Branson, Missouri
Although the Ozark Mountain country was once defined by its isolation, when word spread of the region’s deep-rooted devotion to family values, people came from all over to experience some of the area’s positive culture. Branson has become known for its wonderful family atmosphere steeped in the Christian faith.
Numerous faith-based singers and performers have graced the stages and conference centers around the region over the years, and many have made Branson their permanent home, performing weekly in one of the more than 100 shows in the city. Many of the theaters offer Sunday morning church services for groups with a variety of gospel singing, old-fashioned preaching and even “cowboy church.”
“I always say there is no place like Branson,” said Lenni Neimeyer, director of leisure group sales for the Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “I’ve seen it grow and change a lot over the last 35 years I’ve been a part of this community, and we’ve always held strong to our values of honoring faith, family and flag.”
Retreat centers range from intimate venues for small events to lakeside retreat centers for grand gatherings. Along with Silver Dollar City, the favorite attraction for many, the area boasts many faith-based activities, like the Fire of Devotion Bible Museum and the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama. There are many opportunities to simply be still and enjoy the pristine countryside of the Ozark Mountains, from fishing and hiking to outdoor concerts.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains were named for the mystical blue-hued fog that rolls in every morning and settles throughout this southern Appalachian wilderness. The Smokies are often referred to as God’s Country because of the vast amount of stunning natural beauty that freckles the landscape, but the friendly locals and serene setting undoubtedly add to the ethereal allure of this region.
“Pigeon Forge is first and foremost a family vacation destination,” said Leon Downey, executive director for the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “We offer the best of both worlds here: amazing mountain scenery and more attractions than you can shake a stick at.”
The city is home to more than 60 attractions for families, among them Dollywood, the most-ticketed attraction in the state of Tennessee, with the Great Smoky Mountains right in its backyard. Groups can take in creation with a hike through the national park or a visit to some of the most scenic areas in the country, like Cades Cove and Clingmans Dome.
Pigeon Forge also has more than 14,000 lodging units, with 8,484 hotel/motel units and 2,945 cabins and chalets; some cabins are capable of hosting 80 guests in one unit. More than 90 restaurants accommodate any appetite, and the city’s LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge can hold events of up to 12,000 attendees.
Whitefish, Montana
There’s an unmistakable majesty that permeates the terrain around Montana’s Glacier Country, from the powerful way the glaciers have carved the land at Glacier National Park to the peaceful murmur that rises from the snow-fed streams and echoes through the canyons. In the winter, the destination is a lovely place to gather for a ski retreat, and summertime offers myriad mountainside experiences, like guided nature walks and sunrise services at scenic outlooks.
“One of my personal favorite aspects of living in Glacier Country is the accessibility of the outdoors, and the unbelievably friendly people,” said Lucy Guthrie Beighle, public relations and earned media manager for Glacier Country Tourism. “We have so many awe-inspiring opportunities here in western Montana.”
Retreat centers in the area range from a lodge on Salmon Lake to a hot springs resort on a scenic corridor, but with an area spanning 22,000 square miles and more than 50 venues from which to choose, there is likely a retreat center that will act as a convenient home base for any size group.
There are dozens of sights and annual events for faith-based travelers to enjoy, among them visiting the National Bison Range, attending the annual Symphony in the Park in Missoula, participating in the Apple Festival in the Bitterroot Valley, and going to a Logan Pass Star Party to star gaze and take advantage of Glacier National Park’s unusually dark skies.
