Thanksgiving in Branson 2015

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to visit Branson: the weather is cool and crisp, the holiday shows are in full swing, Christmas lights festoon the streets, and the shops are stocked with gifts. Plus, whether you would prefer to eat out, carry-out, or make your own Thanksgiving dinner, Branson’s many eateries and grocery stores have you covered. To ensure that you have a very happy holiday, check out our tips below. We can help you sort out the big meal, plan your itinerary, and find a place to stay during Thanksgiving in Branson 2015.

DINNER OPTIONS

WHERE TO DINE OUT

Dining out on Thanksgiving day is the best way to ensure that you have a scrumptious and stress-free dinner with your family. In Branson, a variety of restaurants will be serving classic Thanksgiving meals. No matter what your budget, you can enjoy an all-American holiday with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pie. Some of these restaurants do require or recommend reservations, so contact your preferred restaurant ahead of time to reserve a table.

Arnie’s Barn at Top of the Rock ($43 for adults, $19 for children 4-12, free for children under 4, reservations required, call 1-800-225-6343)
Baldknobber Restaurant (Open 6:00am-8:00pm)
Bob Evans (Open 7:00am-7:00pm)
Buckingham’s Restaurant (Open 11:00am-6:00pm)
Chateau on the Lake ($52 for adults, $24 for children 6-12, free for children under 6, reservations recommended, call 888-333-5253, open 11:00am-3:00pm)
Christmas on the Trail Chuckwagon Dinner Show
Cracker Barrel (Open 6:00am-10:00pm)
Devil’s Pool Restaurant at Big Cedar Lodge ($37 for adults, $17 for children 4-12, free for children under 4, reservations required, call 1-800-225-6343, open 11:00am-3:00pm)
Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill ($13 for a Thanksgiving meal, open 11:00am-8:00pm, enjoy “Legends in Concert” show as well)
Dixie Stampede Christmas (dinner show)
Fall Creek Steak House (Open 11:00am-8:30pm)
Florentina’s Italian Ristorante (Open 11:00am-9:00pm)
Golden Corral (Open 10:30am-6:00pm)
Grand Country Buffet (Open 11:00am-8:00pm)
Great American Steak & Chicken House (Open 11:00am-9:00pm)
Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks (all reservation times filled)
McFarlain’s Family Restaurant (Open 11:00am-9:00pm)
Montana Mike’s Steakhouse (Open 11:00am-8:30pm)
Osage Restaurant at Top of the Rock ($43 for adults, $19 for children 4-12, free for children under 4, reservations required, call 1-800-225-6343, open 11:00am-7:00pm)
Outback Roadhouse (Open 11:00am-9:00pm)
Paradise Grill & Steakhouse (Open 11:00am-4:00pm)
Plaza View at Grand Plaza (Open all day, reservations recommended, call 417-335-2798)
Roundup on the Trail Chuckwagon Dinner Show
Shoney’s (Open 11:00am-9:00pm)
Shorty Small’s ($15 for adults, $6 for kids, for reservations call 417-337-9716)
Stage Door Restaurant ($22 for adults, $9 for children 4-12, free for children under 4, reservations recommended, call 417-337-7469, open 11:30am-7:00pm)
Texas Land and Cattle ($20 for adults, $9 for children)
Wildwood Bistro at the Radisson (Open 11:00am-6:00pm)
Worman House ($43 for adults, $19 for children 4-12, reservations required, call 1-800-225-6343, open 9:30am to 9:30pm)

THANKSGIVING-TO-GO

Perhaps you would prefer to eat at home (or in your cozy cabin or cottage), but you dread the thought of preparing an entire Thanksgiving dinner. Believe me, you’re not alone! Enjoy spending the day with your loved ones and simply pick up a carryout meal. You can find Thanksgiving-to-go options at many of the restaurants listed above, such as Bob Evans, Grand Country Buffet, and Cracker Barrel. You can also find take-out turkey, sides, and desserts at Country Mart, Wal-Mart, and Schwan’s (a home delivery service).

GROCERY SHOPPING

If you would like to prepare your own dinner for Thanksgiving in Branson 2015, we highly recommend that you rent a cabin, condo, or cottage. These accommodations will include full kitchens and an assortment of kitchen and dining essentials: flatware, silverware, pots, pans, baking dishes, serving dishes, crockpots, appliances, etc. When it comes to buying your ingredients, you can shop at any of the grocery stores in town, like Country Mart, Price Chopper, Sunfest Market, Wal-Mart, and Harter House. However, we do recommend shopping before Thanksgiving day, because many stores will be closed (or have very limited hours) on the holiday itself.

THINGS TO DO

THE TURKEY TROT

Ready to run for your dinner? The Ozarks Running Club is hosting their 4th Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. The flat and scenic route makes for a lovely run, and the cost is just $25 for adults, $15 for children, and $60 for families (unless you sign up by November 15th, in which case the early bird fees are $20 for adults, $10 for children, and $50 for families). The Turkey Trot is a great way to work off some calories before you load up on turkey and pumpkin pie!

SILVER DOLLAR CITY

Believe it or not, Silver Dollar City is open on Thanksgiving Day from 4:00pm till 10:00pm. The park is filled with lights and decor for the holiday season, and you might find some handmade gifts amongst the many shops. Most of the rides will still be up and running, and the restaurants, bakeries, and candy shops serve delicious treats. Plus, you can see several family-friendly shows within the park (all complimentary with your entry ticket), including A Christmas Carol, Frosty, The Living Nativity, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Be sure to stick around for Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade, which glides through the park’s streets twice each evening.

INDOOR & OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS

If the weather isn’t too frigid or frosty, why not head outdoors? You could go golfing, hike around Lake Tahoe, or fish on Lake Taneycomo. When you’re ready to warm up, head to an indoor family-friendly attraction like the Titanic Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, or the Hollywood Wax Museum. These unique attractions will entertain families of all ages.

LIVE SHOWS

After dinner, enjoy an entertaining show while you digest all that scrumptious food. Whether you prefer to watch musicians, dancers, comedians, or acrobats, you’ll have a wide variety of options on Thanksgiving in Branson 2015:

Christmas on the Trail Chuckwagon (dinner show)
Dixie Stampede Christmas (dinner show)
Roundup on the Trail Chuckwagon (dinner show)
Adventures of Marco Polo (7:30pm)
Grand Jubilee (7:30pm)
Shoji Tabuchi Christmas Show (7:30pm)
The Haygoods (7:30pm)
Amazing Acrobats of China (8:00pm)
Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular (8:00pm)
Dixie Stampede Christmas (8:00pm)
The Duttons (8:00pm)
Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety Show (8:00pm)
Legends in Concert Christmas (8:00pm)
Liverpool Legends (8:00pm)
Million Dollar Quartet (8:00pm)
New Jersey Nights (8:00pm)
Pierce Arrow (8:00pm)

BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING

After the biggest meal of the year, don’t forget about the biggest shopping day of the year: Black Friday. You’re sure to find some great deals at Branson Landing‘s Black Friday Blowout. Plus, this outdoor shopping center will be celebrating the season with lights, music, decor, parades, and more. The stores at Tanger Outlets will undoubtedly boast some great sales as well, and of course you could head to popular spots like Target, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy. Thanksgiving in Branson 2015 is a great time to stock up on gifts for the holidays. After all, no one ever regrets getting an early start on their Christmas shopping!

WHERE TO STAY

Are you planning a trip to Branson during the Thanksgiving holiday? Instead of booking a stay at a standard hotel, check out Branson Vacation Rentals. Our cabins and cottages are the perfect place to enjoy a fun family trip during the holiday season. Browse our cabins, condos, villas, and cottages, or give us a call at 417-832-9991 to learn more. We would be happy to help you further explore your options for Thanksgiving in Branson 2015.