Watch Robert's video walking tour of Silver Dollar City

I've visited Silver Dollar City three times, most recently last year, and it's somewhere I consider a top ten park. I don't think it's a stretch to call it the best themed park in the country not operated by Disney or Universal, but unlike those places everything here is original and not based on outside IP. It really is a park every theme park enthusiast should visit at some point, and despite the difficulty of getting to Branson if you're unable to reach it by road, the payoff is well worth the effort.

For those visiting, my recommendation is to head to Powder Keg first as that coaster has consistently had the longest wait when I've been there. After that, backtrack up the hill to Time Traveler, Thunderation, and the Steam Train, then work your way around the park from there. With the exception of Mystic River Falls, I've never found lines to be horrible at the park, so on most days 30-45 minutes is the most you're likely to see anywhere. Also, make sure to do the tour of Marvel Cave if you're physically able to do so, and take the time to check out all the non-ride offerings around the park rather than rushing around from headliner to headliner.

one of the things i always praise about the 2 major Herschend parks (SDC and Dollywood) is the food. it's worth going just to eat so many wonderfully delicious offerings at both parks. i really wish disney and universal would pay more attention to the quality of the food they serve. sure, they both do offer some decent stuff here and there, but it's more miss than hit as the overall burger or pizza and offerings at food carts can range from lackluster to downright awful...and for the prices they charge, they could really stand to make major improvements. SDC and Dollywood are hands down the best parks for food.

We've just never been able to fit SDC into our itineraries despite visiting both Kansas City (just for a long weekend, so lacked time to make the drive to Branson) and St. Louis (instead drove north to Chicago and then back to St. Louis through Santa Claus) over the years. I'd really like to visit this park, but this part of the country is so tricky to reach and is too far for a road trip from our home near DC, which is how we've visited Dollywood the past few years. SDC has always been high on my list of parks I'd like to visit, but it's in a part of the country that doesn't have a lot going for it to warrant more than a couple of days.

@mbrussmca - You are so right about the food, but I think what makes Herschend's food so good is they deliberate minimize the standard, generic food in their parks. They've also found ways to offer unique dishes that can be served quickly and consistently (skillet meals and cinnamon bread), and do so a reasonable prices that make you want to actually eat in the parks instead of feeling like you're getting ripped off as a captive audience trying not to starve, which is what it feels like sometimes at SF.