Branson, Missouri

[septbride2002]

Nope. We used to live an hour north of there near Springfield. The Dolly Parton place you're referring to is Dixie Stampede. My DH had a company Christmas party there one year. Gross! They run around serving food you eat with your fingers, like fried chicken (not that great), but what I found disgusting was the horses running around while you eat and the smell of them. Yuck! Silver Dollar City has an awesome cave tour to go on, but lots of stairs and stooping and bats. Really a pretty park at Christmas time. Lots of touristy traps, but some cool out of the way places. In the 13 years we lived in MO we didn't make it down all that often. There's a town about 30 minutes north called Ozark that has a restaurant called Lambert's Cafe - Home of the Throwed Rolls, YUMMY!! Really that's the only place I miss in the area. Really miss our weekend trips to St. Louis - love their zoo.

Thank you - we are quite fond of our Zoo. I actually love everything in Forest Park the zoo and Art Museum are my favorites though.

~Amanda

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Yes the Osmond's have a theatre as does Wayne Newton, Hank Williams, The Dixie Stampede, Shoji - the asian guy playing the violin, The Show boat Branson Belle.

Actually, Wayne left about 5 years ago, and the Osmonds quit 2 or 3 years ago.

Chateau is really pretty! Just far enough out of town that you're not on the crowded strip.

 

[septbride2002]

Well it's been 5 years since I've been there so that doesn't surprise me. His theatre isn't still there though? And I thought the Osmonds still came at Christmas?
~Amanda

 

[LisaZoe]

Hey,

I was hoping some midwest-savvy DISers could tell me a little about Branson, MO?
I'm going to a convention there ... and I don't know a THING about the place ... I am hearing rumors about Dolly Parton?

Thanks
Dana

Wow, all I can say is that you'll need to rest up ahead of time. A gal from your neck of the woods is going to have a hard time keeping up with the nightlife there. Shoot, y'all may need to stay up as late as 12:00 - in the AM! Good thing you have that time zone difference working for you a bit. Pace yourself, you don't want to do everything the first trip cause you know you'll have to go back again real soon. Next thing you'll know, you'll leave the DIS to hang out on a Branson related forum.

OT - My favorite bumper sticker (which was on my old car, alas) was:

Discourage Inbreeding
Ban Country Music​

I offered to send one to a friend who'd moved to Texas but she didn't think it would be wise to have one on her car, for some reason.

 

[Redcon1]

Actually, you may like Silver Dollar City. It's alot like what Knott's Berry Farm used to be years ago before they became Six Flags Lite with all the thrill rides.
SDC has been adding a few of their own, but it retains an old western-Ozark type feel that's really pretty nice. Yes, there's crafts and country music, but it's done in an educational type of style that makes it more interesting than stopping at a roadside joint for that kind of entertainment.
The regular music shows in town are not to everyone's taste, but Shoji Tabuchi does offer a good mixture of musical types. Pretty talented guy.
The scenery in that area is beautiful too, what with the lakes and hills.
Just go and relax with an open mind and I think you'll enjoy it.
Oh, also if you do get the chance to go to Springfield, do stop in at Lamberts.
It's a fun place and good food too!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

His first theater is now Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Yakov is in his 2nd one. The Osmond Bros. quit performing when Alan got sick, Jimmy had a show solo for a while, but quit last year.

 

[Caradana]

Oh my gosh. This is unreal. It sounds like kitchy, bordering on fabulous. I've never been to an all-you-can-eat country buffet restaurant, though I have been to Cracker Barrel a couple of times. The lakes sound nice ...

It's totally cool if it's not NYC, I see a lot of NYC so it's fun to change it up, and I travel a lot for work so I see some out-of-the-way spots ... I'm actually flying to Mobile, AL in about four hours. I do tend to be the epitome of traits that offend right-wing conservatives, but I'll try and keep my Yankee mouth shut. Dixie Stampede ... wow.

I'm going in May, three days, and we're staying at a hotel called "Chateau on the Lake." Oooh, maybe I can marinate while I'm there! (ha, I think it was Amanda who said that ... very cute)

 

[Caradana]

Dude, Amanda, that's the hotel! Cool ...

TF: I actually love to fish, though I have no skill at it. If I'm taken fishing by someone who knows what they're doing, I love to fish!
Otherwise, it's me sitting on the dock, with a worm on my hook, catching pond weed, saying to myself, "why isn't this working."

 

[LisaZoe]

I think just about any place has something of interest to offer. Usually, the best places to eat are the ones only the locals know about.

BTW - Last time I went fishing, I didn't bother with a worm... or hook. I don't actually want to catch anything just have a good reason to sit by a stream/lake and relax while looking like I'm doing something constructive.

 

[brermomof2]

it's me sitting on the dock, with a worm on my hook, catching pond weed, saying to myself, "why isn't this working."

Sounds like something monkeyboy would say.

 

[Nee Nee and Biddy]

I have lived in the Branson/Ozark/ Springfield area my whole life and even though I knew that I lived in an area with a little bit of hillbilly culture, I had no idea so many people had such negative stereotypes about us! I couldn't believe it when I read this thread! I will take it all with a grain of salt and give you some advice. First of all, the Ozarks (as they are called) are very beautiful, sometimes bordering on breathtaking. Do some sightseeing. I assume that you will be flying into Springfield, which means you will drive to Branson down 65, which is very pretty, especially once the trees get some leaves. If you like to shop, there's a lot of outlet shopping, and some of it is quite good. (For example, I wasn't impressed with the outlets by WDW. Branson is much better). I love to eat dinner at a resturant called the Pasta Grill. It is so good. While we might not hold the prize for fine dining, there are many places where you can find a gravy-free meal. And, being a born and bred hillbilly, I spend at least one day a week at Silver Dollar City. They have a new launch coaster this year which is just as good, if not better, than the RRC. Also, the food is wonderful at Silver Dollar City. I have never had a bad meal there. It's funny...I didn't realize how much I loved it here until I wrote this! Keep an open mind and I'm sure you will have a great time! Let me know if you have any questions!
-Gina

P.S. The Dixie Stampede is great and I go at least twice a year! Don't rule it out!

 

[joshsmom]

There's a small, themed amusement park called Silver Dollar City.

Silver Dollar City doesnt' seem that small to me! Well, sure compared to WDW, it's miniscule, but compared to Six Flags, it's about the same. We go to Branson a couple of times a year during the summer months. We LOVE SDC compared to Six Flags. The people there are MUCH friendlier and the food is wonderful!! Also, SDC is a "pretty" park, with lots of trees, shrubs, and flowers. It's very family oriented and there are some fun rides there. Wildfire is an AWESOME roller coaster. Haven't tried the new one yet--it's opening this year. The cave tour is AWESOME!!!

Besides SDC, there is a 2nd park run by the same family called Celebration City. They open mid-afternoon and are open until around 10 or so. They have more of a "boardwalk" theme. FUN RIDES!!! They also have a fireworks and laser show at night that is really cool!!! There is also a 3rd park-a water park, run by the same family. We haven't been there but plan to go this year.

Where you're staying you won't have to worry about the traffic. When we stay, we keep away from "the strip" and stay where it isn't so crowded. We don't do the mini-golf or go-carts. There are outlet malls and the lakes around Branson are beautiful!

Don't forget to RIDE THE DUCKS!!!! (QUACK QUACK!!)

 

[Planogirl]

To the south just a bit over the Arkansas line is Eureka Springs where we often spend time. There's nothing hillbilly about this place! It's a combination of beauty, history, craziness and new age culture. The scenery is gorgeous and there's plenty of caves, animal preserves and the like around that area.

We once drove from Eureka to Branson just to see what it was all about and to take our son to Ripley's. The traffic was AWFUL so plan accordingly. The drive up there was nice though.

 

[Bichon Barb]

Dana, if you aren't renting a car, I can recommend the "driver" who drove me from Springfield to Branson and back. His name is "Grizzley". He also play "Charlie Daniels" at one of the shows in Branson--I **** you not! Great guy. He offered to take me anywhere I'd like. I could call him anytime. He meant it! But he couldn't score me any beer at 10:00 p.m. on a Saturday night. I **** you not, once again.

This was the same year as the Oklahoma tornadoes, May of 1999?????

Very nice people in Branson. There is a river cruise in town. You can see the house of some famous romance novelist. Can't remember her name.

Enjoy!

 

[pamlet]

Branson is NOT DisneyWorld by any stretch of the imagination - it's a very real town - with incredibly friendly people.

Now - not a lot of glitz and glamor - but it is in one of the most beautiful areas of the country -

If you seriously like fishing there are TONs of fishing guides on Tablerock Lake -

Are you going to have a car? If so pay close attention to the various "back routes" that are shown on a number of the maps.. Highway 76 - known as the strip - is JAMMED most of the time.. The traffic really is a bear.

Silver Dollar City is really worth a visit. It's sort of a historical theme park centered around rural life in the Ozarks. The have a lot of working craftspeople creating their things and selling them right there.

The shows are fun - not all country - but a strong dose of "conservative" .. and knowing your not so conservative side... you may not get into them... But there is a LOT of talent there - and really quite a variety. By the way - Dolly has a Dixie Stampede in Orlando too...

As to night life - DH and I aren't much into it - so can't help you there.. but would imagine that if you're going for a convention they'll be able to give you lots of tips. I seem to remember hearing that BT Bones had bar/music... don't know if they're still around.

By the way - Branson is in a huge building "boom" - there's a new convention center and retail center going in down by Lake Taneycomo ... it's supposed to be pretty impressive - from what I gather they are going for a more "upscale" clientele than the rest of us "hillbillies" that like to frequent Branson now....

What time of year are you going? About the ONLY time Branson ISN'T hopping busy is Jan/Feb...

 

[hdecker]

I have lived in the Branson/Ozark/ Springfield area my whole life and even though I knew that I lived in an area with a little bit of hillbilly culture, I had no idea so many people had such negative stereotypes about us! I couldn't believe it when I read this thread! I will take it all with a grain of salt and give you some advice. First of all, the Ozarks (as they are called) are very beautiful, sometimes bordering on breathtaking. Do some sightseeing. I assume that you will be flying into Springfield, which means you will drive to Branson down 65, which is very pretty, especially once the trees get some leaves. If you like to shop, there's a lot of outlet shopping, and some of it is quite good. (For example, I wasn't impressed with the outlets by WDW. Branson is much better). I love to eat dinner at a resturant called the Pasta Grill. It is so good. While we might not hold the prize for fine dining, there are many places where you can find a gravy-free meal. And, being a born and bred hillbilly, I spend at least one day a week at Silver Dollar City. They have a new launch coaster this year which is just as good, if not better, than the RRC. Also, the food is wonderful at Silver Dollar City. I have never had a bad meal there. It's funny...I didn't realize how much I loved it here until I wrote this! Keep an open mind and I'm sure you will have a great time! Let me know if you have any questions!
-Gina

P.S. The Dixie Stampede is great and I go at least twice a year! Don't rule it out!

I have to agree with you. I live about 30 minutes north of Springfield and Branson is a monthly trip for our family - sometimes just to drive around - guess we must be real rednecks. We get Silver Dollar City passes every year, camp at the lake, drive the strip, and hit the outlet malls. Yes, it is country, but after growing up in a big city - it is refreshing. I would recommend the Branson Belle also as a fun lunch alternative - good show. Don't forget Bass Pro in Springfield either (dh's 2nd home). I'm sure you'll have a great trip.

 

[brermomof2]

I have to agree with you. I live about 30 minutes north of Springfield and Branson is a monthly trip for our family - sometimes just to drive around - guess we must be real rednecks. We get Silver Dollar City passes every year, camp at the lake, drive the strip, and hit the outlet malls. Yes, it is country, but after growing up in a big city - it is refreshing. I would recommend the Branson Belle also as a fun lunch alternative - good show. Don't forget Bass Pro in Springfield either (dh's 2nd home). I'm sure you'll have a great trip.

Do you know any Decker's from Niangua?

 

[disykat]

We enjoyed it when we went through. We stayed on the lake, went to Silver Dollar City, and basically just drove down the strip once to say we did. We didn't really hear any country music or experience any hillybilly stereotype except the themepark version. I did buy a lovely mountain dulcimer that I play occasionally, but is mainly decor over my piano.

 

[Buckalew11]

Just a FYI, Dollywood in PF used to be a Silver Dollar City. I believe they are both owed by the same family even now.
You don't get a lot more hillbilly than Dolly Parton (she's a glitzy one though) but I can see Dana having a blast with someone like Dolly! Enjoy your trip, Dana.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Okay, totally off the subject of the post, but since there seems to be a lot of Missouri residents on this thread let me ask a question.

Any of you heard of Sedalia?

I was born there and lived there from the time I was 5 until I was 10 and spent most summers there after that. Whenever I meet someone who says they come from MO I tell them I lived there and where and they have never heard of it.