When the cold winds blow, many head to the Ozark Mountains near Branson, Missouri to warm their hearts with music and fun during Branson, Missouri’s festive winter celebration.

Hot Winter fun is Branson, Missouri’s answer to the winter blues! Enjoy exciting shows and attractions. Go on a leisurely shopping spree at three, huge outlet malls, where the bargains are bountiful. Watch a beautiful winter sunset playing against the mountains.

For guests staying at Chateau on the Lake, there’s dining in one of Branson, Missouri’s finest restaurants, the Wine Spectator Award-winning Chateau Grille. The resort also features the new 9,000 sq. ft. Spa Chateau, Branson, Missouri’s most elegant day-spa.

If you’re up for an evening out, one of the city’s favorite performers is Jim Stafford. Voted Branson, Missouri’s Best Entertainer, Jim Stafford is the brilliant, zany comic who gave us the song Spiders & Snakes. Known as the “Victor Borge of guitar,” Jim delivers a two-hour, laugh-filled show packed full of guitarmania.

The singer, songwriter, comic-genius, and entertainer extraordinaire is self-taught on guitar, fiddle, piano, banjo, organ, harmonica, and the human brain – and he brings all of them into play during his Branson, Missouri show.

From the opening moments of his zany show you’re in for an action-packed adventure and some incredible guitar playing. Laser lights, a real 3-D Virtual Thrill Ride (created and developed in-house at Jim’s theater), flying saucers and stampeding cows are just a few of the deliriously delightful surprises that await you at the Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson, Missouri.

For more information, visit http://www.bransongroups.com or talk to your concierge at Chateau on the Lake.

For those who enjoy live theater and performances, Branson, Missouri never disappoints. A town known for its wide variety of music, comedy, and performing arts, there are hundred of options for visitors to this Ozark mountain town to enjoy. Here is just a small sampling of some of the most popular Branson, Missouri shows to consider adding to your vacation itinerary.

The ever-popular Andy Williams All-Star Variety show is a must-see for travelers to Branson, Missouri. Based on the popular star’s 1960s television show, the Branson, Missouri stage version features Mr. Williams himself along with a cast of six more live variety acts. Currently, the show is teamed with Paul Revere & the Raiders and Bill Medley, who headline the 7pm show. Before or after the show, stop by Branson, Missouri’s Moon River Grill next door, where you can also view some artifacts from Mr. Williams’ career.

Get out your poodle skirts and get ready to shake, rattle and roll at the “50s at the Hop” show in Branson, Missouri. This is one of Branson, Missouri’s most successful stage shows to date, leading to the construction of its own theater in 2007. At this show, Branson, Missouri visitors will enjoy the sounds of the 1950s, including doo wop, Motown, gospel, Elvis, and good old-fashioned rock and roll. Song selections include Rock Around the Clock, It’s My Party, Mr. Postman, and many more of your favorites. This Branson, Missouri show will get you out of your seat and dancing.

Voted one of the most fun places to eat in Branson, Missouri, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede & Dinner Show is fun for the whole family. Now celebrating over 20 years on the stage, this Branson, Missouri show features beautiful horses, southern belles, valiant heroes, dancers, trick riders, and much more. Plus, you get to enjoy a delicious four-course meal, and maybe even participate in some games within the show.

There are hundreds of more options for those who love Branson, Missouri entertainment. Just stop by the concierge desk at Chateau on the Lake for more information, ticket prices and show times.

To celebrate the May 11, 2009 grand opening of the new Branson, Missouri airport, the first annual, weekend-long air show will be held from May 8th through the 10th. The Branson, Missouri airport is the first privately financed and operated commercial airport in the U.S. Carriers now include Air Tran and Sun Country.

The action-packed air show will feature some of the country’s top air performers. Appearances at the Branson, Missouri show will include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, wing walkers, Warbird demonstrations, and much more. The Thunderbirds are expected to be a popular attraction at the Branson, Missouri air show—these daredevils perform precision aerial maneuvers in high-performance aircraft, and have wowed observers for 56 years.

On the ground, the Branson, Missouri air show will also feature a variety of static displays. Visitors to Branson, Missouri will have opportunities to get up close and personal with such aircraft as the B-17, B-25, P-51 Mustang, Sea Fury, P-47, and the Corsair.

In addition, a special Saturday night concert has been added to the festivities in Branson, Missouri, along with a contest on Sunday where six lucky moms will celebrate Mother’s Day by wining round-trip airfare tickets. The first annual air show is sure to open the new Branson, Missouri airport in a big way. For information on tickets and show times, see the concierge at Chateau on the Lake in Branson, Missouri.

Visitors to Branson, Missouri should be aware that the area offers some of the state’s best golfing! Surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the Ozark Mountains, the golf courses in Branson, Missouri are popular among residents and visitors alike. Couple the scenery with year-round mild temperatures, and golfers visiting Branson, Missouri will find themselves in paradise!

There are nearly a dozen golf courses located in Branson, Missouri, with several others in the outlying areas. One popular course is Thousand Hills, an 18-hole Branson, Missouri layout that features electric golf carts, superbly manicured greens, and challenging sand traps, hills, and creeks. Players on this Branson, Missouri course will also have access to instructors, putting green, pro shop, club rentals, snack bar, tennis courts, and even a swimming pool.

Located just four miles south of Branson, Missouri, the Tom Fazio-designed Branson Creek Golf Club is a favorite among local golfers. This Branson, Missouri course is on a championship level and features rolling hills, bunkers, bent-grass greens, and native roughs. The Branson, Missouri club also offers many additional services, including golf instruction, rentals, beverage cars, a driving range and putting green, restaurant, banquet rooms, and a pro shop.

Another popular golf course in Branson, Missouri is Pointe Royale, an 18-hole, par 70 championship-level course. This Branson, Missouri course is challenging, with many hills, water on 10 holes, and bunkers at every hole. Visitors to Branson, Missouri can book their entire vacation at Pointe Royale, where condos are available to rent. Players here will have access to a PGA pro, pro shop, restaurant and lounge, swimming pool, and tennis courts.

To learn more, see your concierge at the Chateau on the Lake Resort in Branson, Missouri.

In just a few short months, visitors to Branson, Missouri will have a new option to travel into town. In May of 2009, the Branson, Missouri Airport (BMG) will begin operating with flights from AirTran. The Unites States’ first privately financed and operated commercial airport will have the ability to do things that municipal airports cannot do, such as offering naming rights and sponsorship opportunities.

The Branson, Missouri airport is a big deal to the city. While operations will be small in the beginning, the location of the airport offers future development possibilities for the entire city of Branson, Missouri. Commercial airline service will allow for more tourists to easily access the city, potentially increasing tourism revenues and traffic by substantial numbers. Being able to travel by air directly into the city will allow visitors to Branson, Missouri the opportunity to visit more often and stay longer.

When the airport opens in May, there will be just one runway. But visitors to Branson, Missouri will have all the amenities they need for their vacations when they land, including auto rental and ground transportation options. The airport is located just eight miles from the heart of Branson, Missouri, allowing for quick access to lodging and to all their vacation destinations.

For the last 12 years in Branson, Missouri, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has made a stop in the city for Veteran’s Day. Better known as “The Wall,” the half-scale replica of the famous Washington, D.C. memorial is almost 240 feet long and features the names of the more than 58,000 veterans who gave their lives in Vietnam.

This year, The Wall visited Branson, Missouri from November 5-11, and U.S. veterans came from all over the country to see this magnificent monument.

An opening ceremony was held on November 5th, during which the colors were presented, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and the Star Spangled Banner was sung. In addition, veterans from Branson, Missouri participated in the wreath-laying ceremony, while Taps was played and a gun salute was fired.

Many of the visiting veterans stayed at Chateau on the Lake, Branson, Missouri’s only AAA Four-Diamond resort, spa and convention center, which rolled out the red carpet for these American heroes.

During the period of time that The Wall was in Branson, Missouri, the names of those inscribed on The Wall were continuously read. Branson, Missouri volunteers signed up to read the names and hometowns of each person on the Wall for 30 minutes at a time. Names were read from 8am to 10pm each of the seven days The Wall was on display in Branson, Missouri.

Next year, visitors to Branson, Missouri who are interested in visiting the town during The Wall’s tour can make reservations at Chateau on the Lake. The Wall is on public display around the same time each year.

While Branson, Missouri is typically known for being a family-friendly resort city, there are plenty of options for night owls seeking some entertainment. With nearly 50 venues for live shows, there will always be something for everyone. Visitors to Branson, Missouri can find music shows for any taste, from rock and roll, to country, to big band, and much more.

A favorite watering hole among Branson, Missouri locals is Rocky’s Lounge. Located in downtown Branson, Missouri, Rocky’s Lounge is an extension of Rocky’s Italian Restaurant. The bar and restaurant offer excellent food and drinks along with live music. A local favorite piano player is on hand some nights and entertains the crowd with his uncanny ability to recall songs and grant crowd requests.

Another popular destination in Branson, Missouri is Outback Branson, an Australian-themed restaurant and bar and entertainment venue. Outback features an outdoor deck, along with live entertainment 7 nights a week and a selection of over 100 beers. The atmosphere is laid back and perfect for enjoying Branson, Missouri nights or relaxing with a game of pool or trivia.

An absolute must for Branson, Missouri nightlife lovers is Planet Branson, where you’ll find karaoke, ballroom dancing, and a huge dance floor. On Wednesdays, Planet Branson hosts the biggest karaoke night in town where you can test your pipes or enjoy listening to music’s future stars, or wannabes! On Tuesdays, ballroom dancing takes the floor, and the rest of the week the dance floor hops with enough music to make anyone tap their toes.

For a classy place to enjoy the night in Branson, Missouri, visit Chateau Grille at Chateau on the Lake. Known for fine dining and excellent French cuisine, Chateau Grille is a perfect choice for a date night. With an extensive wine list, even the most scrupulous diner will find something to perfectly match the perfect entrée. Branson, Missouri visitors can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just stop by for a drink at this beautiful restaurant.

For kids, collectors and the young-at-heart, the World’s Largest Toy Museum is a Branson, Missouri attraction filled with toys and fun exhibits for visitors to explore. With toys from as far back as 1880, a number of the items in the collection are well over 100 years old!

Branson, Missouri visitors are encouraged to bring the whole family to this famous museum, featuring antique and modern toys. Inside, Branson, Missouri guests discover a broad toy timeline, with everything from old-fashioned hand-carved toys to Elvis memorabilia to Star Wars objects.

Items in the museum’s displays range from traditional classics to unique toys that are one-of-a-kind. During your excursion, peruse toys as tiny as a thimble and as large as a genuine full-sized Rolls Royce. Branson, Missouri visitors also frequently comment on the museum’s sheer number of toys, which is well into the thousands.

Among the many sub-collections for Branson, Missouri vacationers to explore within the museum are pedal cars, cap guns and interesting wind-up toys. Also included are toy soldiers, trucks, boats, cars and trains. And the Branson, Missouri toy museum wouldn’t be complete without Barbie dolls and bicycles.

More generally, the World’s Largest Toy Museum entertains Branson, Missouri visitors with a fascinating celebration of childhood. Patrons who tour the exhibits get the chance to see treasures that brought smiles to the faces of young boys and girls around the world, some more than a century ago.

For those enjoying luxury accommodations in the area at such Branson, Missouri resorts as Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa, the museum provides a perfect way for vacationing families to spend quality time together. Adults rediscover their favorite childhood toys, while children get a great peak at life before video games – and even before television!

In addition to its lakes, mountains, shows and attractions, Branson, Missouri features a world of opportunities for wine tasting. Guests at Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa – Branson’s only AAA Four-Diamond Resort – enjoy award-winning wines and a seasonal wine tasting series in the resort’s elegant Chateau Grille restaurant. The Branson, Missouri area is also home to three wineries, ideal for learning and tasting even more.

Winner of Wine Spectator magazine’s prestigious “Award of Excellence,” Chateau Grille treats Branson, Missouri vacationers to a six-page wine list designed to provide the perfect complement for each of the restaurant’s exquisitely prepared dishes. Chateau Grille exceeds expectations not only with its delicious cuisine, but with its comprehensive and highly acclaimed wine offerings as well.

The restaurant features a stunning view overlooking Table Rock Lake, which is among Branson, Missouri’s largest and most popular lakes for its abundant fishing, water sports and natural beauty. Thus, Chateau Grille provides the perfect setting for Chateau on the Lake’s winter Vintner Series, hosted annually at the resort.

This seasonal wine tasting series is composed of a handful of Vintner Dinners, each showcasing a well-known winery and highlighted by an elaborate five-course dining experience. Featured wineries present interesting wines, facts, observations and recommendations. The events’ menus vary but are always tantalizing, concocted by the Branson, Missouri resort’s experienced Executive Chef and served by Chateau Grille’s attentive staff.

Branson, Missouri hotel visitors can also discover Chateau Grille’s secrets with regard to wine pairings and selections by sitting at the Chef’s Table, which can only be reserved in advance. Here, gain insight on recipes, preparation, spices and flavors – straight from the Executive Chef himself.

Finally, area visitors can absorb even more of Branson, Missouri’s beauty with a visit to the area’s wineries to try locally produced wines. Branson’s options include Branson Ridge Winery, Mount Pleasant Winery and Stone Hill Winery, all offering free tours and presentations pertaining to the craft of winemaking. At each winery, Branson, Missouri visitors can peruse a gift shop to purchase some great Branson wines.

The actual population of Branson, Missouri is somewhere around 7,000. However, a great many people also call the mountain areas surrounding Branson home. It was these mountains that greeted and served as home for Branson’s initial entertaining families in 1959, beginning with the Mabe brothers.

The Mabe brothers started as a Branson family who performed twice a week in a converted roller skating rink on Lake Taneycomo in what once was downtown Branson. This trailblazing Branson foursome blended popular country tunes with traditional Ozark Mountain music. They also treated Branson, Missouri visitors to a bit of comedy for further entertainment.

In 1968, the Mabe brothers built a theater on Highway 76, which runs through Branson, Missouri. Here, their act and audience flourished further. Today, the ‘Bald Knobbers,’ as they called themselves, are recognized for having the longest continuously running show in Branson, Missouri.

However, the Bald Knobbers weren’t Branson, Missouri’s only family with entertainment on their minds. In 1960, Hugo and Mary Herchend fulfilled plans to open a small, old-time Ozark village attraction in Branson, Missouri. The attraction was established on top of Marvel Cave, nearly 10 miles west of Branson on Highway 76.

Marvel Cave, which was located where Silver Dollar City theme park now sits, was the first attraction to draw visitors to the Branson, Missouri area over a century ago. Although various stars, mainly country music singers, began coming to the Branson, Missouri area in the 1980s, the city’s long, rich history shows itself in Branson entertainment – even today.