The Sewing Mom

I have to work Thanksgiving morning, but I get Christmas off, so I’ve been talking to my husband today (in between softball games) about different things we might do to take advantage of some time off. He just told me the other day that he’s taking the week off after Christmas and my daughter will be out of school, so it sounds like the perfect time for a family getaway.

Right at the top of my getaway list is Branson, Missouri. My very favorite hotel in Branson, the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing is offering some really amazing packages. Santa’s Coming to town package is only $189 per night and includes a delivery of presents, cookies and milk from Santa himself, right to our room! My daughter (even though she is 13) would think that was pretty cool! I’m also considering the Polar Express Package for $289 per night which includes the hotel room and (I think this is so cool!), dinner on the Polar Express! The train will begin its run on November 6 and will continue on Thursday through Sundays for throughout the holidays. Now, I have to admit, my favorite would be the It’s a Wonderful Life package (one of our favorite movies), that is all about shopping, shows and relaxation. That’s my kind of holiday!

I love the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing because it’s right in the thick of everything in Branson and has such beautiful views, particularly of the fountain. The rooms are gorgeous and comfortable and restaurants and shops (more than 100) are all available right there at Branson Landing which is in historic downtown Branson. Of course, my second choice is just right across the street at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, another beautiful hotel.

Missouri and The Ozarks are so full of things to do and what a beautiful time of year to go. There is arts and entertainment in abundance. I love seeing Andy Williams who has his own venue. He really looks and sounds good for someone who’s been singing as long as he has! If you’ve never been to The Ozarks, it’s such a beautiful area. Although the leaves will have all ready fallen by the time we go, the rolling hills and lakes are always pretty, no matter what time of year.

Have you ever been to Branson? What was your favorite thing to do?

Branson, Missouri in the summer is an awesome place to be. Branson is in the Ozark Mountains, which covers more than half of the state of Missouri. The area is filled with all types of activities, especially if you love the outdoors. There is plenty of boating to be found on the White River and Lake Taneycomo. There are other smaller lakes as well, plenty to explore.

Of course, if it’s relaxation you’re looking for this summer, there are all sorts of nature trails and parks to be found, great places for a nice family picnic. Then again, maybe laying out by a beautiful swimming pool, especially the one at Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. I mean really, who could possibly resist this:

Just bring me an ice cold mud slide and I’d be a happy camper!

How about having a hotel room overlooking Lake Taceyomo, or this beatiful fountain at Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing?

The fountain provides nightly light shows, isn’t it gorgeous? I’d love to sit out on my balcony and watch that every night!

Then again, if you’re looking for action, take in one of the numerous shows going on daily and nightly in downtown Branson. There really is so much to do, it’s hard to decide what to do first! What’s your favorite thing to do in Branson?

Spending the weekend together with other young Christians, sharing life experiences, music, worship and fellowship and enjoying all that Branson, Missouri has to offer, what could possibly be a better way to spend the weekend than that? The Young Christian’s Weekend is the premier Christian youth event in the Midwest and it includes amazing concerts and heart warming worship services.

Here’s my itinerary for March 27-29. After checking in to Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, I will be heading to Silver Dollar City to attend the Friday evening rally which includes a concert by Downhere. There are also rallies on Saturday and Sunday nights at Silver Dollar City which I may also attend. The tickets for the rally that are included in my Young Christians package from the hotel, also give me access to all the rides and shows that are at Silver Dollar City. I would love to visit all of the 60 craft shops in the area and see the craftsmen performing demonstrations of pioneer era crafts too. I could only hope to have enough time to do it all!

Of course, for a change of pace, I may have to incorporate shop shopping into my itinerary. There is the Tanger Outlet Mall that deserves my attention, not to mention the hundreds of other shops in the area and the new waterfront shopping center at Branson’s Landing.

The Hilton Promenade and the HIlton Branson Convention Center Hotel are both offering packages for the Young Christian’s Weekend that include accommodations and passes to Silver Dollar City. If you can’t make it for this particular weekend, both hotels have a number of other packages to choose from, so be sure to check them out.

I heard about this and I have to share. It just sounds like way too much fun not to go to Branson and check it out, so I’m thinking that maybe we’ll make this our Spring Break adventure. What am I talking about? Well, I’m talking about the Branson’s First Annual Great American Pie Show in Branson, Missouri.

The Great American Pie Contest is taking place at the Branson Convention Center which is adjacent to Hilton Branson Convention Center, April 24-25, 2009. This is a national pie recipe contest featuring none other than NBC’s favorite weatherman, Al Roker as its spokesperson. This is a serious pie competition with $2,500 being awarded to the 1st place winner plus a a trip for two for a 4-day/3-night vacation in Branson.

Of course, as I’ve said before, there are plenty of other fun activities to do in and around Branson, including the FLW Bass Fishing Tournament and the first ever Branson Air Show. The Branson area is surrounded by beautiful countryside include many lakes, parks and outdoor activities. There are several championship golf courses in the area, several museums and 40+ live entertainment theaters.

If you have Spring Break in April, this is a family destination that should seriously be considered. The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel has reserved a block of rooms for April 20 – 29 and is offering a special room rate that will be available until March 22nd or until the group block is sold-out! With rates starting at only $109/night, what are you waiting for?

My daughter’s birthday is less than 2 months away and I have no idea what she’d like to do. She will be 13 and I think that is a birthday that deserves to be celebrated in a very special way. The last year and a half have been somewhat difficult for her because she left her friends behind when we relocated to Texas. She had so many true friends too and many she had known since she was in preschool.

I really would like to do something special so I’ve continued my research into going to Branson, Missouri. There are a lot of activities we could do, for example, did you know that there are over 100 shows at 49 different theaters that we could go see ranging from rock-n-roll to country to gospel and everything in between? Or, if we wanted to be outdoors we could go ride the Ducks. The Ducks are WWII amphibious vehicles that you ride in to get a tour of the area. Typically they will go from land into water (they float) and back to land. It’s a great way to see the more natural areas outside of downtown Branson. There are even local caves in the area that can be explored.

Mini-golf is prevalent in Branson and that’s one of my daughter’s favorite activities. While she and my husband were putting around, I could probably sneak off to one or two of the many quilt shops located in the area. Later we could take in one of the many museums, perhaps the Hollywood Wax Museum.

Of course, when we become too worn out to go on, we can always return to the sanctity of our luxurious room at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel which will also allow us to take our dog along. The are located near all the shopping and entertainment venues and have plenty to do at the hotel including a wonderful spa that would be awesome to take advantage of. If I book now I can take advantage of the Winter Escape Packages that Hilton is offering at the Convention Center Hotel and the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing another one of their full service hotels in Branson.

My daughter is due home from school in a few minutes and I think I’ll talk it over with her. If she agrees, I’m making our reservations pronto!