Branson Mo
 

Okay where are the trip reports for Branson, Missouri? Springfiled? Or even the reports on the new airport? Guess I'm getting old and losing my search skills!?

I didn't find anything in Trip Reports either, but I did find this in the Midwest forum:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/midwe...ranson-mo.html

Seeing as this is more of a request for information, and not a Trip Report, I'm going to move your post to the Midwest forum in hopes you get the information you're looking for there.

l'etoile
Trip Reports moderator

Thank you. I do appreciate the wonderful work performed by the Moderators.

Actually, I am looking for a TripReport. Guess I could have done a better job of expressing it. I can do lots of research of where to go, what to see, how to get there, etc on other sites. I am looking for some actual reports of people that have been there in the last year or so...etc. The forum this is transferred to has a few old posts from 2005!

Sorry ranles. I can't find a thing in TripReports, not even something old. If you have a specific recollection of something, please send me a PM and I'll keep searching.

Thank you.

We are planning a trip to KC, Branson, Springdale and surrounds in May 2010. We will fly to KC, then on to Branson or Springfield and rent a car. I have done a lot of internet searches to check out activities, transportation, etc. (time to hone in the list). Now I am looking for some feed back on some of the activities. Our interest are museums, gardens and animals. Naturally we will be seeing some of the shows and riding the paddle wheeler, too.

I usually do a trip report search on FT, then do some more homework on my own and finally ask any specific questions I could not get answers for on my own.

The process will get more serious in January, so perhaps some members will post their experiences in the meantime!

Thanks again.

The real question if ..will anyone find this post in this generally unvisited area of FT????????

Hi,

I have lived in Springfield MO since November 2003. I was previously in Los Angeles for 35 years so my comments are "skewed". I fly out of SGF because its work related or using Frequent Flier miles. Some people I know drive to Kansas City, Tulsa or St. Louis for lower fares unless they fly Allegiant. There is a new ( May 09) airport http://www.flybranson.com/
in Branson served by Airtran to/from Atlanta and Sun Country to/from Dallas and MSP.

The new Springfield Airport terminal also opened in May 09. It is very nice and modern but the old terminal was just fine in my opinion.

Regarding Branson, I spent 10 days there following an Ice Storm in January 2007 when power was out at my house in Springfield and we take out of town visitors there but its not really my cup of tea. It kind of reminds me of Gaitlinberg or Pigeon Forge TN. There is a country music focus but there are also some non-country shows. Since I don't go for country music I have omitted those but many people like that stuff.
I can recommend:
Shepard of the Hills outdoor pageant
Acrobats of China
Neil Goldman's Cirque ( Cirque Du Soleil knock off)
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede ( big production and I can overlook the music, many people actually like it)
Silver Dollar City Amusement park ( they have a good cave too)
Branson Scenic railway ( ask if they are going on the southern route, its preferable for scenery but they use working tracks so sometimes they go on a different route)

There are several factory outlet malls in Branson.

Of course you must visit museum with the Original Beverly Hillbilly's car:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/14355

Table Rock Lake has the usual aquatic activities. There is a "River Boat" that goes on Dinner cruises and you can rent small boats.

Branson Landing is a new shopping area with 2 new Hilton Hotels. The Residence Inn is also nice. I also have to give thanks to the "Settle Inn" which allowed my 2 large dogs to stay there with us after the Ice Storm. It is a fine motel but more in a budget category.

On Highway 65 between Springfield and Branson you should stop at Lambert's Cafe for throwed rolls:
http://www.throwedrolls.com/shopcontent.asp?type=Ozark

Eureka Springs AR is a nice historic town and you should have a look at it. http://www.eurekasprings.org/

Finally you mentioned:
There are no scheduled non-stop commercial flights from Kansas City to Springfield or Branson, so rent the car in KC.

Thank you, I did not think anyone would find a post in this "dungeon". Any comments on the following?: (note we are zoo nuts)

We fly out of SAN.

In Branson we are considering the following (plus shows, food and lodging) attractions. Any comments?
God and Country Inspirational Gardens
Table Rock Lakeshore Trail
Am Presidency Museum
Branson Landing: Lake Queen or Princess
B. Scenic Railway (thru the Ozarks)
Lindwedel Wine Gardens
Ralph Forter Museum
Veterans Memorial Museum
Branson Zoo & Aquar.
Silver Dollar City
Wonders of Wildlife
Dickerson Pk. Zoo
Bass Pro Shop

Then in Springflield
Japanese Garden in Nathanael Greene Park

Then in Eagle Rock (overnight)
Promised Land Zoo

In KC (search not finished)
HS Truman Pres Mus
KC Zoological Pk
'Am Royal Mus and VC
KC Museum
Nelson Atkins Mus of Art
Arabia Steamboat Museum
Hallmark VC
Loose Park
Missouri Town 1855
National Frontier TRails Mus

Silver Dollar City , Bass Pro
 

[QUOTE=ranles;12252513] Any comments on the following?:
In Branson we are considering the following
Silver Dollar City

We have taken the kids to SDC many times over the years. While the Branson hype doesn't appeal to us, the kids love SDC. We check the SDC website toward the end of the year to purchase our SDC tickets in advance for the following year. They offer specials, including free guest passes etc. for early purchase. We like to buy the season passes to use while we are in town. it allows us to go in an out at our leisure. Which also allows us to leave if the weather is not nice or the park is overcrowded, etc. The early buy deals include free guest passes, good at certain times. If your visit is scheduled at the right time, often you can buy(for example) 2 season passes and use your free guest passes for other members of your party.
The cave tour at SDC is very nice. The park is filled with flowers, lots of shaded areas, lots of benches, plenty of places to relax. There are rides for the daredevils in your group and relaxing rides for me! They have shows throughout the park and a very nice evening show(included in admission) at the amphitheater. A Gospel Show is held in the amphitheater on Sunday. They also have their artisans demonstrating their talents at shops throughout the park and a variety of festivals scheduled throughout the year. Check out the SDC website for more info.They are adding new things all the time.


Bass Pro Shop This is in Springfield, not Branson, unless they have added a new one. My husband has stopped at many Bass Pro shops and this is really the nicest one to me. Lots of Wildlife displays in addition to the hunting and fishing supplies.
HTH! :)

Thanks.

We will be both 65 by the time we visit. Thrill rides are confined to horse and buggy! I have a bit of a foot problem and a bumb hip.

Guess I messed up with the Bass Shop. My interest is the wildlife displays. We live within 7 miles of Lake Dixon, here in Escondido, CA home of some of the largest bass caught anywhere but we gave up fishing 20 years ago, along with camping.

We expect to spend 18-25 days on our trip in MO. We have some friends in SL that will join us for some of the time. A couple somewhat younger, but with similar interest...wine, gardens, museums and animals. We all can handle some Country too!!!

Likely we will fly KC to Branson/Springfield, but will check out the map to see what might be added on a drive between the two on a one way car rental and open jaw flight.

The Wonders of Wildlife Museum in Springfield is closed for renovation till some unspecified date in 2010.

Dickerson Park Zoo is also in Springfield

You said: " likely we will fly KC to Branson/Springfield"

Since this is flyertalk that's plausible but be aware that there are no non-stop flights from Kansas City to Springfield or Branson.