Lodge-Style Hotel in Branson's Theater District
More than 50 singers, dancers, and musicians take the stage during the it show at Hughes Brothers Theatre, and they're all related. In addition to the five Hughes Brothers, the show features each sibling's spouse and children—adding up to one of the biggest casts in Branson and quite possibly the world's largest performing family. They've been entertaining audiences for 28 years, 13 of which have been spent in Branson—a city on the Ozark Plateau known as the “Live Music Show Capital of the World.” Next door to the Hughes Brothers Theatre, Lodge of the Ozarks puts you within walking distance of several performance venues and music halls found on Branson's famed Highway 76. A wood-paneled lobby, a backyard gazebo, and a cozy fireplace give the lodge a rustic ambiance—a look that extends to the rooms. All stays include a complimentary hot breakfast buffet at the onsite Rafter's Restaurant, which serves American fare à la carte for lunch and dinner. Guests who purchase one of the it show package options also receive two adult tickets to the performance, as well as a soundtrack CD.
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 landscape of wooded hills, snaking rivers, and limestone bluffs. But follow Route 76 and you'll find Branson, which looks like a miniaturized, family-friendly version of Las Vegas.
Dozens of performance venues line Branson's main strip, including several owned by stars such as Andy Williams and Dolly Parton. On any given night, you can catch shows ranging from country music concerts to comedy sets and 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, and watch blacksmiths forge wrought-iron doilies.
For a break from the lights and hubbub, head to the countryside. There are two large lakes within a 30-mile radius—Table Rock and Taneycomo. Each is stocked with trout and can be traversed via rented boat. At the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area, you can bike or hike along Roark Creek and through dense oak forests. The 1,500-acre reserve was donated by Paul Henning, who was inspired create the Beverly Hillbillies after a Boy Scout trip to the Ozarks.
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