Give me the low-down on Branson

[ekatiel]

Headed there for 3 nights/2 days, and a possible additional day or two (about a week later) in June. We are stopping there on the way to the inlaws in WI. We may stop there on the way back if there are still things that we want to do or we may choose a different stopover point on the way back. I'm just starting planning so any info would be helpful. Reasonably priced hotels/motels? Things to do? Places to eat? Deals for things to do or places to eat? TIA for any input!

Edited to add: It will be me, DH, and our two boys who will be just turned 8 and almost 10.

 

[kirbyx5]

we've only been there 1 time and we didn't do a whole lot! My tips are to go to Siler Dollar City and Lamberts Café. SDC is an amusement park. We had a good time and it took a day. It has been 11 year since we've been but they have a website. Ok on to lamberts. Its a restaurant and it is amazing!! Check out their website as well. We have since moved back to Oregon and still talk about their food! I also know that they have a titanic museum that your kids might like!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Dozens of shows
Table Rock and Tanycomo Lakes for boating/fishing
Trout hatchery visit
The previously mentioned Lamberts (actually in Ozark, MO - edit, be prepared for a LONG wait to be seated)
Whitewater water park

We don't golf, but typically look for condo deals on the golf courses, usually less than $100 a night and plenty of space.

In nearby Springfield:
Dickerson Park Zoo
Bass Pro Shop World Headquarters and the adjacent wildlife museum

 

[way2tyred]

We lived just a few hours away until very recently, so it was an easy place to do long weekends.

Silver Dollar City, I'm sure you've heard of. It's a hit in our family. The water park (can't recall the name) we don't really care for. My kids live the fish hatchery (and its free). Also at College of the Ozarks there is a cool little museum with lots of random exhibits. The Beverly Hillbillies car for example lol. It's either free or has a small donation charge. There are a bazillion different shows, but we never go to them as our kids aren't really interested. There's a neat Titanic museum and a Ripley's Believe It Or Not, a wax museum, riding the Ducks, several go cart and mini-golf places.

We never eat anywhere special and usually stay at Indian Point.

 

[way2tyred]

I forgot about the Jonah show coming. We've seen it aft another of their theaters and it is amazing! Right now I think their production in Branson is Joseph, but switches to Jonah in the spring.

 

[kkandaj]

We love the trout hatchery also--and it's free. A visit to the College of the Ozarks is fun. A small college where all the students leave debt free because they are required to work at the college for their tuition. You can see the cows get milked and bottle feed the baby cows.

Silver Dollar City could definitely use up an entire day--or two--if you like amusement parks. You can get 2 day tickets for the price of one day if you search for them. Several roller coasters and lots of shows there too. We walked through the cave for the first time this year and my kids loved it.

Lots to do in the area. My parents have a timeshare down there so we stay the same place every year. I have no help with places to stay.

 

[MomtoDDRR]

Headed there for 3 nights/2 days, and a possible additional day or two (about a week later) in June. We are stopping there on the way to the inlaws in WI. We may stop there on the way back if there are still things that we want to do or we may choose a different stopover point on the way back. I'm just starting planning so any info would be helpful. Reasonably priced hotels/motels? Things to do? Places to eat? Deals for things to do or places to eat? TIA for any input!

Edited to add: It will be me, DH, and our two boys who will be just turned 8 and almost 10.

Lots of great info in this thread:

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

We just returned from a two night stay at Big Cedar/Wilderness Club! Love being so close and yet away.

Feel free to ask any other questions as well!

 

[jlovesee]

Ugh please don't call Silver Dollar City an amusement park it's as much an amusement park as EPCOT or Magic Kingdom are and certainly almost nothing like Six Flags. It's a theme park.

I've been going to Branson every year since I was 8 and yes SDC is an absolute for every trip. Yes, it does have rides and they are very good, it also has great shows (recommend the saloon show) shopping, craftsman, food, (yes food is an attraction) and admission includes a tour of Marvel Cave which is quite an experience (natural underground cave walking tour). The park itself actually started as a diversion for those waiting for their cave tour... If you have been to Dollywood, SDC is very similar but better

In Branson I would also recommend if you have time checking out table rock lake and the dam (has a tour) table rock is man made (dam'd up the famous white river) and has a limestone lake floor so the water is clear.

As far as places to stay if you like nature then either big cedar lodge or chataeu on the lake, chataeu is right on table rock. Big cedar is more away from it all in the woods but also very pretty they have carriage and horse back riding which I have done, if you like that kind of thing I recommend it.

Branson itself is very developed and busy! 76 is the main drag and if you try to drive down it while shows are letting out it can become a parking lot, there are maps at every hotel that show the red route, yellow and blue routes (you can google search for the map too) would STRONGLY recommend.

Branson has a nice TITANIC exhibit too, shows are all okay nothing bad nothing oh my gosh amazing. Branson does have one of the few remaining Dixie stampede shows I did that a few years ago and it was fun.

Haven't been impressed with Showboat Branson belle recently or any of the other caves advertised in the area marvel is the best and that's at SDC.

Lamberts is ok I guess if you have never been its worth doing once for the experience, definitely come hungry! The line usually appears long but it moves fast.

Last if you are driving up towards KC area be sure to stop at Osceola Cheese 80 some favors of cheese and lots of other local products too we always stop there we love it.


Jennifer

 

[jpeppers]

we've only been there 1 time and we didn't do a whole lot! My tips are to go to Siler Dollar City and Lamberts Café. SDC is an amusement park. We had a good time and it took a day. It has been 11 year since we've been but they have a website. Ok on to lamberts. Its a restaurant and it is amazing!! Check out their website as well. We have since moved back to Oregon and still talk about their food! I also know that they have a titanic museum that your kids might like!

Silver Dollar city was a big hit when I was a kid and we would go since my Dad was from Missouri! Where are you at in the Columbia Gorge, my parents are in the Dalles and I grew up in the area?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Forgot to mention, Grand Country Inn is on Groupon with deep discounts now and then. A coworker went over Christmas REAL cheap. He said their buffet was terrific and he's not much of a buffet guy (I'd have never guessed that as he is a big eater ).

 

[jedijill]

I highly recommend Lambert's in Ozark although its closer to Springfield than Branson. I love SDC too!

Jill in CO

 

[esk]

Marriott has a timeshare/condo complex right in Branson, we stayed there last year in a 2 bedroom. It was great with our 2 kids. Excellent price, nice gym and pool area, rented movies (pretty recent) right from reception. There are apparently 2 Wal-Marts and we went to the "wrong one" that didn't really have a lot of food, so if you like to eat in the room, ask the front desk folks which one has the food.

76 was nuts; we crawled, it was bumper to bumper and we were there in the off season....

 

[wiigirl]

Silver Dollar city was a big hit when I was a kid and we would go since my Dad was from Missouri! Where are you at in the Columbia Gorge, my parents are in the Dalles and I grew up in the area?

x2 for Silver Dollar City

 

[marciagms]

Where can you find the 2 for 1 Silver Dollar Tickets and can you purchase them in advance? How far is Lamberts from Branson? Thanks for sharing the information!!! We are planing our 2nd trip this June and we are from Mississippi.

 

[kkandaj]

You can contact the Branson Tourism Center. http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/faq/coupons-for-silver-dollar-city/

You can also get a lot if Branson info from www.1branson.com. There is a forum there like the DIS, but on a much smaller scale. Attraction, show, dining and accommodation reviews also.

We visit Branson 2-3 times per year and go to SDC at least twice on every trip. My first trip to SDC, I was four and have the tin type photo to prove it. Ha! SDC has changed a TON!

 

[kkandaj]

Oh--Lambert's is roughly 30 minutes from Branson. If I remember correctly, you cannot make reservations. We have always had to wait at least 45 minutes to be seated. The food is what I would call "down home" cooking. Other than the rolls being thrown, I really don't get the obsession with Lambert's. Sure, it's good--but it's hectic in there. Buses full of people--not kidding. I enjoy the Keeter Center http://www.keetercenter.edu at the College of the Ozarks much more. It is pricey but worth every penny.

 

[nighttowll]

I'd second Lamburts; although, we always go to the one in Sikeston which I think is better. The hatchery is neat if you've never seen anything like it before but nothing special and doesn't take long to see. The Titanic is interesting if you've never done it before but very historical and museum like, not very hands on. I thought I'd really like it, but ended up getting a little bored with it. Silver Dollar City and College of the Ozarks are fun. There are also plenty of shows to see, my favorite was a Chinese acrobat show. Not sure if its still playing though as that was a few years ago that I saw it.

 

[buckirj1]

Not easy to get around unless you have a car, and are willing to drive. Public transportation is non-existant as far as I can tell.

 

[dhop]

One thing of note about Lambert's: They don't take credit cards! First time we stopped there we didn't know this and didn't notice the sign either as you walked in. Luckily, we figured it out before being seated. You either have to pay with cash or check.

 

[ekatiel]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I will check them all out. Not sure Lambert's is for us if they throw rolls. ODS has food allergies to eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts. If the rolls aren't safe, it would be a harrowing experience !!

We will definitely do Silver Dollar City, although I don't seem to be able to find the 2 days for the price of one thing right now. Will that deal come out in the Spring?

What do you guys think about a condo vs. motel. It seems like we could find a motel for under $60 a night. We might be able to find a condo for around $70-$80 a night, but there would be a separate cleaning fee, etc. Which condo facilities are the best?

I also found this site referenced on Trip Advisor: http://www.branson2for1tickets.com/. The people there seemed to think it was legit. Anyone have experience with them?