Almost a century before J.K. Rowling became the world's best-selling author and Harry Potter a household name, another writer named Harold Bell Wright brought to life Old Matt, Sammy and young Pete, and the place they lived called Mutton Hollow.
Wright's "The Shepherd of the Hills" was an international best seller of the time, nearly as popular as today's Harry Potter series. Consider reading it with your children before your family vacations in Branson Missouri, because "The Shepherd of the Hills" highlights the widespread recognition given to this otherwise remote and isolated region that has since become an ideal family vacation destination.
Located in southwest Missouri in the rolling landscape shared with Arkansas, The Ozarks, Branson is as wholesome and family-friendly as they come. Some people compare Branson to Pigeon Forge Tennessee, but while there are some similarities, Branson offers a more compact and intense experience. Others compare Branson to Nashville, but while the music is of comparable quality, there is a greater variety of entertainment options available in Branson.
On almost any day, more than 100 live shows in 53 theatres entertain thousands of visitors of all ages with a showmanship similar to Vegas, but with a conservative, patriotic style that the Ozarks region is known for. Kick in more than a dozen museums, four theme parks, numerous outdoor activities, shopping and restaurants, and Branson becomes a place for much more than great music.
Many families come to the Ozarks for the hiking, fishing and water sports in two exceptional man-made lakes: Table Rock and Taneycomo. A number of resorts on these beautiful lakes also have fully equipped marinas. Table Rock State Park offers scuba diving in the lake's crystal clear waters in addition to many other amenities including camping, biking, fishing, and swimming.
Branson, MO Family Vacations
Branson, MO Family Vacations
Families will love:
- More than 100 live shows in 53 theaters, making it the family-friendly version of Vegas in terms of showmanship
- The beauty of The Ozarks, including lakes and hills to explore
- Table Rock State Park, a destination of its own
Written by Diana Lambdin Meyer
Read more about Branson, MO Attractions
Latest Branson, MO Member Review
kbuccelli - 2011-11-30
In July of 2011, we drove from Southern Maryland to Branson, Missouri. I had planned this vacation for 6 months, and had lots to do and see even on ...
Read more Branson, MO Reviews
Best Branson, MO Family Hotels
© Copyright 2012. The Independent Traveler, Inc.
All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
- Independent Traveler independenttraveler.com
- Cruise Critic cruisecritic.com
-
FREE Family Travel Newsletter -
Family Travel Tips (10 New)
– Family Planning and Tips
- Sure, free drinks and complimentary Wi-Fi rank high on the lists of most desirable hotel perks among travelers in general, but when it comes to visiting with kids in tow, which hotel amenities are most revered by families? From onsite airline check-in to in-room babysitting and kid concierges, con...
Favorite family biking locales in North America combine stunning scenery with a relatively easy grid of bike trails and uncongested backcountry roads. All of these locales offer exhilarating rides, guaranteed to inspire all ages to travel on two wheels. Many of the cities on the list, like San Anton...
1. Celebrate a Historic Anniversary. Boston's historic Fenway Park celebrates its 100th anniversary this year -- the perfect time to take in a ballgame while enjoying the history of America throughout the city. Give your school-aged children an up-close and personal history lesson by visiting some ...
The unofficial start to summer is nearly here, and this May 25 to 28 weekend is filled with enticing deals for families. Get out there and start your summer!
Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Escape to the Colorado mountains for a two-night Memorial Day Family Escape at the Broadmoor. ...
There are few rites of passage as exciting as taking a child on his or her first camping trip. Families bond while roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, making shadow animals on the tent wall, chasing after fireflies and inhaling fragrant whiffs of pine. Whether you are an experienced camper from pre-...
1. The National Mall
There's no question that the National Mall, the two-mile strip of wide-open green stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol and surrounded by Smithsonian museums and national monuments, is a must-see destination for kids. "The Mall," chock full of our nation'...
1. gogo Kidz Travelmate
If you're traveling with a child weighing less than 50 pounds, you won't want to leave home without this ingenious contraption that in seconds lets parents convert most car seats into a stroller. With the gogo Kidz Travelmate, there's no more lugging both a heavy car seat ...
On a recent ski vacation, my family of five traveled with five cellphones, three laptops, three iPads, two iPods and just for good measure, a GPS! Given the prevalence of electronic devices in our daily lives and our somewhat compulsive reliance upon them, taking a true vacation feels almost imposs...
The 1969 film, "If It's Tuesday, This Must be Belgium," depicted a funny, but sometimes all too true, look at a tour group of Americans traveling through Europe so quickly they barely knew where they were and what they were seeing.
Today, tour groups are quickly becoming an attractive option for ...
When you think of an all-inclusive vacation, your mind goes straight to the Caribbean, doesn't it? But you don't need to leave the country to get an all-in-one vacation -- resorts in the U.S. also provide all-inclusive getaways with accommodations, meals, and activities all packaged in one easy pric...