A Branson, MO Vacation: What it Offers

I love Branson Mo. We go here on vacation almost every year. It boasts (and it's true) there is is something for everyone from 4-94. For the really small ones there are age related rides all up and down the strip.There is a small ride area that has some water rides for 3-5 year old's. There are people walking around in the water for safety reasons. The water is only knee deep but the little ones think its bigger and have a ball. You can play all kinds of miniature golf. One on the strip you can ride a small train through a skull.

There are over 200 shows in Branson. One that we have been to is the Red Skelton Show with Tom Mullican playing Red Skelton. If you didn't know better you would swear that was Red on stage. He actually looks just like him and his facial expressions and hand movements are exactly like Reds.This is one of our favorite shows.The Dixie Stampede is another great show. I played a joke on my mother one time when I took her here. I didn't tell her a head of time you have to eat with your fingers. When we were served she asked for some silverware and was told they didn't give you any you had to eat with your fingers. She was upset but later laughed about it.

Showboat Branson Belle is another favorite of ours. The only thing I don't like about this is you must walk a long ways to get to the boat and it is a very steep hill to climb down and worse coming back up. But the show on board is fantastic and the food is delicious. You aren't allowed to take pictures for some reason. But I as well as others took some, after all you are on vacation and want to capture those moments. They didn't do or say anything thank goodness. After all we paid 55 dollars a piece to be on board.

At the very end of the strip is an amusement park similar to six flags only on a smaller scale. You pay one admission for all day and ride all day as much as you want to. Inside is also a ride area for the younger ones. Here I must mention Silver Dollar City which is just around the bend about 10 miles from the amusement park. This is a wonderful place to go. But be warned you must be in good physical condition and want to walk a lot as everything here is up and down hill. Very few pieces of flat land, after all you are in the Ozarks. There are a few rides here but mostly it is crafts. They do have some interesting shows. There is an under ground cave you can go through. The entrance is inside of the gift shop. However you have to crawl through on hands and knees to get to it so don't wear good clothes if going.

A wonderful place to eat at is ( if you like steak ) is Montana Mikes. It is right on the strip. We eat here a lot when out for the day.

If you want to go shopping try the Tanger's Outlet mall. Entrance is right off the strip. The new Branson Mall on the river is great but very expensive. You would be better shopping at Tanger's. In the evening at the Branson Mall there is a light show here around the fountain. They also have free outdoor movies on certain nights.

If you are a baby boomer like me you will enjoy Dick Clark's Bandstand show and restaurant. It will take you back to the good old days of "Rock N Roll". There are cars from the 50-60's inside. Remember the bobby sox's and poodle skirts? They are here also.He has several shows a day and on some he plays "Rock N Roll". He usually has guest bands. You will have do a search on Branson USA to find out who is playing there.

There is not a shortage of living quarters in Branson. They range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. But most are reasonable you just have to do comparison shopping to get a good deal. Some motels if booked for 3-4 days will throw in a couple of tickets to save you money. Check out the package deals and see what is right for you.

We always stay at Holiday Hills as we own a time share condo there. it is beautiful . If you are into golf you will love it here. There is an 18 hole golf course, miniature golf, swimming, outdoor movies, trails, camp ground, movie rentals,and craft shows. They even have a Mary Kay make over, which I like all for free.

You can good discount tickets to almost any show in Branson at the Branson Tourism Center. It is just as you are coming into Branson.

There are just too many good shows here to talk about them all, maybe I will write about some more later on.