Tell me about Branson......

[mdurette]

Never even heard of this area prior to TSing. But, with so many TSs in the area, I assume it must be a go-to place for many.

I understand that there are many shows and from what I can see what is nice is they are fairly cost effective.

I have 2 basic questions to start:
1. Favorite resort in either II or RCI? Ideally I would be looking for a place with at least a 1BR and that I could walk to attractions/restaurants from the resort.
2. Family friendly? I have a 14 YO

Thanks!

 

[dayooper]

Never even heard of this area prior to TSing. But, with so many TSs in the area, I assume it must be a go-to place for many.

I understand that there are many shows and from what I can see what is nice is they are fairly cost effective.

I have 2 basic questions to start:
1. Favorite resort in either II or RCI? Ideally I would be looking for a place with at least a 1BR and that I could walk to attractions/restaurants from the resort.
2. Family friendly? I have a 14 YO

Thanks!

I'm curious too. What is there to do there?

 

[missyrcrews]

My parents live about 5 hours from Branson, and my sister is in the St. Louis metro area. They go to Branson several times a year. My parents like the Wyndhams…I think there are 3, fairly close together. They also like Surrey and French Quarter. I was able to turn their mud weeks at Lake of the Ozarks into 4th of July and Labor Day weeks in Branson. If you watch, you can get some great deals, due to how many resorts are there.

My sister has season passes to Silver Dollar City, so they do that every trip for at least a little while. If we ever went, we'd be more inclined to stay somewhere more rustic that had access to Table Rock Lake. More our speed than shows. College of the Ozarks is also something to see.

When I was a kid, we would get a "cottage or cabin" on Lake Taneycomo at Rockaway Beach. BLECH BLECH BLECH. That's all we could afford, so that's what we did. Never again!

 

[bogey21]

For years when our kids were young we would go to Branson 2 or 3 times a year primarily for Silver Dollar City and its annual Crafts Fair. I don't know how they do it now but back then if you arrived like after 3 pm, the following day was free. We always stayed at the Best Western just West of the entrance to SDC. That way we could turn right out of the Motel and right again directly into the Park. This avoided all the traffic coming from the other direction...

Georg

 

[rboesl]

We were there a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Even have talked about going back because there were some things we didn't get to do/see. We stayed at the Hyatt resort there and found it very comfortable, clean, and close enough to attractions. But would recommend a rental car.

• The shows are more country music themed and done quite well. We really enjoyed the ones we went to see.
• Silver Dollar City amusement park is something we missed last time. We've heard good things about it, though.
• Table Rock lake is beautiful and there's a cruise or dinner cruise that you can enjoy. I think there's also a duck tour of the lake and area. I believe it's also a good place to fish if you like to do that.
• College of the Ozarks is a culinary college and I highly recommend going there for a dinner. Really nice setting and the food is excellent.
• There's also a restaurant there, don't remember the name, that has a great breakfast. Easy to find because there's a huge rooster statue in front of it.
• The shopping area is quite good. Kept my wife occupied for a several hours.
• At the foot of the main street there's a very nice fountain that's lit up during the evening. Not far from that fountain there's also a Bass Pro Shop. Not the biggest one you'll see but still worth the visit.
• They also do up Christmas & New Years very nicely with street decorations. The shows transition to country/Christmas themes.
• There's also some famous natural hot springs not too far away. This is one of the things we missed and talked about going back to see.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

As a side note, my brother-in-law's great-grandfather was the founder per-se of Branson MO. He was the first postmaster and the town was named after him (my BIL's mother's maiden name is Branson). Back in the late 1800s, the caverns and forest were the attractions.

TS

 

[csxjohn]

Join this forum for all the Branson info you will ever need.

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All of your Branson Missouri questions answered! Get the inside scoop on all things Branson MO. Info on discounts, shows, hotels and more.

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[Shankilicious]

The closest high end resort to "the strip" is the Marriott Lodge. However, the strip is a couple miles long so you'll need a car regardless of where you stay.
-several parks and lakes (Dogwood canyon is my favorite park)
-silver Dollar city theme park
-endless places to eat
-endless mini golf of impressive scale, including indoor glow in the dark
-lazer tag
-helicopter tours,
-half dozen plus wineries and breweries
-large outlet mall plus the Branson Landing
-several Go-kart tracks
-Branson Belle old school paddle wheel river boat with dinner and show
-boat rentals on the major lakes
-Large clay target shooting facility just north of town
-dozens of shows: magic, acrobats, musicians galore, comedy and more.
The list goes on and on. Oh, a decent zoo too.
And everything is reasonably priced and you can always find family packages etc.

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[PamMo]

My favorite resort in the area is Bluegreen's Wilderness Club at Big Cedar Lodge (RCI). It's a rustic style resort, with wonderful high end amenities (golf, pools, restaurants, spa, lazy river, beach, free kayaks/paddleboats, etc.) on Table Rock Lake. It's not in Branson proper, but close enough to drive to all the attractions and shows.

If outdoorsy woods and lake isn't your thing, I really like Marriott's Willow Ridge in Branson, just off The Strip (Hwy 76). The staff is super friendly and helpful, the suites are spacious and well appointed, the pools are great, the resort offers lots of activities, and it's right in town. Branson stretches out along Hwy 76 for a few miles, and traffic can be horrible. This is a nice central location, south of the strip.

 

[louisianab]

Pigeon Forge, Branson and Wisconsin Dells are all very similar to me. Shopping, shows and a water feature of some kind. Very family friendly.

 

[Beefnot]

I arranged an extended family vacation to Branson a couple summers ago, around 20 folks using a tremendous amount of II deposits I had accumulated. We stayed at Stormy Point resort a few miles outside the strip, and it was AWESOME. All the units are actual individual Cape Cod themed cottages. We were staying in 2, 3, and 4 upscale and well furnished bedroom houses (the for bedroom was amazing). I have stayed at many Marriott resorts and other high end resorts in the past, and I will say that Stormy Point has been my favorite experience.

In the Branson area, there were a gajillion Vegas style show options, and we went to a few of them during our stay. Also rented a pontoon boat on Table Rock lake, and a couples days at Silver Dollar City amusement park, which is a very high quality theme park. It was a wonderful family vacation.

 

[shellmo1]

We live in the St Louis area and go once a year on an accommodation certificate at the end of the summer - late august, early sept. We love Paradise Point because we are boaters and they are on the lake and have a boat dock with slips to rent. We do not go to the shows, country music is not our thing. Actually many theaters there closed and have been reinvented. For families, lots of the tourist basics, zip lines, Titanic museum, bumper boats, mini golf, go carts etc. The Ozarks are beautiful and the scenery is lovely.

 

[bobby]

I read last week a new aquarium opened with some kids friendly attractions.

 

[PamMo]

I read last week a new aquarium opened with some kids friendly attractions.

It's not open yet. It's scheduled to open this August. https://www.aquariumattheboardwalk.com/

 

[Shankilicious]

I arranged an extended family vacation to Branson a couple summers ago, around 20 folks using a tremendous amount of II deposits I had accumulated. We stayed at Stormy Point resort a few miles outside the strip, and it was AWESOME. All the units are actual individual Cape Cod themed cottages. We were staying in 2, 3, and 4 upscale and well furnished bedroom houses (the for bedroom was amazing). I have stayed at many Marriott resorts and other high end resorts in the past, and I will say that Stormy Point has been my favorite experience.

In the Branson area, there were a gajillion Vegas style show options, and we went to a few of them during our stay. Also rented a pontoon boat on Table Rock lake, and a couples days at Silver Dollar City amusement park, which is a very high quality theme park. It was a wonderful family vacation.

We're leaving for Stormy point in a few minutes. We own with Welk and I'm anxious to compare the two. Staying in a 3BR cottage.

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[Beefnot]

We're leaving for Stormy point in a few minutes. We own with Welk and I'm anxious to compare the two. Staying in a 3BR cottage.

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Although I have not stayed at Welk Branson, I would imagine that you will not be disappointed with the Stormy Point cottages one bit. Note that they are two story, with the master bedroom on the ground floor and the other two bedrooms upstairs (the 4 bedroom is tri level, with a large den, game table, and extra bedroom in the basement.. a kids' oasis).

 

[coolarry]

We own at Westgate Branson at the Woods. on Tuesday night there is a bbq diner with many of the shows acts giving a sample of their productions. Cost around $12 per person, but the cheapest diner show in Branson. Also just finished an indoor water park. Set up on a ridge, you feel like you are in the woods, but just out the gate are the two major arteries to the attractions.

 

[joestein]

We just rented a 2 bedroom at The Wilderness Club at Big Cedar. Always wanted to go to that resort and Branson. Not the easiest place to get to from NYC..

 

[lhwhizz]

We were there a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Even have talked about going back because there were some things we didn't get to do/see. We stayed at the Hyatt resort there and found it very comfortable, clean, and close enough to attractions. But would recommend a rental car.

• The shows are more country music themed and done quite well. We really enjoyed the ones we went to see.
• Silver Dollar City amusement park is something we missed last time. We've heard good things about it, though.
• Table Rock lake is beautiful and there's a cruise or dinner cruise that you can enjoy. I think there's also a duck tour of the lake and area. I believe it's also a good place to fish if you like to do that.
• College of the Ozarks is a culinary college and I highly recommend going there for a dinner. Really nice setting and the food is excellent.
• There's also a restaurant there, don't remember the name, that has a great breakfast. Easy to find because there's a huge rooster statue in front of it.
• The shopping area is quite good. Kept my wife occupied for a several hours.
• At the foot of the main street there's a very nice fountain that's lit up during the evening. Not far from that fountain there's also a Bass Pro Shop. Not the biggest one you'll see but still worth the visit.
• They also do up Christmas & New Years very nicely with street decorations. The shows transition to country/Christmas themes.
• There's also some famous natural hot springs not too far away. This is one of the things we missed and talked about going back to see.

The Duck tour boats are no longer in Branson. They had a major incident about two years when they went out in the lake and got caught in a storm and the boat sank about fifteen people were killed.

 

[rboesl]

The Duck tour boats are no longer in Branson. They had a major incident about two years when they went out in the lake and got caught in a storm and the boat sank about fifteen people were killed.

Yeah, I wasn't sure about that. I knew they had that one sink. Didn't know they had stopped operating there.

 

[GetawaysRus]

We've been to Branson several times. I agree that you will probably want a car. Yes, Branson is VERY family friendly.

For Interval:

1. We liked Stormy Point Village. It is a short drive out of the main part of town. We lucked out and traded a 1BR for a 4BR some years ago (before Interval introduced upgrade fees). Cute, New England nautical themed houses.
2. Marriott - not as nice in our opinion as the other Marriott resorts we have visited. Rooms a bit small compared to most Marriott resorts. Ice cream in the evening is a cheap treat, however, and quite good (especially with a 14 yo in tow).
3. Cabins at Green Mountain - our favorite. Woodsy, cute cabins. But I'm wondering if there would be many onsite activities for a 14 yo? We travel as 2 adults, no kids.

Also, for your 14 yo, check out the custard place, especially if the weather is warm.

Don't forget to look for discount tickets. I think we bought ours in the purple building (on the main road). I think that is Branson 2 for 1 Tickets, 1100 W Highway 76.

 

[Icc5]

We were there a few years ago and stayed thru RCI at 2 different Wyndams. Both were very nice. We enjoyed 3-4 shows especially one that was called something like Sixt. It was several brothers that sang very well. I really enjoyed Andy's Frozen Custard and now look for them whenever we travel. The College of the Ozarks was outstanding. Beautiful buildings and we walked around and talked to several students working their during late May early June. Ate at a few good places including one about 20 miles away famous for their thrown rolls a d great fried chicken. We also did the Duck boat into the lake the year before they had an accident.

 

[bbodb1]

If you like shows and entertainment, you'll enjoy your time there. That is Branson's strength.
If you like being outside and perhaps on the water, you will have options too but Branson is not all that outstanding in terms of terrain, surroundings, aesthetic beauty, etc.
The physical features outside are okay (rolling hills mostly), but nothing majestic or noteworthy.
BUT I will admit that pretty much anything east of the Rocky Mountains is going to pale in comparison in my eyes....

You can easily make a week of shows and do various outdoor activities to vary up your days, but you probably won't remember much about the outdoor things you see and do as much as if you were in the mountains IMO.

Branson is one of those places that is worth visiting once, and if you do return you are most likely to be doing so for the live shows and entertainment.

 

[bbodb1]

We were there a few years ago and stayed thru RCI at 2 different Wyndams. Both were very nice. We enjoyed 3-4 shows especially one that was called something like Sixt. It was several brothers that sang very well. I really enjoyed Andy's Frozen Custard and now look for them whenever we travel. The College of the Ozarks was outstanding. Beautiful buildings and we walked around and talked to several students working their during late May early June. Ate at a few good places including one about 20 miles away famous for their thrown rolls a d great fried chicken. We also did the Duck boat into the lake the year before they had an accident.

I believe you are referring to Lambert's (home of the hand tossed rolls) but there may be other places using this same serving method.......

Action footage --->

 

[missyrcrews]

I believe you are referring to Lambert's (home of the hand tossed rolls) but there may be other places using this same serving method.......

Action footage --->

Ah. Lamberts. Used to be the only one was in Sikeston. We'd drive from my home in Irondale, MO down to Lamberts for "Sunday dinner." A heck of a ride for a meal....but SO GOOD. (120 miles one way....) Fried okra, beans, corn, and those rolls. You didn't really need the main meal. The sides were enough. NOW I'M HUNGRY. And homesick. Yankee food is just not the same.