Branson for someone not wanting to go to Branson.
 

I'm 28 and my girlfriend's family is having a reunion in Branson, and to be honest, I'm dreading the thought. It's never seemed like my type of place, so I'm looking for things to do. Are there any hidden gems for an outsider in Branson. I'm into modern art, indie rock, film, and theater. No offence intended to anyone, but I don't think I'd dig most of the shows in Branson. Is there anything else to do there?
Thanks in advance.

You can probably go golfing and get drunk while you're at it. That way the rest of Branson will be tolerable.

mm

I haven't been to Branson, but please go with an open mind.

You say you're into music (ok, not country music). But if you have any training in music you can appreciate the work of the musicians. The ability to harmonize and produce a sound without sounding like someone stepped on the cat is a skill too few of us have.

Be sure to see that famous ladies' room in the theatre with the Japanese guy (sorry, don't have a clue who that is). I've always thought it funny that everyone seems to report back about that bathroom as if it were the highlight of their trip to Branson -- which speaks volumes!

That's Shoji Tabuchi. He opens his show in 1989, and some consider him to be the pivotal person that makes Branson what it is today. It's right after he started his show that many others move in starting around 1990-92.

You don't mention the outdoors as something you enjoy, but there are multitudes of hiking/biking/fishing/boating opportunities in Branson. Missouri has one of the premiere Departmens of Conservation in the US.

The Ralph Foster Museum at College of the Ozarks is interesting.

Based on what you said you like, consider a day trip to Eureka Springs. Lots of art galleries and artists at work, and some beautiful architecture, set in a beautiful Ozarks valley.

THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL LODGE HIDDEN AWAY ON A NICE LAKE RIGHT NEXT TO BRANSON THAT IS WORTH A LUNCH OR BREAKFAST GETAWAY. CAN'T RMEMBER THE NAME., I HOPE someone helps me out here!
we found it last day and wished we had gone there with the famliy for a meal. it was secluded and relxed.

good golf also in branson.

That would be Big Cedar Lodge. You can do a search on them on the internet. Depending on when you are going, you might need reservations for the lodge. Certainly if you are staying there over night. They have horseback riding, too.

I'm with ya on the Branson thing. But it is what it is, and it is the subject of some classic jokes. Eureka Springs is a big of a drive, but might be a good escape. Read up on it ahead of time to find your options.

Believe there is a winery there - StoneHill I think its called - could hide out in the cellars tasting wine

Also Beaver Lake is not far and its beautiful/ clear - love it there

Thanks for your replies. I do like golfing and enjoy boating and fishing, so I think I'll make it.

By the way, I do appreciate some country music - Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris, and artists of that ilk. The Branson shows just kind of seem cheesy to me though. Are there any that are a little bit rough around the edges.

Write a report when you get back -
I bet you'll like it better than you thought - especially if you take part in some of the outdoor activities

I've lived in St. Louis all my life and just visited Branson for the first time a few years ago. I'm 26, and like you I don't have much interest in the shows and things that are there. I can't recall any edgier shows or clubs there, but that's not to say that their aren't any. While I was unimpressed with Branson for the most part (tacky is the word that I use to describe it, but of course that's just my opinion), the area surrounding Branson is gorgeous. If you have time, definitely head to the lake or check out a golf course. Branson does have some decent restaurants as I recall. Springfield isn't too far away; you might find some more things that interest you there as its a college town.

Good luck!
Tracy

Timely article in the Washington Post this week about how Branson is trying to go upscale: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...080700873.html

My favorite excerpt about Branson:

"Steve Presley, whose family started the first live show on the "Branson Strip" -- Highway 76 -- here 40 years ago, describes his audience as "very much a blue-collar crowd . . . probably real close to the Wal-Mart customer. They value the dollar because they work hard and save for vacation. They tend to follow tradition.""

(Uh huh. And all of us who might not appreciate Branson have our money handed to us -- i.e. we don't work hard for it -- and don't value it...)

Anyway, I don't know that I would be too thrilled about a family reunion in Branson myself. BUT, having done family events myself in places I wouldn't necessarily choose myself for my precious vacation time, I'm certain that you can -- as I have -- find something that will make the trip worthwhile for you.

(Of course, my preference would be Branson, as in Richard, and perhaps a family reunion on Necker Island, but I'd have to work a lot harder to afford that!!)

My Mom went to Branson and the highlight for her and the talk of the town was that ladies room. God, she had pictures of the darn thing and pictures of women taking pictures of it and everybody had to uw and ah over it. They might as well call that theater Hell For Men.

Good luck guy!

Sounds like there may be some things you'll enjoy after all, but I bet you score a lot of points if you focus on the "family reunion" part of the trip and not the "in Branson". Even if this isn't your kind of place, it obviously is for someone in your girlfriend's family who picked it. Hopefully you can enjoy being with her and her family even if the location isn't your first choice. It sounds like there are some nice outdoor activities, if you are going to do any of them, make sure to include some of her family as well if you can so that it doesn't appear you're trying to "avoid" the family activities.

Hope you have a good time, and that your gf appreciates your accompanying her to this event.

Several years ago when my DH turned 50, his parents "gave" us a trip to Branson. They would pay for the trip since they had heard it was so great. I was horrified. My husband wasn't all that hot on it either, but didn't say anything because it was a gift. She gave us a brochure with package deals. Accomodations for a week with at least two shows/day. I think after the second or third show, we would be all "showed out". We drug our feet for several years, going on other trips to Italy, Mexico, Hawaii(2X). My mother-in-law finally said after 3 years that we could choose else where. They ended up this last Xmas giving us some cash.
I was relieved.

My cousin had told me how great Branson was and how great the shows were. This is the same cousin who thought the Grand Canyon was disappointing and liked the IMAX movie better than the real thing. Go figure!!!

I have to disagree with tcreath - Springfield is most certainly not a college town. It is the third largest city in MO with a population of nearly 400,000 people, less than 30,000 of which are college students. Downtown has lots of great art galleries, and there are several movie theatres in town (although no indies yet).

FYI - Springfield is about 30 minutes from Branson. Eureka is right at an hour and a half from Branson, but it is a beautiful drive.

Here is my trip report from Branson two years ago. I'm not into country music or review shows. You might find something there that looks interesting... http://sff.net/people/sfreader/bran1.htm

Keith

Yes, Branson is building an upscale "downtown" area--I think they have razed the former downtown--and will be building a high class shopping area with a Nordstom, etc.

Here are a few tips: the food is generally awful, unless you go to a chain like Outback, and there aren't even too many chains. And most places that we tried at first don't even serve alcohol. You might not get to choose, so be aware. Now, there is a beautiful hotel called Chateau on the Lake and everything there is magnificent. Same with Big Cedar Lodge.

#2 and VERY important. You will hear of a lake called "Lake Taneycomo". There are two lakes in the area: you boat and swim in Tablerock Lake and you trout fish only in Lake Taneycomo. The former is a "river" that feeds from the bottom of Tablerock, so the water temp is about 40 degrees. If you fall in, you will die...well, close. And there is a steady current that fishing boats float down and power back up. It's really quite interesting.

The first time we went there, my husband got us a cabin "right on the lake" thinking we could dock our boat there too....wrong.

Springfield would be a good choice. But inquire about the traffic. There is only one main highway between the two and the traffic can get pretty nasty. Which leads to another point. The traffic on the main road is impossible. There are maps showing the back roads. Use those.

My family went there about 10 years ago. My parents paid for it, and it was ok because there was pretty much something for everyone. Golf, boating, shopping outlet malls, and some shows.

Just try to be a gracious guest and make the most of it.

Where are you staying? Do you know? If not, try to find out. There are some PRETTY cheesey places....
Good luck.

Where are you staying?

beckers2482, I can only speak for the few times I visited a friend in Springfield who went to SMS and, in my opinion, it had a slight college town feel to it. It is, indeed, the third largest city in Missouri but I don't really consider that too much because the cities in Missouri really aren't that large in comparison to cities in other states. What I was getting at, though, was that because there is a younger crowd of students who live in Springfield the poster might find more things to do that suit his interests.

Driving I44 through Eureka is a beautiful drive (as is a large portion of 44 as it makes its way through the Ozarks), but Eureka is closer to St. Louis and about 220 miles from Branson, which would make the drive at closer to 4 hours.

Tracy