Describe Branson

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

Let's say someone was told to vacation in Branson because it is a couple hours drive to an elderly family member who starting to have some cognitive issues. So, while Branson isn't exactly the desired destination, it is a likely place to visit coming or going. What types of things are there to do that have nothing to do with shows, amusement parks, etc? We like nature stuff. You know like big trees, waterfalls, oceans, rain forests, mountains, etc. Is there anything like that around there? Or, maybe another destination resort in the state would be more our type?

Sure they got a couple of lakes but they are man made. Still pretty though.
You can take the duck tour along the lake and up in to the Hills.

Visit Big Cedar which is a beautiful resort outside of town up in the hills.
It's a Disneyesque lodge type resort. Still beautiful IMO but of course I love Disney.

You can drive to Arkansas which is very close and see lots of nature there.

I don't remember seeing any waterfalls.
They might have some flooding if you are there at the right time of year.
Apparently that's an issue at times.

IMO Branson is trying to be natural but it's all man made. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Everything is about flood control so they've turned it all into a resort destination.

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

There are some TS resorts in the Ozark Lakes area. Western Arkansas is also pretty. Hot Springs has some decent TS as well.

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

What types of things are there to do that have nothing to do with shows, amusement parks, etc? We like nature stuff. You know like big trees, waterfalls, oceans, rain forests, mountains, etc.

Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area has nature stuff, although if there are any waterfalls, oceans, or rain forests, it's news to me. Hills, trees, some balds, if I remember rightly. It's up above Branson, so the long views are not of wilderness, but it's a pretty area IMHO.

http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/...txtAreaID=8208

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio..._Missouri.html

Dogwood Canyon, which I have not been to but gets great reviews, both here and elsewhere. Waterfalls.

http://www.dogwoodcanyon.org/Default.aspx

There are a couple of walk areas around the lake that can have some nice views, but they're all under two miles going one way. This one supposedly has a small waterfall:

http://www.bransonworld.com/branson-...ness-area.html

Big Cedar is lovely, and has some nice little waterfalls, but it's cultivated pretty, not wilderness pretty for the most part, although there are some great views out toward the lake. Worth doing, IMHO. Ditto the Branson Landing River Walk, which I would finish at the water fountain during one of the shows. It's a pleasant walk off season, although it may be mobbed busier times of year; I wouldn't go on a weekend.

http://www.bransonlanding.com/fountains.html

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

Thank God there are some things around there that we will enjoy. We may end up swapping out a vacation that I've already spent lots of time planning and looking forward to. I think the outdoor activities will ease the pain.

Big Cedar looks fun, too. Lake Ozark looks like a decent place. I guess the big decision now is do I want to go when it is too hot and humid to do anything or go when it is too cold to do anything.

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

Okay.... before I put in my requests, I thought I'd post for feedback on these. It would most likely be Thanksgiving week, unless we strike some oil and can add a summer trip.

In RCI:
Big cedar
Four Seasons

In II:
Cabins@green mountain
Welk
Lodges @ crowne view
Lodges@ Fox hollw
Marriott Willow Ridge

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

I guess the big decision now is do I want to go when it is too hot and humid to do anything or go when it is too cold to do anything.

There are some nice museums if you're into that. We liked the Veteran's Memorial Museum; haven't done the Titanic one but it sounds a lot like a museum exhibit we have done and enjoyed.

Dunno about the rest, but Big Cedar has a lazy river that's surely mobbed on hot and humid days. It also has a number of bars and restaurants, some regular pools with excellent views, and an indoor exercise area.

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

The Branson area was a vacation area a long time before it was an entertainment town, and a long time before the lakes were here, simply because of Mother Nature.

It still is.

http://www.gchudleigh.com/images/sammyresortphoto.jpg

http://www.gchudleigh.com/images/roarkcreek39570.jpg

http://www.gchudleigh.com/images/sohnoveltyshop.jpg

http://www.gchudleigh.com/images/sohtaxi.jpg

http://www.gchudleigh.com/images/sohlocationsb.jpg

http://www.gchudleigh.com/shepmv1919.htm#_postcards2

What the heck . . . look here:

http://www.gchudleigh.com/bransonrp.htm

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

Okay.... before I put in my requests, I thought I'd post for feedback on these. It would most likely be Thanksgiving week, unless we strike some oil and can add a summer trip.

In RCI:
Big cedar
Four Seasons

In II:
Cabins@green mountain
Welk
Lodges @ crowne view
Lodges@ Fox hollw
Marriott Willow Ridge

We did a split stay cause we were there for almost 2 weeks.
Our first was at Silverleaf's Holiday Hills.
I don't recommend it only because the units are small & funky.
Thin walls, very sprawled out, campers, golfers and no wifi.
You have to go to the main building to get wifi.
It's sort of in a residential area with a nice supermarket across the street.
The checkin after hours is horrendous though.
You'd think with such a big resort that they'd staff the check in later.
The security guards check you in so if there is a problem with your unit, you are out of luck til the next day.

We also stayed at Wyndham Mountain Vista.
It was much better but kind of boring. In the quieter side of Branson.
You do have access to the other Wyndham across the street and this is in the quieter side of Branson closer to the lake.
The Welk resort is just above the Wyn MV resort higher up the hill.
Looked decent but not that big.

From seeing the outside of the other resorts I'd probably try for a split stay at Big Cedar & Willow Ridge.
Big Cedar is beautiful but not very convenient to all the other things you might want to do in Branson.
If you don't care about any of the shows or restaurants then Big Cedar would be my first choice.
If I were to return to the area I'd stay at Big Cedar.

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

Let's see...

Busy...
Boring...
Extremely Overrated...
A Million Miles From Nowhere...

I live 100 miles from Branson and get to Springfield about every other weekend... but have little desire to travel the measly 30 miles south to see the sights and sounds of Branson.

Springfield is awesome and probably my favorite town of them all... but Branson isn't worth the trouble.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to buy a timeshare in that region. Florida or Mexico I can understand... but Branson?

I guess us "locals" just take Branson for granted... but it's certainly not a place that holds my interest.

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

Wow!

All of your posts have been on my threads. I'm not sure how I should feel?

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

I guess us "locals" just take Branson for granted... but it's certainly not a place that holds my interest.

Speaking as a "corporate gypsy" (we moved about every two years while I was growing up), a lot of locals never appreciate what they've got.

All of your posts have been on my threads. I'm not sure how I should feel?

You should feel like a major contributor to this site who starts a lot of threads. nods wisely

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

You should feel like a major contributor to this site who starts a lot of threads. nods wisely

As opposed to . . . .

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

As opposed to . . . .

Someone being targeted?

The center of the universe?

A porcupine cowering in a pine tree in the Rocky Mountains?

Once you leave reality, the possibilities are endless...

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

Someone being targeted?

The center of the universe?

A porcupine cowering in a pine tree in the Rocky Mountains?

Once you leave reality, the possibilities are endless...

Well, isn't that special?

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

My original statement being reality, I hope was clear.