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Trip

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  • Member since
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  • From: Aurora, IL
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Posted by eolafan on Saturday, July 4, 2009 9:34 AM

Way too much fat in the food (that is literally thrown on your "table") and far too many accents from below the Mason-Dixon Line (sorry folks but I can't understand half of what is said down there).

Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
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  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
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Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, July 4, 2009 9:12 AM
Model Railroader shows a hobby shop which I would presume is in Hollister, right next to Branson. Surprisingly, there's nothing showing for Springfield.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by RichS1 on Saturday, July 4, 2009 8:39 AM
Thanks Fellas.... Are threre any Hobby Shops around? Rich
"Rich"
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Posted by Willy2 on Friday, July 3, 2009 9:25 PM

Poppa_Zit

eolafan

Willy2

Come now, Eolafan, the food is the best part of Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede!

OK, if you say so...as I gag into my dinner napkin.

You may both be right, Jim. Perhaps the Dixie Stampede is a terrible show.

I would say that both the show and the food are excellent, but not everyone likes everything, so I can't argue with Jim.

Willy

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Posted by Poppa_Zit on Friday, July 3, 2009 7:13 PM

eolafan

Willy2

Come now, Eolafan, the food is the best part of Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede!

OK, if you say so...as I gag into my dinner napkin.

You may both be right, Jim. Perhaps the Dixie Stampede is a terrible show.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They are not entitled, however, to their own facts." No we can't. Charter Member J-CASS (Jaded Cynical Ascerbic Sarcastic Skeptics) Notary Sojac & Retired Foo Fighter "Where there's foo, there's fire."
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Posted by blhanel on Friday, July 3, 2009 6:48 PM

Willy2
Outside of Branson, if you have time, you could spend a day in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It's been several years since we were there, but I believe Eureka Springs is particularly well-known for their bed-and-breakfast inns and shopping opportunities. They also have a scenic railroad.

My daughter and her husband attended a wedding down there a week ago, and took the opportunity to ride that scenic railroad.  They got some nice photos of equipment there, but the "scenery" wasn't all that great, unless you like looking at alot of trees close-up.

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Posted by eolafan on Friday, July 3, 2009 5:29 PM

Willy2

Come now, Eolafan, the food is the best part of Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede!

OK, if you say so...as I gag into my dinner napkin.

Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
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  • From: Omaha, Nebraska
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Posted by Willy2 on Friday, July 3, 2009 1:14 PM

Come now, Eolafan, the food is the best part of Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede!

I've been to Branson with my family five times now, so here are some of our favorite things to do.

Regarding shows, Shoji Tabuchi is excellent. I also very highly recommend seeing Pierce Arrow. The "Presley's Country Jubilee" and Jim Stafford are also very good. If you really want to hit all the Dolly Parton shows, you could also ride the Showboat Branson Belle, in addition to the Dixie Stampede.

For food, I would try the Branson Cafe in downtown Branson. Danna's Bar-B-Que is also delicious. You might also want to see a show at Branson's IMAX theatre. While you're there, be sure to eat at McFarlain's Family Restaurant.

Branson Landing was opened a few years ago on the Lake Taneycomo waterfront. There are all kinds of shops and restaurants there. They also have an impressive "fire and water show" each night.

In addition to the shopping at Branson Landing, there are plenty of small "mom and pop" stores in downtown Branson. There are also a few outlet malls scattered around the city.

Silver Dollar City is a kind of theme park. The theme is mainly centered around the style of the Ozarks. There are plenty of rides, attractions, and shows there.

You might also want to "Ride the Ducks". "The Ducks" are probably what I look forward to the most in Branson, so I would be sure to check them out.

Finally, there are plenty of miniature golf courses. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf is the best, in my opinion.

This website should give you plenty of additional ideas for what to do:

http://www.branson.com/ 

My one recommendation is that you should always leave plenty of time to get wherever you're going in Branson, especially during the evening. Most of the shows start at 7:00 PM, so the roads get pretty congested at that time.

Freight trains are rather scarce in Branson. The Branson Scenic Railway runs on tracks owned and operated by the Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad. I've found that the most likely time to see a freight train is just before any of the departures of the Branson Scenic Railway. In addition to Missouri and Northern Arkansas freight trains, there are occasionally Union Pacific trackage rights coal trains through Branson.

Outside of Branson, if you have time, you could spend a day in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It's been several years since we were there, but I believe Eureka Springs is particularly well-known for their bed-and-breakfast inns and shopping opportunities. They also have a scenic railroad. However, what I would most recommend in Eureka Springs is "The Great Passion Play". Here's a link to the official Eureka Springs website:

http://www.eurekasprings.org/ 

Those are my top picks, but I'm sure some other folks can provide you with more stuff too. If you have any questions let me know, and have a good time!

Willy

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Posted by eolafan on Friday, July 3, 2009 11:41 AM

The Dolly Parton show was good except for the food...the magic show (Kirby something) was good....Yoshi something had a good show...other shows were also good....basically a afternoon/evening show/event place...nothing much else to do there but eat and to to shows.

Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
  • Member since
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  • From: Clarion PA
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Trip
Posted by RichS1 on Friday, July 3, 2009 10:39 AM
Hey Fellas... Maybe you can help me out... My wife and I are going on a vacation in the Branson MO area. in Aug. We are going to celebrate our 35th wedding ann. on the Branson dinner train. (last year we did it on the Cape Cod Central really nice.) Just need some help....We are planning to be in the area for a week is there anything else we can see and do while there? I plan to go to the local hobby shops. I always do when I go on these trips... Thanks. Rich
"Rich"

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