Branson Travel Reviews: Part 3

Buckets N Boards

For a really fun afternoon show, we decided to check out Buckets N Boards.  It's 2 guys that have their own percussion routine and it was A-MAY-ZING!!!!  We were lucky enough to get front row tickets so we got to see everything up close.  They were entertaining, funny, and so talented.  I really hope they tour in Texas.  It's something we all want to see again.

They played on buckets (hence the name)...

...they played recorders, with their noses (BTW, the one in the blue offered me one of his recorders after sticking it in his nose-I declined)...

...they played a neon drum set, in the dark, while wearing a neon wig and glasses...

...they played an entire song using squeaky dog toys...

...they got serious and played guitars and sang some sentimental songs...

...and they danced.

This review does not do the show justice.  Go to their site or Facebook page and see if they are touring to your city.  It is a must see!!!!

Grand Village Shops
More shopping!  Branson is full of unique little shopping areas and this one is my favorite.  It's a bunch of little specialty shops that surround a beautiful, quiet courtyard.  Right in the middle is the Big Rocking Chair.  So cute!

My favorite store is Kringle's Christmas Shop.  It takes up 3 store spaces and has every kind of Christmas decor that you can imagine.

They had a clearance table (YES!) and I found 4 of these black and silver striped ornaments.  They were originally $3 each and marked down to $1.50 each.  I snatched them up because they would go great with my white Christmas tree.  When we go to the register, they were marked down another 80%!!!  I bought all 4 ornaments for $3.  I love great deals like that!

Mel's Hard Luck Diner
One of the restaurants in the Grand Village Shops is Mel's Hard Luck Diner.  A 50's inspired diner, it offers something very unique as you enjoy your meal.

The servers sing!  And not just walk around singing for fun, whatever song comes to mind.  An instrumental track starts playing and they all take turns walking around, with a mic, singing a song.  They've all recorded their own CD's, so it's a way to promote their music.  Some sing just show tunes, another sings Disney classics, and lots of them sing Christian or Gospel songs.  My favorite part is when one female server started singing "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone", 2 more servers sang harmony, and they would stand still and just praise God while singing.  In the restaurant!  With customers watching!  I love seeing people boldly sharing their faith like that.

There's a fun gift shop full of unique antique and 50's items, as well as CD's from all the servers.  It's something definitely worth checking out.

Branson Travel Reviews: Part 2

Branson Landing

Branson Landing is a nice outdoor shopping strip along Lake Taneycomo.  We went during the evening when it was a little cooler.  There are all sorts of retail stores, restaurants, a small playground and fountains synchronized to music.  It would be a great place to go on a date.

RideMakerz

RideMakerz is the Build-A-Bear Workshop for kids that prefer hot rods.  You pick out the model of your car and tires for a flat fee.  Then for small upgrades you can add all sorts of things to customize your vehicle like lights, mufflers, sound effects, remote control, and so, so much more.  

Preston decided on a black mustang.  Then, he had to head over to the "workshop" to start adding tires and attaching the body to the casing.

He was so excited to do some of the mechanics himself.

Preston decided to add stickers to his car.  He also got sound effects to make it sound like a police car.

The finished car.  This is Preston's second RideMakerz car and he can't get enough of them.  It's such a cool place, especially for a boy that's obsessed with cars.  I hope one opens up close to us soon.

Lego Store
There was a Lego Store on the Landing that is for play only.  There's nothing for sale, but lots of different Lego stations where kids can build and play as long as they want.  Preston built a Lego car (of course) and got to race it on the ramp.

Preston's peeking at me through the blocks.

There were some amazing Lego statues.

Kaitlyn bought another pillow pet at Justice and then we ate dinner at Garfield's Restaurant and Pub.  Great food and we had a great view of the lake from our table.

Ride The Ducks
We've heard about this so many times and finally decided to do it.  This boat travels on land and then floats in the water.  It was so much fun, our tour guide was hilarious, and Preston kept asking to go again.

Everyone was given a "Quacker Whistle" as they boarded.  It got pretty annoying very quickly!

We went up into the mountains into a secluded place that only the "Ducks" are allowed to go.  This mountain is where they blew up rock and sediment to form the Table Rock Dam (no, we didn't take the dam tour).  These are old army vehicles that used to frequent the area.

We had great views from land and water.

Our tour guide asked for volunteers to drive the boat and Preston AND Craig volunteered.

It was actually a very informative tour and Preston could repeat a lot of it back to us later that day. Well worth the time and money.