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Trip to Branson, Missouri (Welcome To The Ozarks!!!)

 4-night Escape To The Ozarks; A Branson, Missouri Tale. (July 2024)

  Firstly and foremost, I want to thank you for reading our Travel Blog post. My name is Gabe. I grew up in Missouri, served over a decade of military service in the U.S. Air Force Active Duty and Reserve (Iraqi Freedom
Deployed Veteran).  

  I now work 2-days per week as a Firefighter, and I have a burning
passion for travel (all puns intended). Unless we are traveling, I spend the other days of the week, working as a Travel Advisor with my wife Mary, at Morgan & Morgan Travel. (www.morganmorgantravel.com)

  I wish to share my personal traveling experiences with you, for both your enjoyment and discovery.  

I can hardly express to you with words, just how much I
enjoy traveling. I travel pretty often, and have been to a fair amount of places in
and outside of the U.S. so far. I am still at somewhat of a higher entry - level, in
regard to the number of countries I have seen, and in regard to writing about it. None-the-less, I love sharing what I have learned in each circumstance.  

 Now, it is safe to say that many of you have likely heard of St. Louis, MO or Kansas City, MO. Particularly if you enjoy Budweiser Beer, St. Louis style BBQ, Jazz music, or watch U.S.
based sports. Both STL and KC are worth visiting, simply based on the
food, history, and entertainment alone. Come check out the SHOW-ME State!!!! I'll eagerly revisit STL and KC in future blog postings. Lots of rich history in both cities.

  But today, we’ll be focusing on Branson, MO...................A small tourist city in SW Missouri,
about a 50-minute drive south of Springfield, MO. Branson is located in the
Central Time Zone (U.S.), in case you were wondering.  

If you visit Branson between April throughout October, the
daytime high temperatures will range from the low 70’s - low 90’s during the
day, and low night-time temperatures will range from the low 40’s to high 60’s
(in degrees Fahrenheit).  

  The city of Branson itself is both historically touristy 
and gorgeous. Branson yields a population of approximately 13,000 – 14,000
full-time residents (Population in 2023). Branson boasts attracting better than 8 million
tourists annually, and is well known for attractions such as Silver Dollar
City, Lake Taneycomo, U.S. Route 66, and is called the, “Live entertainment
capital of the world” (because of the immense concentration of live shows
performed daily, such as Dolly’s Stampede)...... AND Branson just so happens to
be in close proximity to the Bass Pro Shops world headquarters = A fantastic
choice for hiking, camping, hunting, and general outdoorsman gear, I mind you.

 The Travel Channel has even called Branson, MO the “Most Christmassy place in America”, (December - January). Branson most certainly has plenty of country-style food and a
wide-range of culinary options in general, cave tours, camping and canoeing
sites, zip-lining, go-carts, fair-type activities, and is located within a
single day’s drive, of over 1-third of the entire continental U.S.’s
population.  

  I would strongly suggest a 4-night trip to enjoy Branson minimum,
especially if this is your first time visiting. There are so many things to do within
Branson and a 1-hour drive / bubble area around Branson, that it would take weeks
of non-stop tourist travel to see the half of it.  


  From my experience growing up in Missouri, traveling to visit during the month of June is ideal. The weather is warm and the lakes and rivers are perfect for jumping in. Don't forget your fresh water fishing gear and hiking boots!

  The attractions are going in full swing during late spring / early summer particularly. Perfect burger cook-off by the river type days, and camp-fire smores kinda nights. 

On the other hand, Fall and Winter offer beautiful decorative
lights, festivals, festive music, endless shopping endeavors, all of the delightful indoor
shows, occasional snow days (winter), daily hot cocoa and fire place opportunities, and
as always....... a plethora of gastronomical delights with seemingly endless
options. 

  The Ozark Mountains offer plenty of hiking trails and lakes as well.  

As a sample basic 4-night vacation itinerary, I would
suggest arranging lodging at an affordable Air BnB / VRBO type-option within 20 minutes of
downtown Branson, for around $100 per night. Local hotels and even time-share presentation establishments offer a range of deals too. 


  But if you prefer / have more expensive taste, 4-nights at Big Cedar Lodge Branson is a well
deserved treat (Think cabin lodges, golf courses, and a convenient club-house
with full bar on site). There are many, many, many lodging options in the local area
from all sorts of different price-points and amenities. The choice is all yours. 


***TIP / SUGGESTION: ENJOY A DUCK BOAT TOUR RIDE IF YOU HAVE
TIME, AND LEARN ABOUT SOME RICH BRANSON HISTORY WHILE RIDING ON AN AMPHIBIOUS
BUS-TYPE TOUR VEHICLE! ALSO.......STOP BY MR. B'S ICE CREAM PARLOR FOR SOME OF
THE TOP RATED COBBLER AND ICE CREAM IN TOWN! 

  Now......to start off Day-1 in Branson, I would hit up the main strip in downtown Branson (76 Country Boulevard), at about 9:50 AM. Go to the Grand Country Buffet for breakfast, and
stay until 11 AM for seconds, as they convert the breakfast buffet into a lunch
/ dinner buffet, with dessert included. No extra cost as long as you are
already inside and have paid. (You pay at the beginning of your buffet visit).  

After stuffing your belly, locate the Titanic Museum, and
be transported back in time, to experience something similar to what passengers
aboard this epic vessel observed; luxury, loss, and history. This tour /
museum includes a water well with ice cold water to dip your arm into, and see
just how ice cold the seas really were that fateful night. Multiple photo
opportunities here.  Several interactive presentations, artifacts, and live actor / characters included.

   I would then press on, to an early afternoon Ferris wheel ride on the Branson Ferris Wheel. This
was previously the Chicago, Illinois - Navy Pier Ferris wheel, until it moved
to Branson in 2016. Follow this wonderful view experience with a go-cart ride,
perhaps a funnel cake, and then some exciting afternoon zip lining. After all of that, dinner at
Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House, where they literally throw free dinner
rolls at you from across the restaurant. Enjoy the live entertainment of a flame, water fountain, 
and light show waterfront, at Branson Landing (9 PM).  

  Beginning Day-2, I would grab a delicious breakfast at
Farmhouse Restaurant, for some wholesome country, stick-to-your-ribs cooking. Now it's time to giddie-yup, and head to Silver Dollar City!  

  Spend your day eating delicious offerings, traversing Grampa's House (a family friendly illusion / funny house of sorts), daytime live gunfight-style show, riding roller coasters, and even tour the amazing Marvel Cave for free inside the theme park. End your day with your favorite eatery inside the theme park, with live music playing, with a
splendid fireworks show to close out the night.  

***SECRET TIP: MARVEL CAVE IS FREE ONCE INSIDE OF THE THEME
PARK, BUT YOU MUST ASK TO TAKE THE TOUR AND SHOW UP ON SCHEDULE AS TOLD. A MUST
SEE TOUR.  

  Day-3, wake up and enjoy a day trip to Springfield, MO (Less than a 1 hour drive). Go
to the original Bass Pro Shop! It is huge!!! Eat at Hemingway’s, then explore
the Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, all on site at Bass Pro
Springfield. This Aquarium is a must see!!!!!!  

  After a day of exploring, check out a different kind of
tour at Fantastic Caverns, and ride a jeep in a long and windy, but suprisingly spacious cave
system! Learn a little about U.S. Civil War History here (Missouri-based). 

I truly have to then suggest that you go and eat an early dinner at Lambert’s Café, where THEY ALSO throw the dinner rolls at you and claim to be the original establishment to do so in Missouri. Plenty of Family-Style meals here that won’t disappoint!  

  Finally, wrap up the day with an evening show in Branson,
(maybe Dolly Parton's Stampede or The Haygood’s)! Branson has so many shows,
there is something for everyone and every age.  

  Now........to navigate Day-4. Wake up and enjoy a delicious
breakfast at Billy Gail’s in Branson. Then press on to White River Kayaking and
Outdoors, for a 3-5 hour canoe float you’ll love. Great staff at the start and
end points, and lots of wonderful grounding with nature along this adventure.
(Best in June or early July, for optimal water levels / higher water-flow river experiences).  


  After that beautiful float, hit the Runaway Mountain Coaster for an exhilarating ride down an Ozark mountainside, then get cleaned up and catch dinner aboard the Branson Belle Dinner Cruise
with food, drinks, and live music.  


  Hit the strip afterwards if you dare, and please come back for more Ozark Charm, warm
berry cobbler, and those sweet tea and rocking chair while watching the sunset,
kinda nights. We can't wait to see “yall” next time!  

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