My family is taking a trip to east Oklahoma in July and are considering a day or two over at Branson, Mo. What do you suggest for lodging and activities? Our children are 11 and 14. (They are not country music fans.)

The kids will enjoy Silver Dollar City and riding the ducks. There are a bazillion shows in Branson, they probably would like Dixie Stampede.
There are also a triple bazillion places to stay and lots of traffic.

went to branson last summer w/parents (in their mid-70's)... they really enjoy the shows. i, on the other hand, am like your kids - not much of a country music fan. i agree whole-heartedly with iceeu2 about silver dollar city and dixie stampede. we also enjoyed Yakov Smirnoff; that wasn't a country music show...
iceeu2 is also correct about traffic - but for the most part, everyone is really good to let other vehicles in or out of parking lots, side streets, etc. just give yourself plenty of time to get wherever you're going... sometimes it takes 15 min. to go 2 miles!
have fun!
d

diane61
Agree with Silver Dollar city, not only for your children but for yourselves. My husband nor I like Country Western Music but other than the traffic, which is awful, we enjoyed a few days there.

Our children enjoyed Branson, even though they were not country music fans. There is a variety of entertainment in Branson, including magic shows and comedy shows that children like.

Hi -- there's lots to do in Branson. You and the kids should have fun. When we went last year, we stayed at the Grand Country Inn. Yes, the name is tacky, but it was just fine. Not luxury, but it has amenities such as on-site buffet that was quite good, indoor pool, indoor and outdoor waterparks, and indoor miniature golf. The waterparks/pool are free if you are a guest there. Your kids will enjoy this place; mine did.

Do the Dixie Stampede, but get your tickets before arriving. Sometimes the show is sold-out on an immediate basis.

Another thing that is corny for adults but fun for kids is the "Ride The Ducks", an hour-and-a-half tour of Branson, including up a mountain and into a lake, on WWII DUKW vehicles.

Just have to stress that the traffic in Branson in July is SOOO BAD. We didn't even enjoy it because of the traffic. If you can stay somewhere outside of Branson, you'll probably enjoy it more. The lake (forgot the name) that is next to Branson seemed much less crowded but close enough for whatever attractions you want to do.

Definitely do Silver Dollar City. We live about 30 minutes south of Branson and usually get season passes to SDC. In the past, if you arrived after 3 pm at SDC, you got in the next day for free. Check and see if this might be a good deal for your family. WhiteWater is a water park, owned by SDC. Another good place for kids.

As far as show, the Jim Stafford Show is country-based, but mostly full of comedy. He really makes you laugh! He is has a way of "working" the audience and making you laugh.

The Ducks (someone else mentioned them) are good, the Branson Showboat is a paddle-wheeler that makes a spin around the lake. If you're in the mood for seafood, a place called Starvin Marvins has all-you-can-eat crablegs, shrimp, fried chicken and ribs. It's not much to look at, but the food's good.

Have Fun,
Marla

Branson is one of those once is enough places for me. But we thoroughly enjoyed staying at the Bradford Inn. Not on the main drag and a wonderful bed and breakfast for the four of us in one room. Check out their website http://www.bradfordinn.nu

It is just off the beaten path but gets you away from all the traffic at least for a very relaxing stay.

i second the bradford inn - great rooms especially the ones with views. another thought is the big cedar lodge, a few mile away from branson and expensive in high season but a vacation in and of itself. www.bigcedarlodge.com

There is quite possibly not a worse place on the earth outside of Gatlinburg.

Brutforce-- Gee, don't hem and haw, tell us what you REALLY think!! LOL

I know people make a lot of jokes about it, but it seems to be quite popular. You wouldn't catch me there, but � chacun son go�t, non? (To all the francophones, pardon my bad typing...!)

Our kids 11 & 14 didn't like Silver Dollar City. We left early and went to White Water and I would highly recommend that. In fact I wish we would have bypassed SDC and did the waterpark 2 days. We went in July and the traffic is bad but we used the alternate routes and it wasn't that bad. There are good rates for rooms in Branson. We are not country music fans either. I'm thinking about a resort near the lake this next visit.

I would highly recommend Big Cedar Lodge, located a few miles south of Branson. It's not cheap, but to my knowledge, it's the only quality resort in that area. Reservations are essential at that time of the year.

Big Cedar has both beautiful fully furnished cabins and traditional hotel rooms. It will remind you of Disney's themed resorts with its hunting/fishing/Adirondack lodge decor. There are several restaurants. Top of the Rock is particularly good. Activities include swimming, riding, golf, fishing, hiking, etc.

What price range is the Bradford Inn? They don;t do online reservations or give a clue to their prices on their web site.

Keith

Try Stillwaters condominium resort. It is near SDC at the point of a beautiful peninsula; lakefront. Paddleboats, innertubes and kayaks are free for the kids just to hang out on the water. Its a very clean, well maintained, multi-pool (one with a fun slide) place. I stayed in the newest condos they had which were a little on the expensive side but they had all prices available. I've stayed on the "strip" before and never will again--go for a resort before staying on the strip. Also, get a map and use the alternate routes, lots of new hi-ways, so get a current map and become familiar with the area to avoid the mess of traffic. Have fun!

I highly recommend the Yakov Smirnoff show at his theatre. We went for the first time in 2003 and enjoyed it tremendously.

I, too, think you guys need to Ride the Ducks. Silver Dollar City doesn't have a lot of coasters, but Wildfire is pretty good.

As far as lodging, pick any of the motels around the strip. I don't think you can go wrong. And I think you can always find a bargain.

Diane was planning her trip for July 2003.