Property at a Glance: The Lodges at Table Rock Lake

The Lodges at Table Rock Lake overlook their sprawling namesake lake between the towering Ozark Mountains. Connect with nature on the deck of a secluded cabin or villa, or hit the nature trails that surround the tree-filled property. When you’re ready to hit the town, the theaters along Branson’s Highway 76 are only 10 miles away.

• Spacious villas and cabins have fully equipped kitchens, washers and dryers, and fireplaces.
• Space for two families is available in the four-bedroom cabin.
• Roast marshmallows around the fire pit or relax in the outdoor hot tub beneath the stars.
• Work out in the fitness center or hike in nearby Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.
• Stay connected with friends and family via the complimentary WiFi.

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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