The family camp that we usually attend on Memorial Day weekend was canceled due to COVID-19. We decided since we couldn't go to the camp that we would go to Branson instead. The reason I didn't report on the Memorial Day trip right after it happened is that we live in Illinois and at that time, Gov. Pritzker strongly urged Illinois residents not to go to other states because of COVID-19. I didn't want to get turned in for leaving the state.
Earlier this year, I left a job that I'd been at for 18 years for what appeared to be an excellent opportunity. However, my position was eliminated during the third week of May because of COVID-19. We decided to go ahead and take the Memorial Day trip anyway. I needed a rejuvenating trip to the Ozarks.
As long time readers of this blog may know, we usually take our summer trip during the July 4th week. Thankfully, the firm that I left in February is hiring me back for my old position. I don't start until June 15 and I didn't think that they would let me go on vacation two weeks after my restart date. So we decided to go this week instead.
Rather than comment on each trip at length, I thought I would use categories and split each category by the date of the trip. If you see a word in bold print, that is a link to the Groupon deal or in the lodging section, or to the condo we stayed at.
Lodging
Memorial Day trip
Since this was a last-minute trip and we wanted to spend as little as possible, we decided to stay in a hotel. We found a good deal on Priceline for the All-American Inn. It is located off Hwy. 165 next to the Yellow Rose Inn, which is now a Ramada.
We chose this hotel for its location, its price, interior corridors, and a free breakfast buffet. However, due to COVID-19, the free breakfast buffet was not offered, but we could get room service if we wanted. The room was a typical hotel room. Our room was room number 101 - we must have been the first to reserve a room. The hallway was warm, so I turned on the hallway air conditioner. The room was warm when we checked in, so I turned on that air conditioner as well. The owner should have done this before we checked in, I think.
The only other problem we had was the shower. The water was scalding hot. We let it run for a while, hoping it would cool off, but it never did. I had to use a washcloth to wash off with, and I decided to wait until we got home to wash my hair.
June trip
We had our usual condo reserved for the July 4th week. I would have asked the owner if we could switch weeks, but this week was already partially booked, so I had to cancel. I did find a very nice condo on TripAdvisor. The son was happy that the TV in his bedroom had a PlayStation 4.
The condo was located in the Greens at Thousand Hills, near the golf course. It was located right off of Green Mountain Drive, and it was close to everything without being on the Strip. It had a lovely kitchen with granite countertops and there was even a Keurig machine. All I had to do was bring my favorite K-cups. There was a small outside patio with a barbecue grill. We enjoyed our stay at this condo.
Shows
Memorial Day trip
We only saw one show during this trip - Anthems of Rock, at the King's Castle Theater. It was the first performance ever of this show, which was exciting. In all our years of visiting Branson, we have never been to the opening night of a show.
We had never been inside the King's Castle Theater before. It had medieval decorations in the lobby. The seats were very nice and comfortable, and the seating area was huge. Social distancing was maintained, and there was no one else sitting in our row but us.
The singers were very good and the choreography was excellent. The music selection was from the 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s. The video screens showed the album covers of the songs that were being performed. There wasn't a live band - there was a backing track. That may matter for those of you who dislike shows without a live band. There were a few songs during which one of the singers played an electric guitar on stage, however. If there had been a live band, there wouldn't have been room for the dancers.
June trip
We had bought tickets for Rock 'n Roll Royalty, but it was canceled because of a cast member having emergency surgery. We didn't know it was canceled until we arrived at the Americana Theater. Since we bought our vouchers at Branson 2 for 1, they did not have our phone number to let us know the show was canceled. We took our tickets back to 2 for 1 and exchanged them (and added some funds) to see the Hughes Brothers show on Thursday night.
On Thursday night, we saw the Hughes Brothers Show. This is my favorite show that we have seen this year. The harmonies, the musicianship, and the choreography were all top-notch. The first number was "The Greatest Show" from The Greatest Showman. My son is seldom impressed by musical numbers but after that song, he told me, "That was amazing!" There was even a little comedy thrown in. The kids, young and older, were very talented as well. If we go back to Branson for a Christmas trip, we are going to see the Hughes Brothers' Christmas show. There was an intermission and there was also a meet and greet after the show, although the performers stayed on the stage and the audience members stood on the floor.
Attractions
Memorial Day trip
We didn't visit any attractions on this trip. There were very few attractions open. The son and I did go to Simply Red Salonspa to get haircuts. At that time in Illinois, a dog could get a haircut but humans could not. I hadn't had a haircut since mid-February and my hair was super long.
June trip
We visited the Titanic Museum for the first time since 2006. I found a good deal on Groupon, which is still available. Our reservation was for 9 AM. We had to wear masks and stay 6 feet away from other visitors. We opted to use the audio tour players. If memory serves me, you used to have to pay extra to use the audio tour players. We went because the violin that was played on the deck of the Titanic before it sank was on display, and I wanted to see it. My third class passenger (Sophia Abraham) survived, but the passenger and crew member that my hubby and son had did not. l purchased a very nice jacket in the gift shop for only $30, and of course, I had to purchase a refrigerator magnet, which is our go-to souvenir.
Restaurants
Memorial Day trip
We went to Saint City's Sports Bar & Grill Friday evening. We had a Groupon for this visit, which is still available. It was the first time we had eaten inside a restaurant since the end of February - in Illinois, you still can't eat inside a restaurant. The food was great, the tables were 6 feet apart, and the employees all wore face masks. The son and I played pool while we waited for our food.
We went to Branson Landing on Sunday and had lunch at Garfield's. The employees wore masks but we were not required to wear masks.
On Saturday evening, we went to Florentina's Italian Ristorante, one of our favorite Branson restaurants. We had an OzarksDeals.com voucher, which is unfortunately no longer available. The tables were all spread out 6 feet apart and all employees wore face masks. There were paper menus. The food and service were excellent as always.
On Sunday evening, we went to Crazy Craig's Cheeky Monkey Bar on a Groupon that is still available. The food was great and the service was good, but someone was smoking cigarettes or there was smoke from the BBQ smoker and I am highly allergic to cigarette smoke.
June trip
Since we were staying at the condo, we ate there for dinner. The only time we went out for dinner was Thursday evening when we went to the Grand Country Buffet. We hadn't eaten there in a long time and we'd only had the breakfast buffet. Due to COVID, only one of the buffets and salad bars were open. The food selection would have probably been better if not for COVID. That was the only thing that disappointed me. The employees all wore masks and only every other table was used.
Other fun stuff
We went to Coral Reef Indoor Mini-Golf on both trips on a Groupon deal which is still available. The golf course has been redecorated in a Jimmy Buffett-style theme. There is a very large chair for novelty photos. You can purchase show tickets at Coral Reef. There was a mini-arcade. Drinks are also available for purchase.
We also visited Grand Village and Branson Landing. I visited the Tanger Outlet Mall twice. The IMAX complex will not be open until July 1. Silver Dollar City and White Water are opening to the public on Monday.
If you're still trying to decide whether or not to visit Branson this summer, I would encourage you to go. The traffic is lighter. Employees of all restaurants, shows, and attractions are wearing masks, and sanitizing methods are being employed. Visitors do not have to wear masks unless they want to, except for some of the stores at Tanger Outlet Mall. There are lots of hotel rooms and vacation lodging available. Most stores are open for shopping. Let the beauty of the Ozarks calm and soothe your soul, like it does mine.
That's all for now! Thanks for reading!
Diane
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