Bill,

Jo and I have never been there, but I did some research this summer, thnking that we might like to go up there with our new Mobile Suites.  It didn't happen though.

Like yourself, most of the time we prefer natural attractions.  So with that in mind, let me suggest the Butterfly Palace and Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.  From pictures that I've seen, those places look "kind of" interesting.  The park is not a huge thing, but if I remember right there are bicycle trails.  There is also a scenic railroad somewhere in the area.

Link to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park website:

http://www.dogwoodcanyon.com/Default.aspx

Link to Butterfly Palace website:

http://www.thebutterflypalace.com/

Branson Scenic Railway:

http://www.bransontrain.com/

And, if you want to get MORE cross-eyed, here is a link to Branson area attractions, listed alphabetically.  So, if you hear of someplace and want to check it out, all you need is the name of the place.

http://www.explorebranson.com/attractions/


Hope this helps you some.  While we didn't get to go to Branson, we are going to a mini-rally in mid-October at Carthage, Missouri to meet up with a bunch of other DRV Suites owners.  That will be our first outing with the Mobile Suites and our first rally as well.  We're kind of excited.

Oh, hey.  Not sure when, but we may begin to start seeing the foliage change soon.

Take care, and have fun.

Terry

I went several years ago and I just called to confirm the restaurant was still in business. The College of the Ozarks operates a wonderful restaurant on campus, The Keeter Center. The students work their way through college and you can't beat the prices. Good value, helping students, nice drive = sweet deal! It is about 10 minutes from Branson. Check out the web: www.keetercenter.edu and the phone number 417-334-6411 ext 2101 I seem to recall I nice train ride in the area as well (mom likes trains so I always try to find one) Enjoy!!!

We have friends and family who have showed us their videos of Shoji, Yakov and Mickey Gilley. We decided that since we only had limited time we would go to shows we had not seen videos of, so those three were out. We also decided one a day was our style, though many we have met are doing three a day. I am not sure we would choose to spend that kind of money, these shows are not cheap. They are cheaper than Vegas. Most shows end up about $30 to $35 each, cheaper if you can stand a timeshare presentation.  There is also a place to get cheaper last minute tickets in town which would work for patient people staying longer.
Monday we saw Acrobats of China, which we really enjoyed. Pretty amazing what those acrobats can do.
Tuesday we took Showboat Branson Belle. Good food, a nice lake cruise and a good show. The show was a Broadway review plus Todd Oliver, a ventriloquist and comedian. Todd Oliver will be moving to his own show in March on the strip.
Wednesday we saw SIX, the best show we saw. Six brothers who make all the sounds you hear with their voices, including the drums. They were excellent mimics and had great voices and fun batter with comedy. This show was getting recommended by everyone we know who had seen it.
Thursday we and some friends who came here went on the Ride the Ducks tour. Lots of fun.
Friday we saw Kirby VanBurch, a magician, who is probably who J Riechman was thinking of. He is a very good magician that specializes in disappearing acts, including big ones. For an extra $10 each, which you can buy there, you can take the back stage tour at the end, with a visit to the big cats.
We have also watched multiple fountain shows at Branson Landing, those are free.
For restaurants we have enjoyed Waxy O'Shea's Irish Pub in Branson Landing, Lambert's in Ozark, MI and Thai Thai Cuisine, which recently moved next to Dixie Stampede. We found Farmhouse Restaurant just OK and the same for Mediterranean Grill.
There are lots of other shows and attractions in town, especially for those into country western and also those who were adults in the 50s and early 60s. There are even two ziplines in town for those into thrills.
The Escapees park, Turkey Creek RV Village, is a good basecamp. $78 per week for 30AMP and $100 for 50AMP, close to old town Branson and Branson Landing. Right now business 65 can be a mess as they put a new bridge over the river.
Today, Saturday, we are spending with our friends who are also camped here, with vague plans to see the by donation shows at Branson Mall.
We leave Sunday and plan to see the memorial in Oklahoma City on Tuesday before heading to Amarillo/Palo Duro Canyon and then into New Mexico to see friends in Santa Fe.


-- Edited by bjoyce on Saturday 9th of October 2010 09:10:07 AM

-- Edited by bjoyce on Saturday 9th of October 2010 09:12:53 AM

Dang, Bill.

Too bad we are working on Tuesday.  Jo and I live in the Oklahoma City area and we will be heading up towards Carthage, MO on Wednesday for a Suites mini-rally.  (Whatever a mini-rally is.)

Sadly, we haven't made it to the Memorial yet.  We were living here when it happened and I'm not sure that my emotions could take going there.  From what I've heard from out-of-towners, they seem to be pretty impressed with it.

As for Palo Duro Canyon, we've never camped there but it has its own beauty.  Driving across that country in all that "flat sort of land" and then to suddenly come across this big hole in the ground.  That is also impressive.

Enjoy your travels and each stop.  Wish we were doing that already, but we still have a few years.

Terry