It all started with winning a trip from a favorite local instagrammer ( @rippedjeansandbifocals ). What a shock that was! A two-night stay at Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center. Plus three sets of show tickets. I don’t normally win things, so this was incredible. What happened was, I couldn’t find time for us to go. So the first set of concert tickets expired, then the second. We had to hurry and get there before the end of this month!
Thanks so the boys’ four-day-weekend from school, the decision was made. Here are our travels:
FROM BOERNE TO BRANSON
FRIDAY!!!
I could barely sleep. So I was up at 4:00 in the morning, finishing up the last of the packing. We were enjoying Snowflake Donuts by 6:00, on the road by 6:30. I drove the first 8 hours, getting us out of Texas and pretty far into Oklahoma. Ben took over the last five hours of driving. Our only real destination stop was at the three-corners statue. It’s been YEARS since I crossed a state line. So, to find where three borders met was fun. Quick pics at Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas meeting points.
We arrived in Branson at a decent hour. Checked in, unpacked, and made it to dinner.
SATURDAY!!!
Up bright and early, we headed straight to the Branson Ferris Wheel. After spending a couple of decades at Chicago’s Navy Pier, this attraction now stands tall in the heart of the tourist area. We were incredibly high in the air, enjoying all the sites!
Next, we headed to the Veterans Memorial Museum. Filled with lots of photographs, uniforms, and memories that Ben loves.
Then we drove around to all the fun photography spots we had seen, from driving around. Plus, all of the great selfie spots that I had found on instagram and in blog posts. King Kong in front of the Hollywood Wax Museum, a huge donut in front of Dunkin’ Donuts, cars in front of the Celebrity Car Museum, a caboose that was downtown, and the Branson mural on the side of Caldwell’s Flea Market.
While we were downtown, we headed straight over to the Branson Scenic Railway, where I snagged tickets for us to take the 40-mile trip. It was beautiful, full of history. We went through two tunnels and saw lots of gorgeous mountains and countryside.
After a much-needed nap and shower, we enjoyed a wonderful concert- The Haygoods. Country, motown, oldies, rock, and more. With SO many instruments! Lights, fire, and tap dancing too. Loved! Then a very late dinner.
SUNDAY!!!
Up early again, we headed out for a beautiful hike at Table Rock State Park. We drove to a scenic overlook, for views over the lake.
Another nap and shower. And then it was off to watch the fountain show at The Landing, watch the ferris wheel lights show, and to drive around for the rest of the fun pics I wanted to snag. (Is it awful or wonderful that we snagged Andy’s Frozen Custard twice this day?) 😉
MONDAY!!!
Out of the hotel by 7:30, we drove straight to Eureka Springs. We spent some time taking in the Christ of the Ozarks and Thorncrown Chapel. And we had some time to enjoy the art and buildings around town before I knew we had to get back on the road.
It felt a little rushed. It was a LONG drive. But a wonderful, beautiful, scenic, fun, and memorable trip!!!
Special THANK YOU to our hosts, Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center! Right off all the action of the town, free breakfast every morning, a fridge for our lunches, comfortable beds, adjoining rooms for us and my mom, and even a jetted tub in the room (for when you’re so relaxed from the bath, you can barely make it to bed). 😉
Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center
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Branson
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And what else is there to do in Branson?! Everything! Live music, magic shows, theme parks, zip lines, river cruises, roller skating, so many museums, putt-putt golf, go-karts, canopy tours, helicopter tours, and so much more!
{Click all the links! For more history, more information, or to plan your trip!}