March in Branson or CMV?

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

The wife's spring break is in mid March. Money is a little tight, so we were thinking of driving someplace rather than flying. Two thought originally came to mind, Branson and Christmas Mountain Village. The problem is that I don't want to drive some where and just sit in the room because there is nothing to do because the sites are closed and it is too cold to see what sites are open.

CMV is about a 4 hour drive. Weather will be about the same as it is at home so we are not gaining anything there. It will just be time away from home if we go there. The area is pretty much closed up. Tubing hill will be closed-too late in the season. Dells is closed, too early.

Branson/Ridgedale (Big Cedar) is about 2 days drive with an overnight stay in KC. Will get my Ribs fix there. I don't know what to do in Branson in March, what shows may be open, what there is for touristy stuff around there. I am not the type to rent a boat and try fishing on that lake.

I suppose we could drive to Tn. We have stayed at Laurel Crest, guess we could try Gatlinburg, but again, not knowing the weather conditions in mid March, what can we do?

Anyone have March suggestions within driving distance from Minneapolis?

[Jfultz81 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jfultz81]

Just to give you an idea.. Weather.com says the high in Branson in March is 59/low is 33, with about 4" precip. Probably warmer than MN! We live in KC and this March it was still pretty cool, but it really varies year to year.

Big Cedar is a gorgeous property! Branson has all kinds of touristy stuff (wax museum, Ripley's, shows, Butterfly Palace, Silver Dollar City, mini-golf, go-carts, outlet malls).

[crwisconsin Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close crwisconsin]

Dells is closed, too early.

With all the indoor water parks, I would no longer say that the Dells is closed in March. It's true that the outdoor stuff is closed but there still is stuff to do. That being said, I would still go to Branson because it is warmer. (Actually, I would bite the bullet and head to Marathon.)

Charles

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

If we were flying, it would be a choice of Marathon, St. Augustine, Myrtle (again) or maybe Vegas. But, since I have not had a raise in a few years, and pay cut this year, the cost of flight plus rental car is going to have to get passed by.

When we go to CMV, we always hit one of the fudge places on main street. We have to wait for warmer weather for that. Who knows, we could still end up in the Dells.

[Patrick Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Patrick]

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are viable options. Weather in Tennessee that time of year is a crap shoot. May be in the 70's for a short time and drop to the upper 30's to 40's for a few days. Either way, on the upside compared to your weather. Most things are beginning to get underway in march.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

The Branson shows that aren't already open, open in March. SDC has Spring Break Days. Golf is good. Fishing is good.

Branson Show Schedule

But you can't enter next year's dates yet.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I guess the answer was Neither. For our spring break, we are not going to CMV or Branson, we are going to Gatlinburg. Didn't see that turn in the road coming, but with my wife driving, who knows what will happen in our planning trips.

We have our name in the hat for Branson July 31-Aug 7, 2010. I am hoping for a cool week at that time next year.

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

There's a Quiltfest in Gatlinburg in March you might look into if either of you are into that. Or if you're not into it, might be a week to avoid, since I've heard it's pretty huge. Although I'm sure it wouldn't compare to Gatlinburg in the summer - there are people who prefer Gatlinburg in March to any other time because the weather is mild and the flowers are just getting going and most things are open.

Ad for Gatlinburg in March:

March in Gatlinburg Tennessee

[wfd1831 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wfd1831]

Branson Aug. 2010

Late July early August in Branson will probably be in the 90's and high humidity. If you adjust your dates for Branson in Aug. 2010, avoid Aug. 19-21, large car show in town and it is a zoo.