Fall for Branson!

Labor Day is next Monday,which means summer is almost over. Hooray! No more hot weather!  My poor air conditioner needs a break.

Most people visit Branson in the spring or in the summer, but fall is a great time to visit Branson.  School is in session, so there aren't many families visiting Branson in the fall.  All of the shows are still open and so is Silver Dollar City.  You should have an easier time getting a room at your favorite lodging location, or maybe get a room at a place you've wanted to try, but couldn't. 

If you love viewing the hills with all the trees like I do, just imagine all those trees dress in their beautiful fall colors.  A zipline ride through all the fall colors would be grand!  (Not for me though - I'm a little scared of heights.) A ride on the Branson Scenic Railway or sailing on one of the Branson Landing cruise ships would also be a great way to see the scenery. 

Since the temperature is cooler in the fall, it's a great time to do those outdoor activities that it would be too hot to do in the summer.  Hiking in the Paul Henning Conservation Area or fishing on Lake Taneycomo or Table Rock Lake would be much more comfortable in the cooler weather. 

You can start your Christmas shopping early at the outlet malls, at Branson Landing, or at any of the other stores in the Branson area. 

So go and have a autumn adventure in Branson!  Wish I could go!  Until next time -

Happy travels!

Diane

Back from Branson!

We got back from a 4 day vacation in Branson today.  We had a great time, even though the weather was in the upper 90's.  The below is a rundown of what we did while we were in Branson.  If you click on the blue words, you will go to the website of what I'm describing.

On Wednesday, we left our house and drove to Branson.  We checked into the Boxcar Willie Inn.  We unpacked our suitcases, then got ready to go to the Circle B Supper Show. 

We really enjoyed the Circle B Supper Show.  My son (along with the other kids) got "deputized" to hunt down the cornbread muffin bandit.  I got recruited to be a nurse to check the bandit's pulse when the sheriff shot him.  The food was really good and the music was great too.  For playing nurse, I got a certificate for 2 tickets to any show at Grand Country Music Hall.

On Thursday morning, we visited the Ralph Foster Museum at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri, which is just south of Branson.  This museum has 3 floors of very interesting artifacts, which includes historic guns, taxidermy animals, and more stuff than I can describe.  Directly to the north of the museum is an old time one room school house.

On Thursday evening, we went to see Clay Cooper's Country Music Express Show.  It was a fast paced show with lots of music, dancing and the comedy of Matt Gumm.  Clay is very personable and interacted well with the audience.

On Friday morning, we used the certificate that I got at the Circle B Supper Show to attend the Amazing Pets show at Grand Country Music Hall.  It was a lot of fun watching the pets do their tricks, but since we didn't get our tickets until that morning, we were in row R, which meant we couldn't see the animals very well.

On Friday afternoon, we went to the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery.  We went inside and viewed the trout in the big fish tank and looked at some other animals in aquariums.  We then went outside to feed the trout.  You can purchase trout food in machines that look like gumball machines.  We brought some plastic cups to hold the trout food after it came out of the machine.  We usually see some really big trout in the hatchery, but they must have been put into Lake Taneycomo.  The smaller fish were happy to be fed and came up to the surface greedily when we dropped the food in the water.  We didn't stay very long here because it was really hot.

On Saturday morning, we went to Branson Landing to nose around in the stores.  Some of our favorite stores on the Landing are Bass Pro Shops, the Cardinals Clubhouse and Ridemakerz.  After we left there, we went to Walmart to purchase soda and other supplies, then went back to the hotel room to eat lunch and chill out.

On Saturday afternoon, we visited Stone Hill Winery.  This is a free tour that takes about an hour.  We first saw a film about Stone Hill Winery and their Hermann, MO operations.  We then went into the room where spumante is bottled and we learned how the bottles are closed so that the carbonation doesn't disappear.  We then went to a wine tasting room where we tasted several different wines.  My husband and I decided that we liked the semi-sweet wines the best.  The tour ended in the gift shop, where I purchased a couple of wine glasses like the ones we used for the wine tasting.  I have to have some sort of souvenir from my Branson trips!

We hung out at the hotel on Saturday evening, did a little swimming and soaking in the hot tub, then started packing to go home.  I told my husband that I didn't want to go home; I wanted to stay in Branson.  If the Lord tarries, I hope to retire there some day.

We left this morning and came home.  :(  I'm already thinking about what shows to see and what to do for our next trip, which probably won't be until next year (unless I win one of those contests for a Branson vacation that I entered).

That's all for now!  Until next time -

Happy trails!

Diane

Getting it all together

You have your lodging booked, your shows selected, and your activities planned.  It’s the day before you leave on vacation to Branson and it’s time to pack.  Here’s some pointers and suggestions.

I keep an organizer, which is a letter sized redrope wallet with with labeled file folders to keep loose items in.  It keeps all my important information in one place. The redrope wallet (8 1/2" X 11" size) fits neatly under the front passenger seat of the car. Here’s a photo of what mine looks like.   

You can’t see the file folder labels in that photo, so here’s another one with just the file folder labels.

I have 7 different file folders in the wallet.  They are labeled as follows:  Hotel Confirmation, Show Vouchers, Attraction Coupons, Breakfast Coupons, Lunch Coupons, Dinner Coupons, and Maps.  The Branson Vacation Guide book from the Branson Chamber of Commerce fits nicely behind the folders. This is a really nice guide to have - it has phone and web site listings in the back for almost all of the shows and most of the hotels and resorts in the Branson area.  It also lists other services such as shopping, outdoor recreation, radio stations, etc. 

As soon as I receive the e-mail confirming my lodging reservation, I print it and put it in the folder.  I also put my show vouchers in the folder. When I make reservations for shows, I write the confirmation number and the seat location (if they give it to me) on the envelope with the voucher in it.   I save my fast food coupons and put them in the appropriate folder.  This saves time and money. 

I keep a map of Missouri in the Maps folder.  From where we live, we don’t need directions to get to Branson, but it’s nice to be able to see what city is next on the highway, where the next rest stop is, etc.  You can pick up a Missouri map at any interstate rest stop, but if you would like a Missouri map before you leave on your trip, you can order one here.  When you check in, your lodging place will usually give you a map of Branson with the time saver routes on it. If you would like one before your trip, you can print one off here. 

We keep all our medications in a plastic box with a lid.  We also bring along Tylenol, ibuprofen, Band-Aids, Tums, Neosporin, and sinus medicine in our medication box.  I also keep a tweezers, a nail clipper, and a nail file in the medication box.  We keep this box in the back seat behind the driver’s seat in case someone gets a headache or needs a Band-Aid.  If you forget something, don’t worry – there is a Walgreens on Hwy. 165.  There are also Walmarts and a Target store. Make sure before you leave that you have enough prescription medicine to last for your whole trip. 

We have a large duffel bag that we put all of our toiletry items in like shampoo, body wash, curling iron, blow dryer, toothbrushes and toothpaste, etc.  Most hotel rooms in Branson have blow dryers in their bathrooms, but I like to bring my blow dryer because it’s bigger and dries my hair faster. 

We put all our packed suitcases, our medicine box, and our toiletry bag next to the front door the night before we leave.  We pack up the cooler that morning.  When it’s time to go, it’s easy to grab everything and load up the car.


I hope this post was helpful to you.  See you again soon!  Until then -


Happy travels!


Diane

Don't know much about history

Branson not only has shows to see, shopping, and lots of fun activities, but it also has several museums.  If you like combining learning with fun on your vacation or need something to do on a rainy day, consider visiting some of the museums listed below.  If you click on the name of the museum, you will go to that museum's web site.  Right click on the name and select "open in new tab" or "open in new window" so you don't leave this page.  (I sure wouldn't want you to do that!  :) )

Bonniebrook - Do you remember Kewpie dolls?  Bonniebrook is the home of the Kewpies' creator, Rose O'Neill. Rose O'Neill also wrote novels and drew illustrations and cartoons.  Bonniebrook is north of Branson off  Hwy. 65. 

Branson Auto Museum - If you love old automobiles, this is the place for you. If you're interested (and have the money), most of the vehicles are for sale.  This museum has a family pass for 2 adults and up to 4 kids 18 and under.

Hollywood Wax Museum - There are lots of wax figures inside, including Mark McGwire, the Last Supper, and the Wizard of Oz.  It's a great place to take photos and shop at the gift shop.

Ralph Foster Museum - This museum is located at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri,  just south of Branson.  It has three stories of goodies to view, including the original car from the Beverly Hillbillies TV show. If you enjoy looking at taxidermy animals in natural looking settings, you will love it here.  The admission price is very reasonable as well.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium -The outside of the building looks like the New Madrid Fault has finally quaked the big one.  The inside of the building has a collection of very intriguing items from Robert Ripley's extensive collection.

Titanic - You can't miss this museum - it sits at the corner of Gretna Road and Hwy. 76.  The building looks like the front half of a big boat.  The big staircase that you see in the movie has been replicated and you can your photo taken with it (for a fee, of course). There are several interactive exhibits, such as a  jar of water the temperature of the Atlantic on that fateful night. 
 
Veterans' Memorial Museum - If you're a military buff, you will enjoy this museum.  All the conflicts of the 20th century are depicted here.  There are sculptures, murals, and authentic memorabilia.  Take the kids and show them that freedom isn't really free.

World's Largest Toy Museum and Harold Bell Wright Museum - If you're a toy lover or a toy collector, this is the place for you.  There are toys here from the 1800's to the present.  This is also the home of the Harold Bell Wright Museum.  Harold Bell Wright was the author of The Shepherd of the Hills, which started tourism in the Branson area in the early 1900's.

That's all for now!  Until next time -

Happy travels!

Diane

I get around

Branson is notorious for the traffic jams that occur on Hwy. 76, a/k/a Country Music Boulevard, or known in local parlance as the Strip. The Strip is the main thoroughfare in Branson and many theaters and lodging places are located on the Strip.  Traffic jams before and after 8 PM shows can go on for miles, so if you get a bad case of road rage when you're stuck in a traffic jam, you definitely don't want to be driving on the Strip during these times.

There are alternate routes to ease the traffic congestion. There are three roads known as Time Saver Routes that bypass the Strip to make it easier for you to get around.  The three routes are called the Red Route, the Blue Route and the Yellow Route.  All of these routes are clearly marked with road signs.

The Red Route and the Blue Route are located north of the Strip.  The Red Route (a/k/a Hwy. 248 or Shepherd of the Hills Expressway) starts at Hwy. 65 and ends next to the RFD Theater.  The Blue Route is south of the Red Route and starts on the Strip as you turn right onto Roark Valley Road, then left on Gretna Road.  The Blue Route ends at the Strip next to the Titanic museum. 

The Yellow Route is located south of the Strip.  It starts at the Strip when you turn left on Fall Creek Road, turn right on Wildwood Drive, and then left on Green Mountain Drive.  The Yellow Route ends at Hwy. 376.  Since you end up on Green Mountain Drive anyway, in my mind, it's better just to go down the Strip and turn left on Green Mountain Drive.  Several of the theaters on the south side of the Strip have parking lots that can be accessed from Green Mountain Drive, so you can avoid the traffic on the Strip that way as well.

There are some other roads that will help you get around Branson.  Gretna Road (which is also part of the Blue Route) starts at Hwy. 248,  goes west and south to the Strip, where it turns into Hwy. 165. The Ozark Mountain Highroad starts at Hwy. 65 north of Branson.  It bypasses Branson all together.  It ends at Hwy. 76 a couple of miles east of Indian Point Road.  If you're lodging on Indian Point or points west and you''re traveling to Branson from the north on Hwy. 65, the Highroad will help you avoid all the Branson traffic.  It is also a lovely scenic route, since there are no billboards on the Highroad.  If you travel to Branson on MO Hwy. 44, you can always tell when you're getting close to the Hwy. 65 exit when you see all the billboards for Branson and Springfield attractions. 

On your first trip to Branson, you will want to bring a couple of Branson maps with you to help you get your bearings.  Rand McNally published a very nice map of Branson with all the streets and roads on it that also includes other local cities such as Kimberling City, Branson West, etc.  However, this map is no longer published and it isn't updated as to theaters and restaurants, so you may not want to depend on it to find your destination.  Branson Tourism Center has a very nice full color map of Branson on their website.  Click here to find the map.  I would recommend printing this in color so you can see where the Time Saver routes are.  If you have a GPS, you don't need a map.  If you have a smartphone, map apps can  be downloaded to help you find your way. 

That's all for today!  Thanks for reading and until next time -

Happy travels!

Diane

What to do before leaving on vacation

The post below was originally posted on my camping blog, but it applies to vacation preparation as well.  I hope you enjoy it!

When you leave to go on vacation, you want to make sure that it appears like you are home, so as to deter thieves (or other busybodies).  Here's what you need to do to take care of that:

1.  Stop delivery of your newspaper(s) during the time you are gone.
     You can take care of this by going to the newspaper website. Most newspaper websites have a page called "subscriber services," where you can enter a vacation hold.  If your local newspaper doesn't have a website, you can call the newspaper's circulation department and they will take care of it.  A bunch of newspapers accumulating in the driveway is a big hint that you are on vacation.

2.  Put your mail on hold.
     You can put a vacation hold on your mail very easily on the U.S. Post Office website - click here to go directly to the page where you can put your mail on hold.  Or you can also go to your local post office and fill out a form.  If you are using the USPS website, you will need to set up a USPS account if you don't already have an account.  A USPS account will also allow you to access the Informed Delivery app, which will let you know what mail you would have received that day if you had been at home. 

3.  Leave lights on in the house, or set them on a timer.
     We have 2 table lamps that we leave on while we're gone.  Both of them can't be seen by folks passing by, but they still make it look like someone is home. You can put your lamps on a timer so that they will go on at a certain time. You can also buy wi-fi smart home products that you can set via your smartphone to go on and off at the times you choose.  For help selecting smart home products, visit www.cnet.com.

4.  Lock the doors and windows.
     This should be self-explanatory, but people often forget about locking the windows.  Thieves can get in through the windows too. If you have a garden shed, be sure to put a lock on it. Thieves like stealing lawn equipment too. 

5.  Don't leave trash cans and recycling bins at the curb or out in the alley.
     When your trash cans and recycling bins are out at the curb and your neighbors' aren't, that's a big sign to thieves that no one's home.  Conversely, if you're going to be gone (like on a week-long trip) on a day that trash is collected, see if a neighbor will take your trash cans and recycling bins to the curb and replace them in their proper spot when empty.  If everyone's trash cans are out and yours are not, that's also an invitation to thieves.

6.  If the driveway will be empty while you're gone, have someone park a car in your driveway (and move the car in and out of it periodically).  
     There are thieves that will case a house for a few days so they can figure out the best time to break in.  If they see that your driveway is always empty, even though you have taken the proper precautions, they will soon figure out that you're not home.

7. To keep a really close eye on your home while you're on vacation, purchase a Ring or other smart doorbell system.  

      A smart doorbell system will send notifications to your phone while you're away in case anyone tries to break in or a package is delivered.  

Here are some hints for the inside of your house:

1.  Take care of your pets.
     Some of the motels and resorts in Branson allow you to bring your well-behaved dog (see their websites for details), but if you have to leave Fido at home, make arrangements with a neighbor or a pet sitting service to look after the dog, or board him or her in a kennel.  Cats can take care of themselves, but make sure that there is plenty of food and water and that the litter box is clean.

2.  Turn off and unplug all electrical items such as the computer, TV, etc. or if not unplugged, make sure they are plugged into surge protectors.
     It would be horrible to come home from a fun vacation to discover that all of your electrical items are fried due to a lightning strike or a storm.

3.  Wash the dishes and put them away.
     It's no fun to come home from a trip with dirty dishes in the sink.  Dirty dishes can also attract bugs.  Your cat or dog would love all the little leftovers, which can make your pet sick.

4.  Water indoor plants.
     Plants can dry up quickly if you don't water them for a few days.  You can also buy those water globes to make sure your plants are watered.

5.  Put all food away.
     Any food that is left out on a countertop or table is a temptation for a house pet.  It can also attract bugs.

6.  Tell a trusted neighbor that you are going away for a few days and give them your cell phone number.
     You need to be reachable in case of a disaster that damages your house, or if someone breaks into your house despite all your precautions.

This next item doesn't pertain to either of the above categories but is important just the same.  Don't post on Facebook, Twitter, or any kind of social media that you are away from home on vacation!  There are folks who troll Facebook and other social media sites looking for this kind of information.  If you have a smartphone or a laptop, post periodic status updates while you're away, but not the kind that would indicate that you're not at home.

I also like to make sure my house is clean before I leave on vacation - there's nothing worse than coming home from vacation to a dirty house.

I hope these tips are helpful.  If you have any other tips, please comment below.  Thanks for reading!  Until next time -

Happy travels!

Diane

On the road again

Unless you live a far distance away from Branson, you will probably be driving your vehicle to get there.  The tips below will help make your road trip to and from Branson pleasurable and money saving experiences as well.

Gasoline
Gas prices are through the roof in most of the United States right now.  You may be surprised to learn that gas costs less in Missouri, due to Missouri's lower sales tax rate.  That being said, there are still ways to save a few bucks on gasoline.

Go to gasbuddy.com before your trip and find out which stations on your route have the best prices on gasoline.  If possible, fill up your gas tank at gas stations in the larger cities on your route.  There are smaller gas stations that stand alone (without any buildings near them) near interstate exits, and they charge more per gallon.  The owners figure that if you wait until you almost run out of gasoline before you fill up your gas tank, you'll pay their exorbitant prices.

If you drive a SUV or a 8 cylinder gas guzzler, consider renting a car with a 4 cylinder engine to save money on gasoline.  Just because a car has a 4 cylinder engine doesn't necessarily mean it's a small car.  Our family's current vehicle is a 2010 Jeep Patriot, which is an SUV with a 4 cylinder engine.  There is room for 5 people to ride comfortably, an area in the back for luggage, and a roof rack for even more luggage (but we usually don't need that).  During our maiden voyage with the Patriot to Branson last year, we went from southwest Illinois to Branson on almost a full tank of gas.  We stopped at Quik Trip in Ozark to top off the tank. 

While you're driving on the interstate, follow the speed limit and keep acceleration and passing to a minimum.  This will also help you save money on gasoline.  Make sure your tires are filled to the proper air pressure and you have a clean air filter.  This will help your gas mileage.  It's not a bad idea to check all the fluid levels in your vehicle for leaving for Branson, or for any trip.  It's no fun being stranded on the side of the road with an overheated radiator. If it's warm enough to roll down the windows, use the air conditioner instead - you will save money on gas.  Driving with the windows open at highway speeds produces a drag that causes the vehicle to use more fuel. 

Food
It is about a 4 hour drive from our house to Branson, so we always stop in either Lebanon or Rolla for lunch.  All of the bigger cities along Highway 44 have the usual fast food restaurants, so bring your fast food coupons and save some money on lunch.  Or you can pack a picnic lunch and eat at one of the rest areas on the way.

Rest areas
There are some very nice rest areas on Highway 44 in Missouri.  The buildings are clean and modern, and one that I know of has a playground for kids to burn off some energy before hitting the road again.  Most rest areas have vending machines with food, soda, etc.  However, the prices are expensive.  Save money by bringing your own snacks, soda, and water from home.

If you don't have room for a large cooler in your vehicle, purchase a collapsible or soft sided cooler.  They are relatively inexpensive.  We used one of these for the first time last year on our trip to Branson.  When we got to the hotel, we emptied out the leftover water and ice in the bathtub and wiped out the inside with a towel. When we were ready to head home,  we then got a bag of ice from the gas station for the cooler.  Collapsible coolers also have shoulder straps, which come in handy for picnic lunches or packing up the car.

If you have any other suggestions for saving money on a road trip, please comment below.  Hope this post was helpful!  Until next time -

Happy travels!

Diane

Finding your home away from home - Branson lodging

One of the first things we do (besides figuring out the dates we're going) is to select our lodging for our Branson vacation.  Every family's vacation style is different, and so are their lodging requirements.  For example, are your days and evenings so full of activities that you're only going to need a place to crash every night?  If so, maybe a cheaper (but clean, of course) place to stay is in order.  If you have a large family or are vacationing with other families, perhaps a condo would better suit your needs.  Here is a listing of the different kinds of lodging available in Branson:

Hotels
Branson may have a reputation as being an inexpensive place to visit, but there are several upscale hotels for you to stay at if you love being pampered while on vacation.  There are two Hilton hotels which are both at Branson Landing, the Grand Plaza, the Radisson, and Chateau on the Lake. 

Motels
Branson has motels just about everywhere.  Most motels at the very least have an outdoor swimming pool and a continental breakfast (breakfast items offered vary by location, of course).  Other motels may have indoor swimming pools and hot tubs.  There are mom and pop motels all the way up to major nationwide chains, such as La Quinta, Ramada Inn, and Best Western. 

Resorts
When most people think of resorts, they think of the Caribbean Islands or Mexico - the kind with a white sand beach and a blue ocean.  The word "resort" means something different in Branson.  Resorts in Branson are located either on Indian Point close to the lake or on the shores of Lake Taneycomo.  Click here to go to the web site for the Indian Point Chamber of Commerce. On the left hand side of the page, click on Vacation Planner, then Lodging, then Resorts.  You will see a listing of resorts on Indian Point.  Click on the names of the resorts to go to their web sites. Resorts will have cottages, houses or duplexes to stay in.

Condominiums
Condos are great for large families, those traveling in a group or traveling with other families.  Some condos in Branson are located next to golf courses, while other condos are closer to the lakes.  There are time share condos in Branson, so if you own a time share elsewhere, you may want to see if you can swap for a week at a condo in Branson.

Bed and Breakfast
For those who like smaller, more intimate lodging, there are several bed and breakfast locations in Branson.

Campgrounds
If you own an RV or enjoy tent camping, you will find several campgrounds to park your RV or pitch your tent.  Some of them are close to all the action on Hwy. 76, so you may be able to walk to shows, restaurants, etc.

Once you decide what option of lodging you want, you may be asking yourself how to find the best places to stay at.  I find the reviews at TripAdvisor.com most helpful.  I also value the reviews at my favorite Branson message board, which you can find here.  Just click on the Branson Lodging forum. If there is a particular property you're interested in, you can perform a search to pull up a thread on it and if there isn't a thread on that property, you can join the board and post your own thread.  

I've added a new page called "General Branson Information."  You can find it on the top of the blog next to the other tabs. 

Well, that's all for now.  I hope this post has been helpful.  Until next time -

Happy travels!

Diane

Why visit Branson?

The most important reason to visit Branson is that you will never run out of things to do. There are activities in Branson for every member of your family to enjoy.

Do you enjoy the great outdoors?  You can enjoy all sorts of water sports on Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals Lake.  If you like to hike, there are hiking trails.  If you're truly adventurous (I'm not), there are zip line tours for you to try.  If your idea of lodging is under the (outdoor) stars, there are campgrounds and RV parks.

Do you like to golf?  Branson has seven golf courses.  There are also a variety of miniature golf courses for those who prefer a less challenging set of holes.

The kids (or the kid in you) will enjoy the go-cart tracks. You can also visit the Silver Dollar City theme park or go to the White Water water park to cool off on a hot summer day.

Is history one of your interests?  There are lots of museums to visit in Branson, including the Titanic museum, the Ralph Foster Museum and even the World's Largest Toy Museum (try to get your kids out of there!).

Are you a shopaholic?  You can shop at three outlet malls, the upscale Branson Landing, the quaint Grand Village or the usual chain stores.  There are also small stores to shop at as well.


Do you love music?  You have your choice of over 100 music shows, in a variety of genres except rap.  That was tried in Branson once, and it didn't go over well.

Do you love to eat?  (Well, who doesn't?)  There are many restaurants for you to treat your taste buds.  You can select from buffets, fine dining restaurants, the usual chain restaurants, or fast food.  Branson also has plenty of ice cream and dessert places to satisfy your sweet tooth.

This will be the eighth year our family will be vacationing in Branson.  We occasionally think about going somewhere else on vacation, but we always return to Branson.  The prices are reasonable, the people are friendly and down to earth, and there are plenty of activities for us to enjoy.  The countryside is beautiful.  And Branson is only about a 4 hour drive from where we live. 

I hope you've noticed the tabs at the top of the page.  That's where you'll find links to important information.  I have also included a place on the right hand column where you can subscribe to new blog posts via e-mail.  (Don't worry, I won't give your e-mail address away.)  You can also follow this blog via RSS feed.

Next time, I'll post about the various lodging options in Branson.  Until then -

Happy travels!

Diane

Budgeting for your Branson vacation

Before you can plan what you're going to do on your vacation, you need to figure out what your vacation budget will be.  Our vacation budget this year (and last year too) is pretty slim; although I work full time, my husband is only working part time.  This makes budgeting for vacation challenging.  We realize the need to get away and take a break from our everyday lives, so we do what we can.  My philosophy is don't pay full price for anything unless there are no discounts available, especially in Branson where there is such a proliferation of discounts available.

Last year, our vacation was completely paid for via credit card, and I was really upset about this.  I had a hard time enjoying myself because I was worried about the credit card bill.  This year is a little different - we received a little bit of money from the bankruptcy estate of my husband's former employer, so we have the money for the hotel room.  I use Swagbucks.com as my Internet search engine, and you are awarded points for performing searches.  I used my points to purchase a $25.00 Travelocity.com gift card.  This amount was enough to knock the taxes off our hotel bill. I made our hotel reservations for our Branson trip tonight.  :) 

So how can you get money for your vacation?  I suggest not using a credit card to completely pay for a vacation (as per my story above).  The only possible exception to this suggestion might be a gasoline credit card.  If you don't have a lot of cash just lying around (and who does?), there are a couple of options.  Some banks and credit unions offer vacation club plans, which work like Christmas club plans.  Or you can start a savings account just for vacation expenses, and divert some of your paycheck to it via direct deposit.  My husband saves his pocket change throughout the year and then cashes it in right before vacation. We use this for spending money on the road. 

Once you figure out how much you have to spend for your vacation, the real planning begins. How long do you plan to stay in Branson?  If you can't afford to stay for a whole week, maybe you can stay 3 or 4 days.  Does vacation to you mean no cooking?  If so, you can stay in a hotel but you will have to eat at a restaurant for lunch and supper, since most hotels have a free continental breakfast.  If you don't mind cooking on vacation, you can stay in a condominium or a resort that has a kitchen where you can cook all your meals.  Do you just need a place where you can crash at night or would you like a place with a few amenities so you can spend some time relaxing at the hotel?  Another way to save some money is to vacation with other families or with friends.  You can split lodging expenses that way.

Another way to save money when you visit Branson is to travel during the "quiet season," which runs from January to March.  You will be able to save some serious money if your schedule allows you to vacation during quiet season.  But be aware that not all music shows and Silver Dollar City is not open during quiet season. 

After you figure out your lodging budget, you will then have to figure out what activities you are going to do while in Branson.  Will you want to go see some music shows?  Do you want to visit to Silver Dollar City?  Do you want to visit any museums or go shopping?   What is your budget for food? 

When we plan our vacation budget, we find our hotel first.  Our family likes hotels with an indoor pool (no need to put on sunscreen before swimming!), a hot tub, a great continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi.  We think about the shows we might want to see and where they're located in Branson, and choose a hotel in a location where we won't have to do a lot of driving.  There is a lot of traffic in certain areas of Branson, and ways to get around Branson without getting stuck in traffic will be covered in a future post. Once we choose the hotel we want, I then search for bargains.  After the hotel reservations are made, I then know how much we'll have to spend for other activities. 

Sorry this has been such a long post, but there's a lot to consider when it comes to budgeting for your vacation.  Next time, I'll cover just why you would want to visit Branson.  Until then -

Happy travels!

Diane

Welcome to my Branson blog!

I'm so glad you stopped by!  The purpose of this blog is to help you find the best ways to save money but still have fun on your vacation in Branson.  Our family has visited Branson every year since 2003 and we love it.  I want to share the reasons I love Branson, and why you'll love it too. 

The reason this blog is called "Branson on Your Budget" is because:  a.  "Branson on a Budget" was already taken; and b. everybody's vacation budget is different.  As I post new blog posts, I will add links to various web sites to help you plan your vacation and save money too.

When I talk to people about Branson and how to get the best deals, I tell them about several different web sites - and hope that they remember what I told them.  Now, all I'll have to do is to point them to this blog.  I hope you'll recommend this blog to others looking for Branson information. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'll post again soon!

Diane