Win a Free Family Vacation

Some lucky family will enjoy a week’s vacation in V.I.P. style, courtesy 417 Magazine.

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photo courtesy Branson Landing   Branson Landing will be just one of your destinations if you win 417 Magazine's Branson Giveaway package.

The great elements of a family vacation are ones that make memories, right? What if you could make those memories for free?

417 Magazine and the Branson Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to let one lucky family do just that. For your chance to be that family, all you have to do is register to win at 417mag.com. (click here for details.) A name will be drawn on June 2, and we’ll let the lucky family choose their dates. Want to stay in a luxury hotel? Be treated to Branson attractions like Silver Dollar City and Titanic? Enjoy a relaxing spa treatment? Savor some great food? Rub shoulders with Branson’s elite entertainers? It’s all just a click away. Here’s a glimpse of what you could win.

A Luxurious Landing

The Branson Convention Center (200 E. Main St., 417-336-5400, bransonconvention.com) will be your home for the week. Guest rooms have quick access to downtown, and just across the road from Branson Landing.

Among Branson’s most significant additions is Branson Landing (bransonlanding.com), where you can go on a shopping spree worth more than $400. The 95-acre shopping destination hugs the shores of Lake Taneycomo and is reminiscent of San Antonio’s Riverwalk or Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. There are more than 100 shops, fine dining, hotels and concerts. Trolleys make it convenient for guests to travel up and down the Branson Landing promenade throughout the day and during late-night excursions.

Before heading out on the town, take a tour of the Branson Landing courtesy Ride the Ducks (877-887-8225, bransonducks.com). The hour-long Branson Landing Adventure shows off the sights of downtown Branson inside an all-terrain vehicle before splashing into Lake Taneycomo.

Once you’re ready to hit the district, you’ll get gift cards to Francesca’s Collection (417-335-4342), Limited Editions for Her (417-239-0677), Stone Smith Jewelry (417-335-3038) and Gifts of Distinction (417-335-8326). You’ll also receive four Branson Landing Passport Savings Books, with discounts to the many of the stores and attractions.

When you’re ready to eat, you’ll be treated to meals at some of Branson’s finest eateries. The patio at Cantina Laredo (417-334-6062) offers a prime view of Branson Landing’s fountains. The eatery puts a sophisticated spin on Mexican food, with specials like the camaron poblano asada ($20.49), carne asada steak wrapped around a poblano pepper filled with sautéed shrimp, mushrooms, onions and Monterey jack cheese served with chimichurri sauce. The servers even make fresh guacamole at your table. Candlestick Inn Restaurant (417-334-3633, candlestickinn.com), overlooking Lake Taneycomo and downtown Branson, has a new French menu that features impressive items like the beef Wellington, chateaubriand and pork osso bucco. And at night, the adults can escape to Ernie Biggs Dueling Piano Bar & Grill (417-239-3670) and Bar Louie (417-336-2700) for free drinks.

Finally, to cap off your family’s Branson Landing experience, don’t miss the $7.5 million water fountain spectacular, synchronized to lights, sound, music and fire.

Puttin’ on the Ritz

What’s Branson without seeing a show? The lucky winning family can see six great shows geared toward the entire family. Kirby Van Burch (2353 Hwy. 248, 417-337-7140, kirbyvanburch.com), dubbed the “Prince of Magic,” has established his magic show among the best in Branson. (In fact, the show earned runner-up as the “Best Branson Show” for the 2008 Best of 417 Readers’ Poll.) His stunning performance involves exotic animals and an impressive finale—making a helicopter appear in fewer than four seconds.

For comedic relief, there’s Jim Stafford (3440 W. 76 Country Blvd., 417-335-8080, jimstafford.com) and Yakov Smirnoff (470 State Hwy. 248, 417-336-3838, yakov.com). Jim Stafford’s blend of music and jokes creates a winning formula that’s still fresh after 19 years. The show gets the audience and even Jim’s own kids in on the act during bits about flying saucers and chihuahuas. Yakov, profiled in the December 2007 issue of 417 Magazine, often makes jokes about his Russian roots. But don’t let his act fool you. The patriotic, ever-positive comedian has established his comedy show as a staple in Branson. And from September to December, Grammy-winning country artist Joe Diffie performs at Yakov’s theater.

Speaking of international talent, the New Shanghai Circus (645 State Hwy. 165, 417-336-8888, acrobatsofchina.com) puts on a colorful, breath-taking show reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil. Chinese acrobats twist, turn and do things the human body was never meant to do during a two-hour performance that leaves you gasping for more. There are contortionists, magic tricks, balancing acts and even motorcycles. The Liverpool Legends (3216 W. 76 Country Blvd., 417-239-0499, liverpoollegends.com) might not be the original boys from Britain, but they perform hits spanning the Beatles’ entire career. Louise Harrison, George Harrison’s sister and the band’s manager, handpicked the stand-ins for John, Paul, Ringo and George.
The Bible has offered an unlikely source for entertainment in recent years, with Passion of the Christ, Saved! and most recently Evan Almighty. Now, Branson brings the story of Noah to life on stage with “Noah—The Musical” (1-800-377-1277, sight-sound.com). The Sight & Sound Theatres open with the Bible-themed musical on May 24 with dozens of actors, more than 100 real and animatronic animals, elaborate costumes, special effects and an ark that rises 40 feet in the air. The production company has already found success in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, and they’re hoping their brand of “Christian Broadway” will be a hit in 417-land.