Leaving Branson and Lunching at Twisted Ranch

It was the final day of my Branson, Missouri adventure with friends Brittany, Amanda, and Marsha. We had been out late celebrating Brittany’s 21^st birthday, but sleeping in wasn’t on the schedule.

We packed up and said farewell to the Radisson Hotel Branson staff. 

It is a convenient hotel and they had done a good job of making it feel like home.

After we left the hotel, we drove down to Main Street, an area we had not previously made it to. 

We all looked at each other at once as we saw all the interesting shops, knowing that we would need to explore.

First, we were having breakfast with Tamra from the Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. She had been the one who had worked so hard on providing us with a great itinerary of things to do over the last four days.

Tamra had also picked a great place for breakfast. The Farmhouse Restaurant is a popular spot in the city and their menu is inviting. She told me they were famous for their blackberry cobbler.

You never have to suggest to me more than once to have dessert for breakfast, but I added a scrambled egg on the side to make it a bit more nutritious. (It was truly delicious cobbler, and they also have it in cherry, and peach.)

Tamra joined me in blackberry cobbler, while everyone else ate a bit more traditionally, with biscuits and gravy, omelets, or pancakes.

After breakfast, we walked around town for about an hour, checking out some of the stores. We were especially drawn to Dick’s Old Time 5& 10, where we each picked up some candy and souvenirs.

I had asked Brittany to pick a place for her birthday lunch on the way home and she didn’t hesitate.

Twisted Ranch had been open in St. Louis about a year and the lines were regularly out the door.

I had contacted the manager and asked that we had a table reserved, but we arrived just before closing so there was room anyway.

The idea of Twisted Ranch is 27 types of ranch dressing you can use to dip all types of food. 

We were determined to try them all, but first we had to check out some of their cocktails.

While the food is based around ranch dressing, the drinks are centered around the location the restaurant is in. St. Louis Blues and the red Cardinals and Eagles are the basis of some very tasty libations.

We decided to go for the blue and red daquiris and margaritas, and they really hit the spot. We also were determined to go through all 27 flavors.

Since the flavor samplers came in assortments of 13, we had two, with the 27^th one on the side.

Of course, we needed food to dip in the ranch.  We chose fries, mozzarella sticks (cut in squares, the most delicious I’ve ever had), and chicken wings.

We also couldn’t resist some of their Ranched Macaroni and Cheese, which included bacon and, of course, ranched dressing.

Everything at this restaurant was so good. We certainly understood where the daily lines were coming from.

As for the ranch dressings, we had our favorites: Greek, Creamy Balsamic, Buttermilk Basil, and Asian Zing.

Twisted Ranch was the perfect way to end an amazing trip to Missouri, as well as Brittany’s 21^st birthday!

Amusement Park Fun and Special Cocktails in Branson

It was the last full day in Branson for Marsha, Brittany, Amanda, and I. We had a full day of fun planned, as well as a very special nighttime celebration.

We were up and out of the Radisson Hotel Branson early to head to Silver Dollar City, one of Branson’s most popular attractions.

I expected an amusement park, but I also got a period attraction that reminded me of Colonial Williamsburg.

Silver Dollar City has as many depictions of historical sites as rides, including period costumes and vehicles, an old school house, animals, walkways that looked like streets from long ago, woodworkers, a glassware maker, a pottery store, and other shops that had a lot more than your typical theme park souvenirs.

The park also has lots of shows, such as “Mean Murphy Rides Again” at the Saloon, McHaffie’s Homestead, and the Silver Dollar City Street Troupe. They also have seasonal shows in the fall and Christmas shows in December.

Unlike most amusement parks, Silver Dollar City is open through January 1^st each year, and then re-opens in March. 

You can also purchase a triple ticket during the summer to include admission to Whitewater Water Park and the Showboat Branson Belle  (which we had done a few days before) dinner cruise at a discount rate.

We started with breakfast at Eva & Delilah’s Bakery. It was hard to choose free the pastries, breads, brownies, cookies, Danishes, and cupcakes.

We ended up with a cinnamon roll and sticky bun to share, and some fresh coffee to go with them.

There is no shortage of food at Silver Dollar City, from sit-down and buffet restaurants to stands for funnel cakes, sidewinder fries, tater twists, ice cream, candy, and fudge.

Marsha and I wondered around exploring while Brittany and Amanda hit the rides: 

The Giant Barn Swing, Thunderation Wooden Roller Coaster (called “the world’s most daring wood coaster” since it has three upside down twists), Firefall, and the Firespotter Roller Coaster.

We all did the train ride at Silver Dollar City, which stops for a comedy skit along the way, and the Fire in the Hole ride.

We were all very hungry and decided to go to Molly’s Mill Restaurant for the buffet luncheon. It was good and quite filling, with fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, a salad bar, a pasta bar, and more.

It was a very hot day and we were ready to go over to Whitewater Water Park. Marsha and I again took the relaxing route, spending time on the Lazy River before enjoying one of the many lounge chairs in the sun with an afternoon ice cream treat.

Brittany and Amanda went through the Pipeline Plunge, Surf’s Up Wave Pool, Kalani Towers, and Kapaui Plummet.

We headed back to the Radisson Hotel Branson in the evening. We had a late night planned and all napped for a while before dressing up.

The plan was to head to Crazy Craig’s Cheeky Monkey Bar at 10:00 and have dinner, and be there at midnight for a 21^st birthday toast to Brittney.

Unfortunately, there was a bit of a mix-up with the PR rep as far as the Missouri laws were concerned. No one under 21 was allowed in the bar between 10 and midnight.

Another wrench in our plans was the fact that Branson is just not a late-night dinner town. The only place we found open for the birthday dinner was the International House of Pancakes!

We actually had fun with breakfast for dinner at IHOP and made it back to the Cheeky Monkey at 11:45.

While Brittany waited outside the door with Amanda (who had turned 21 a few weeks before), Marsha and I got the drinks ready and talked to Craig, the bar’s owner. 

He told us about his journey as a farm boy from Nebraska to Washington, DC, Panama, Costa Rica, and more, including where the monkey came from (you can read the whole story on the back of the menu in the picture).

At exactly 12:01 am, Craig personally escorted Brittany into the bar for her first official cocktails.

I picked the Cheeky Monkey Bar because of the fun atmosphere and interesting cocktails. It seemed as if every one of them made it to the birthday girl at our table! Including these:

Cheeky Monkey

Cruzan Mango, Guava, banana, and Coconut rums with a splash of tropical juices.

A Monkey’s Uncle

Svedka Raspberry Vodka, Svedka Mango Pineapple Vodka, Cranberry Juice, sour mix, and a splash of Sprite.

Grass Monkey

Cruzan Coconut rum, Deykuper Melon Liqueur, pineapple juice, sour mix, and a Cruzan 151 floater.

We closed down the bar at 2:00 am and headed back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep. We had some more birthday celebrating to do for the last day of our trip in Branson, Missouri. 

Bigfoot and Dixie Stampede in Branson

It was day three in Branson and I continued to enjoy this Missouri city with my friends Marsha, Brittany, and Amanda.

Our first stop for the day was at an attraction new to the city this year, Bigfoot on the Strip. 

We thought it would be a quick stop, but we soon realized there was so much to do (and eat) that it was fun for the day.

Bigfoot, a joint adventure by three locals, who also happen to be in the food business (more below), is an adventure park with unique activities to keep kids and adults occupied and having fun.

Brittany and Amanda took off for the maze immediately. It was nothing like you’d find at chuck E Cheese.

This one required a lot of climbing and crawling, with stops in a tall water tower and the opportunity to jump onto a trampoline-like pit.

Before checking out anything else, we stopped for lunch at Bigfoot’s food trucks, Big Ds BBQ and Parlor Pizza Wood Fired Pizza.

It was a unique and delicious alternative to a snack bar. Owner Darrell “Big D” Henley showed us around the state-of-the-art trucks, where they can smoke their own meats and wood-fire pizzas.

Our “samples” turned into a magnificent buffet and I couldn’t even tell you what we liked best – it was all mouth-watering.

After lunch, Brittany and Amanda hit the main attraction, the Bigfoot Action Tower, which contains two rides in one 200’ high construction.

The Gravity Bomb™ is a freefall that uses a magnetic braking system to bring the riders to a smooth, but abrupt, stop after they “fall” down from the top.

The Super Sling™ is more of an actual ride, as two people sit together and flip slingshot like into the air and back down.

After the golf, we went inside to the arcade for the 8D Action Ride. 

This goes way beyond any 3 or 4D experience I’ve had, as you get 3D glasses and laser guns, while on an actual mini bike that jerks back and forth with sound effects.

You can buy individual tickets to Big Foot on the Strip, but I recommend going for the all-inclusive package if you want to spend the day. 

It was hard to get them off the Action Tower, but Marsha and I were ready for some mini-golf and Bigfoot has a fun course that even takes you through a muraled tunnel.

We couldn’t help but notice an Andy’s Frozen Custard next door as we got in the car to leave and stopped for some afternoon treats.

We went back to the 10479934?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.expedia.com%2Fpubspec%2Fscripts%2Feap.asp%3FPRID%3D1%26GOTO%3DHOTDETAILS%26HotID%3D12860&cjsku=12860" target="_top"> Radisson Hotel Branson

for a bit to shower and change. We had plans to go to the Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Show.

Marsha had been to the show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, but the rest of us weren’t sure what to expect when we pulled up to what looked like a Southern mansion.

After we picked up our tickets we had time to walk through the stables and see the horses at this Branson, Missouri location.

They are switched out each show so they don’t get worn out and they were all pretty friendly.

We walked through the gift shop and into the carriage room where there is a bar (non-alcoholic drinks only) and a pre-show.

A bit crowded it was a bit crowded, but we were only in there for a short while before they called us into the main arena.

We all sat around a large circular sand-filled area for the show, which included a little of everything, with changing backgrounds, horses, riders, cowboys, dancers, wagons, and more.

There was plenty of special effects, including jumping through fire, and stunt riders. It was a lot of fun to watch.  There was a wonderful and patriotic finale.

Our place setting was complete, but without any type of utensils. You eat everything at this show with your hands, but it’s not quite as messy as it sounds.

Dinner was quite good, consisting of a small rotisserie chicken, barbecued pork loin, creamy vegetable soup (in a bowl with a handle to pick up), corn on the cob, a baked potato, a biscuit, and an apple turnover for dessert.

After the show, we went back to the Radisson Hotel Branson for a good night sleep. We had one full day left in Branson and it was going to end with a late night out.

Kayaking, Music and Lots of Food in Branson

We got up early at the Radisson Hotel for our first full day in Branson and had a quick breakfast.

Marsha, Brittany, Amanda and I got in the car and headed to Table Rock Lake, where we were going kayaking at Flat Creek Resort in Cape Fear.

It was a scenic drive on winding roads, something we didn’t see in Central Illinois.

Flat Creek Resort is Just outside the city of Branson and we had been invited to check it out, specifically the kayaking.

It was something new they started this season and everyone was excited to be out on the brand-new boats, especially Brittany, who was trying stand up fishing from a kayak for the first time.

The staff helped us get started.

After Brittany did the fishing kayak for a while, she joined Amanda, while Marsha and I in the other tandem kayak.

They were much sturdier than kayaks I had previously been in.

It was the perfect partly cloudy and warm day to be out on the water. It was the most relaxing hour I’d had in a very long time.

Flat Creek Resort itself isn’t very big, but the lake availability is huge, as is the very popular restaurant and bar.

After kayaking we went to the restaurant and found out why so many people, especially locals, come out here.

The drink menu was so inviting, Marsha, Amanda, and I (it was still two days until Brittany’s 21^st birthday) had to give some of their signature cocktails a try and they were delicious:

The Relaxer-Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum, Peach Schnapps, Skyy Vodka, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice.

Bahama Mama-Captain Morgan White Rum, Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum, banana liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine.

Grateful Dead Margarita-Skyy Vodka, Tanqueray Gin, Captain Morgan White Rum, Cazadoras BlancoTequila, Chambord, and house made sweet and sour.

Everything on the menu looked fantastic and we were really hungry so we got a little carried away.

We started with the Pulled Pork Nachos Supreme and the Loaded Potato Skins while we made our decisions for main dishes. We chose the right ones.

Amanda and I had the Hawg and Slaw, a pulled pork sandwich topped with cole slaw, and the mashed potatoes.

Marsha had the brisket salad.

Brittany had an assortment, ordering the Flat Creek Trio: Ribs, Brisket, and Catfish with two sides (she had green beans and baked beans).

As full as we were (our “doggie bags” were quite big), we could not resist the desserts our waiter was offering.

We succumbed to Red Velvet Cheesecake, Chocolate Tuxedo Cheesecake, a Cherry Fried Pie, and (fried bread pudding)

After we left Flat Creek, we went back to the Radisson Hotel to chill for a while before our 4:00 pm Showboat Belle Branson dinner cruise.

We made the short drive to White River Landing for the boat. We were disappointed that it was starting to drizzle, but I noticed that the boat was very large and mostly indoors.

I had been on a lot of dinner cruises, but the food and entertainment on the Showboat Branson Belle was top notch.

We had a choice of steak, fish, or pork chop with vegetables and potatoes.

Soft drinks and dessert, turtle cheesecake or chocolate cake. Didn’t eat much.

The boat is beautiful, clean, organized and very well kept. Our table (premium section) was in the perfect position to see the show. Performers were fantastic.

I loved the Billy Joel medley as I had been about overcome with country music prior.

The clouds were quite ominous, though it didn’t rain hard. We took a walk outside. No sunsets on this night.

We had talked about doing something after the show, but we were all wiped out so we just enjoyed the pool and jacuzzi when we got back to the Radisson Branson before bed.

We had another full day ahead in Branson, Missouri to come.