New to Branson - Help on Layout, Hotels, Shows

I don%26#39;t know much about how the attractions/sights to see/theaters are located in Branson, so I would appreciate a general introduction about the lay of the land. I%26#39;m considering a family trip around Christmas - ages range from 7 to 79. Our focus would be to just enjoy the area and see shows with the family. Are their specific areas I should look at with regards to a hotel? I%26#39;ve seen recommendations for the landing and the strip. What are the pros/cons of each area? Also, are there any ';must see'; shows that would be great for the age range and first time visitors? I know I have a lot of questions. Any help would be most appreciated. Thank you!

New to Branson - Help on Layout, Hotels, Shows

SHOWS:

Almost all shows will either be completely Christmas or part Christmas. It all depends on what you are looking for. I went to Six last Dec and the show was excellent as always. High energy, talented brothers that do not have a band, but you would swear they do. No sound tracks, no band, no drums, nothing but them. Fabulous show but if it was the only thing I seen and wanted my Christmas “fix” I would have been disappointed. Much of the show was their regular show with only a portion of it Christmas music. Unless it has changed, The Andy Williams show will be majority Christmas. Some could never go to Branson at Christmas without seeing Shoji or the Haygoods when others would care less. Most shows change their Christmas shows some. I would suggest you go to the www.1branson.com/forum . You may need to join to be able to search. Search the show section for Nov/Dec shows the last couple years and see what type of show and how much of a Christmas “fix” you think your group needs. Most shows do not sell out. As discussed in a prior thread you started, Silver Dollar City will put you in a Christmas mood.

LAYOUT:

Branson is spread out. The strip is Hwy 76 going east %26amp; west and Hwy 65 is on the east edge going north and south. Go to www.explorebranson.com which is the Chamber of Commerce website and order a free guide and view a map. The Landing is east of the Historical downtown and is on the east edge, next to Lake Taneycomo. The Taneycomo lake, will look like a river on a map. The large lake west of Branson is Table Rock Lake. The bottom left corner of a Branson map will show the Table Rock Dam. To the west of Branson, south of Hwy 76, is a triangular piece of ground pointing down to Table Rock Lake. This is Indian Pointe. This is where Silver Dollar City is located. Most of the attractions, lodging, dining, shopping, sit between the Landing on the east and Indian Point on the west. Either on the strip or only a few miles north or south of it. It is spread out more than most towns. The strip during peak high traffic times back up with traffic. You’ll use the alternate routes around Branson as marked on the maps. If you are not going to be there on a weekend, you may not have traffic issues in Dec. A lot depends on the weather. They color code the roads to help motorists. Except for the strip, most roads are curvy and hilly. The roads are not lit and few have stop lights.

LODGING:

Almost all lodging on the strip has a way to exit it without having to go on the strip. The downtown Landing area can still be congested to get out of during certain times even in Dec. When you are on www.1branson.com/forum, you may want to also review the lodging comments too. Personally, I don’t care for the strip or downtown. I like to be away from the congestion, traffic and noise but close enough I can drive quickly %26amp; comfortably.

New to Branson - Help on Layout, Hotels, Shows

The other reply on here did a fine job on the general layout of Branson. You have picked a wonderful time to visit! At Christmas time we decorate absolutly anything that will stand still and not bite! We will have a total of many (like 8-10 million) lights in the area. nearly all the shows have at least some Christmas music and there will be several who do a special Christmas season show.

As for show%26#39;s,,,, well the Presleys and Baldknobbers started it all and you should include one of them on your list. We now have one or more music show%26#39;s for almost any type of music you can think of. About the only thing not represented would be hard rock, rap, or new age. In our opnion you should sample some of everything we have to offer.

Lots of the show%26#39;s are country/variety music. We suggest you consider Clay Cooper, Branson Brothers, Grand Jubilee, Doug Gabriel, The Dutton%26#39;s, The Hughes Brothers, or Pierce Arrow.

We also have big time production variety show%26#39;s performing music fron the 20%26#39;s all the way to the 90%26#39;s. We would suggest #1 hits of the 60%26#39;s, 50%26#39;s at the hop, Red hot %26amp; Blue, Magnificent Variety Show, Top 10 Rock %26amp; Roll.

We have some wonderful tribute show%26#39;s. We would suggest 4 Ever Motown, Bob Anderson (rat pack Vegas music), Diamond Image, A couple of Elvis Show%26#39;s, The Legends, Hunka, Hunka Burning Love, Our Sinatra, John Denver Tribute, Strait Country, and Take it to the Limit (Eagles music).

We have many great country performers like Branson Diva%26#39;s, Gold wing Express, John Tweed, New%26#39;s Country, Ricky Boen (Texas swing), Redhead Express, Crossties, Wade Landry, Circle B Chuckwagon, and the Yeary%26#39;s.

Don%26#39;t forget the non music show%26#39;s. We have several world class Magic show%26#39;s. We would suggest Hamner/Barber, Bart Rocket/Taylor Reed/ Kerby VanBirch, or Blast.

There are some show%26#39;s that just don%26#39;t fit into a simple gendre. You should see Cassandre%26#39; the Voice of an Angle, Twelve Irish Tennors, Sprit of the Dance, and Island Fire.

We have four large and wonderful shopping centers with well over 200 stores from names you know to local craft shops. We have Colege of the Ozarks which we think should be a part of every first time visitors trip.

Truthfuly the hardest thing for you to decide is what you must leave out of your visit here!

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