When the need to save a little money hits during your unforgettable journey to Branson, it’s nice to know that you already have a head start; choosing Sunset Nightly Rentals for your vacation accommodations ensured you spent less for this Branson vacation than you otherwise would have! But if it’s not enough and your bargain hunting soul requires more, preparing a meal or two in your Branson escape is as easy to do as it is fun. Our fully equipped kitchens make meal prep fun, and these three recipes take away much of the work that is generally involved in cooking for your family! A grocery list and a stop at Rhode’s Family Price Chopper will help you save even more!
Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Scallions
This versatile dish can be used as the main event or a side dish, and the simplicity and taste will make it one you may create at home as well! Add 4 large plum tomatoes, 14 large scallions (green onions), olive oil, salt, pepper, and a 10-ounce box of campanelle or farfalle pasta to your shopping list and the most difficult part of making this dish will be over! For those who like a little protein with their pasta, chicken or shrimp and some grated parmesan cheese can be added as well. Blend the plum tomatoes, ¾ of the scallions, and a ¼ cup of olive oil together in a food processor (if available) or a blender (an appliance that is more likely to be available in our homes). In the meantime, make the pasta according to the directions, grill the remaining scallions and meat, and then pour all the ingredients over the pasta.
3-Ingredient Chicken Salad
For as far back as we can remember, sandwiches were an integral part of any vacation we took! Simple to make, pack, and eat while traveling, the memory of our moms bending over the back seats to pull out sandwiches for us to munch on in the car is one we remember fondly. With that being said, you don’t have to stick with bologna and cheese during your Branson getaway; this 3-ingredient chicken salad tastes so great, it’s hard to believe how easy it is to make! Rotisserie chicken, mayonnaise, and craisins (plus bread for sandwich making) are all you need to add to your shopping list. Shred a cup of the chicken and mix it together with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1/3 cup of craisins, then spread on your favorite sandwich bread.
3-Ingredient Cookie Butter Cake
Dessert is the only reason many of us eat our veggies, and if you feel the same, this simple recipe will make your entire trip! 2 jars of cookie butter, sugar, and eggs should be added to your grocery list. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, microwave one jar of cookie butter (poured into a microwave safe bowl) for 50 seconds, stirring halfway through the process; set this aside. Beat ½ cup of sugar and 5 eggs with an electric mixer until tripled in size. Fold some of the eggs into the slightly cooled cookie butter and then fold this mixture back into the egg until all is blended together—a gentle hand is required! Pour batter into greased 12 cup muffin tin and bake for 15 minutes. Using a knife to loosen, remove cakes and drizzle the remaining cookie butter that you have already melted over the slightly warm cakes.
Feel at Home in Our Homes on Your Branson Vacation
Feeling at home while on your Branson vacation is easy in our comfortable and stylish vacation rentals. Reserve yours today with Sunset Nightly Rentals!
If you were to ask us what our favorite season is, we’d have to stop, think very hard, and then the answer would be clear: EVERY season is our favorite! With that being said, however, winter in Branson is one of the most beautiful times of the year, and if you’re planning a winter getaway somewhere, but you’re not sure where, we hope that Branson will be the spot where your seasonal travels take you! This guide to the wonders of a Branson winter vacation and a stay in one of our Sunset Nightly Rentals properties will help entice you even more.
Toasty and Warm During Your Branson Winter Vacation
It’s true, our winters can be more than a bit chilly, but when you choose one of our Sunset Nightly Rentals winter escapes, you and your entire traveling group will stay toasty and warm. Bake cookies in our fully equipped kitchens, watch classic movies on state-of-the-art televisions in front of a roaring fire, and sleep until long after the sun peeks out from behind the clouds. Our homes are designed to spoil, and the evidence can be found in every room! In our hot tub properties, you can indulge in one of our guilty pleasures, a dip in a hot tub on a cold and snowy day, while other properties come equipped with foosball tables for hours of competitive fun on the snowiest days! When the cold night air beckons, gathering around a firepit in still other of our homes allows guests to stay out longer than originally planned; just scooch a little closer and enjoy the beauty of the flames shooting up into the velvety purple skies!
Bundle Up and Get Out
The chilly weather doesn’t seem so cold when you are all bundled up, so hiking through the hills is not out of the question—the snow makes such a satisfying crunch beneath your feet with each step you take! For those who aren’t really the outdoorsy types, a visit to the Titanic Museum or for the World’s Largest Toy Museum is always a great way to while away the vacation minutes without having to go outside for long. Comfort food and a show at McFarlain’s Restaurant will bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart, and anyone who doesn’t giggle out loud when they sit in one of the joke tables that suddenly rises to chin height must have a broken funny bone! It’s an old joke, but still gets us every time!
Sunset Nightly Rentals in the Winter
Reserve your Branson winter vacation rental today and discover what so many people have known for years: Branson is beautiful in the winter. Contact us today to being planning your journey in one of our rentals!
The beauty of the great outdoors in Branson is something you never get bored with. We wake up every morning of every season and the first thing we do is look out our windows to discover what treats Mother Nature has left for us today! The sun rising over the horizon, turning the skies into a kaleidoscope of color, the stark beauty of snowcapped mountains in the window, the flamboyant display of trees dressed in their autumn finest; the scene is constantly changing but the breathtaking beauty remains the same. During your Branson getaway, you’ll find yourself wanting to spend as much time as possible outside, and this guide to our favorite Branson outdoor activities will help you do so!
Don’t Be Frightened by Murder Rock Trail
The best way to enjoy the splendor of the Branson landscape is by strapping on a backpack filled with snacks and water, putting on your best walking shoes, and taking a hike along the many trails, and Murder Rock Trail is one of the best. Following along the trail that early pioneers once used, its name came about from the robbers who used to hide behind the rocks that border the trail and ambush, rob, and occasionally murder the travelers who were simply trying to find a better life. Today, the Murder Rock Trail is just a trail that offers breathtaking views and a good way to stretch your muscles. The trailhead can be found at Branson Creek Boulevard, just a few hundred yards away from the parking lot at Buffalo Ridge Golf Course.
Bike Riding with the Family
There are many beautiful places in the area for bike riding, and Table Rock State Park is our favorite example. Offering wide trails that are stable enough for younger riders to feel comfortable, it’s not a mountain biker’s rugged paradise, but it is an area that families will fall in love with! Views of the lake, the mountains, and of course the tree-lined paths that are both peaceful and exhilarating will be remembered long after you’ve returned home to real life and the bonds between family members that have loosened will be tightened up once more!
Vigilante Extreme Zip Rider, 6020 West, MO-76
This is one outdoor adventure that is sure to appeal to the daredevils in your traveling party. Billed as the highest zipline in Missouri, participants will launch off Inspiration Tower, 170 feet up in the air, and fly above the landscape while reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour! This experience is not for the faint of heart, nor is it one to be considered for the really young, really old, or those with physical limitations, but at $29.95 per person, it’s a fantastic adventure that will fit easily into tight vacation budgets.
From the Extreme to the Sublime
Sometimes your favorite and most memorable outdoor adventures will be the ones you have on the porch of your Sunset Nightly Rentals vacation escape as you grill up the catch of the day, sipping an ice-cold beer or a smooth chardonnay and chatting with the family as the sun sets in the background. These are the moments you won’t want to ever forget. Reserve your vacation rental today!
With elite cuisine and world class live entertainment, it’s easy to see why thousands of people every year flock to Branson over the Thanksgiving holiday to relax and unwind! If you’re planning on spending Thanksgiving in Branson, here are a few different ways to help keep the family entertained:
Take Part in the Branson Turkey Trot
Now let’s be honest here – one of the big fears that each and every one of us have when the holiday season rapidly approaches is those extra pounds we may put on eating so much delicious food, right? Well then why not squeeze in one last workout before the holiday season officially begins with the Branson Turkey Trot! This year will be the 5th Annual Turkey Trot hosted by the Ozarks Running Club, and this scenic run takes place at Branson Landing. Soak in the beautiful weather and colors of fall in this family friendly race and get one last run in before turkey time!
Enjoy a Traditional Thanksgiving in Branson at Grand Country Buffet
Slow roasted turkey covered in smooth gravy, fresh pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce… these staples of Thanksgiving cuisine immediately conjure memories of family and amazing memories, and no Thanksgiving would be complete without them. If you need your turkey fix on Thanksgiving while in Branson, you’ll definitely want to check out Grand Country Buffet, which will have an amazing mixture of classic dishes as well as local favorites and much more!
Take in a World Class Show
Branson hasn’t earned the reputation as the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World” for nothing, and so if you’re looking to keep your family entertained over the Thanksgiving holiday, what better way is there than to take in one of our world-class shows! Branson features a wide variety of acts ranging from classical musical hits such as the Grand Jubilee to breathtaking spectacles with the Acrobats of China, and many more! Many of these shows continue to run all throughout the Thanksgiving holiday, so don’t hesitate to get your tickets today!
No matter how you ultimately decide to spend your holiday in Branson, make sure the vacation planning gets off on the right foot by reserving a rental home or condo with Sunset Nightly Rentals. We have a number of amazing properties of different sizes and specialties all throughout the Branson area, and our team of professionals is ready to help you find the one that fits the unique needs of your family. So don’t wait – contact us today!
If you’re looking to do something different this Halloween, why not consider a trip to Branson? Offering the traditional Halloween celebrations—as well as some non-traditional ones—and the opportunity to enjoy one of our town’s most beautiful seasons, Branson is a favorite vacation destination on all fronts. From the mild to the wild to the extra-frightening, there’s no better place to celebrate America’s third favorite holiday than right here in the Ozarks and our Missouri mountain hometown enjoying Branson’s attractions!
Where to Trick or Treat
For families traveling with young children, trick or treating is extremely important, and thankfully, not necessary to forego during your Branson Halloween vacation. Your little goblins have the choice between three different locations, and because at least one of those locations holds its Trick or Treating night earlier, the opportunity to get more candy will make your child extremely happy! This year’s dates haven’t been released yet, but Branson Landing and Branson’s Tanger Outlets traditionally have sponsored trick or treating on Halloween night, while Branson Park and Rec’s Halloween BOOnanza is generally held the Saturday before.
Want to Be Scared?
Every year we say we won’t scream at Branson’s Haunted Screampark, but of course, every year we fail. This Screampark is scary, featuring four different attractions guaranteed to test the strength of your heart! Billed among Branson attractions as the Biggest Halloween Event and located at 236 Wild Valley Way in Branson West, you’ll want to go back again and again and again—if you survive your first visit, of course!
Want to Be REALLY Scared?
Fake ghosts may get your heart pumping, but it’s the real things that will test your mettle, and Branson Ghost and Paranormal Tours offer the opportunity to show what you’re made of! As you walk along the darkened streets of Branson, your guide will take you to the spots where the most restless of spirits are doomed to spend their days and nights.
It’s So Obvious
We almost don’t want to bring up this last activity, but we just can’t help ourselves! You come to Branson for the shows, so why not take in a Halloween themed one? The Hughes Music Show is proud to present the Howling Fun Show, held on October 27th, a Halloween themed show where the guests are invited to wear their most original costumes!
Stay in and Binge Watch Scary Movies and Enjoy Other Branson Attractions
Some of our best Halloween memories occurred after the last goblins and ghouls were tucked in bed dreaming of their All Hallows Eve experiences; we’d “borrow” candy, pour ourselves a drink, and settle in for a long night of binge watching scary movies, just as you can do today in your Sunset Nightly Rentals vacation escape. Our homes offer state of the art electronics, plush furnishings, and a quiet place to binge watch your own favorite spooktaculars— contact us and reserve yours today!
If you are looking for a large, lavish home, with impressive views of Table Rock Lake and dozens of acres of gorgeous land, then check out our Friendly Hills home in Branson, Missouri.
This stunning estate has 5 bedrooms, 6 baths, a private swimming pool with fountains, and a dock with private access to Table Rock Lake. Situated on 22 acres of land, this 5,367 square foot home is located just outside of city limits on private land, giving you plenty of privacy without being too far from town and making your stay in Branson MO unforgettable.
Features of Friendly Hills
This impressive estate is full of unique characteristics, including gorgeous stained-glass church-windows fitted into the ceiling, a two-story fireplace, custom arched windows, vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, and an elaborate chandelier in the foyer.
There are plenty of rooms for entertaining inside the home, including two kitchens, a formal dining room, and two living rooms. The kitchen upstairs is spacious with a large island in the middle for extra seating. You enter the home on the second floor; the first floor is the finished basement. The home is built into a hill, so the basement isn’t fully underground and has plenty of windows and doors that open up to the pool and backyard.
The home is situated on a hill overlooking Table Rock Lake. The lavish gardens surrounding the home feature a waterfall, impressive fountains, a tranquil creek with a footbridge, Roman-inspired statues, and beautiful trees and flowers making your stay in Branson MO a complete charm.
There are many outdoor locations around the estate to enjoy the gardens and views. The pool area has ample room for seating, including under a covered patio, an outdoor firepit, and an outdoor bar for entertaining. There is also a patio off the second floor and a heated solarium, so you can still enjoy the gorgeous views of the lake during the winter.
The estate has a private well and is hooked up to a septic system. There is also the possibility to further develop the land. The only structures currently on the estate are the home, a two-car detached garage, and the boat slip.
See Friendly Hills for Yourself When You Stay in Branson MO
The home was built in 1993 and is located at 218 Lenhart Lane. It is selling for $1,350,000; for an additional cost, you can purchase the boat slip. If you would like to find out more information about the home or wish to schedule a viewing, please call (888) 496 – 2566. Please make sure to take a look at our other luxury rentals we have available and check what interesting things are here to do in Branson.
Branson is home to a number of amazing events all throughout the year, and Labor Day is certainly no exception! If you’re looking to spend your holiday with us here continue reading to know more about what to do in Branson this Labor Day!
Bring Your Four-Legged Friend for Some Pool Fun!
Calling all puppers and doggos! Spend Labor Day having some fun with your favorite four-legged friend at the Branson RecPlex for Doggie Dive-In! From 6:15pm until 7:30pm the Branson Aquaplex will open its doors to the dogs and you’ll be able to play fetch or have them jump off the diving boards for their favorite toys! So make sure to come by and join in the fun and let your dog enjoy the holiday, too!
Chateau on the Lake Labor Day Celebration
On this Labor Day you can say goodbye to summer with a bang by going to the Chateau on the Lake Labor Day Celebration, which promises delicious food and good fun all weekend long! There will be live entertainment, a backyard barbeque, and a fireworks spectacular to send off summer on September 2nd at 9pm. This is a great event for those looking for something that can be fun for the whole family!
Boogie Down at Branson Landing
Looking for something a little different and funky to do on your Labor Day weekend? Check out Boogie Wonderland at Branson Landing, a free concert taking place on September 1st at 7pm. Boogie Wonderland is a local five-piece band that are masters of the sights and sounds of disco, including The Bee Gees, Bruno Mars, and more! So put on your dancing shoes, prep that afro, and get ready for some groovy fun!
Enjoy a Good Ol’ Fashioned Picnic at Big Cedar Lodge
A great event that is fun for the entire family, Big Cedar Lodge will be hosting a Labor Day picnic and fireworks display on September 2nd and promises fun for all ages. The celebration promises to feature contests, arts and crafts, live entertainment, delicious food, games, and so much more!
Take in a Show at the Hughes Brothers Theatre
The Hughes Music Show in Branson has quickly become a local and visitor favorite attraction over the years, and this year on Labor Day they plan on putting on a special show just for you! Celebrating the achievements and hard work of the American worker, this special show is dedicated to the contributions that American workers have made to the strength and prosperity of the nation as a whole.
These are just a few of the great ways that you can spend your Labor Day weekend here in Branson, but regardless of which amazing event you choose to attend make one thing for certain: Make sure to reserve a place to stay with Sunset Nightly Rentals. Sunset Nightly Rentals is the elite property rental company in all of Branson, and you can be certain we’ll have a rental home or condo ideal to fit all of your needs among the ones we manage. So don’t wait –contact us with any questions or to make your rental today!
Branson is home to so many amazing attractions and places to eat, it truly is a challenge to narrow them down! But if you’re only spending 48 hours in Branson, unfortunately sacrifices have to be made. That being said, here are the best sites to see in Branson if your time is cut a little short on your next vacation:
Hollywood Wax Museum
Where else in the world can you say that you’ve had the chance to meet Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jack Nicholson, and the Men in Black all in one place? Okay, you may not meet the actual stars themselves, but with how incredibly lifelike the statues are at the Hollywood Wax Museum you’ll definitely find yourself doing some double takes! The Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center in Branson is jam-packed with some of the most amazing wax art pieces you’ll find anywhere, and also the entertainment center as a whole features a number of amazing activities for the entire family to enjoy! If there’s one activity you need to experience in your 48 hours in Branson, this is it.
Legends in Concert at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre
Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater has been a staple of the legendary Branson entertainment scene, and since 1983 the Legends in Concert series has been the must see attraction in all of Branson. For over three and a half decades, the Legends in Concert series has been true pinnacle of live tribute shows and provides some of the most authentic musical acts and events you’ll find anywhere! Stop by and see legendary tribute acts such as Chuck Rite as Adam Levine, Denita Asberry as Aretha Franklin, and so much more! Legends in Concert is the best way to experience Branson’s incredible history as a pioneer in the music and entertainment industries for yourself, and just a great way to spend a night in Branson!
Danna’s Bar-B-Que & Burger
There are so many amazing dining options available for you during your stay here in Branson, but if we had to narrow it down to one, we recommend checking out Danna’s Bar-B-Que & Burger. Kansas City and Missouri as a whole have a rich tradition and legacy in creating delicious barbeque eats, and this is arguably no better represented in Branson than at Danna’s. This family owned establishment doesn’t set out to do anything over-fancy, but promises good ol’ fashioned barbeque with an amazing taste. The secret is in their cooking technique, as they smoke their beef and pork from anywhere between 12 and 14 hours overnight over locally smoked hickory wood. This flavor seeps into the meat and makes every bit of ribs, burgers, or pork taste live heaven. These are just a few of the options available to you when you spend 48 hours in Branson, but when it comes to finding the best place to stay, there’s only one option to consider: Sunset Nightly Rentals. Sunset Nightly Rentals is the premier property rental company in all of Branson, and we have the perfect home or condo to meet your needs. So don’t wait – check out all of the amazing rental properties we have available today!
If this is your first time visiting Branson in the summer, it may not be the temperatures that get you, but the humidity that accompanies those 80 to 90 degree temps. Heavy humidity, thick air, and temperatures that can rise pretty high are all reasons you can’t afford to pass up reading this article about the best Branson attractions for keeping it cool during your once in a lifetime summer vacation!
Start and End your Day with a Swim
Many of our Branson Nightly Rentals homes come with a pool, and if you’ve never experienced the joy of an early morning swim under the dawn’s sky, or a night swim with the stars sparkling brightly above, THIS is the time to try!
Visit Marvel Cave
You can’t go wrong with a visit to Marvel Cave, located at Silver Dollar City, where the temperatures stay a chilly 50 to 60 degrees year-round! If you’re in good physical shape and don’t have any lung or heart conditions, your time spent underground exploring the marvels of Marvel Cave will most likely end up being the highlight of your trip!
Go to a Show
It’s what we’re known for here, and because the shows are held inside in air-conditioned coolness, you know you’re going to have a great time! Take in a magic show, a country music performance, or even a Murder Mystery Dinner Show—and don’t forget to bring a sweater! The air-conditioning can get a little chilly!
Visit the Titanic Museum
It’s impossible to feel hot when you’re standing in the iceberg room! Offering artifacts, exhibits, and a unique surprise at the end of your visit, the Titanic Museum is popular any time of the year, but in the summer, you can’t help but be grateful for that great big hunk of ice!
Stay Inside and Play
Our Sunset Nightly Rentals vacation homes are designed to make you feel at home. Why not take some time and enjoy them? Turn the air conditioner down low, the fans up high, and spend some quality time with your family binge watching Netflix and snacking on the popcorn you popped fresh in the fully equipped kitchen. As the sun begins to set over the horizon, you may want to pour yourself a frosty beverage and head out to the deck for the best show in town: a Missouri sunset on a warm summer night!
Be sure to check all the awesome things Branson has to offer for you and your family for your vacation experience!
Some of us have what we call “itchy feet syndrome,” and no, we’re not talking about a rash; we’re talking about that constant need to travel more, explore longer, and drive further. A vacation isn’t about relaxing and chilling, but instead determining what is out there and seeing it all. Sometimes, this includes taking a mini-vacation within a vacation. Never satisfied with just staying in one place, a road trip is always a possibility, and if you’re this kind of traveler, this list of Branson Day Trips will be just what the doctor ordered!
Let’s Go to Springfield
Located about an hour north of Branson, this moderately sized city has a ton of fun things to see and experience, including the Fantastic Caverns that you can explore from the comfort of a tram, the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium, and the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is world renowned for honoring the athletes who have made our state proud, and if there is a sports buff in your family, be sure to include this place on your list of things to see.
Mansfield is Made for Readers
Anyone who loves to read has read or heard about the famous Laura Ingalls Wilder, but did you know that she lived out her days right here in Mansfield, Missouri? Located about an hour east of Branson, this bucolic town is famous for everything Laura, including the Rocky Ridge Farm, the home where her daughter Rose first became a writer herself, and the grave where she and Almanzo were laid to rest. Today, her former home is a museum, so visitors can actually view many of the things she talked about in her writings.
Carthage
Feel like heading west? Gas up your rental vehicle and head to Carthage, home to The Fountain of Angels and its unbelievably wonderful water show! Colorful lights add to the dancing display of water and music, giving a magical performance you won’t soon forget. The performance only takes place from March to December, so plan your Branson trip accordingly. After the show, head on over to the Carthage Family Restaurant for a hearty meal; road trips can make you very hungry!
Leave the Lights On!
After a long day of exploring the surreal beauty of the Missouri countryside, the sight of the lights you left on in your Sunset Nightly Rentals home will be a beautiful one. Symbolizing comfort, safety, and most importantly home, your Missouri vacation only gets better from here—reserve yours today!