Faith-friendly destinations flourish with attractions, music and entertainment that are not only top-notch but uplifting. Branson, Missouri, offers gospel and Broadway-caliber music, among its many attractions. Focus on the Family’s headquarters and numerous outdoor activities take center stage in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Pennsylvania Dutch Country boasts deep spiritual roots and plentiful history. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, attracts groups with its natural beauty and great entertainment. And in Orlando, Florida, top Christian musicians play at theme park events while the Holy Land Experience offers a memorable journey through the Old and New Testaments.
Branson, Missouri
Soul-stirring melodies fill Silver Dollar City during the Southern Gospel Picnic in Branson, August 27-September 7. The festival features traditional and contemporary music performances by Dove Award winners and Grammy nominees, along with special Sunday worship services. Fans can sail with their favorite artists aboard the Showboat Branson Belle’s special noon cruises, which serve a three-course meal. Silver Dollar City’s new Fireman’s Landing, an $8 million development with six family rides and four interactive play zones, will open next spring.
Famous Israeli singer and actor Dudu Fisher, stars in his one-man show, “Jerusalem,” at the Caravelle Theatre. Classically trained, he is best known for his performance as Jean Valjean in the Hebrew production of “Les Miserables,” which became the longest-running show in Israel. He went on to play the role on Broadway and London’s West End. He has sung with the London Symphony Orchestra, for Great Britain’s royal family and for several U.S. presidents. This past year, “Dudu Fisher: The Voice of Broadway” aired on national Public Broadcasting Service stations. “Jerusalem” is a multimedia performance of songs, stories and videos accompanied by a five-piece band.
“Always, in Branson, faith-based groups will find entertainment that everyone will enjoy,” said Lynn Berry, director of communications for the Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “All of our shows and attractions are uplifting.”
Another must-see in Branson is the Titanic Museum. Housed in a half-scale replica of the Titanic, its smokestacks tower 100 feet above Highway 76. Upon their arrival, a white-gloved ship’s officer greets groups. The self-guided tour highlights more than 400 artifacts, among them a rare deck chair, a lifejacket and a first-class menu. Father Browne’s intriguing gallery of black-and-white photos displays the only known images taken on board.
