Family-Friendly Lodge in Branson’s Theater District

Lodge Of The Ozarks puts you within walking distance of several performance venues and music halls found on Branson’s famed Highway 76—the “Live Music Show Capital of the World.” Notable nearby attractions include the Hughes Brothers Theatre and the Titanic replica and interactive museum.

Back at the lodge, a wood-paneled lobby and a fireplace create a rustic ambiance that extends to the guest rooms. But despite the woodsy feel, each guest room features free WiFi, a TV, and other modern amenities. Many units feature light cedar furniture, while others have cherry-wood beds and vanities. Their recently renovated 4,100 square-foot restaurant, La Piazza Ristorante Italiano, serves Italian food made from scratch. There are numerous restaurants near the hotel as well; one of this deal’s options comes with a Golden Corral dining credit for one valid each day of your stay.

Guests seeking entertainment can select a getaway that includes tickets to the Paul Eve Show, a tribute to Johnny Cash, with performances at the onsite Crystal Theatre. All stays include one daily lunch or dinner vouchers at Golden Corral.

Branson, Missouri: Family-Friendly Theaters and Concert Halls in the Ozarks

If you take a drive through the Ozarks in Missouri, it might seem like an unlikely place to find glittering lights and stage shows—for the most part, it’s a rolling plateau of wooded hills, snaking rivers, and limestone bluffs. But follow down Route 76 and you’ll find Branson, which looks like a miniature, more family-friendly version of Las Vegas.

Dozens of stages and music halls line Branson’s main strip, some of which are owned by stars such as Dolly Parton. On any given night you can watch anything from country music performances to circus acrobatics to magic shows.

If you’re traveling with kids, Silver Dollar City is a safe bet; it’s located about 5 miles west of the strip. The popular theme park is built around Marvel Cave and modeled after an 18th-century frontier town. Here you can hop on a mine-car roller coaster, take a tour by lantern through limestone caverns, or watch as blacksmiths hand-forge mailboxes for the mayor’s private collection.

If you want to duck away from the lights, it’s worth it to explore the surrounding countryside. Within about 30 miles, there are two large lakes—Table Rock and Taneycomo. Each is stocked with trout and has boats available for rent. Or head to Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area, where you can bike or hike along Roark Creek and through dense oak forests. Paul Henning, who was inspired to create the Beverly Hillbillies after a Boy Scout trip to the Ozarks, donated the 1,534-acre reserve.

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