Branson/Springfield MO

[TJ's Mom]

We are going to have a free day in the Branson or Springfield Missouri area. Is there anything you would recommend doing besides Silver Dollar City. I am not very familiar with the area.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Tons - what time of year?

 

[happygirl]

We are going to have a free day in the Branson or Springfield Missouri area. Is there anything you would recommend doing besides Silver Dollar City. I am not very familiar with the area.

Springfield has a huge Bass Pro

Branson has something for everyone, There a neat Titanic museum, There a landing that has great shopping. There is really something for everyone and every age.

Here a few of my fav things to do there

Ride the Ducks
Showboat Branson Belle

 

[North of Mouse]

We are going to have a free day in the Branson or Springfield Missouri area. Is there anything you would recommend doing besides Silver Dollar City. I am not very familiar with the area.

Silver Dollar City, lots of shows, other that those, the only thing we enjoyed was Branson Landing (a neat semi mall on the river - outdoor). There are lots of the usual touristy places that love to take your money, but they can be found anywhere.

Oh, forgot! We always have to go to Culvers for frozen custard - yum-yum!

 

[TJ's Mom]

It will be in April. Myself, DH, and 12 year-old boy if that helps.

 

[happygirl]

It will be in April. Myself, DH, and 12 year-old boy if that helps.

Everything in Branson will be up and going by then

Go-Carts
Ripley
Dinosaur museum
There a reptile museum

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Okay, we'll skip the water park then

For Springfield, we stay at the Days Inn on Campbell near the Bass Pro Shops World headquarters. We spend the day at Dickerson Park Zoo and then dinner at Incedible Pizza or Canton Inn (Campbell and Sunshine). Have the Springfield Style cashew chicken. It'll be the daily special (has been every day since the 1980's ).

In Branson, aside from the shows, SDC, and the Landing, go to the trout hatchery, and/or go fishing on Lake Taneycomo.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Must eat dessert at CAKES AND CREAMS 50's Diner and Dessert Parlor
http://cakesncreams.com/

I would "Ride the Ducks" since you are a newb and you can see Tablerock Lake.

Fish Hatchery is always fun with kids.

GO Karts and Putt Putt are a must. You just have to decide which one.

And of course cheesy shopping for souvenirs and t-shirts.

 

[amsyw]

I could add many to the list of suggestions, I live here! If you have specific questions about anything or anyplace you are considering please let me know. I would be happy to help you out!

We go to the Landing all the time, we love many of the restaurants here!! There is also a Tanger Outlet mall in Branson. They are both nice outdoor malls. There are the Track places that have go karts, putt putt, bumper boats etc. There is Grand Country Inn in Branson that has an indoor water park, you don't have to stay at the hotel to go there. They also have The Fun Spot which is a arcade type place with laser tag, putt putt, mini bowling and lots of arcade games. Of course lots of shows to pick from. Also, Ripleys and Titanic. LOTS and lots of stuff to do in Branson.

In Springfield there is the Battlefield mall, which is nice. The Original Bass Pro is a favorite of hunters, fishermen and gamers. They have lots of clothing and shoes to shop for as well. The Springfield Cardinals will be starting their schedule sometime soon, they are a Double-A minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. WE LOVE GOING TO GAMES!! It is very family oriented and always a good time!!

Of course there is also Lambert's in Ozark, which is between Springfield and Branson on hwy 65. It is a famous tourist restaurant, "home of the throwed rolls". It is a lot of fun and you absolutely won't leave hungry!

There are so many more, just let me know what kind of stuff you are looking for!

Please don't hesitate to ask me, I have lived here my whole life and can suggest restaurants or whatever....

 

[T*Bird]

This may be out of the way, but since you mentioned Silver Dollar City, I thought I'd throw it out there. We love Dogwood Canyon Nature Park (owned by Bass Pro Shops), which is southwest of Branson. There are lots of activities to do there, but my favorite is riding bicycles through the beautiful scenery.

http://www.dogwoodcanyon.org/Default.aspx

 

[ksjayhawks]

Springfield has a minor league baseball team
http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t440
bass pro
zoo
fantastic caverns--ride through cave

Branson:
Cakes and creams diner
ride the ducks
dixie stampede
mini golfing at night
shepherd of the hills site
horseback riding if they are operating
all kinds of museums, gokart places, shows
shopping

 

[jen73]

we are headed to Branson this coming Monday and have tix for the Dixie Stampede and the Haygoods..what else is a MUST DO...we have 12 year old twin boys and 18 yr old daughter. I am getting more and more excited!! TIA

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Loved doing the go carts with my boys. We are going to be back in Springfield for my class reunion next July - Can't WAIT!

 

[MomtoDDRR]

We are going to have a free day in the Branson or Springfield Missouri area. Is there anything you would recommend doing besides Silver Dollar City. I am not very familiar with the area.

Lots of great info in this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3153471

Hope that helps!

 

[Friend of a Mouse]

Silver Dollar City is a must see if you have not been. It is one of the best theme parks I have been to outside of Disney. They debuted a new roller coaster this year called Outlaw Run which is currently the only wooden coaster to feature inversions. I loved it. One caveat is that if the pople in your party are taller or have long lets, there is a bar that goes across the shins and can be uncomfortable.

We recently went on the Branson Belle which is a dinner show cruise on Table Rock Lake. That was neat, although I do not know if I would pay full price (we won tickets in a raffle). The Titanic Museum is also truly amazing. They have a lot of memoribilia that comes straight from the ship. The staff was knowledgeable and there were some interactive exhibits. It is somewhat similar to the Holocaust Museum in that you get a boarding pass with a real person's name on it and at the end you find out their fate.

There are many shows there. The majority is going to be Opry or country music with some Christian shows thrown in. (My husband calls it Vegas if the Christians had built it).

As far as hotels, we have had good luck with the San Angel Inn and the Best Western Branson Inn. There are many stand alone hotels (not chain owned) and we've stayed in some doozies. Make sure that you check the reviews as they can be hit or miss. I also recommend eating at Lambert's which is between Branson and Springfield. It is home to the "throwed rolls" and a very unique dining experience. It is not 5 star cuisine by any means, but if you have kids, they will love it. (In addition to the rolls being pitched to you they have what are called "pass arounds" which are in addition to your food. It's a great place to take teenage boys as it will fill even them up.)