So, for the first time since about '98, I’m getting to take a vacation. I’m so excited and am ready for a break from full-time caregiving a non-compliant husband. Who’ll also be glad for me to be gone, as he’s off to see his son for the duration and do guy things. Hee.
Anyway, we have cheapie rooms at some fancy resort near Silver Dollar City (which we’ll be visiting) and my folks have tickets to the Jonah play (that I couldn’t afford – sheesh). I’d love some recommendations for other inexpensive things to do or see, any interesting places to eat and, since we’ll be coming up from east Texas through Arkansas (via Hot Springs, me thinks), items of curiosity along the way.
Dopers, ideas? As always, thanks in advance!
[Side notes: I’m mid 40s, they’re mid 60s, but aren’t into the “blue haired lady” stuff, if that matters. Also, because we went all the time when I was a kid, we’ve already done / know about (1) riding the duck, (2) the caverns and (3) White Water. 'Preciate y’all.]
Well, we found Branson super boring. But two things we liked -
the fish hatchery. Just outside town, and interesting if you like animals/fish
there are two great old Victorians to tour just over the Arkansas line. Perfect if you like old homes.
Bonus - if you are into Laura Ingalls Wilder, you are not too far from Mansfield, Missouri, and you can tour their house there. IIRC, it’s a bit of a drive, but worth it for a big fan.
NOTHING. Loll around the pool, or whatever this resort has. Maybe some walks in a nature area, if there anything in that line easily reachable. Read trashy books. Eat stuff that you shouldn’t.
With all you have had to do, you have probably forgotten that *nothing *is out there. Reclaim your nothing!
Thanks, guys. I know they’d love the hatchery. Unfortunately, we ain’t got a girlie girl between all three of us, so I think we’ll probably sit LIW and any Victorians out. As far as nothing goes, that’s already on the list. Gracias for reminding me, though.
Anyone else? Surely some of you other peeps have Been There, Done the Baldknobbers. Help a (soon-to-be-old) lady out.
Are you or your folks art-museum-y types at all? The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Artis in Bentonville, Ark. not too far away. It’s got Walton family money behind it, so it’s a pretty serious museum. Admission is free. Looks like there’s a temporary Audubon exhibit just opening this weekend.
I liked it, and I’m not even particularly art-museum-y.
Longtime lurker, but I finally found a question I’m qualified in as I live n’ work in this strange town.
Your parents will probably love Jonah–it’s a great show. It’s very religious heavy (as you might expect) but the production is pretty phenomenal. If you can swing the pricey tickets, it really is a good one to hit up.
If you’ve got money for another show, SIX has a pretty good a capella music show. They’re definitely a Branson show, and all that that entails, but they’re pretty talented and fun as well.
I haven’t seen the show myself, but I’ve also heard good things about the magic of Rick Thomas. A bit goofy, but a good stage magic show.
I won’t link to it directly because I don’t want to think I’m hawking a personal project, but I do write a few show reviews for a site called Bransonrank .com that has reviews of most of the major shows in town from a slightly younger perspective that a non-blue-hair might appreciate if you’d like to see some of the variety in the area.
As for food if you like BBQ you’ll like Danna’s BBQ. There’s a couple locations around town, all off the beaten path but they’ve got some great stuff going on. I don’t have a lot of advice because restaurants are sadly lacking around here–except for pete’s sake DO NOT eat at the giant chicken restaurant. All the tourists eat there and it somehow stays in business due to schlock value far more than quality of food.
Long story short though, despite it’s reputation Branson can be as completely non-cheesy as you want it to be. If nothing else just hit up the lake or some nature trails & relax, as was mentioned upthread.
Go wander around downtown. Not the tourist strip, the old original downtown by the river. It’s all full of tourist attractions, too, but it’s still interesting.
There is, or was last time I checked, a Chinese acrobats show. DEFINITELY worth doing.
