Silver Dollar City Tips & Tricks

If you’re planning a trip to Branson this year, we highly recommend that you check out the area’s 1880s-themed park, Silver Dollar City. The park opens for the 2014 season on Friday and last week we introduced you to some of its best rides. Today, we would like to help you make the most of your day at the theme park with some Silver Dollar City tips.

1. Buy Your Tickets Ahead of Time. You can find discounted Silver Dollar City tickets at local businesses, like groceries stores and banks.

2. Grab a Map. The park is full of curvy and sloped paths, so navigating your way from ride to ride can sometimes be confusing. Grab a map so that you’re never lost on your search for a particular ride or restaurant. Plus, some attractions don’t have enormous signs advertising their presence (Grandfather’s Mansion, for example), so you might miss them if you don’t use a map.

3. Wear Comfortable Shoes and Sunscreen. This should go without saying, but if you’re spending the day at a theme park, comfortable shoes are a must. And although the park is full of trees and shady spots, remember to bring sunscreen so that you don’t end the day with a painful sunburn.

4. Don’t Forget About Marvel Cave. In the midst of all the roller coasters, musical shows, and restaurants, Marvel Cave often gets overlooked. This beautiful cave has been a tourist attraction since 1894 and it is the reason Silver Dollar was built where it was. People of all ages enjoy touring the cave and hearing stories about its earliest explorers. Plus, even on the hottest summer days, the cave stays nice and cool!

5. Check Out the Height Requirements Beforehand. If you’re coming to the park with children, measure them beforehand and look online to see which attractions they’re allowed ride. Then, once you’re at the park, stop by the Measuring Station located in the Grand Exposition (the area with children’s rides). Your child will be officially measured and receive a colored wristband, eliminating the hassle of being measured at each ride. This isn’t the most important of our Silver Dollar City tips, but it will get rid of unnecessary fuss.

6. Beware of Bad Weather. Many of the rides close down when the weather is below 40 degrees. For a full list of rides with temperature guidelines, click here. Many of the rides also close if lightning is within 10 miles of the park or if there is precipitation. Plan your trip accordingly!

7. Explore Your Food Options. First of all, if you have a sweet tooth, be sure to stop by the candy shop. There are candy-making demonstrations hourly at which free samples of peanut brittle are offered. As far as actual meals go, throughout the park, there are a variety of savory options: barbecue, skillet meals, sandwiches, pizza, hot dogs, nachos, pasta, etc. Check out your options before you settle on one. If you’re on a budget or a strict diet, consider packing a picnic lunch.

8. Stop by During a Seasonal Festival. This is my favorite of our Silver Dollar City tips because the park has so many great festivals happening throughout the year. Try to plan your trip around the event that most appeals to you for some added fun and festivities:

9. Invest in a Season Pass. One-day admission for Silver Dollar City currently costs $59 for adults, $57 for seniors (ages 62+), and $49 for children (ages 4-11). Season passes, on the other hand, are usually $82 for adults, $74 for seniors, and $72 for children (if you purchase more than 4 season passes at a time, the price is a little lower). So if you’re planning to visit Silver Dollar City more than once this year, a season pass is well worth the price. Anyone living near Branson will probably find this the most useful of our Silver Dollar City tips.

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We hope these Silver Dollar City tips come in handy on your next visit to the park. Have fun!