“It’s hard for me to put my finger on a reason—or 20—why Silver Dollar City has been so special to our family for over 20 years. I guess it’s a compilation of small moments and meaningful touches all strung together that makes the park our trusty escape when life gets topsy-turvy.
Our world did take a turn this holiday season with the loss of my father-in-law to cancer and the decision to move my mother to a memory care facility.
We just couldn’t find the Christmas spirit. I had my trees up and all the decorations were hung but we just couldn’t muster up any cheer. Somehow, I knew our “place” could help heal our hearts. So, we got the kids out of school and made the four-and-a-half-hour trip from Topeka, KS, to the Ozark Mountains—a trip we make three to four times each season.
We did all our favorites: we rode the train visited the Saloon, rode rides and saw all our favorite Citizens. When we left The City that day, my youngest son said it finally felt like Christmas. That’s what this park does for us.
Of course, our family’s tradition tagged along that trip. For years now, we’ve created trains out of candy and surprised train robbers, Saloon girls and other favorites with a little treat. Even as the boys grow through the years, they still get so excited to pass out those little presents.
We honeymooned at Silver Dollar City 19 years ago and have been season pass holders ever since. Those passes are an investment into family memories. We’ve taken the boys to other parks but our hearts always come back to The City.
We know we’ll always make the trip more than once a year, so getting a season pass is a no-brainer for us. You can’t put a price tag on the times we’ve shared at this place—our place.”
We’re the Mengarelli family from Topeka, Kansas, and for over 20 years, Silver Dollar City has been our home away from home. From our honeymoon in The City to countless…
