Branson, Missouri

[Lfbj00]

Anybody ever been to Branson?? The wife and I, along with the 2 kids are on our way tomorrow morning. Never been ANYWHERE west of St Louis. I'm a east coast kind of guy, so I'm out of my element here. Appreciate any comments or suggestions.

[Darrell KSR]

Pretty sure JazyD and his wife did a couple of years ago. As I recall, they had a great time.

[BigBlueBrock]

Is there something special about Branson, Missouri?

[CitizenBBN]

Is there something special about Branson, Missouri?

Las Vegas for country music. Not really a fair description, but best I can do in a few words. Shows, attractions, dining. No gambling I don't think but that may have changed. It has about everywhere else.

[BigBlueBrock]

Is it like a Midwest Gatlinburg?

[CitizenBBN]

I've never been so I can't make a direct comparison, but my understanding is that Branson is much more heavy on shows and attractions, less on the shopping. I liken it to Vegas b/c what happened in vegas was that a lot of big stars stopped touring and just booked a long term gig in Vegas at a casino. Same thing in Branson, but with country stars. Though in Branson the stars bought property and brought in acts, it wasn't just them performing. They invested in the place, are really it's builders and backers as opposed to the mob in Vegas. lol.

I do know a bit of the history b/c I was in St. Louis in the 80s when it was really first blowing up, knew people who were going down. It's just a few hours from St. Louis. Roy Clark was the first big international star to open a theater there in the 80s. Boxcar Willie was next, then the country floodgates opened. Ray Stevens (who I really like), Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, BIG time country stars all opened venues. Since then a lot of attractions have opened, it's a big time destination.

There were several such places in the 50s and 60s in the south, like Renfro Valley Kentucky. Branson just kind of blew up, like Gatlinburg, others like Renfro Valley faded. I notice those that made it big are in the mountains and have other unique features that may have made a difference.

[jazyd]

We did go last year for a few days, not my cup of tea to be honest. Lots of shows of people you never heard of in theatres owned by stars. The shows were good for the most part, but you have to drive to each one, can't walk like in Vegas. Most of the better shopping is on the river front although it is called lakefront, Lake Taneycomo, but it is really a river at that point.
There is a great place to eat in the old downtown part, from the river it is on the right hand side up a few blocks. Great country type breakfast. And there is a general store a few stores up that has about anything you can think of in terms of old toys and games, plus some great baseball memoralbia.
Silver Dollar city is where many go with kids, but it needs to be a two day event which we didn't have time to do. More shows and crafts plus I guess rides.
One other place to eat, and can't think of the name, but in a small shopping center on main strip, there is also a huge Christmas store there, but the place has good food and some of the local singers in shows sing while you eat and when they bring the food. Very good vocals.
DO NOT go to Landrys for dinner, over priced and not really good seafood.
Laser show on the lakefront at night is good.
It was extremely hot last year when we were there and I didn't get to play golf but the course I saw I liked the looks of.
Because I like to fish I enjoyed going thru the trout hatchery below the dam.
kids might enjoy the chinese acrobat show, they are pretty good.

[blueboss]

We used to stop in Branson to buy bait on the way to Table Rock when I was a kid. Wasn't much there to see.

[suncat05]

I went there once in 1989, I think it was, with a then girlfriend and her family. We had a ball! As has been previously stated, lots of shows. I also enjoyed the ride on the "ducks", old WWII amphibious craft that you can ride for a small fee. There were also a bunch of miniature golf attractions there too, at least at that time anyway.
Lots of buffet type dining, most of it decent, with the country breakfasts being the better choices.

[blueboss]

...also I have relashuns from that part of the kuntree ...The BaldKnobbers Band, I had a great uncle or something or another back in the day when they used to play in an old barn type place.

[Lfbj00]

Well, so far so good. It is the Gatlinburg of the Midwest, but with more show places. We went to a pretty good restaurant last night down at Branson Landing....downtown Branson along the Taneycomo River. Place was called Texas Landing and Cattle. Not bad, and had a cool little waterfront fountain and fire show every hour. Nice ambiance down there with a few different shops and restaurants, so we will probably hit a different eatery there, plus there's a Harley shop down there, and me and my son have to get a tshirt. Don't own one, but we like the different shirts. Went today and let the kids do go-karts and then came back to the resort for lunch. Then we went to the pool and they had a wine and cheese tasting here for the wife. Don't know about dinner yet, but so far so good. (Although I've already decided I'm not driving 646 miles to come back here. Gatlinburg is closer.)

[Darrell KSR]

Well, so far so good. It is the Gatlinburg of the Midwest, but with more show places. We went to a pretty good restaurant last night down at Branson Landing....downtown Branson along the Taneycomo River. Place was called Texas Landing and Cattle. Not bad, and had a cool little waterfront fountain and fire show every hour. Nice ambiance down there with a few different shops and restaurants, so we will probably hit a different eatery there, plus there's a Harley shop down there, and me and my son have to get a tshirt. Don't own one, but we like the different shirts. Went today and let the kids do go-karts and then came back to the resort for lunch. Then we went to the pool and they had a wine and cheese tasting here for the wife. Don't know about dinner yet, but so far so good. (Although I've already decided I'm not driving 646 miles to come back here. Gatlinburg is closer.)

Thanks for the update; glad you're having a good time.