Branson

[AJCts411]

Researching a trip to Branson. Never been there. Looking for recommendations on accommodations for two. Priorities would be walking disance to activities, music/entertainment/night life. Seems to be two areas one by the river and another west (?) of the river...so advanatges of each area. Mid summer sort of timing.

 

[Shankilicious]

The river area, The Landing is newer but right up the hill is old town with the classic shops, lots of food and shopping very close together in The Landing area.
The west area, The Strip is where all the shows are etc. Also tons of food etc but spread out over a couple miles. Not really walking friendly.

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[bobpark56]

Forget walking. Branson requires a car. It's very spread out. Among other things, you will need a car if you want to dine at the College of the Ozarks (highly recommended, though liberals might not like the conservative bent). You need to book that about 2 weeks in advance. For shows, the best pricing and seating we found was purchased at the "purple building." Enjoy. There is excellent BBQ to be had.

 

[dougp26364]

We live close enough we use to go to Branson frequently, but these last few years it’s been maybe once a year. There really isn’t any nice timeshares close to everything. We own at French Quarter Resort because it’s about as close as one can get, with an entrance off Country Music Blv but also a back entrance off the yellow traffic relief route. While there is an iHop, Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel within walking distance, I can’t say I really recommend any of those since there are better choices.
as mentioned you WILL need a car. This is a regional location and most people drive in. The airport is very small in Branson. The next nearest is Springfield, and it’s not much bigger. After that you have Kansas City, St Louis and Tulsa. Not a lot of people fly to get to Branson. Therefore the town isn’t laid out as pedestrian friendly.
by the River is a mix of new, filled with mostly national brand stores you’ll find in your hometown. Up the hill is downtown Branson which is more like Mayberry as far as how it feels, but with a TON of traffic in the summer. Then you have the Branson Strip to the west with all the tourist trap min golf, go cart tracks, mountain coasters and t-shirt shops galore. Lots of family friendly stores and a VERY Christian theme throughout the town.

 

[AJCts411]

Thanks all for the information. The plan would be to drive to Branson. Are cabs/uber easily available in the evenings? Is there public transportation between the two areas?

 

[dougp26364]

I’m not certain I’ve ever seen a cab, Uber or Lyft in Branson and public transportation is unheard of. They talk about it every now and again but they have never done anything about it. I’m sure cabs exist, but with the traffic in Branson it’s likely to cost way to much for a cab vs just driving your own car.

When I say you must have a car to get around in Branson, I really mean you MUST have a car to get around in Branson.

When you see the traffic, you’ll be asking yourself why on the world don’t they at least offer bus service up and down the strip and along the traffic relief routes. The problem is the politics involved in this small Ozark Mountain Town, which is largely controlled by the Herschend family.

 

[AJCts411]

I’m not certain I’ve ever seen a cab, Uber or Lyft in Branson and public transportation is unheard of. They talk about it every now and again but they have never done anything about it. I’m sure cabs exist, but with the traffic in Branson it’s likely to cost way to much for a cab vs just driving your own car.

When I say you must have a car to get around in Branson, I really mean you MUST have a car to get around in Branson.

When you see the traffic, you’ll be asking yourself why on the world don’t they at least offer bus service up and down the strip and along the traffic relief routes. The problem is the politics involved in this small Ozark Mountain Town, which is largely controlled by the Herschend family.

Thanks for that information. Armed with that we definitely are having second thoughts.

 

[dougp26364]

Thanks for that information. Armed with that we definitely are having second thoughts.

my advice is if you’re not comfortable driving you’re own car, Branson isn’t the destination for you.

We generally go in the off season because the traffic can be a rolling parking lot in the busy family vacation summer months. If we go in the summer we’re careful to use the traffic relief routes and stay off the main strip as much as humanly possible. We’ll hang out at the resort rather than venture up to the strip

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

As a side note, my brother-in-law's great-grandfather was the first postmaster there, and the city was named after him. His mother's maiden name was Branson.

TS

 

[fatlard]

Branson Scenic Railway

www.bransontrain.com

Tourist trap. Cool for about the first 10 minutes.

 

[cjareed]

Researching a trip to Branson. Never been there. Looking for recommendations on accommodations for two. Priorities would be walking disance to activities, music/entertainment/night life. Seems to be two areas one by the river and another west (?) of the river...so advanatges of each area. Mid summer sort of timing.

I would not recommend planning a walking trip to Branson. It is hot in the summer and it would be difficult to walk to most locations. You really need a car for Branson.