This year our family vacation adventures took us to Branson, Mo. Now, that we’ve been back for several weeks, I’ve had time to reflect on our trip and how fantastic it was! Fantastic and yet exhausting and wonderful. I’ve compiled a few tips for you and your family to help you assure that you enjoy your Branson vacation AND have a great time, just like we did:
Become friends with the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Early on in our planning stages, I communicated with the Explore Branson people about a visitor’s guide, recommendations, etc. They were so helpful and answered any and all questions that I had. It was great to know that I had someone on my side to help make sure our trip went off without a hitch.
Budget. I know this may be obvious to some, but there is so much to see and do in Branson that spending can easily spin out of control. We had planned on spending so much and spent more! Because there were additional things we wanted to see and do it added to our cost, but in the end it was worth it. Be aware of admission prices to the places you want to go and the age cut-offs between kids and adults. Most everywhere in Branson, the cutoff is 12.
Plan time to relax. This is one of my tips for any vacation, but especially in a destination like Branson. The main part of the city is so busy and vibrant and there is so much to see and do that it’s easy to keep going and going until you’re all exhausted. But, both the kids and you (the parents) will be in much better moods if the kids get pool time and you get some downtime. It’ll make your excursions that much better.
Get outside the city. There is so much to do within Branson that in essence you don’t need to leave, but I assure you that you will want to! On our last day exploring Branson, we headed outside the city to Top of the Rock and Lost Canyon. We are so glad we did! It was great to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy nature. The boys also partook in a fishing adventure on Table Rock Lake that took them away from all the excitement and they enjoyed that just as much.
Visit The Landing. While the main part of Branson and its attractions are where the theaters and museums are (along Hwy 76), there is a fantastic are along Lake Taneycomo called, “The Landing”. It’s an open mall consisting of stores, restaurants, pop-up vendors, a few little adventures, and the fountains. The fountain show is complete with fountains, fire, and music. It’s also only a few blocks from historic downtown Branson which is another great area to explore. It’s different than the rest of the city, but all four of us thoroughly enjoyed our time at The Landing!
There is so much to see and do that it’s easy to be overwhelmed! Hopefully these few simple tips will help make your trip a success! Let me know if you do venture to Branson, I’d love to hear about it!
Katy blogs at Learning As I Go about life as a wife, a step-mom, and an adult. Follow her adventures around Iowa and the midwest with her family as well as their love for gardening and food!
