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 Lodging
Travelodge at the Falls 7 out of 10 stars
This is a nice budget hotel, very clean and well maintained. The beds are a little on the hard side and the walls aren’t too thick. We heard the most noise in the morning, so if you’re an early riser you probably wouldn’t mind. They offer a free continental breakfast every morning and they have a 24/7 self-serve coffee bar in the lobby. They also have a pool. The staff was friendly and helpful. They only have dial-up internet connections in the rooms. This is a major downturn for us; we go through withdrawal if we’re away from the net too long. However, for a budget weekend getaway this hotel is a good choice. Located off of Highway 165 in The Falls. Dining The best meals we had all weekend were at Celebration City and Silver Dollar City. Although park food usually seems overpriced and undertasty, this does not apply at these two parks. They have a wide array of choices at both parks and we can usually feed ourselves for around $10-15 a meal. We have found that it really helps save the piggy bank if you take your own drinks into the parks. This of course goes for all parks, as you can easily spend $7 to $10 on a couple of cokes. Also, keep in mind that most parks will hand out free glasses of ice water if you just ask at the food stands and restaurants.
Here are some of the places we tried in Branson:
McGuffey’s Restaurant and Saloon
The location we reviewed in 2004 is now closed, so I guess we weren’t the only ones who thought it was bad. There are still a couple other locations operating in Branson, we haven’t tried them so we won’t rate them here. Shorty Smalls 8 out of 10 stars
Since we had a great experience last time we ate here, we made a point to go back. Service was a little slow this time, but the food was still good and the place was as clean and comfortable as we remembered it. Check out our review from 2004 for more details on this restaurant.
The Pasta House Co. 5 out of 10 stars
This is an Italian chain restaurant without much personality or flavor. The service was extremely slow and inattentive at 7 pm on a Sunday night. The dining room was clean, but the place smelled like glue or burned rubber, not very appetizing. The food can be described as overpriced Chef Boyardee. It really lacked in flavor and was barely warm. The waitress actually messed up my order and then argued with me about it. It could have been an off night for them, but we won’t be going back. Located on Green Mountain Drive near Lone Star Steakhouse.
Acapulco Taco 6 out of 10 stars
This is the definition of “hole-in-the-wall”. It is in the corner of a strip mall and holds about 6 people at a time. We probably wouldn’t have found it at all but we were determined to use a coupon we had. The dining area wasn’t very clean, but the food was fresh. They serve Mexican fastfood but it is all handmade right in front of your eyes. We both had chicken burritos which are served Chipotle-style, extra large and stuffed with rice, beans, meat, and fixins. I thought it was pretty tasty, but Ben who is a burrito specialist didn’t think much of it. If you like “fresh Mex” give it a try. Located across from Walgreens at the corner of 76 and 165, diagonally across the street from Titanic.
Click ‘N Sip Internet Café 7 out of 10 stars
This is a cute little café, a nice place to grab a cup of joe and surf the web. The internet menu seemed a little pricey to us, but in the event of an internet emergency, it should get you through. They have all the typical frou-frou coffee drinks, we tried the café mocha and Americano, both where good. They also have some comfy couches around a big screen TV where you can relax. Located at the corner of Highway 165 and Green Mountain Drive, across from Stone Hill Winery. Attractions
Tanger Outlet Mall
This is currently the best outlet mall in Branson. They have many designer stores such as Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, and Ralph Lauren. There is a good mix of “premium” designer stores, brand name outlets and specialty shops. This is an outdoor mall but the walkways are covered, so it’s a good park alternative on a rainy afternoon. Tip: You can buy coupon books for the mall for $5.00, but if you are a AAA member you can actually get it for free at the main office (near the restrooms).
Branson Meadows Cinema
Another good alternative to getting soggy at the amusement parks. This is quite a ways outside the hustle and bustle of the Strip, located in an outlet mall. It seemed to be a locally operated theatre, not a major chain. But it was very clean, the seats were comfy, and the popcorn was tasty. |
