I have never been to Branson, but am making a trip up there for a family reunion. I don't know much about the drive and was wondering what route is best. Also if anyone has any suggestions as far as restaurants or must see attractions, I would be very interested.
I plan to catch the Liverpool Legends show at the Icon Theater, but other than that, I guess I will spend the rest of the time stuck in traffic behind the blue hairs and RVs.
(05-28-2012 09:28 AM)Volh8r Wrote: [ -> ]I have never been to Branson, but am making a trip up there for a family reunion. I don't know much about the drive and was wondering what route is best. Also if anyone has any suggestions as far as restaurants or must see attractions, I would be very interested.
I plan to catch the Liverpool Legends show at the Icon Theater, but other than that, I guess I will spend the rest of the time stuck in traffic behind the blue hairs and RVs.
Better call and see what is open. A tornado hit there last year.
The route from Memphis is brutal driving in the mountains. It's pretty and scenic but nerve racking.
Wow! Had no clue. I've never been to Branson but I did go up to Joplin back in July last year. Amazing how bad that was. If you took a picture of Hiroshima and put it next to a picture of Joplin it almost looks the same.
Silver dollar city theme park (ride the powder keg). Sheppard of the hills play is a play about the baldknobbers (oldmangrizz in 3,2,1) and the history of the region. Its in an ampitheater... Nice!! All of the shows are good.
(05-28-2012 08:40 PM)maximus Wrote: [ -> ]The route from Memphis is brutal driving in the mountains. It's pretty and scenic but nerve racking.
When we drove to Joplin my gps took me through the old highways of Arkansas.....it was soooooooooo horrible. All those little small towns and speed traps.
Too bad the Roy Rogers - Dale Evans Museum is now closed in Branson.
Need to drive thru Springfield and check out the Bass Pro. Awesome place and something for everyone. Not far from Branson.
Springfield actually is a great visit. Bass Pro, Hammons Field, Lambert's Cafe, etc. Just a quiet town of 400K or so. Lots of stuff to do and good eats.
(05-28-2012 08:51 PM)uofmcamaro Wrote: [ -> ] (05-28-2012 08:40 PM)maximus Wrote: [ -> ]The route from Memphis is brutal driving in the mountains. It's pretty and scenic but nerve racking.
When we drove to Joplin my gps took me through the old highways of Arkansas.....it was soooooooooo horrible. All those little small towns and speed traps.
You needed a GPS to get to Joplin? West on 40 to Alma, go north on I 540/US 71 to Joplin. About 6 and a half hours going about 5 to 7 over all but Bella Vista Are is interstate quality. Two roads, that's it.
SDC is a fantastic theme park, we carry season tickets. They are building a Monster woodie for next season. Think Dollywood just a little smaller, both are ran by the same company.
They have the Titantic thing, Dixie Stampede is a good show but you eat with your fingers. It's really like Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge in that aspect. Small Bass Pro down town, go to Springfield to see what's more like coming to Memphis and check out the NWF museum there at Bass Pro.
(05-28-2012 09:28 AM)Volh8r Wrote: [ -> ]I have never been to Branson, but am making a trip up there for a family reunion. I don't know much about the drive and was wondering what route is best. Also if anyone has any suggestions as far as restaurants or must see attractions, I would be very interested.
I plan to catch the Liverpool Legends show at the Icon Theater, but other than that, I guess I will spend the rest of the time stuck in traffic behind the blue hairs and RVs.
Stay off 76, it's easy to get around using the alternate routes. Where are you staying there.
Lots of folks go I 55 to US63 to Hardy then US 412 to Harrison and then US 65 to Branson.
For simplicity, go I40 to Conway and then north on US 65.
I'm staying at something called the Carriage House Inn on Green Mountain Dr.
Thanks for all the tips.
I used my GPS for several reasons....A.) Never drove to the NW part of Arkansas or even the SW part of Missouri, B.) Never been to Joplin to drive around for a week so I'd probably need it to find places...especially since a lot of those places no longer were standing buildings, and C.) I have it so I might as well get my money's worth!
(05-29-2012 12:16 PM)uofmcamaro Wrote: [ -> ]I used my GPS for several reasons....A.) Never drove to the NW part of Arkansas or even the SW part of Missouri, B.) Never been to Joplin to drive around for a week so I'd probably need it to find places...especially since a lot of those places no longer were standing buildings, and C.) I have it so I might as well get my money's worth!
Joplin was messed up bad. To this day, images on TV can not describe the scope of damage that tonado did. You have to stand there in the middle of the path to get a true feel.
(05-29-2012 12:06 PM)Volh8r Wrote: [ -> ]I'm staying at something called the Carriage House Inn on Green Mountain Dr.
Thanks for all the tips.
Green Mountain is south of the main strip. Branson has color coded routes to help guide you around town without having to hit 76 traffic. Get a map and look it over. You can get to nearly everywhere from Green Mountain without doing much more than crossing 76 unless the attraction is in between lights.
(05-29-2012 01:10 PM)WaywardMemphian Wrote: [ -> ] (05-29-2012 12:16 PM)uofmcamaro Wrote: [ -> ]I used my GPS for several reasons....A.) Never drove to the NW part of Arkansas or even the SW part of Missouri, B.) Never been to Joplin to drive around for a week so I'd probably need it to find places...especially since a lot of those places no longer were standing buildings, and C.) I have it so I might as well get my money's worth!
Joplin was messed up bad. To this day, images on TV can not describe the scope of damage that tonado did. You have to stand there in the middle of the path to get a true feel.
I was there three months after for an animal adoption. You're absolutely right. I will never forget those images.
(05-29-2012 01:10 PM)WaywardMemphian Wrote: [ -> ] (05-29-2012 12:16 PM)uofmcamaro Wrote: [ -> ]I used my GPS for several reasons....A.) Never drove to the NW part of Arkansas or even the SW part of Missouri, B.) Never been to Joplin to drive around for a week so I'd probably need it to find places...especially since a lot of those places no longer were standing buildings, and C.) I have it so I might as well get my money's worth!
Joplin was messed up bad. To this day, images on TV can not describe the scope of damage that tonado did. You have to stand there in the middle of the path to get a true feel.
Was unreal to see. We got there on a Sunday afternoon and it was hot. But we went straight in to the middle of it and just got out and walked around. Doing work later was very rewarding but nothing stands out like the calm of standing in those devastated streets.
I've done Katrina and Joplin clean up and Joplin wins, hands down.
The best driving directions on the way to Branson are to drive up the highest cliff and speed off into the abyss. That place is atrocious unless you are approaching 100 years old.