Branson, MO tips

[Mom2SamandJames]

Every year my sons and I take my mom on a trip. She has mentioned in the past wanting that she always wanted to go to Branson, so this year we are. We have our condo booked. Can you offer suggestions for restaurants, shows, and fun things to do with two boys ages 12 and 9? Thank you!

Dawn

 

[bjscheel]

Our girls were just about that age when we went. We did (and liked) Dixie Stampede, Titanic Museum, Silver Dollar City (two days), and Ride the Ducks. We also liked Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. We rented bikes first (flat, paved trails), then took a tram ride to go farther out and see the bison, etc. Very beautiful streams and waterfalls. North of Branson we visited the National Tiger Sanctuary.

We got tickets for things from reservebranson.com, like 2 days for price of 1 at SDC. It is a legit site with no timeshare association. Watch out for timeshare offers! We were at the shop with the General Lee outside and were approached there.

 

[dclpluto]

I don't like them but a lot of people do on DCL cruises. They are from Branson and put on a lot of shows there. Called bucket and boards. Check them out on you tube to see if you will be interested and see if they are in town when you are there. Once again I don't like them think it's dumb but a lot of DCL cruisers like them.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Every year my sons and I take my mom on a trip. She has mentioned in the past wanting that she always wanted to go to Branson, so this year we are. We have our condo booked. Can you offer suggestions for restaurants, shows, and fun things to do with two boys ages 12 and 9? Thank you!

Dawn

Obviously Silver Dollar City is at the top of the list. A lot of fun for all ages imo. Plenty of fun rides and things like glass blowing, chickens (my kids always loved the chickens), singing etc. It is a very relaxing amusement park. A lot of it is shaded which is nice. There is also a cave tour included with your admission if you want to do that at SDC. It is a real cave. http://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/Attractions/Rides/Marvel-Cave

Ride the Ducks is #1 for the boys as well as going to the go cart tracks & mini golf at night like everyone else and then eat at Cakes-n-Creams for dessert. There is a train ride near "Branson's Landing" that is pretty fun if you want to do that sort of thing with the kids.
http://www.explorebranson.com/artic...Xs2TxB_t4yN_9OA3rud63xoCRIHw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Check out "The Landing" website. They have shops and dancing light shows at certain times. Once when I was there, there was a free concert with "Jefferson Starship". Near the Landing there is "old town". Tons of old shops, dime stores, and a couple of diners.

My mom and dad go for the shows. So I would tell you to look over what is playing and pick a couple that you all would enjoy. Tickets are not cheap so look for discounts. "The Branson Belle" is something that is fun for all ages AND you get to ride a boat and have a dinner show. I will admit the dinner is not stellar however the experience is worth it.

One thing about Branson is that is sits on Table Rock Lake. It is a beautiful lake to sit on with a boat. Also a ton of fun with Jet Skiing. Jet skiing is pretty simple to master. Not sure how adventurous you are. I always bring it up because it really is a beautiful lake. It not polluted like Lake of the Ozarks, so swimming there is less scary. (Provided you are going in summer).

Happy Planning!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Second the lake recommendations and spend an hour at the fish hatchery. We also enjoyed some of the animal sanctuaries outside of town. And of course the mother of all Bass Pro Shops is in nearby Springfield (which also has a nice little zoo).

 

[rastahomie]

"Branson, Missouri: What Las Vegas would be if it had been designed by Ned Flanders." -Homer Simpson

 

[jliehr]

If your kids are the adventurous type there is a new attraction called Fritz's Adventure Family Attraction, http://www.fritzsadventure.com/ Has climbing, ropes courses, slides and lots of things for kids to do.

They have recently put up the Ferris Wheel that used to be at Chicago's Navy Pier (they replaced with a newer one in Chicago). There is a ton of go-karting and mini golf.

White Water is a mediocre water park, but fun for kids http://www.silverdollarcity.com/white-water

There's a new mountain coaster attraction http://bransonalpinemountaincoaster.com/

Dogwood Canyon is a nature park that kids will usually like http://www.dogwoodcanyon.org/

Silver Dollar City is mentioned above, really nice park with interesting history.

Restaurant wise, here's a few good local places.

Danna’s BBQ and Burger Shop http://dannasbbq.com/

Hook and Ladder Pizza http://www.hookandladderpizza.com/

Billy Gail's Café https://www.facebook.com/BillyGailsCafe/

Black Oak Grill https://www.blackoakgrill.com/branson-mo/

Now if you day trip up to Springfield (1 hours drive each way) there are several other things to do

Mentioned above, Bass Pro Shops is a huge outdoors store that kids love, and they're opening (re-opening technically after a long, slow renovation) at some point in 2017 an Aquarium http://wondersofwildlife.org/

Jordan Valley Park has fountains and lots of place to just have a lazy lunch in the park http://parkboard.org/524/Jordan-Valley-Park

Between Branson and Springfield is a restaurant called Lambert's, basically a huge greasy spoon type place that is great for kids (bring cash or check, no cards accepted) where they throw fresh hot rolls in the dining room http://www.throwedrolls.com/shopcontent.asp?type=Ozark

If you need anything else feel free to PM, I'm just up the road in Springfield.

 

[xlsm]

My dad is a musician in Branson, and I'm a former resident.

Silver Dollar City is second only to WDW in terms of theme in my opinion. I have spent more time there than I could even calculate, and it never gets old for me. It is so fun! But there are hills, hills, hills, so be prepared for that while walking!

There's tons of mini golf and go carts, wax museum, Ripley's Believe it or Not, the Landing for shopping/dining, ziplines, two lakes, etc... Visit Dick's 5 and 10 if you go downtown near the landing. It's a fun store!
There's also the Tanger outlet mall. I worked at the Disney Store there

There's also an Imax theater, which is a family favorite.

While I have never been to the National Tiger Sanctuary, we do love Turpentine Creek in Eureka Springs, AR, which is about an hour away. In fact, Eureka Springs is an awesome destination, too, depending on how much time you have!

I don't view Branson the way many people do, because it has always been part of my life in a "real world" way vs. just a tourist destination, but it still has a lot to offer!

Oh, and go get some Andy's Frozen Custard if you don't have one near where you live!

editing to add...White Water is there if you're going in summer!

 

[rastahomie]

Eureka Springs, AR, which is about an hour away. In fact, Eureka Springs is an awesome destination, too, depending on how much time you have!

Seconding the suggestion for Eureka Springs!!! It's one of the weirdest little cities you'll ever see. Genteel Victorian elegance everywhere you look, and half the population is born-again Christians, the other half artists and hippies.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Go To Lamberts about 20 minutes north of Branson on 65
Try Billy Gails It's got amazing breakfast food

Fritz Adventure I think your kids would love it
Mointain Coasters
Ride The Ducks
Check our College of the Ozarks it's so pretty and has a fun museum
The Escape Code is very fun. Your kids will love it

 

[Skippy918]

There are several zip line places in Branson. Lamberts is worth a stop too. My kids loved SDC and the water park.

 

[rastahomie]

Go To Lamberts about 20 minutes north of Branson on 65

I second this! Go there on an empty stomach, because they will feed you until you think you're going to pass out, and then they'll keep feeding you.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Well, I wouldn't go TOO hungry to Lamberts as you'll probably be in for a 2 hour wait to get in. But yes, they will feed you & feed you some more!

 

[rastahomie]

Well, I wouldn't go TOO hungry to Lamberts as you'll probably be in for a 2 hour wait to get in.

That's true. As with certain Disney restaurants, timing is key. Try for a weekday lunch during the off-season, if you can swing it.

 

[Mom2SamandJames]

Thank you. These are great suggestions. The boys really want to go to Silver Dollar City and Ride the Ducks. We may try going to Lambert's. They have both been to one before, but it has been a long time.