By Harold Merton
If you want an elegant evening of entertainment in Branson then head
for The Branson Belle Showboat. You'll enjoy a beautiful cruise, elegant
dining and a spectacular show.
The Branson Belle runs from March through December and is located at Table Rock Lake one-half mile south of Table Rock Dam on Hwy 165. Here you can relive the romance and splendor of those grand old showboatin' days of long ago. The riverboat adventure begins when you reach the dock. It is a magnificent place decked out like a riverboat dock probably was way back then. Once on board you get to explore the magnificent boat built on the site and launched on ramps containing hundreds of bananas so grease and oil would not pollute the lake. They say that the boat reach a faster speed down the ramp into the water than it ever will on the lake. You start with a two hour cruise during which you retire to the dinner theater where you are seated in a multi-level arrangement. Our table was in the balcony on the rail where we overlooked the orchestra level tables. The meal was fantastic and our servers attended to our every need.
As desert was being served the show began on a beautiful stage. We were
highly impressed with the quality of the entertainment. It ranked very
highly in the shows we saw while in Branson. Dancers, acrobats and other
acts prepared us for the main feature.
The headliner is Todd Oliver, a ventriloquist who uses live dogs as dummies. Yes the mouths go and the timing is perfect as the dogs carry on a conversation with their master. It not only entertained but mystified guests who swore the dogs mouths were opening on cue. The riverboat itself is a piece of art and well worth a trip around the deck. The meal was probably the best we had while in Branson.
Photos by Harold Merton
The entertainment didn't take a back seat to anything else we saw either.
In season they have trips at noon, 4 and 8 p.m. Check the schedules once
you get there because we found there were some days they did not operate.
Reservations are highly recommended. The Branson Belle is a Silver Dollar
City Attraction and information can be accessed from their website silverdollarcity.com
Ticket prices are a reflection that you are buying a tour and a meal and
entertainment. We felt it was well worth the price. If you go get there
in lots of time so you can explore the
Showboat Branson Belle
Highway 165 1/2 mile south of Table Rock Dam
Branson MO
1.800.775.BOAT
www.silverdollarcity.com
Branson KOA Campground
Legends in Concert
BRANSON BELLE SHOWBOAT
BRANSON SCENIC RAILWAY
Silver Dollar City,
Branson Missouri
MUSIC SHOWS ARE THE MAIN ATTRACTION
AT BRANSON