Review: Lodge of the Ozarks

We just returned from a four day trip to Branson.  We didn't have the money to do a lot of things, but we had some fun and it's always good to get away from everyday life for a few days.  Thanks to a great Groupon deal, we stayed at the Lodge of the Ozarks, which is a very nice hotel.

The photo to the left shows the front of the hotel.  The Lodge of the Ozarks is located on the Strip (Hwy. 76) across the street from the Caravelle Theater and the old Jim Stafford Theater, which is now closed and is for sale. The hotel is in a great location on the Strip and is within walking distance of two of The Tracks locations, Andy's Frozen Custard, and several theaters. There are also a couple of restaurants nearby. 

The lobby of the hotel is decorated in rustic lodge style  Here are two photos of the lobby:

Registration was an easy process, although a bit confusing.  On the right as you enter the door is a show and attraction ticket sale counter, also known as the concierge.  Some people thought that was where you checked in.  The registration desk, however, was straight ahead.  There was a registration sign, but it was hard to see.  The young lady at the registration desk swiped my debit card for incidentals.  This is the first time I've ever had to do that at any hotel in Branson.  When we completed checking in, I asked about the Golden Corral vouchers and The Tracks pass that were a part of the Groupon deal. I thought they would be given to me with our room swipe cards.  She said that you had to ask for them as some of the Groupon deals for the Lodge didn't come with vouchers. I found that strange, since the only Groupon deal I saw for the Lodge offered the vouchers. 

The hotel has a workout room and a nice, large indoor pool.  There was unfortunately no hot tub, although I saw on one of the doors of the pool a sign with spa rules and the switch to operate it.  If the hotel isn't going to offer a hot tub, then perhaps the sign and the switch ought to be removed. The pool is only 4 foot deep at its deepest point.  Here are photos of the workout room and the pool:

The hotel has interior corridors, which were nice and quiet. We stayed in room 416, which was a value double queen room. Refrigerators are only available in the premium rooms, so it was a good thing we had our small cooler. The ice machine on our floor was out of order, however, so we had to go to another floor to get ice.   Soda vending machines are available on each floor and snack vending machines are available on the first floor.  There were two sets of elevators, one near the lobby and one halfway down the long hallways.

If you didn't want to walk too far or drive to get dinner, the hotel has a restaurant called the Rafters.  We didn't go to this restaurant, so I can't give a review of it.  The hotel also has a lounge where you can purchase alcoholic drinks and limited food items. 

Breakfast was served in a room called the Club.  It was a good hot breakfast with bacon, sausage, Irish potatoes, scrambled eggs, and biscuits and gravy.  There was orange juice, milk and coffee to drink, and cereal and fruit were also offered.  The hot breakfast attendant was very efficient and gave large portions.  Friday's breakfast, however, wasn't the hot breakfast we were accustomed to the rest of the week.  It was served in the lounge and consisted of donuts, oatmeal, cereal, and toast.  There were two toasters and they kept tripping the power strip.  I wonder if there was something else going on? 

There is also a theater at the hotel and you have a choice of two shows - Club Mario, a lounge singer/comedian, or Kirby and Bambi Van Burch, two magicians. 

The hotel also has several nice sitting areas to sit at and visit.  This would be a great hotel for a family reunion or a wedding.  Each floor has a small sitting area with 4 highback chairs.  The lobby also has comfortable seating.  And there are 2 nice outdoor seating areas, one of which is pictured below:

The hotel only has 3 luggage carts, which are located at the front entrance.  You would think there would be more than 3 luggage carts for a hotel with over 400 rooms.  All in all, we had a very nice stay at this hotel. If we could afford it, we would stay there again next year. 

Thanks for reading! See you next time!

Diane

Road trippin'

What’s your road trip style?  Do you hustle to get to your destination as quickly as you can (which is my husband’s road trip style)?  Or do you pull over to check out interesting places on the way?  For those traveling southwest on Hwy. 44  and Hwy. 65 to get to Branson, there are some fun detours you may want to pull off the highway to visit.  As you may know, Hwy. 44 parallels the old Route 66 and some of these places have been around since the heyday of Route 66.  These are in order of travel from St. Louis southwesterly.  I have put links to any websites that I could find for these places.

The Magic House - Also known as the St. Louis Children's Museum, this fun place for kids of all ages is located in Kirkwood. There are lots of hands-on activities so you can learn about science.  Don't forget to touch the electrically charged ball and get your photo taken!

Purina Farms -   Purina Farms is located in Gray Summit and is operated by the Purina Pet Food company.  Your family can learn how to properly care for your pets and you can see the Incredible Dog Team do incredible stunts.  You can even see farm animals there, and learn about how Purina makes pet food.  Best of all, admission is free!  Reservations are encouraged, so click on the link to find the phone number.  

Meramec Caverns – Also known as "America's Cave," this cave is located in Stanton. It's the largest commercial cave in the state of Missouri and is the largest cave west of the Mississippi.  This cave is 58 degrees all year long.  You can take a guided tour or just browse in the gift store.  There is also a camping area, you can canoe in the river, and there is a zipline as well. 

Cuba, Missouri – Cuba is known as the “Mural City.”  It also boasts the world’s largest rocking chair, which would make for some great photos. There's more to do in Cuba than just view the murals and the rocking chair, however - click this link to find out.  http://cubamomurals.com/2009/05/20-things-to-do-in-cuba-missouri-route-66-mural-city/ You could also spend a night at the Wagon Wheel Hotel, the longest operating hotel on Route 66. 

St. James, Missouri – St. James is home to two wineries.  You can take tours at the wineries and sample some wine. If you’re driving, don’t sample too much! 

Lebanon, Missouri – If you or someone you love enjoy working jigsaw puzzles, pay a visit to Missouri Puzzles, which boasts all kinds of jigsaw puzzles.  Lebanon is usually where we stop for lunch on the way to Branson, since there are lots of fast food restaurants and other restaurants. 

Strafford, Missouri – Strafford is the home of the Wild Animal Safari, which is a drive through animal park. You can purchase food to feed the animals and take photos.  

As you travel south on Hwy. 65, you can stop in Springfield at Bass Pro Shops where you can purchase anything for the outdoors you might ever need.   If you didn't get your fill of animals at the Wild Animal Safari, you can visit Dickerson Park Zoo to see even more animals.  Fantastic Caverns is America's only ride through cave. 

Ozark is further down Hwy. 65, about halfway from Hwy. 44 to Branson.  If you haven't yet gotten your fill of caves, or you're a Civil War buff, you can visit the Smallin Civil War Cave.  And if you're hungry after all this exploring, you can visit Lambert's Cafe, home of the thrown rolls.  

I hope you have enjoyed our trip down Hwy. 44 and Hwy. 65.  Is there anywhere that you like to visit on your way to Branson?  Please feel free to comment below. 

Thanks for reading! See you next time! 

Diane

Taking the family to the show

So you’re vacationing in Branson, you have a big family and want to see a show, but are freaking out about the cost. I can’t say I blame you – there is only hubby, me and the 17 year old son and I freak out about the cost too.  Have no fear – BOYB is here to save the day.  Several shows in Branson offer family passes, where 2 adults and up to a certain number of kids get in for one price, which is usually a lot cheaper than paying for separate tickets.  Here is a listing of several shows that offer family passes.  If the name of the show is underlined, you can click on it and go directly to that show's website to purchase tickets.

Duttons – Family pass not available on website; you must call the box office and request it

Presley’s Country Jubilee

Grand Country Theatre

Baldknobbers - Family pass not available on website; you must call the box office and request it

If the show you want to see isn't listed here, call the ticket office and see if they offer a family pass.  Once you purchase the pass, call the show’s ticket office and make reservations for the show you want to attend, especially if you have a large group or little ones that will need to sit close to the stage.

There are some shows with reduced ticket prices for teenagers (age 13-17).  I wish there were more.  If they’re not legal adults until they’re 18 (i.e., not able to vote or join the military), then it’s unfair to make them pay an adult price for a seat, in my opinion. This will be the last year that we will be able to take advantage of teenage ticket prices, as my son turns 18 in August. :(  Here’s a short list of shows with reduced prices for teenagers:

Sight and Sound (Jonah)

Shoji Tabuchi

Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety

Magnificent 7

Patsy Cline Remembered

Clay Cooper Theater (all shows except Haygoods)

Duttons
Starlite Theater (kids under 4 years old are free here)

Again, if the show you show you want to see isn't listed here, call the box office and inquire if they have a special deal for teenagers.

If the show you want to see doesn’t offer discounted tickets, visit Branson 2 for 1 Tickets to see if they're selling vouchers for the show.  They have over 75 shows on the list of shows they offer.  You can purchase 2 tickets for the price of one, and if you have an odd number of people in your party (like we do), you can purchase as many vouchers as you need.  Some shows will not let you make advance phone reservations for seats without having purchased the 2 for 1 vouchers first (the Duttons are one show that comes to mind). In addition, some of the radio station vouchers, Groupon and/or LivingSocial deals will allow you to buy more than one deal, but make sure you read the fine print to see if you can use more than one deal at once.   

That's all for now! Thanks for reading and see you soon!

Diane

Maiden voyage

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and visit Branson for the first time. There's so much to do - so what should you do first?  Since I’m a Branson veteran visitor (this year marks our 11th annual trip to Branson), I thought I would post some suggestions as to what a Branson newbie should put on their itineraries.  Click on the titles and a link to the attraction/show’s web page will open in a new tab. 

Ride the Ducks – How do you ride a duck?  It sounds like something invented by the Duck Dynasty guys. Don't worry - you will not be riding an actual duck, but you’ll be riding in a DUKW, otherwise known as an amphibious vehicle.  There are 2 tours - the original tour, which leaves from a building on Hwy. 76, takes you on Table Rock Lake.  The other tour leaves from Branson Landing and takes you on Lake Taneycomo.  Your driver will point out some of the attractions and tell you about some of Branson’s history. Each rider will get a yellow “quacker” to wear and to quack when the driver tells you to.  Be sure you hang on to and wear your quacker – certain businesses will give you a discount if you show them your quacker. The tours run from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  

Baldknobbers Jamboree show – This show was the very first show in Branson, and in 2009, it celebrated its 50th anniversary. The show was started by the Mabe brothers on the Branson riverfront. The second and third generations of the Mabe family entertain you with song and comedy. 

Dixie Stampede - Dixie Stampede is a combination dinner/show created by Dolly Parton.  There is no silverware with your dinner, so you eat with your hands.  The show features a battle between the North and the South (think Civil War) and other special effects.  If you go to the pre-dinner show, you can visit with the horses.  

Silver Dollar City - The catchphrase for Silver Dollar City is "You've got a great future ahead of you!"  There's something for everyone at SDC - rides for the kids and the kids at heart, shows for all ages,  food for every set of taste buds, and you can even watch craftpersons make all kinds of items.  The admittance fee is very reasonable, compared to Six Flags and Disney World.  When you check in at your Branson lodging, ask if they have 2 days for the price of 1 tickets to SDC - it will take you 2 days to do everything!  Alternatively, if you arrive at SDC after 3 PM, you can visit the next day for free.

Shepherd of the Hills - The tourism industry in Branson began after Harold Bell Wright's book of the same name was published and people wanted to visit the places Wright wrote about.  Up until last year, you could see a drama production of Wright's book.  You can still visit the homestead.  In addition, you can go up in Inspiration Tower and see for miles in all directions, as well as ride the Vigilante Extreme Ziprider (a/k/a a zipline).

Historic downtown Branson - When Branson was founded in 1912, it wasn't the size it is now - it was a small Midwestern town, named after postmaster Richard Branson.   Walk around historic downtown Branson and visit the small stores and restaurants.  A visit to historic downtown Branson isn't complete without a visit to Dick's 5 and 10 Store.  Their catchphrase is "If we don't have it, you don't need it," and I believe it because I have never seen so much merchandise in one place in my life.  If you get tired of walking, you can hitch a ride on the trolley that not only takes you around downtown, it will take you to nearby Branson Landing as well.  The trolley is air conditioned, which is really nice in the summertime.

Dewey Short Visitor Center/Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery -  Visits to these attractions can be combined into one excursion, since they're located not too far from one another.  You will learn about the origins and the flora and fauna of Table Rock Lake at the Visitor Center, as well as learn about the Ozark rivers heritage.  There is a small gift shop with souveniers and books.  There is a deck at the rear of the Center that looks out over Table Rock Lake.  You can also take tours of the Table Rock Dam.  The Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is where trout are raised to be released into Lake Taneycomo.  In the facility's building, there are some aquariums where you can see some large trout up close.  There are other displays to look at as well.  You can visit the troughs where the fish are raised and buy fish food to feed the trout.  Bring along some small plastic cups to put the fish food in - it's kind of smelly.  

I have started a Facebook page for this blog, where I'll be posting links to new blog posts and links to special deals for you to take advantage of.  Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/BransononYourBudget.  Thanks for reading!   See you next time!

Diane

Resorts - another type of Branson lodging

The nasty cold and snowy weather we've had lately brings a nice, sunny vacation in Branson to mind. My husband has scheduled his vacation and we are starting to plan our yearly trip to Branson.

Branson and the surrounding cities have much to offer those vacationers that enjoy the great outdoors.  Lake Taneycomo offers some of the finest fishing in the Midwest.  Table Rock Lake is the place to be if you have a boat or a jet ski. Those vacationers who don’t enjoy fishing or who don’t have a boat can hike on nature trails or just sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery. 

The resorts located near either one of these lakes allow vacationers to be close to the water and to nature.  Most resorts have cottages with either kitchenettes or full kitchens and barbecue grills, allowing you to cook meals on site and not have to go to restaurants to eat, or to eat continental breakfasts at hotels.  This can be a money saver and a time saver.  Resorts are a little more expensive than the average hotel, but the money you can save on cooking your own meals can add up.  Also, if you or a family member has a special diet, like a gluten free diet, a resort may be your only option.  If you have a large family, you can lodge in large cottages with lots of bedrooms.  Most resorts also have swimming pools and some also have hot tubs for relaxation.  Some resorts also have playgrounds and climbers for kids to burn off some of their energy.  When you check in, ask the desk person whether they sell 2 days for the price of 1 tickets to Silver Dollar City.  

Lake Taneycomo

The resorts that are located on Lake Taneycomo are very close to the water.  You can walk out the door of your cabin and walk a short distance to the dock and/or the waterfront to go fishing.  How cool is that?  We have never stayed on Lake Taneycomo because our family doesn’t fish.  They are also closer to Branson than the resorts on Indian Point or in Branson West and Kimberling City, so you’re close enough to drive into town if you want to see a show or an attraction. To find resorts on Lake Taneycomo, go to this page and scroll to the bottom:  http://www.showmelakes.com/laketaneycomo.php.  You can also go to this page: http://www.bransonnow.com/search/Lodging/Resorts/Lake_Taneycomo/.

Indian Point

On our many trips to Branson, we have enjoyed staying at various resorts on Indian Point, the penisula of Table Rock Lake where Silver Dollar City is located.  Our vacation budget the last few years have not allowed us to stay at any of the resorts on Indian Point, but we hope to be able to stay there this year.  I have really missed staying on the lake. As mentioned above, Indian Point is where Silver Dollar City is located.  If you want to drive to Silver Dollar City and not have to fight the traffic on Highway 76, staying on Indian Point is the way to go. If you click on the "Branson and Me" tab above, you can see the names of the resorts we have stayed at.  There are resorts on Indian Point Road (the Main Street of Indian Point), as well as the roads that lead off of Indian Point Road.  There is a small convenience store on Indian Point close to the marina. There are also some small restaurants if you don’t have time to cook or you just don’t want to cook. Branson West has a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a grocery store for you to buy any groceries and supplies that you may need. 

Here is are links that will help you find web sites for the various resorts on Indian Point and on Table Rock Lake:

http://www.indianpointchamber.com/vp/vp_lodging.html
Visit Table Rock Lake

Branson West and Kimberling City

If you’re not planning to see any shows or attractions in Branson and you want to be close to the lake, Branson West and Kimberling City are the places to stay.  A easy way to get to Branson West and Kimberling City would be to exit on to the Ozark Mountain Highroad (Hwy. 465) from Highway 65 and bypass Branson all together – when the Highroad ends, just turn right and take Highway 76 to Branson West and turn south on Hwy. 13 to get to Kimberling City. 

To find resorts in Branson West and Kimberling City, use the Visit Table Rock Lake link above. You can also find links to resort websites at www.tablerocklake.com and www.tablerocklake.net. 

FYI, the ExploreBranson.com Official 2014 Branson Vacation Guide is now available for you to order.  I received mine in the mail this week.  You can order yours here.

Thanks for reading!  See you next time!

Diane

P.S.: Sorry it's been so long since I posted.  Winter is a slow season in Branson. I hope to post more in the next few weeks.