Budget trip to Ozarks??? Need some ideas

[fletchers5]

Would love to plan a trip to Disney during spring break time but not in the budget at this time. Can anyone help with a budget trip to the Ozarks for a 5 day trip. We have never been there before so not quite sure which part of the Ozarks to go to .

We would like to walk trails..check out some of the waterfalls...love the quaint towns with shopping...eat at some GOOD ma and pa type restaurants. Love the vacations that are outdoorsy (woodsy) with the FUN of touristy.

We would be driving from Chicago....don't want to drive anymore than a 10 hour one way trip.

Anyone ever been to the Ozark area that can help..Looks like a LARGE area so not sure where to begin.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

Have you looked into the Lake of the Ozarks area? We love it there!

 

[fletchers5]

No I haven't....will have to take a look. What do you like about that area?

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

It's very family oriented, yet there's bars/clubs as well if you go without kids. There are lots of places to stay for every budget. There's all the normal touristy type things...mini golf, arcades, old time photos, etc, but also you can rent a boat, pontoon or jet skis and have a great time on the water! Most of the resorts have pools as well. There is also a large outlet mall there. If you want to go camping, the is a huge state park as well. We stayed there one yr for 4th of July weekend and rented inner tube things to float down the river. I think they rent canoes as well, and you may be able to go horseback riding.

There is also branson, mo as well. I hear silver dollar city is great for kids!

 

[happygirl]

Branson is nice lots of stuff for kids