasts through the barn doors at 45 mph. This flying machine will take you 7 stories up into the air until you are nearly upside down. As you reverse directions you will experience tremendous acceleration that produces back-to-back G-force kicks and sensations of weightlessness for a full-throttle, high-flying thrill ride.
The Grand Exposition Coaster
A small, 20-foot roller coaster located in the Grand Exposition area. This coaster is for youngsters and is a great “first “ride with speeds up to 20 miles per hour.
Grandfather’s Mansion
There is a lot of mysterious things going on in Grandpa’s Mansion. This funhouse is full of unique rooms with slanted floors, upside down rooms where the furniture is on the ceiling, mirrored walls, and many oddities like pool balls that roll uphill, and water faucets that flow water from the
thin air and more.
Half Dollar Holler
This new play area will delight your young children and will challenge their mind, as well as their bodies. It is a safe play area for kid’s ages 3 to 7 with a single entrance/exit and kid-friendly play structures. Kids can make their way through a wacky maze of elevated dwellings called the Treetop Trail. These fun houses have climbing nets and “Lil Swings” that are very popular. There is a sand play area where kids can be creative as the dig, build, and sculpt sand sculptures. Located at Half Doller Holler is a magnificent carousel that features hand- carved horses and bears called “Hugo and Mary’s Carousel”. In the heart of Half Dollar Holler is a place where your kids can take a break from the activity and settle down to hear tales that will captivate their imagination. This place is called “Storybook Circle”, and it is a place where reading and storytelling takes center stage.
Happy Frogs
This ride keeps kids hoppin. Riders sit in a frog shaped vehicle that revolves around a central machine. The frogs also hop up and down at the press of a button, which is controlled by the rider.
High-Low Silos
On this ride you sit with a companion on a seat and together you pull yourselves up a 20-foot cable to the top of the Silo, and then you let go and drop at a low speed back to the ground.
Homestead Animal Barnyard
This petting zoo, with animals such as goats, chickens, hens, and other farm animals, is located at the McHaffie’s Homestead.
The Ladybugs
Located at the Grand Exposition area, riders sit in a bug shaped vehicle that revolves around a central machine. These gentle creatures also ascend and descend at the press of a button, which is controlled by the rider. This garden getaway is for kids at least 36” tall and not more than 55” tall.
Lost River of the Ozarks
Prepare to navigate a whitewater river through the Ozarks. You climb aboard a raft and float down a raging river that propels your raft through rapids, twists, turns, and torrential tunnels. Look out for the water blasters on the shoreline aimed right at you. Powerful currents send you twisting, turning and dropping right into the deluge! Prepare to get soaked!
Magnificent Wave Carousel
Towering high above the Grand Exposition grounds, the Magnificent Wave Carousel is a beautiful ride on giant swings that provide a bird’s-eye view of the Exposition Grounds. This
high-flying journey will send you swinging up and out on a 40-foot flight above the treetops for one of the most breathtaking rides on park.
Marvel Cave
Marvel Cave is a natural Ozark wonder that has been attracting visitors to the Ozarks since long before Silver Dollar City sprang up around the entrance to the cave. With a unique recorded history that dates back to the 1500’s, Marvel Cave is a must see while visiting Silver Dollar City. The cave offers two types
of tours and they are included with your admission pass. The Traditional Cave Tour is a one hour guided tour through a half mile of lighted passageway 500 feet below the surface. Throughout the tour geological and historical information is explained. The Lantern Light Tour is a one and a half hour guided tour through a little over a half mile of unlit passageway.
McHaffie’s Homestead
McHaffie’s Homestead is an authentic 1880’s working homestead, including a garden, barn, and the Oak Trail schoolhouse. A feature of the homestead is the hand hewn log cabin built in 1843 that was preserved and reassembled on the Silver Dollar City Square in 1960. Step into this cabin and you can experience a look back into how life was for pioneer families living in the Ozarks in the 1880’s. Visit the barnyard out back, with goats, rabbits, turkeys, ducks and ponies. See an old steam tractor running a shingle saw, and a one-room schoolhouse where a schoolmarm presents the lessons of the day. You will enjoy the talented Homestead Pickers as they play and sing old hill country tunes on the front porch. At specific times, Aunt Judy will entertain you with tall tales and old-fashioned yarns.
Oak Trail School
In the 1880’s, most children attended classes in a one room schoolhouse and only went to school until 2nd or 3rd grade. Oak Trail School is a place to learn about what school was like in the 1880s.
PowderKeg
This electrifying roller coaster has been called a “blast in the wilderness”. Riders experience a 0 to 60 miles per hour “blastoff” in less than 3.00 seconds. PowderKeg combines the shocking speed of the compressed air-launch with spiraling turns, negative gravitational or “G” forces, and “floater” hills at speeds up to 64 miles per hour! After the initial blast of speed, and 110-foot drop, riders soar through the trees over six acres on 3,500 feet of track for a truly wild ride experience.
Racing Regatta
This ride is a fast spinning carousel where boat shaped cars fly around a circular track with dips and crests that simulate waves. It is located at the Grand Exposition Area.
Royal Tea Party
If you like make yourself dizzy, this is the ride for you. Twelve spinning tea cups represent tea companies from around the world in countries such as England, India, China and Ceylon! Each teacup fits 5 riders. You can control how fast you spin, twirl your way to an afternoon of dizzying fun and laughter!
Swinging Bridge
An original attraction from Silver Dollar City’s earliest days, this bridge originally connected the parking lot to Silver Dollar City’s main street. The origins of the swinging bridge date back to the days when admission was free. The walk across the bridge remains a fun attraction for everyone, even in today’s hi-tech environment.
The Mighty Galleon – All aboard for a rush of adventure traveling to new heights across the seven seas. Board this Spanish vessel and dare towering waves with the adventurous crew. Your ship will soar up to 40
feet into the air on a giant pendulum, before plunging back in the opposite direction!
Tom & Huck’s River Blast
Themed around Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, this wet and wild river adventure arms passengers and spectators with water guns. A battle is in store for you as you float along the river channel on a 60 passenger raft. You get plenty of chances to soak the spectators but beware, they will be shooting back. 150 targets line the action-packed waterway as well. Silver Dollar City describes this ride as “waterlogged chaos at America’s Biggest Water Battle”.
Thunderation
This 81 foot tall coaster is one of the most popular rides at SDC. Themed as a runaway mine train, this ride combines high speeds with scenic views of the Ozarks to create a ride that is a crowd pleaser. The train begins its journey of twists and turns propelled by gravity until cars reach the coaster’s only lift. The lift carries passengers 121 feet into the air before dropping them 81 feet at high speed (48 mph). The runaway mine train takes a spiraling drop and races through an underground tunnel before returning to the
loading station.
Wilderness Church
As one of the original buildings of Silver Dollar City, this peaceful and charming chapel has a storied history. This old hand hewn log structure was originally built in 1849 along Bear Creek near Branson. The building was dismantled log by log, and then rebuilt in its current location in 1960.
There was once giant sycamore tree that stood next to the church that was hand carved into the church’s pulpit. This pulpit is still used today and stands in front of a large picture window that offers a beautiful view of the Ozark forest. Countless weddings have taken place here over the years. Step into the old church and you will feel a sense of calmness, even though you are in the center of Silver Dollar City.
WildFire
This 15 story tall roller coaster is Silver Dollar City’s tallest, fastest, and most popular ride. This ride’s theme is based on an 1880′s Ozarks tale of Dr. Horatio Harris, an inventor who was working on a
flying machine. “Wildfire” was the name of the fuel he created for this machine. WildFire is a high-flying, multi-looping, cobra-rolling coastercthat will definitely get your adrenaline pumping! Traveling at speeds up to 66
miles per hour, WildFire features a vertical drop of 15 stories, followed by five inversions including a full loop, cobra roll, corkscrew and high-speed spiral.
Wings of Wonder
One of the ten rides located in the Grand Exposition area, this ride allows you to float through the air aboard a colorful butterfly. This ride is great for small children as they are allowed on this
ride if they are accompanied by an adult,
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| Phone: 1-800-768-3892 · Address: 1294 State Hwy 248 Branson, MO. 65616 |
