Besides the 60 plus shows, family-friendly Branson offers outdoor fun as well. The three lakes offer swimming, boating, water skiing, dinner and entertainment cruises. There are boat rides of various themes like the live pirate invasion on the Sammy Lane Pirate Cruise.
The Independence Square Courthouse houses the restored office and courtroom Harry Truman occupied as county judge in 1933. There is an 1827 Log Courthouse which was once a Mormon mercantile store.
In The Deer Park you can feed and pet the animals. There are shows with African elephants, parrots, and birds of prey. The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses are bred here.
Missouri Vacations Idea #8:Missouri's Rhineland is an area along the Missouri River full of German culture and lots of wineries. A road trip on route 94, from St. Charles to Jefferson City, will take you through the farmlands, limestone bluffs and vineyards of the Rhineland. This is beautiful scenic countryside. Along the way stop at some of the quaint and German influenced towns like Hermann, Marthasville and Washington. A trip to the Rhineland is a great vacation idea for couples. A romantic vacation idea is the
Ashdon House Bed and Breakfast in Marthasville. This is actually a working Morgan Horse breeding facility for championship Morgan horses. You can enjoy an elegant romantic stay with a five-course gourmet breakfast, horseback riding (lesson too, if you like), relax and enjoy the horses.
Missouri Vacations Idea #9: Contributed by
Kelly O'Hagan. The Amtrak pulls into the middle of downtown
Lee’s Summit, Missouri. The recently renovated district is charming with quaint home furnishing boutiques, an Irish jewelry store, a variety of restaurants, and new lofts. My favorite boutique is Cameron’s and I recommend Bailey’s for an appetizer and a wine flight. They both have friendly owners, who will make sure you feel welcome. In the afternoon enjoy a boat ride on one of our nearby lakes. At dusk, go to the Marina Grog and Galley and request a table on the back deck. The restaurant sits right on Lake Lotawana and has an extensive wine list and delicious Kansas City Steaks.
Missouri Vacations Idea #10:St. Louis, Missouri has a lot to offer and a great spot to visit, especially if you have kids, is the
St. Louis Zoo.. The zoo is designed to put you right into the middle of the animals habitat. And this is one the very best zoos for recreating natural, realistic habitats for the animals. A favorite for the kids is the children's zoo. Here thay can have fun with interactive exhibits like one where they can slide down through the otter pool along with the otters. Ther's a sea lion show, a 3-D movie, "Glacier Run" Motion Simulator and so much more.