Started By
Message

Branson, Missouri info

Posted on 1/27/20 at 9:12 pm
Posted by Goombaw
Kentucky
Member since Jan 2013
5249 posts
Posted on 1/27/20 at 9:12 pm
I'm not happy about it, but my wife is dragging me and the kids to Branson for a mini-vacation this summer. She went with her mom and sis last year and thought it was great...

Anyways, I know we have some Mizzou baws on here, and I'm sure some of you have been there. Any tips or things I should watch out for? Is it similar to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge? Is there a main drag that most people stay on? I've got 2 kids, 7 and 6, that love swimming so my main concern is getting them somewhere with a good pool/waterslides/etc.
Posted by wmr
North of Dickson, South of Herman's
Member since Mar 2009
32518 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 12:12 am to
Yes, there is a main drag with all the shows and restaurants called Country Blvd (76). It's not very walkable, though. Hotels are spread around town, and you're going to drive no matter where you stay A lot of people stay out on the lake.

There's a water park there called WhiteWater, if you're into something like that. Don't ride the Duck Boats.

I have never been to Pigeon Forge.



Posted by tiger114
Fairhope, AL
Member since Sep 2009
5223 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 12:41 am to
Might want to post on the travel board. Lots of helpful people over there.
Posted by I Bleed Garnet
Cullman, AL
Member since Jul 2011
54846 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 6:16 am to
Sounds fun!
Posted by piggilicious
Member since Jan 2011
37295 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 6:39 am to
You’ll probably have fun or at least til you get tired of it. You can entertain the kiddos while there with the whitewater place, then there’s a big gocart and video etc games place, one of those things where you get in a big plastic bubble and roll down a hill, a fake snow tubing place, etc. plenty of kids/adults entertainment anyway. I know several people who love the Dixie Stampede and I love Dolly but I’m just not into smelling hay mixed with poop while I eat but that’s just me- many enjoy that show especially kids.
This post was edited on 1/28/20 at 6:46 am
Posted by Goombaw
Kentucky
Member since Jan 2013
5249 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 10:00 am to
Thanks! Thank all you guys for the info.
Posted by KCM0Tiger
Kansas City, MISSOURI
Member since Nov 2011
15511 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 10:58 am to
Wife dragging you to Branson

Just kidding, Branson is actually cool for a few days. I always had fun going there when I was a kid. I'm not sure about pools/waterslides, but Silver Dollar City is a really good theme park and I'd recommend checking that out. The Branson Landing is worth checking out too for good shopping/retail (there's also a water/fire show on the lake/riverfront and a zipline that goes across the lake too). Table Rock Lake is beautiful for boating/fishing (no duck boats). As another poster said, there's a lot of go-kart tracks/entertainment stuff the kids would probably like.

It's a little outside of Branson, but I'd highly recommend staying at the Big Cedar Lodge.

Funny enough, Branson gets a rep as an old folks entertainment center, but it can be a lot of fun for younger kids too.
Posted by Goombaw
Kentucky
Member since Jan 2013
5249 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 3:46 pm to
I checked out Silver Dollar City but there's one big catch: my wife will be 7 months pregnant at the time so I think anything with a lot of walking is out... She thinks she'll be fine, but I know her and I don't think she's thought it through.

I figure our best bet is to stay at a place with stuff to do like swim, that way she can take it easy. We definitely like the shows, though.

Edit: Big Cedar Lodge looks amazing
This post was edited on 1/28/20 at 3:53 pm
Posted by arkyhawk
SWMO
Member since Jan 2013
8116 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 9:54 pm to
quote:

I figure our best bet is to stay at a place with stuff to do like swim, that way she can take it easy. We definitely like the shows, though.


Grand Country Inn has its own little indoor/outdoor water park and it’s right in the middle of the strip. Something to look in to.
Posted by pioneerbasketball
Team Bunchie
Member since Oct 2005
132197 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 10:43 pm to
I can come and rescue you
Posted by Hogwarts
Arkansas, USA
Member since Sep 2015
18043 posts
Posted on 1/30/20 at 10:51 am to
We go to Branson a lot with my kid. Silver Dollar City is fun for a day, it will be packed in the summer though. Whitewater is fun and a good waterpark. Plenty of shows to catch. you can spend a buttload of money fast up there.
Posted by Arksulli
Fayetteville
Member since Aug 2014
25171 posts
Posted on 1/30/20 at 11:52 am to
If your wife likes to shop there are plenty of outlet malls up there too. Fairly reasonable prices as I recall. You could stay back and watch the kids play in the pool and kill an afternoon with both of you being happy.

Important thing to remember, it is in Missouri so the Walmarts up there sell hard alcohol if you need to drown your sorrows after the wife hits the outlet malls.

I would suggest staying at a resort because they almost certainly have a nice swimming pool on the premises. Do not, however, if you stay at a resort, fall for the time share pitch you might get. You'd be better off just setting that money on fire.

The mountains should be gorgeous that time of year, it will be a bit cooler than most places in the South due to the elevation. I'd avoid the place like the plague during the 4th of July weekend though. If you are former military there are a ton of discounts up there for you.
Posted by GoldenSombrero
Member since Sep 2010
2651 posts
Posted on 1/30/20 at 12:20 pm to
quote:

Edit: Big Cedar Lodge looks amazing


If you can afford it, and I don't mean that as an insult it's freaking expensive for what it is IMO, then this is the place to go. Likely no need to leave the resort area for much of anything.

SDC being 7 mo pregnant wouldn't be a good idea.

It's pretty hilly and can get really hot in the summer.
Posted by Goombaw
Kentucky
Member since Jan 2013
5249 posts
Posted on 1/30/20 at 1:16 pm to
So I checked out Big Cedar and you're right, $275 per night for the cheapest double queen room is a chunk of change, although it's probably worth it from the looks of things. I did a little digging and found the Wilderness Resort at Big Cedar Lodge on VRBO. It's a sister property through Bluegreen. They had a room for only $112 per night. Same amenities and everything, although I'll probably have to endure a timeshare pitch, but I can handle it.

Anyway, I booked a room and made the mistake of showing my kids and now they want to go tomorrow.
Posted by Goombaw
Kentucky
Member since Jan 2013
5249 posts
Posted on 1/30/20 at 1:19 pm to
Thanks for the Big Cedar Lodge recommendation, I posted about it already but in case you didn't see, that's where we're going to stay. We checked it out and it seems perfect for what we need.

I owe you one!
Posted by Hogwarts
Arkansas, USA
Member since Sep 2015
18043 posts
Posted on 1/30/20 at 3:44 pm to
Big cedar is really nice. Look up a barbecue place near there called Danna's BBQ and Burger shop. The food is excellent
Posted by ZouKeeper314
Missouri
Member since Jun 2012
2185 posts
Posted on 1/30/20 at 3:54 pm to
Enjoy your stay. Keep an open mind about the place. There are things to do for all ages there.

We went to Branson a lot as a kid. Parents weren't rich but they always wanted to take us kids on a vacation. Every couple years we'd go to Branson. We'd go to Silver Dollar City, outlet malls, putt-putt golf, go carts. We always enjoyed it. It's very nostalgic place for me and my family.
This post was edited on 1/30/20 at 3:56 pm
Posted by thatguy45
Your alter's mom's basement
Member since Sep 2017
18878 posts
Posted on 1/30/20 at 5:33 pm to
quote:

ZouKeeper314

Nice name choice
It is times like this I wish I'd been more clever with my choice
Posted by reedus23
St. Louis
Member since Sep 2011
25485 posts
Posted on 1/30/20 at 5:47 pm to
My 2 recommendations are to stay at Big Cedar Lodge or at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing. The Hilton and the entire Landing has shops, restaurants and bars at the ground level and the rooms above. There is a water and fire show every night. They have street performers playing drums/buckets, making balloon animals or whatever. I loved it because you could relax at a bar/restaurant at night, watch the fire/water show and walk up to your room. Downside is that it's not in downtown Branson and driving in downtown sucks no matter where you stay.
Posted by Arksulli
Fayetteville
Member since Aug 2014
25171 posts
Posted on 1/31/20 at 8:26 am to
quote:

It is times like this I wish I'd been more clever with my choice


You were just carefully stockpiling your cleverness to drop on us during basketball and football season.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow SECRant for SEC Football News
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to get the latest updates on SEC Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitter