Branson for Christmas??

[ccxnola]

We have had many happy times at Branson - usually fall or spring.
But now, my co-pilot of so many years is now with the Angels in Heaven and I'm trying to find a reasonable way to spend the Christmas and New Years holiday since there is no close family for me.

IF you have been to Branson for Christmas, I would like to know a bit of your experience - open campgrounds with level access, good shows, potential problems there in the wintertime. (One time, where we stayed in the spring, the whole place was on a hillside with level parking, but very steep roads within the grounds.)

AND if you have some suggestions for Christmas and New Years as an older single in other places, I would appreciate your views.
Thanks, Charles

[russkerri]

One of the best places to go in Branson at Christmas is Silver Dollar City. For people who don't ride rides, it's still a beautiful place to walk around under the Christmas lights and grab a hot chocolate or skillet meal. You can see pictures HERE

The weather can range from very cold that time of year with winter precip or pretty mild, so you definitely have to pay attention.

We really like the Tall Pines campground, but I wouldn't say the roads are especially level. Branson Landing isn't a very scenic campground in the park, but it is on the edge of a lake where you can do some trout fishing and has a very flat campground with easy access to the roads.

I think you can find plenty to do to keep busy if you like seeing shows and have the money to put into them. Walking around the lakes or the Bass Pro Shop offer a good place to spend a couple of hours for free. The Ralph Foster Museum at the College of the Ozarks is interesting, too.

[tatest]

As an aging widower (lost my wife five years ago) I've found my best social connections have been on cruises and group tours, rather specific locations. The first two years I tried RVing, found social connections too hard to make, being the recluse in the RV park or campground too easy to do.

I've found as one of the singles in a larger group, people, even couples, will pull you in. And since widowers are rarer than widows, there is always a lot of curiosity about who you are and what you might be. On tours and cruises I've met a number of people with whom I've found common ground and maintain a connection on social networks.

So it is not so much a place, as an social environment. The right RV park can also be the right environment, but I would think that would be a long term locale like a snowbird resort, rather than tourist destination where everyone is a transient.

[ngreen]

I live close to Branson. it is 80
degrees today and really does not get cold weather until January and February. We line Table Rock Lake State Park, has full hook ups. Not much going on between Christmas and New years.

[ngreen]

I live close to Branson. it is 89 degrees today and really does not get cold weather until January and February. We line Table Rock Lake State Park, has full hook ups. Not much going on between Christmas and New years.

[ccxnola]

Thank you for your replies and information.
Yes, I will check the show schedule for later December - it would not be much fun is most are closed.

Perhaps a warmer spot for Christmas will get identified in my next post.

[gloriebkj]

Check out the closing dates for the shows. We were volunteers at Table Rock Dam during Christmas and were surprised that Branson seems to pretty much shut down around the 18th of Dec.

[Acampingwewillg]

I am an Escapee member and I did consider Turkey Creek.... it's a nice enough CG but in Sept, it was packed, no space between sites. I regress, it may be less crowded in the Fall/Winter? I also considered Treasure Lake, an RPI Resort...huge place, good location, very hilly and again, very crowded in Sept.

[FordDiesel250]

If you are a Escapee member they have a park down by the Landing and I think the name is Turkey campground.

[LadyRVer]

Re: other suggestions

Last year I did St. Augustine, FL. City of Lights and I was not disappointed.
Went into downtown on Christmas Eve and it was gorgeous. People out walking EVERYWHERE.

Another, thinking to go maybe this year, is Pine Mountain, GA. Callaway Gardens has Christmas Displays which folks have told me to be sure and see. Have stayed at Pine Mountain Campground. NE of Columbus GA.

[padredw]

We have been to Branson for the Christmas programs several times. I say "Christmas programs" and not "for Christmas" because we always went in November. The old saying in Branson was, "It is Christmas in Branson when Andy Williams says it is Christmas!"

Fortunately we saw at least a couple of the Andy Williams shows while Andy was still alive. He was an encouragement to all us older folks.

Another of our favorite shows was Daniel O'Donnel (a great singer from Ireland) but he is not one of the regular Branson shows. He is only in town for scheduled appearances.

We enjoy staying at the Ozark Country Campground--great open space for our dog. Campsites not crowded. Some out in the open, others (which we prefer) on the edge of the woods. Quiet but convenient.

[azdryheat]

Never been in Branson for Christmas but we really like the friendly and fun campers at Branson Lakeside RV park

[LadyRVer]

We went to Branson in late November and early Dec. Reason being at the time I wanted to see the Andy Williams Christmas show. Show was great. Christmas lights were awesome. Also did the Shepherd of the Hills Christmas Lights driving tour.

Weather turned cold (for Floridians, anyway.) Severe weather one night. Stayed at Stagecoach RV Park on south side of town. Without looking it up, think that was the name of it. Would go back.

I am now a widow, first holidays last year alone. I took the RV both Thanksgiving and Christmas and left town. Thought that was the best for me. Plan to do it again this year.

Safe travels and enjoy what you can.

[Acampingwewillg]

While I have not been to Branson in the winter, we did just spend the month of Sept there. Twenty one show's in thirty days(not bad) :-). I, too, have always wanted to go for the Christmas Shows and have done some checking into it. As predicted, the weather can range from miserable to nice and cool without a lot of snow. I can suggest a year long Campground, the one we stayed in for the month...that being Ozark Country CG....fairly level within the CG itself near the Welk Theater. Our cost during the summer(1 month) was 450.00 including electric 50 amp..less in the winter I believe. Anyways...hope you have a wonderful trip!!!!