The majority of Americans live a life of “sameness.” We get up at the same time every morning, go to work and do the same kind of things we do every other day, and then head home to watch the same shows on TV. Day after day the schedule is the same. Vacation is the brief respite from the hum-drum existence of the rest of the year. It renews our energy and reunites our families. Unfortunately, the budget we’re forced to live with can be rather tight making vacation planning more difficult. Notice I said difficult – not impossible. I just spent time with my family in Branson, Missouri and found a few budget-friendly spots.
The first concern when planning a vacation is lodging. Driving through Branson you can find many hotels offering low room rates – some for less than $30. I’d suggest, though, that you consider the Grand Country Hotel. They offer several package deals which might include show tickets, miniature golf, meals, and tickets to other local attractions. The cost is, naturally, more but, besides the advantages already mentioned, staying at the Grand Hotel allows guests free access to their water park. To get more details on the current packages go to http://www.grandcountry.com.
Food is another consideration for the trip. For the budget minded Branson offers the usual fast food restaurants, pizza chains, and ethnic foods. We were very happy with Papa Grand’s Pizza. For $6.99, we enjoyed an all-you-can-eat buffet which included two kinds of soup, a very nice, fresh salad buffet, and several varieties of pizza.
Branson has many attractions that might fit your budget. You can have a lot of fun at the Hollywood Wax Museum. Box office price is $17.95 but, if you add another $7, you can get a VIP package which also includes entrance to the Castle of Chaos and Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors. There’s an area attraction booklet free at the ticket agencies which offers a $3 discount or you can get a break on the prices by buying tickets online at http://www.hollywoodwaxmuseum.com. At the wax museum you’ll get a chance to have your picture taken in King Kong’s hand or you can take your own posing with Captain Jack Sparrow or marrying Johnny Depp. The Castle of Chaos offers a 3D experience in which you participate in killing off the bad guys.
Branson also offers miniature golf, bumper cars, and game rooms throughout the city that are budget friendly. A free tour of the trout hatcheries is offered four times a day. Finally I would be remiss if I didn’t suggest that, while you’re in the area, you drive about 90 minutes south to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and tour the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Turpentine Creek is the largest “Big Cat” refuge in the US housing more than 100. The cost of touring the facility ranges from free (for children under 3) to $15 and is well worth both the money and the drive.
