5 Reasons you MUST visit Branson's Silver Dollar City

Disclosure: The following trip to Branson and Silver Dollar City has been provided courtesy of US Family Guide. All experiences and thoughts are 100% our own.

Growing up when the word Branson was mentioned my mind almost always drifted off into the wonderful land of Silver Dollar City. I have visited this park too many times to count and I must tell you, I STILL love the place as an adult. So in light of my most recent trip there, I’ve complied a list of the top 5 reasons you MUST visit Silver Dollar City.

Silver Dollar City is an 1880′s themed park spread out on 100 acres of land with 30 different rides and attractions, 12 restaurants, 12 stage venues, 60 shops and over 100 different craftsmen.

1. The Rides:
If you ask many people this is the key thing for any amusement park to have. And they can’t be just any rides, they have to thrill the customer so we’ll keep coming back! Silver Dollar City is loaded with amazing, heart racing rides. Now this wasn’t my favorite part; I guess with old age (ha!) I’ve found a fear in roller coasters, but Sam loved them!

Even if you’re not a fan of the fast and crazy coasters, there are still rides for you…even rides for the little ones too!

But the biggest news with Silver Dollar City’s roller coasters, is that their newest one, Outlaw Run, was named Best New Ride in 2013. How crazy is that?! and these are some reasons why:
* The World’s Most Daring wooden roller coaster
* Features the world’s first and only double barrel roll (720 degrees) on a wooden coaster.
* The only wooden coaster to twist upside down three times, with a record breaking 3 inversions.
* The steepest wood coaster!! The first drop is 162 feet (more than 16 stories) at 81 degrees.
* The second fastest wood coaster in the world reaching speeds of 68 miles per hour.

All of that in less than a minute and a half! It is definitely one intense ride.

2. The Food:
Now we’re talking my love language here. While the rides are nice and dandy, I truly care about the food. And boy does Silver Dollar City have you covered in that department! From bakeries with gigantic cinnamon rolls, to restaurants with amazing buffets, you can eat your weight in delicious cuisine.

They even have outdoor vendors who make the food right in front of you. The aroma was amazing and good luck walking past them without purchasing something. We couldn’t, the temptation was too much, ha!

One of the coolest things was the “make your own float shop” where you cold choose your ice cream, coke, and have at it! Pretty sure that was Sam’s favorite part. That man loves Root Beer and lives off of ice cream.

3. Marvel Cave:
Did you know that Silver Dollar City had a cave?! Me either until this trip! Seriously, I have been there dozens of times and JUST found out about it. In fact the entire park all started with people coming to tour the cave. And still to this day you can take guided tours through it.

4. Shopping:
Silver Dollar City has 60 shops and 100 resident craftsmen all with amazing items for you to purchase. Some of the craftsmen will even create their handmade items during the day for everyone to see. I remember one lady Sam and I happened to see as we took a break on a bench. She was cranking out these beautiful baskets, chatting with people, and it just came as second nature to her. I was amazed.

Silver Dollar City takes pride in these craftsmen and enjoy all the talent and handmade goods they have to offer.

5. The Shows:

From gospel singing groups, to stuntmen, if there’s a show you’d like to see Silver Dollar City has them.

I must say that I love this aspect of Silver Dollar City! It keeps the grounds lively as you walk past groups singing and shows going on. There is no better way to take a break from all the walking and rides than to sit and list enjoys some shows.

These are just a few of the reasons you MUST go visit Silver Dollar City, but there are MANY more! Don’t take my word on it though, check them out for yourself. Plus they have some festivals coming up that you might really enjoy, see about them here!

Have you been to Silver Dollar City? What was your favorite part?