Nothing is very far from anything in Branson. If you're going in the summer, the traffic crawls like molasses on Hwy. 76, but drivers are really polite.

The shows are great if you're into has-been country stars. Personally, I wouldn't bother with them. But you can take a train ride, ride the Ducks out on the lake, and do a variety of other cool stuff. It's a beautiful area.

Lee Ann

There's also Silver Dollar City, with shows, some rides and craftspeople. They've recently added a water park for the summer months.

Big Cedar Lodge is one of THE places to stay near Branson. There are many options. You might want to consider renting condos at one of the golf communities. You can start looking for them on VRBO.

Food, well, restaurants are catering to the masses. Lots of fried brown food. Big Cedar has nice restaurants, but they are pricey.

Kids can do the rides, and seniors can see the shows.

We just surprised our pastor with a trip to Branson to see the Roy Rogers Museum. He's a HUGE fan of Roy Rogers and is really looking forward to seeing this place! Sounds like great fun! ***kim*** Merry Christmas!

I've never heard anything but wonderful reviews of Big Cedar Lodge. On the other hand, I've never heard anything good about Branson.

Thanks to all for your information. I think we may pass on Branson and look for a more upscale destination. We're not snobs but I think Branson may be too old (in many ways) for the younger folk and not refined enough for the more discriminating part of the group.

Any ideas?

The food is average--lots of chains, but I think you'd be surprised at how much fun you can have in the area. There's fishing,boating, golf, the shows in Branson, and especially Silver Dollar City where the kids an enjoy the roller coaster etc. and adults can enjoy the Ozark crafts and music. Take the Branson Belle riverboat dinner cruise. You could also take side trips to Eureka Springs and Mountain Home in Arkansas. Go down to the Buffalo River in Arkansas and take a canoe trip; go fly fishing along the beautiful rivers.....more things to do than you'll have time for.

By all means do Big Cedar Lodge. Outstanding in every way. You will not need to leave the property to enjoy. Rent the cabins. Nearby the lodge is a place called Dogwood something or other that has fishing, hiking, etc. Beautiful.
We enjoyed Branson, but only did one show when we were there a couple of years ago.
Merry Christmas

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is what I was trying to think of.

Author: kimamom
Date: 12/24/2004, 07:57 pm
Message: We just surprised our pastor with a trip to Branson to see the Roy Rogers Museum. He's a HUGE fan of Roy Rogers and is really looking forward to seeing this place! Sounds like great fun! ***kim***
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Gazooks Kimamom - your pastor lives as an exciting life as you. You Fresburg people are just so sophisticated.

Yeah, about as exciting as buying Boschetto al Tartuffo at our local cheese shop, LOL! Happy New Year! ***kim***

we did a family reunion at branson at my parents' timeshare.
we went to a show,. had a few meals out.
unfortunately, i found big cedar lodge AFTER the reunion on an extra day we took to explore.

it is beautiful. the lake views and balconies from the restuarants are great. we had lunch there. seemd like there was so much to do there, it would be great for the kids.. canoes, etc.. wonderfully rustic.

also a nice golf course with views and GREAT restaurant nearby.

you really need cars at branson. and wow.. is the traffic a mess. try to figure out all the short cuts and carry copies of that branson map because it really has an usual city planning.

there were a variety of shows to choose from.

we would probably not go back, but only because it was such a long drive for us. but i cetainly would revisit that lodge if i were anywhere NEAR that part of the USA. it is a gem.

I've got to say that I also enjoyed my stay at The Big Cedar Lodge. This is everything that the Wilderness Lodge at Disney World could ever hope to be. They have a Chuck Wagon ride out to a remote camp fire at night and a group of cowboys ride up and sing around the camp fire as part of the dinner. My kids loved this.

The shows at Branson vary in quality but are of generally good value (particularly at Christmas time). The Silver Dollar Theme Park is a very good value as amusement parks go...There is nothing gourmet about the restaurants and the area is very touristy. There are excellent golf courses in the area and are generally a good value (around $60 green fees).

I'm still waiting to meet someone who has been to Branson who doesn't rate that famous Japanese restroom as one of the top attractions in the town. It seems to be one of the first things that everyone mentions. That fact alone speaks volumes.

Author: kimamom
Date: 01/02/2005, 12:50 am
Message: Yeah, about as exciting as buying Boschetto al Tartuffo at our local cheese shop, LOL! Happy New Year! ***kim***
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As if! If you had a cheese shop in Fresburg, I'm sure it would have your family's favorite Velveeta. Perhaps you save those specialty items for your neighborhood Hickory Farms? Or do you save those experiences for the Fosters Freeze?

I live about 30 minutes from Branson and we go there a lot for dinner during the off season. The major holiday weekends are really crowded and we avoid the place like the plague then!

We've stayed several times at Big Cedar Lodge. Simply put--- it's wonderful. It's about 10-20 minutes to almost anywhere in Branson. Someone mentioned the "backroad" maps to get where you're going while avoiding traffic. That's a great suggestion.

As far as food goes, yes--- you can find just about anything fried. However, the three major restaurants at Big Cedar (Worman House, Devil's Pool, and Top of the Rock) are exceptional. Also recommended is the restaurant at Chateau on the Lake and the Candlestick Inn. Fancy fru-fru food at it's best.

Activities? Things like go-cart racing and put-put golf abound. Silver Dollar City, Celebration City (amusement parks) and White Water (water park) are GREAT. We've had season passes off and on over the years for our family. Branson is located partially on Table Rock Lake and every imaginable water sport is offered there. Parasailing, houseboat rentals.......you name it.

Shows.......I'm not a HUGE fan of the shows. (We're 40ish parents of 7 and 10 year olds.) It all depends on what you like. The older crowd swears by Andy Williams and Glen Campbell. The Grand Palace has musical acts and comedians such as Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Cosby. These venues are small enough you feel like you're really "IN" the show not just watching it on the jumbotron screen. One of our family favorites for all-around comedy and music for ALL age groups is Jim Stafford. His musical creativity is really something.

Just ask if you have anymore questions.

Marla