I have a trip planned in July 7-11 to go to Branson, Missouri with my wife and in-laws. We will be staying at Big Cedar Resort. Can you guys recommend some things to do in the area when I am not fishing? I know there are a ton of shows but which ones would be good to see? Any other area attractions we should hit?

Perhaps the best Outdoor Sportsman"s Exhibit in the country:

http://www.springfieldmo.org/final/newsite/ttd_listing_page.asp?ID=655&Company=Hunting+%26+Fishing+Gallery

If you're taking kids, ride the ducks first thing. They drive 'em through town, then right into Table Rock lake. The driver will even let the kids take the wheel. Best of all, the drivers all have a ton of experience and will give lots of tips for things to do and see as you tour the area.

http://www.bransonducks.com/

Of course, just up the road in Springfield is the original Bass Pro Shops, and next to that is the BPS Outlet Store where you can search for deals on new AND used gear.

The Shepherd of the Hills fish hatchery is a great tour

http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/hatchery/shepherd/

Branson doesn't get the star power that they used to, but I hear Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede is a lot of fun.

http://www.dixiestampede.com/

Have a great trip!

Dan

Silver Dollar City, Bass Pro, Fish, hmmm

With out a doubt, Bass Pro.  The indoor wildlife place just north of the main building is pretty cool for everyone.  Really good golf courses around the area if you play golf.  Just stay on the main roads.  If you get back in the boonies, there is a good chance you will hear "Deliverance" playing somewhere!

If you've never been there, the Shepard of the Hills play is excellent and will give you some insight into what all the signs and names are about.  If Mel Tillis is in town, he does a great show - but don't ovelook the japanese fiddle player (can't remember his name).  Silver Dollar city is a great place to spend a day and a $ ( :.  Just do everything you can to avoid Highway 76 or all you will see is the car in front of you.

1. go to the biggest and best BPS in the world.

2. Watch the corn grow.

Not your cousin ;D

Logger, I'm talking my girlfriend into going to Big Cedar. We need a report card back on that place.

Things to do in Missouri??  LEAVE  

"Shepherd of the Hills" play is a must-see.  I've seen it twice in my lifetime and enjoyed it both times.  My wife and I were in Branson on our honeymoon about 16 years ago (and yes, we DID see some sites OUTSIDE the hotel room) .  We've been back some since, but haven't been back to the play or Silver Dollar City.  Shoji Tabuchi (sp?) is the name of the Japenese fiddle player.  My in-laws have seen him and enjoyed it.  Be sure and check with the hotels because many of them offer good package deals for two or three attractions (SDC, the play, and a show) and your stay included at a special rate.  One show that I remember going to on our honeymoon (at age 21; on a budget) was "Waltzing Waters".  I think it only cost around 4 bucks a piece, but it was pretty good.  If it's still there and cheap, it's a good place to go (but go to the bathroom BEFORE the show starts (if you know what I mean).  AND, if you have time, BPS headquarters is only about an hour away and worth visiting.  It will make your regional store look like a bait shack.  Hope this helps.  BTW, my family is pondering a trip there either later this summer or next, so report back to us on how it goes.

-Fisher

If you've never been to a Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede you should go.

You get a warm up show.

A meal along with a great horse show that goes on in front of you.

Audience participation throughout the whole thing.

Great for the family it's pretty reasonable.

If you get a chance, check out the school of the Ozarks.  The kids work their way through school.  They have a pretty nice restaraunt that's reasonable too with a nice view.

The White water there is pretty good.

Silver Dollar City

The Shoji Tabuchi show is supposed to be good. He bass fishes BTW.

If you've got the cash, grab a helicopter ride.  They're located towards the western end of the strip.  Those guys will give you a few extra dives and spins that'll have you screaming.

Ohh, and get a map and learn to use the backroads whenever possible.

If you get a chance spend some time at Rockaway Beach on Lake Taneycomo, one of the most beautiful lakes in America. During the late 60's my oldest brother lived outside of Forsyth, Missouri and worked security in Silver Dollar City when it was only about 3 blocks long.  

Logger, I'm talking my girlfriend into going to Big Cedar. We need a report card back on that place.

I will definately put up a post

Hey guys thanks for all the great info. Do you guys know of any way to get cheaper tickets to the Dixie Stampede or any of the shows for that matter?? The best I found online For the stampede was $49.00. I know its a dinner and show but I am really trying to stretch every buck and still do some nice things while we are there.

Hey Logger does the Cedar Lodge have a web site? My friend Alex is on his way to fish in MO in Sept. and still hasn't booked anything yet. Are they the same Big Cedar associated with the BPS site?

Hey guys thanks for all the great info. Do you guys know of any way to get cheaper tickets to the Dixie Stampede or any of the shows for that matter?? The best I found online For the stampede was $49.00. I know its a dinner and show but I am really trying to stretch every buck and still do some nice things while we are there.

When you get to Branson there are reduced price ticket booths and of course if you look at a time share the tickets will be free. 8-)

Big Cedar lodge is FREAKING awsome.  They have a little bus that will take you anywhere you want on grounds.  Tip the guy a bit/sweet talk the lady drivers and he/she will go to the local gas station for beverages.  The place is just awsome thats about the best way of putting it.  Very well kept up, all the people are real nice and polite.  

Dont mind Muddy he is still sour about the mets getting beat last year by the Cards.  

Tablerock is a difficult lake to fish for the most part.  Very clear and deep.  You can also trout fish at taneycomo right below the dam is the best spot.  I believe Jigman on here fishes it alot.

Hey Logger does the Cedar Lodge have a web site? My friend Alex is on his way to fish in MO in Sept. and still hasn't booked anything yet. Are they the same Big Cedar associated with the BPS site?

Muddy, here you go.

http://www.big-cedar.com/

Dont mind Muddy he is still sour about the mets getting beat last year by the Cards.

OUCH

Thanks Senile i will foward that to him. He fishes Smallies and Pike mostly, hes onto another local forum

On a lake as big as Table Rock, you'd do well to hire a guide for at least a half day. We did and he kept us on fish the entire time on the water. Mostly fished structure in the middle of the lake that I never would have found on my own. A lot of spotted bass, but tons of fun. Here was my best...

I give a couple of dining recommendations. My wife and I have been going to Branson in either the spring or the fall for several years now. There's a mini Bass Pro Shop at Branson Landing. If you look straight across the water, you'll see the Candlestick Inn. If you don't mind dropping a few bucks for dinner, this is one of the finest around. Not even close to being cheap, but very, very fine.

Along the strip, right across the street from Walmart is a little hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant. I can't recall the name, but it's the only one in that location. Excellent food at a very reasonable price.

If you make the drive to Springfield to go to BPS, you'll be looking for Sunshine to exit off the highway. Before you get to it, coming from the south, you'll find Battlefield road. At that exit is a restaurant called Rodizio, a Brazilian Grill. If you like grilled meat, this is the place for you. They'll put a little salt shaker looking thing on the table for each person. It's green on one end and red on the other. After you've been to the salad bar, and are ready for the main course, you flip the thing over so the green side is up. You'll get plate of veggies and potatoes, then they will start bringing you huge skewers of grilled meat, and will carve it right onto your plate. Thay'll bring out several kinds of beef, pork, chicken, sausage, lamb, fish, etc. And they will keep bringing it until you give up and flip the thing over so red is on top. Then they'll bring out the dessert tray. Go early; I think they're open at 4:30, so you can go to BPS afterwards, and spend a couple of hours trying to walk it off. I darned near killed myself the first time we went there.

Big Cedar is an excellent place to stay. Chateau on the Lake is even better. Boat rental at Big Cedar is a little pricey. On our last trip, we went to Lilley's Landing for a trout trip. Boat rental was cheap there. We got a comfortable boat, and some right on the money advice about where and how to fish. Had a blast catching rainbow on spinning tackle, and didn't spend a whole lot of money to do it. Bob, at Lilley's is a super nice guy. There on the web, go look "em up.

Cheers,

GK

On a lake as big as Table Rock, you'd do well to hire a guide for at least a half day. We did and he kept us on fish the entire time on the water. Mostly fished structure in the middle of the lake that I never would have found on my own. A lot of spotted bass, but tons of fun. Here was my best...

What guide did you use? Or can anyone reccommend a guide? We decided to fly since the drive from MI would be 14 hours and with an infant would definatey be a lot longer,plus extra gas for towing the boat ...you do the math. (I am not a fan of long car rides anyway)

I can't find any place to rent a boat in the area for under 40/hr.  

So instead of fishing everyday like I planned on maybe I could just spend the money for 1 really good day of fishing with a guide and just shore fish the other days. Or does anyone know where to rent a boat on the cheap?

I have used Pete Wenners at hookedonbass.com a couple of times and he is great. There are a lot of good guides for that lake, but if you don't know it - you are best to hire a guide. The first time I hired Peter I arrived at the lake (this was before I owned a boat) and heard reports that the fish were suspended at 30' over 70' of water(!). This turned out to be true, but Pete was able to hit the spots and helped us hook 'em up. This was the first time I had ever heard of dropshotting and was blown away at pulling a 3-4# spot up from 30 feet.

He, and most guides I would imagine, supply the boat and all the tackle as well as the lures.  All you have to bring is your drinks/lunch and your rain suit.  Oh, yeah, and your checkbook

On a lake as big as Table Rock, you'd do well to hire a guide for at least a half day. We did and he kept us on fish the entire time on the water. Mostly fished structure in the middle of the lake that I never would have found on my own. A lot of spotted bass, but tons of fun. Here was my best...

Very true for most of the year.  The spots are thick at Table Rock but they go really deep.  My wife and I visited last year and didn't use a guide and we only caught a few fish on the first two days.  On the third day I lucked out and discovered a sweet saddle between an island and the main bank.  It dropped off like an underwater cliff on one side with numerous shelves at varying depths.  The smallies and spots were living it up down there so it saved our trip.  I wouldn't go back there without using a guide on the first day, though I won't forget where this saddle was located.  I think it would always hold fish.