Branson...the most expensive vacation spot ever? (Ozark, Eureka: hotel, houses)
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We have been to Branson several times, and I have come to the conclusion that unless you spend all day sitting inside your families home or walking around shopping and not buying anything...you are going to spend a lot of money. My dad use to bowl national bowling tournaments, so we have been to several big cities, including tourist towns such as Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Hot Springs, Arkansas. It seems like out of all the places we have visited, Branson seems to be by far the most expensive. Today I received the 2012 Branson visiting guide in the mail, and some of the prices were outrageous. Shoot, even a neat looking nature tour in the Dogwood Canyon costs an adult 40 dollars. Even a go kart ride at one of the decent track costs about 10 dollars per ride with mini golf costing nearly 12 dollars. We went to The Butterfly Palace a few years back and it was very expensive and we had hardly no fun at all. It seems like the only free thing is the fish hatchery. Opinions? Why exactly are things in that city so expensive? Is that anything exciting in that town that doesn't cost a fortune?
Last edited by bkern1989; 01-04-2012 at 10:42 PM..
We have been to Branson several times, and I have come to the conclusion that unless you spend all day sitting inside your families home or walking around shopping and not buying anything...you are going to spend a lot of money. My dad use to bowl national bowling tournaments, so we have been to several big cities, including tourist towns such as Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Hot Springs, Arkansas. It seems like out of all the places we have visited, Branson seems to be by far the most expensive. Today I received the 2012 Branson visiting guide in the mail, and some of the prices were outrageous. Shoot, even a neat looking nature tour in the Dogwood Canyon costs an adult 40 dollars. Even a go kart ride at one of the decent track costs about 10 dollars per ride with mini golf costing nearly 12 dollars. We went to The Butterfly Palace a few years back and it was very expensive and we had hardly no fun at all. It seems like the only free thing is the fish hatchery. Opinions? Why exactly are things in that city so expensive? Is that anything exciting in that town that doesn't cost a fortune?
Mother Nature! Ifg you have to be entertained you're going to pay the price. But we here in the Aux Arcs thank you for your support and encourage you to come, spend lots of money in the local economy then return to wherever you live to lick your wounds.
From whence we originated years ago, this area is dirt cheap in comparison.
Mother Nature! Ifg you have to be entertained you're going to pay the price. But we here in the Aux Arcs thank you for your support and encourage you to come, spend lots of money in the local economy then return to wherever you live to lick your wounds.
From whence we originated years ago, this area is dirt cheap in comparison.
I guess I worded that wrong. In fact, when my father and I visit places, we don't like bringing people because we are cheap and don't like spending any money at all. We enjoy driving the country roads and seeing what nature has to offer. I guess I was talking more along the lines of a family with kids. Kids aren't going to want to drive around and hike all day.
I guess I worded that wrong. In fact, when my father and I visit places, we don't like bringing people because we are cheap and don't like spending any money at all. We enjoy driving the country roads and seeing what nature has to offer. I guess I was talking more along the lines of a family with kids. Kids aren't going to want to drive around and hike all day.
We have been to Branson several times, and I have come to the conclusion that unless you spend all day sitting inside your families home or walking around shopping and not buying anything...you are going to spend a lot of money. My dad use to bowl national bowling tournaments, so we have been to several big cities, including tourist towns such as Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Hot Springs, Arkansas. It seems like out of all the places we have visited, Branson seems to be by far the most expensive. Today I received the 2012 Branson visiting guide in the mail, and some of the prices were outrageous. Shoot, even a neat looking nature tour in the Dogwood Canyon costs an adult 40 dollars. Even a go kart ride at one of the decent track costs about 10 dollars per ride with mini golf costing nearly 12 dollars. We went to The Butterfly Palace a few years back and it was very expensive and we had hardly no fun at all. It seems like the only free thing is the fish hatchery. Opinions? Why exactly are things in that city so expensive? Is that anything exciting in that town that doesn't cost a fortune?
Pack yourself up some babyback ribs, a case of beer and head for the lake. You can spend an entire day there and have a wonderful time for a pittance. If it's Spring or Fall, pack up the family and take a nice, long drive to Eureka Springs to look at the wild flowers (spring) or leaves (fall). Then drive around Eureka for a bit and look at the interesting Victorian styled houses.
In Branson, you can hang out at the Landing and "people watch" in the evening, concluding with the nightly fountain display (I think they still have that). You can also walk around all the stores and NOT buy a single thing. This is also true of the Tanger Outlet Mall.
You can accept the invitation of the ubiquitous OPCs (off property contact), to enjoy an "entertaining and informative seminar which will demonstrate how to save money traveling" (code for a timeshare presentation), and accept their generous "incentive" to a free dinner, show or other attraction in exchange for 90 minutes of your precious time. My cousin takes regular vacations completely free thanks to this kind of arrangement. She doesn't have a problem saying "NO" and they keep sending her invitations. LOL
If you are history buffs, you can investigate the outlying areas around Branson which include Reeds Spring which was the center of logging and tie manufacturing for the railroad, as well as a huge tomato canning and growing area during the early part of the previous century. You can head out to Garber and perhaps even encounter the famous ghost(s) that live(s) there. (By the way, they say that Music City Center hotel is haunted as well, and of course, the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs). You can take a brief excursion to Rockaway Beach and enjoy the ambiance of an earlier time when this town was a big tourist destination in the 1950s before the dam was built and the White River was transformed into Lake Taneycomo.
If you are lucky enough to be around when the Taney County Fair is on, you can enjoy the fun of an old-fashioned county fair complete with carnival rides and midway games (not to mention cotton candy and corn dogs! YUM).
The very best value for your money would be the campus of the College of the Ozarks which hosts the Ralph Foster Museum. For a very small fee (and a discounted fee for seniors, if you happen to qualify), you can see many artifacts relevant to the area. I have been to this museum and it is magnificent. While you are there, you can check out the Keeter Center which offers a lot of interesting information. You can eat at the restaurant there, which IS expensive, but the food is all prepared and served by students who are involved in their "work/school program". (The kids who go to school there work instead of paying tuition). The food is also grown on-site (including the beef!!!) by the agricultural and horticultural students.
There are many other interesting things to see on campus.
If you are inclined to see the music shows, pick a morning show which are typically less expensive. Many also include a modest McMuffin type breakfast. You can also enjoy entertainment at the Branson Mall (where the Walmart is located) for free (tips are encouraged). Alan Edwards used to perform at the Golden Corral, but has since moved to another venue - I'm not sure which one. If they have replaced him there is no price for the performance but is "voluntary" based upon what you wish to offer.
Some of the music shows also offer "family" passes which bring the per person cost down. You can call around and find out which have this option. If anyone is a senior citizen, some shows also offer special discounts to these customers.
Make sure the hotel you stay in has a microwave and refrigerator, kitchenette or full kitchen. That way you can keep a gallon of milk and have cereal in the morning for breakfast instead of going out to eat. You can also go to the grocery store and pick up some fruit and other snacks or buy some lunch meat and bread and make your own sandwiches for lunch. White Oak Station convenience store has a great selection of hot lunch items, as do many of the larger convenience stores. You can pick up a piece of fried chicken or a burrito for a couple of dollars.
It's not that hard to have fun without spending a lot of money.
We have been to Branson several times, and I have come to the conclusion that unless you spend all day sitting inside your families home or walking around shopping and not buying anything...you are going to spend a lot of money. My dad use to bowl national bowling tournaments, so we have been to several big cities, including tourist towns such as Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Hot Springs, Arkansas. It seems like out of all the places we have visited, Branson seems to be by far the most expensive. Today I received the 2012 Branson visiting guide in the mail, and some of the prices were outrageous. Shoot, even a neat looking nature tour in the Dogwood Canyon costs an adult 40 dollars. Even a go kart ride at one of the decent track costs about 10 dollars per ride with mini golf costing nearly 12 dollars. We went to The Butterfly Palace a few years back and it was very expensive and we had hardly no fun at all. It seems like the only free thing is the fish hatchery. Opinions? Why exactly are things in that city so expensive? Is that anything exciting in that town that doesn't cost a fortune?
Bowling - How about $2.50 per 10 frame per person. *Reasonable
Reeds Spring 19711 Missouri 413 Reeds Spring, MO 65737 417-272-5272
I guess I worded that wrong. In fact, when my father and I visit places, we don't like bringing people because we are cheap and don't like spending any money at all. We enjoy driving the country roads and seeing what nature has to offer. I guess I was talking more along the lines of a family with kids. Kids aren't going to want to drive around and hike all day.
20Years posted a great response for those without kids - or with the few that have kids that can still enjoy things that aren't plugged in to something. I strongly second everything she recommended. We do live in an instant gratification society though, and TV has convinced us to believe that to be a good parent, we must give our kids everything their friends get. And that all comes with a big price tag. Having lived in Orlando for awhile, prices in Branson seem to be compatible with most other "tourist traps" I have visited.
My suggestion would be to take away their cellphones, i-pod's, and MP3 player for a few hours, pack a lunch, and take a scenic drive to one of the numerous lakes or rivers SW Missouri has to offer. If they don't want to get wet, throw them in.
And the hardest advise to swallow - you can't expect teens to crawl out of their shell and let their hair down - if the parent isn't willing to do the same. You can't be the same old adult and then get mad if the kids don't change. One can have fun and still be a parent. If you pull it off, it makes it easier for them to have fun without breaking the bank .... and still retain their need to be 'cool'.
Which usually says more about the individual than it does about the venue.
You know what they say "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."
Or as I like to say, "We all have one, some like to 'be' one. Nothing much good comes from either."
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