OT- Tell me about Branson, MO

[Jen76b]

We're going to WDW next month, but my DH is in the mood for a road trip. Branson is about 7 or 8 hours from us, so I think that would be a great place to go. I've done a little research on-line and it seems like a nice tourist place.

This may sound like a silly question, but we're an interracial family (black/white) and I'm worried about feeling uncomfortable. Any opinions?

Also, it will be me, DH and DS10, so any recommendation on what to do or where to stay would be great.

We're think about going during Spring Break (around March 15), do you think the weather will be too cold still?

TIA!
Jen

 

[Suzanna1973]

From Missouri here, 4 hours from Branson. Silver Dollar City and Celebration City won't be open yet, will still be too chilly here in ol' Misery..I mean Missouri. If you do decide to come down, stay at the Rosebud Inn. It's very reasonable, and it has an indoor heated pool.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

Celebration City is closed - permanently. Welcome to a tough economy.

Yes, it will probably be a little cool during that time of year - we sometimes get a little snow even in March. But it's Missouri and the weather can change 40 degrees in a day.

As for an interracial family: honestly, there are very, very few black folks in Branson. However, don't let that keep you from visiting the area!

If you like the "great outdoors", you may want to visit Springfield (40 minutes north on 65 highway). It's home of the original Bass Pro - pretty neat to browse around. I'd recommend Lamberts - in Ozark, MO (about 25 minutes north of Branson on 65 highway) for a yummy meal. Branson has two Disney Outlets and many shows of country type singers.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

This may not be a popular response but honestly---IMO----Branson is very much geared for the senior set.

 

[pawla68]

We have visited Branson our last two vacations. I wouldn't worry about your family. Branson is such a touristy town, there are people from everywhere there! A site that helped me plan our trips is www.1branson.com. It is a good site, not as good as this one, but everyone one there is very helpful.

Paula

 

[Jen76b]

Thanks for the replies. We've been everywhere in Texas, so we were wanting to go somewhere a little north, but not too far of a drive from Dallas, so that's why Branson came to mind. Maybe we'll save that for a long weekend in the summer.

Thanks again!

 

[missj1975]

Thanks for the replies. We've been everywhere in Texas, so we were wanting to go somewhere a little north, but not too far of a drive from Dallas, so that's why Branson came to mind. Maybe we'll save that for a long weekend in the summer.

Thanks again!

Saving for a long weekend in the summer is a great idea. Branson is a tourist town. The best times to go our November, December, May, June, July, and August. I think March would be cold and not much to do outdoors, just indoor shows.

We go four times a year because I love Silver Dollar City. We go for a weekend in May, weekend in July, weekend in September, and a weekend in December. Silver Dollar City is open for Christmas but they shut down January through April.

Besides Silver Dollar City, we like to visit Table Rock Lake. Our favorite resort is Stillwater resort which has three pools, free paddleboats and kayaks, and docks to fish off of. They also have boat and jetski rentals. Stillwater Resort is right on Table Rock lake. It is five minutes from Silver Dollar City and 15 minutes from the Branson Strip.

The only shows we have done is two dinner shows, Dixie Stampede and The Showboat Branson Belle. Both were awesome.

About feeling uncomfortable or out of place, I don't really have any experience but I would hope not because everyone I have ever met is super friendly.

I also disagree with the poster who said Branson is geared to the older community. I am in my 30's and love Branson. Lots of people do retire to Branson and so most of the employees at every store, show, restaurant, etc. are older but I have always felt Branson is geared towards the family.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

Saving for a long weekend in the summer is a great idea. Branson is a tourist town. The best times to go our November, December, May, June, July, and August. I think March would be cold and not much to do outdoors, just indoor shows.

We go four times a year because I love Silver Dollar City. We go for a weekend in May, weekend in July, weekend in September, and a weekend in December. Silver Dollar City is open for Christmas but they shut down January through April.

Besides Silver Dollar City, we like to visit Table Rock Lake. Our favorite resort is Stillwater resort which has three pools, free paddleboats and kayaks, and docks to fish off of. They also have boat and jetski rentals. Stillwater Resort is right on Table Rock lake. It is five minutes from Silver Dollar City and 15 minutes from the Branson Strip.

The only shows we have done is two dinner shows, Dixie Stampede and The Showboat Branson Belle. Both were awesome.

About feeling uncomfortable or out of place, I don't really have any experience but I would hope not because everyone I have ever met is super friendly.

I also disagree with the poster who said Branson is geared to the older community. I am in my 30's and love Branson. Lots of people do retire to Branson and so most of the employees at every store, show, restaurant, etc. are older but I have always felt Branson is geared towards the family.[/QUOTE]


It's hard to say that it's not geared toward an older crowd when there are bus loads of seniors everywhere! Yes, it is "family friendly" in the sense that it's not bars, gambling, and strip clubs like Vegas (there are go-carts, mini-golf, etc), but it without a doubt caters to senior citizens.

 

[duckybelle]

We live 40 minutes south of Branson, and go a LOT! Silver Dollar City is pretty with all the lights. Don't worry about being interracial. I have seen quite a few...my sis and her df are an interracial couple, and if people dont like it, TOUGH! My nephews are GORGEOUS!

 

[WDWorBUST]

Silver Dollar City will be open the week of 3/16 - I believe only Wednesday- the weekend (3/19-3/22). We will be there that week for Spring Break too (but fortunately for us it's just under a 3 hour drive.) We like Branson - it is geared toward the "senior set" - but that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable for all ages and families. It will still be pretty cold then I'm afraid....but not too terrible I wouldn't think. Our DD (5) loves the trout hatchery (Okay I admit....I like it too). We plan on doing SDC of course and if any of the mini golf courses are open we'll do that (Pirates Cove is our favorite). I would recommend a timeshare. I got one of the skyauction specials and was able to get a 2 bedroom condo that week in Branson. We really like to stay at Stillwaters Resort. In town we like the Best Western Branson Towers. I have heard good things about the hotel that has an indoor water park which might be nice in March - I think it's called Grand Country Inn or something like that. And the outlet shopping is great! We typically don't do shows because they get so expensive so fast. Whatever you decide to do have fun!

 

[Aunt Flancy]

http://www.grandcountry.com/main.asp

We have stayed at the Grand Country a couple of times. The kids love it. They also have two huge hot tubs that I like. The hotel isn't anything special, but it is clean. There is also a pizza buffet on the same property which is very convenient.

 

[lilybrooke14]

I lived there for many years. That time of year, I'd be sure and think up everything you might want to do and then look it up before you leave, because a lot of the shows and things are closed in the winter. I think the Dixie Stampede is still open year round, and although it's one of the pricier shows, it's a really good one (the food is good too). The new Noah's Ark show is supposed to be good as well.

I worked at Big Cedar Lodge for several years, and it's really nice there. Expensive for a stay, but it's a pretty drive down there, and a meal at the Buzzard Bar below Devil's Pool isn't too badly priced. The club sandwich used to be really good. (It's been a while since I've been there.) The views are still beautiful though. A nicer dinner can be had at Devil's Pool Restaurant or Top of the Rock restaurant (is that even still open? I thought they had a fire a while back?) March is usually still a good time to curl up by the fire with a cup of cocoa, and BCL definatley has lovely cabins for those with the budget for it. Unlike Disney though, March is one of the low seasons, so prices on rooms should be lower.

For shopping, the new Branson's Landing is pretty neat, and of course, there are the outlet malls. Tanger had the best stores the last time I checked. As PP pointed out, Bass Pro Shops in Springfield is worth a trip if you like the outdoorsy stuff. We still have family in the area, so we visit pretty often. It's a beautiful area to drive (outside of town).

 

[amyjoq]

I highly recommend going to big cedar lodges web site and clicking on the link to dogwood canyon. Both are owned by Bass Pro. Dogwood Canyon is this amazing conservation area that offers tours by tram (jeep pulling a trailer with confy seating - much nicer than it sounds), horse back riding, there's a cafe in the main building, one of the tours includes crossing the Arkansas boarder and seeing buffalo. There are fees of course but so worth it - the scenery is amazing. Lots of rich history and beautiful waterfalls and creeks you drive through.
We had stayed at Big Cedar Lodge during our honeymoon and if you stay in one of the lodges the prices aren't that different from Disney. There are lots of walking trials - you can rent a boat and travel out on the lake.

I've been visiting Branson since I was a little girl and I don't think you should worry about the area too much - They are down right southern folks with manners and so friendly and welcoming to all. There are lots of people there from all over and all ages.

 

[missj1975]

It's hard to say that it's not geared toward an older crowd when there are bus loads of seniors everywhere! Yes, it is "family friendly" in the sense that it's not bars, gambling, and strip clubs like Vegas (there are go-carts, mini-golf, etc), but it without a doubt caters to senior citizens.

Hmmm, actually it is not hard for me to say that Branson isn't just geared towards an older crowd. Yes lots of older people visit Branson but lots of people of all ages visit Branson. Sorry I didn't notice the bus loads of senior citizens, I was too busy having fun at Silver Dollar City.

My point is that Branson can be fun for everyone, no matter what their age is.