Has any one ever gone to Branson, Mo.?

**anna021** · 09-05-2007, 07:49 PM

This june my husband is having his Marine get together in Branson, how is it? Good shopping? site seeing? Any info would be very appreciated.

**sunshine** · 09-05-2007, 07:58 PM

It used to be very good, but now it's so commercialized - I don't care much for it.

Shepherd of the Hills is good (a play about a guy from the Ozarks) Mutton Hollow has changed so much I'm not sure I can recomend it anymore. The shopping is about like any place else.

There are tons of good places to eat --

**frugalfoster** · 09-05-2007, 09:27 PM

I went to Branson last year on our cross country trip by way of Route 66. Branson is really laid out strangely, but when you get the hang of it, it's okay. Lots of shows and LOTS of shopping. They just put in a whole complex on the river by the old part of town. Complex was pretty cool but not very frugal. I still enjoyed the town immensely. If you head down there make sure you stop at the restaurant that advertises "home of the throwed roll". It was fun and they served way too much food. Anyways, go I'm sure you will find plenty to do. But yes, it is commercialized!

**sunshine** · 09-05-2007, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfoster

If you head down there make sure you stop at the restaurant that advertises "home of the throwed roll". It was fun and they served way too much food.!

That is Lambert's and YES, YES, YES -- that is a must to do. The food in fantastic, and the throwing of the rolls is quite something.

www.throwedrolls.com

**Michelle68** · 09-05-2007, 09:43 PM

We're planning on spending our next vacation at a state park in Arkansas in the Ozarks. We were kind of throwing around the idea of making it up to Branson to check it out for a day. Now that I read what y'all have to say about it, it sooo doesn't sound like my sort of place to go. Of course, when I read the description of the Lambert's restaurant to my DH, he now wants to go just for the food.

--Michelle

**sdrjeolsen** · 09-05-2007, 11:41 PM

We've been 4 times in 12 years. It has gotten very commercialized over time. They have an amusement park that the kids loved...Silver Dollar City. They do lots of old time crafts in the park there. Food is great, lots of places to eat, and lots of shows if you like that kind of thing. But we really hated the traffic. The first time we went they only had the one highway through town and it was about 45 min to get from one end to the other. It still is so congested even with the different routes, but not as bad as it was. We decided not to go any more just because we hated the traffic. We have 2 sets of friends that have moved there in the last couple of years...I think they are crazy for it, but then again, I'm a real hermit, lol.

When you go, study a map before hand and find all the alternative routes.

**VanVivCam** · 09-06-2007, 10:28 AM

My MIL is in Branson this week. I will let you know what she thought of it. She is Very Frugal and will tell me everything about prices and so forth.

**tbs727** · 09-06-2007, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Michelle68

We're planning on spending our next vacation at a state park in Arkansas in the Ozarks. We were kind of throwing around the idea of making it up to Branson to check it out for a day. Now that I read what y'all have to say about it, it sooo doesn't sound like my sort of place to go. Of course, when I read the description of the Lambert's restaurant to my DH, he now wants to go just for the food.

--Michelle

Hey! You're coming to my neck of the woods. We are in NW Ark. Send me a PM, I'd love to meet for lunch if your in our area!

As for Branson, We used to go every year when I was a kid, its about 3 hours away from us. We still go up every couple of years. I will warn you, the traffic is TERRIBLE! There are a lot of outlet malls, so you might like that if you enjoy shopping (I don't). The shows aren't my thing either. I still love amusement park rides, so I have a great time at Silver Dollar City. I could ride roller coasters all day.

There really is something for everyone there.

**genieb** · 10-04-2007, 05:09 PM

First I have to say that there is a lot to do in Branson. How you design your trip/the attractions you choose to visit is pretty much up to you and can fit your personal tastes, time constraints and budget.

I would start with some online research. Contact the Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau -- they can send you printed info. If you do some searching you can find package deals that are pretty good.

Our most recent trip was last year for our anniversary. We did all of our planning/reservations via internet and were very happy with that.

Silver Dollar City also has a lot of shows if you aren't into the rides. But do go prepared for a lot of walking -- comfortable shoes are a must.

The two restaurants I remember being really good are the Hard Luck Diner (the waiters and waitresses sing while waiting tables) and Dockers (the prime rib for two is really good).

We stayed out on the point which we really enjoyed. Silver Dollar City was just up the road, so we didn't have to deal with the heavy traffic on that really windy road as much as if we had stayed in town.

My folks live closer than we do and go every year. My brother goes more often than that -- I think he would move down there if he thought he could afford it.

**SammeyG** · 11-03-2007, 10:15 AM

TO ME BRANSON IS NOT THAT FRUGAL. I LIVE IN BRANSON SO I HAVE TO PAY THE PRICES JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. THE TAX RATE IN BRANSON IS ANYWHERE FROM 8.6%TO 15.6%. YES THE TRAFFICE IS TERIABLE. LOCALS HAVE TO FIGHT IT JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. TO THE POINT THAT WE HAVE TO LEAVE OUR HOUSE ANYWHERE FROM 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR. MABEY EVEN MORE. IT SOMEWHAT REMINDES ME OF A SMALL LAS VEGAS. BUT WITH OUT THE CASINOS AND CLUBS.

**halloweenfreak** · 11-03-2007, 11:49 AM

we use to live by branson but i haven't been back in like 17 years since we moved. i would love to go again. i remember this little bbq place on the side of a hill that made the best grilled corn on the cob, who knows if its still there or what it was called. and silver dollar city use to have the best salt water taffy, i hear its not that great anymore tho. shepard of the hills was pretty nifty. my husband went several years ago and rode some huge boat where they did shows and fed you, he said that was fun.