Traveling through MO to Branson
 

We will be going to Branson, for the first time, in September. We plan to fly to either St. Louis or Kansas City and then take a couple of days to drive to Branson, in order to see some of Missouri and are looking for advice and suggestions for either route.

Frankly, I'd fly to Springfield and head to somewhere in Northern Arkansas like Eureka Springs or you could visit Lake of the Ozarks.

It's about the same distance to Branson from either Kansas City or St. Louis, but I would fly to St. Louis, visit the Arch, drive through Lake of the Ozarks to Branson, go to Bentonville, AR to see Crystal Bridges Museum and Pea Ridge Civil War Park if that interests you, stay overnight at a B&B in Eureka Springs, AR.

There's just not much to see going through KC.

Other than the arch, why bother with St. Louis?

If you fly into STL, you could stop in Bonneterre. Used to be famous for lead mines but they filled the mine with water and turned it into an underground scuba diving place. Also have boat and walking tours through the caverns.

If you want to see rural Missouri, head for Ironton. Nearby you will find Elephant Rocks State Park which is interesting and also the Johnson Shut ins- a very popular swimming hole.
A battle of the civil war was fought in near by Pilot Knob and there are some remains of the old fort. I think it's a beautiful part of the country.

Closer to Eureka Springs you will find Beaver Lake. Also Tablerock Lake. More enjoyable I think than Lake of the Ozarks.

Missouri has a lot of beautiful spots.