In Branson, you can get a fantastic view of the fall foliage from the Shepherd of the Hills Inspiration Tower.  The open-air observation desk will give you beautiful views of the Ozark mountains and trees.

If you’re in Pigeon Forge and the weather is a bit too chilly for the outdoors, take in a show.  The Miracle is the world-famous re-telling of the life and times of Jesus Christ, and Magic Beyond Belief is the two-hour magic show from Terry Evanswood; or, for a real down-home good time, check out the Tennessee Shindig Show.

If you want the nature, visit Orlando’s many free nature reserves, such as Black Hammock’s alligator attractions, the Big Tree Park featuring the 3,500-year old Cypress, or the World of Orchids.

In Willamsburg, there’s always the Jamestown Settlement that will get you in the mood as Thanksgiving approaches.  Better yet, drive along the Colonial Parkway to experience both finely-kept history and the rolling hills full of oranges, yellows, and red each autumn.

There aren’t many top notch quality shows, attractions or events that you can find in multiple destinations. Sure there’s Disney Land out in California and Disney World in Florida, but the two are far from equal in comparison. There are casino companies that own several properties throughout the country and some the world, but again, relative comparisons are impossible. There is, however, one delightful show and attraction that is offered in three different cities where each live up to a standard equal to each other. We submit for your review, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Show.

The Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede Dinner Show is offered in Pigeon Forge Tennessee at the Dollywood Theme Park, Branson Missouri and Myrtle Beach South Carolina. 

Which ever destination you find yourself you can expect the same fun and entertainment. Guests to Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Show are treated to a special night that starts off with the trademark Carriage Room Opening Act and is followed up by the spectacular main event shown in each venues main arena where you’ll enjoy a scrumptious four course dinner and dessert. 

The entire event is engaging and exciting for the whole family and children of all ages. Each show includes high flying fun, live animals and horses, all presented in the back drop of dramatic lighting, heart pounding sound and pyrotechnics. 

Reserve Vacations offers vacation packages that include tickets to the Dixie Stampede in each of the following cities. Find more information at Pigeon Forge Vacation Packages, Branson Vacations and Myrtle Beach Vacations to see pricing and accommodation information.

If any of you are in your late 30’s and older, and are male, I’m sure you can recall a few movies that may be burned into the brains of your consciousness forever. Actually, you probably recall the actress. Just to leave the suspense a little further, the movies I refer to have the titles of “9 to 5″ and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”. Does the actress from these movies ring a bell. How about Dolly Parton.

Well Miss Dolly and her form fitting physique have come a long way from those days. One might even say that she is a brand unto herself, and you know what she is. Dolly Parton some years ago put together a vision that became real in the form of Dollywood. A theme park with multiple locations, but the vision was that of a fun, wholesome family experience. One of the great events at Dollywood is most definitely the Dixie Stampede. A dinner show of fun, guns and high flying excitement. From rassling horses to comic relief, this show is a classic to be enjoyed by everyone.

Well Reserve Vacations has two vacation packages that offer tickets to this great show and you have a choice of two great destinations to enjoy. 

The first is is in Pigeon Forge, where you get a great vacation package for 3 Days and 2 nights with accommodations at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Pigeon Forge plus two tickets to the famed Dixie Stampede Pigeon Forge. 

The second takes you to Branson Missouri, where a great vacation package coined the Branson Shown Stopper Vacation Package offers great accommodations at the Rodeway Inn Branson plus two tickets to the Dixie Stampede Branson Show. The sum total on this package….$139 !!!

So get a little bit of old fashion Dixie and wholesome family fun with a vacation package that includes the show Dixie Stampede.

Yes your eyes are not deceiving you. The title of this blog post is as it reads. Branson Missouri was recently named, by an independent organization made up of travel professionals, the American Society of Travel Agents, as the top destination to visit for a vacation that will not “break the proverbial bank”.  The report cited the specific reasons for this recognition and they are, the high number of senior discount travel packages, or better stated, packages geared towards senior citizens, the relative central locality of it to almost all of the United States, the ease of access for driving, making it affordable to travel to and from and the relative number of attractions.

All in all versus almost every other major destination Branson is a gold mine of value. The city is overflowing with entertainment and shows, it offers a diverse number of alternative attractions, and accommodations, relative to other large destination resorts, are much cheaper. The reality is, there should be no surprise that Branson is now being heralded for it’s superior value as a destination resort and city.

Reserve Vacations offers several vacation packages for Branson. Packages vary in prices from $99 to $429 but that value is incredible. The Branson Family Fun Package offers 4 days and 3 nights at the 1^st Inn Branson and includes 2 tickets to the Silver Dollar City attraction all for $199. Another great Branson Vacation Package is the Branson Grand Weekend Vacation Package. This comes with accommodations for 3 days and 2 nights at the Thousand Hills Golf Resort, but also includes two tickets to Silver Dollar City and two tickets to the famed Dixie Stampede. The total price for this package is $429.

As you can see Branson is a hot destination resort and the time is right for great budget prices and rates to visit today. 

One of the toughest things to do, it seems, whether it be a holiday at home, or a trip, is to stay regimented with diet and exercise. In my opinion there is no doubt that the trip away from home is just awful when it comes to staying fit.

Why is this? Well if you’re in a hotel you have that damn candy and soda machine right down the hall from your room. Oh, yeah, don’t get me started with going on a cruise because the word buffet is synonymous with cruises. 

Ok, so what do we do when we go on vacation to keep fit and on the right track. Well let’s stick to doing it with the hotel travel.

1. Pack the running shoes and the work out clothes. This makes the ability to get to the gym much easier.

2. Try and find hotels that offer fitness centers. Also, make sure that the fitness centers are what you need. Not a medicine ball and a thing to stand on that vibrates a belt. 

3. Refuse to get the key to mini bar in the room. Lot’s of empty calories my friends. 

4. Pack some healthy snacks that won’t go bad. Protein Bars, a bag of almonds, you know what’s right. Fruit may be an issue.

As you see going away does not have to throw you off from being healthy. You just have to plan to beat the vacation bug of being bad.

Branson Missouri is well known for it’s entertainment. The Branson area boast over 55 theaters and show concert halls. ReserveVacations.com has a great Branson Vacation Package that offers some huge bang for your buck if a vacation with entertainment is on your mind.

Called the Branson Grand Weekend Getaway, you get 3 Days and 2 Nights that include a stay at the Thousand Hills Golf Resort Branson (which includes full use of all property amenities), plus two tickets to the famed Dixie Stampede Show and two tickets to Silver Dollar City. What’s more, this package comes to you all for $429.

For more information or to book your reservations over the telephone call 1-800-675-8399.

Reserve Vacations LLC is quickly becoming one of the new gems of the online travel market. Serendipity probably had a greater hand in the success the web site ReserveVacations.com has had, due to the fact that the vacation packages offered are tremendously discounted and the economy turned bad at the time of launch. So be it. Regardless of pricing, Reserve Vacations web also operates under a strict professional style. This can be found in the sites’ Vacation Package Price Guarantee.

If you visit the page the policy is very straightforward. The long and short is if you can find a better deal that exactly offers what is being offered in any one of the web sites vacation packages, Reserve Vacations will refund 110% of the difference. It’s that simple. If you find a vacation package on another site and email Reserve Vacations, within 48 hours of booking you will receive that refund. 

The family vacation is both a right, privilege and crucible for the American Family. Whether packing up the RV, Van, car or getting the family to the airport, many families try and plan trips that give them a chance to enjoy their time together. The theme for much of the past 6 months going into this year has been that the poor economic climate has created barriers for this annual right to happen. Where here to offer some options that won’t break the bank and really provide excellent experiences for your family to remember.  We offer several destinations and vacation packages that cater to this very market segment, the American Family. 

We first start with a great destination and come to you with Branson Vacation Packages. The specific vacation deal we have offers 3 Days and 2 Nights in Branson Missouri with accommodations at the Rodeway Inn Branson, located at 280 Tanger Boulevard. This Branson Family Vacation is being offered for $139 and comes with 2 tickets to the famed Dollywood Dixie Stamped. You also get full use of the Rodeway Inn Branson’s facilities. 

We then head to another great destination in Pigeon Forge Tennessee, where our Pigeon Forge Vacation Packages are as exciting for family fun as you’ll find. And what’s better than the a Pigeon Forge Family Vacation that is entitled the Heck of a Vacation !! With this package you get 4 Days and 3 Nights with complete accommodations at the Microtel Suites at Music Road all for $289.  As with the package in Branson this package comes with 2 tickets to the Comedy Barn and 2 tickets to the Country Tonite show. This may be the best value.

Last we offer Williamsburg Virginia. Williamsburg steeped in history is a region that offers a tremendous number of options while taking a family vacation. We offer Williamsburg Vacation Packages that offer a whole lot of bang for the buck. Now this Williamsburg Family Vacation may be the best price you can find. For $79, yes we said $79, you get 3 Days and 2 Nights in Williamsburg that includes accommodations at Days Inn Busch Gardens plus 2 tickets to Historic Williamsburg. Accommodations include complete use of the facilities that offers an outdoor swimming pool, complimentary breakfast each morning, a business center and a fitness center. 

As you can see, there are great deals that can put a big dent in the price of taking a family vacation. We hope to be accumulating more as time passes, but please consider the ones suggested.

If you didn’t already know, Branson Missouri has actually been dubbed the show time capital. With over 50 theaters and entertainment venues a person visiting Branson will be hard pressed not to be able to find something of interest to enjoy.

A specific Branson Vacation Deals is being offered where one could get a vacation in Branson for 3 Days and 2 Nights. The package includes accommodations at the Rodeway Inn Branson located at 280 Tanger Boulevard which is located right near the Tanger Outlets. The property offers an outdoor swimming pool and WiFi access. This Branson vacation package also offers 2 tickets to the famed Dixie Stampede. 

As of right now these prices are holding steady so it’s worth a look if you’re looking for a nice little getaway to the part of the country that you may not have visited.

Believe it or not, I originally intended to deliver a top 10 list of fun things to do I Branson, upon further review, I increased my list to include the Top 20 Branson attractions.  The reality is that there are actually 50 or more attractions to visit in and around Branson, MO.  

Have fun and enjoy my top 20!

1. Live Shows – Branson is famous for it’s live music and fabulous shows.  Choose from over 40 unique live shows including: Legends In Concert, Tony Orlando, Twelve Irish Tenors, Spirit of the Dance, Bill Haley’s Original Comets, Magnificent 7, Yakov, Presley’s Country Jubilee, Pierce Arrow, Hamner Barber, Motown Downtown, Bob Nelson, Danny Curtis, Joe Diffie, Liverpool Legends, Dixie Stampede and many more.
2. Silver Dollar City – Theme park that is annually ranked the #1 attraction in Branson.  Features activities for the entire family including roller coasters, live shows, unique shops, craftsmen demonstrations, great restaurants and concessions and much more, you do not want to miss this one.
3. Hollywood Wax Museum – One of the most recognized wax museums I the USA.  You won’t believe the incredible detail of your favorite Hollywood stars.
4. Stone Hill Winery – Visitors will sample fabulous wines and watch the entire bottling process from the 160 year old winery.
5. Waltzing Waters – located on the main strip in Downtown Branson, experience the fun and memorizing dancing waters.
6. Ripley’s Believe it or Not! – Always a fun family oriented attraction.
7. Ride the Ducks – The ducks are really cool as they are both a boat and bus as they can travel on land or water.  Tours average about 80 minutes start to finish.
8. Branson Scenic Railway – This is truly a great time.  Ride in a glass top train through the Ozark Mountains and back to the strip in a 105 minute tour guaranteed to please.
9. Butterfly Place – View over 2,000 different species of butterfly’s in a 9,000 square feet glassed in butterfly garden.  Simply amazing.
10. Branson Titanic – The worlds largest “Titanic Museum”, a permanent 2 story attraction featuring incredible artifacts of the Titanic.  Enjoy a 90 minute self guided tour that you will never forget!
11. Table Rock Park – 356 acre state park with fantastic views and natural beauty.
12. Track Family Fun Parks – Several locations in Branson to enjoy scaled down versions of real race tracks and compete against the family in a go kart race.  Feature many other activities including arcades, miniature golf and concessions.
13. White Water Branson – A family friendly Water Park fun for kids and adults of all ages.  Open seasonally, includes slides, fountains, wave pools and much more.
14. Singing Sensations Studio – located on the famous strip, this is a karaoke-style recording studio.  Record your own song in front of 100’s of screaming fans.
15. Golf Course in Branson – Choose from several championship golf courses including John Daly’s Murder Rock Golf and Country Club and Payne Stewart’s Golf Club.
16. IMAX Entertainment Complex – Very large entertainment complex including Imax Theatre, fun for kids of all ages!
17. Ozark Mountain Skycoaster – If you are a thrill seeker, this one is for you.  Highly acclaimed rollercoaster guaranteed to give you a thrill of a lifetime!
18. Miniature Golf Courses – Enjoy one of the many family friendly miniature golf courses including Pirates Cove, Family Fun Factory, Gator Golf, Lost Treasure Golf and many more.
19. America’s Presidency Museum – A total learning experience for adults and children alike.  Learn about all of your favorite United States Presidents.
20. Branson Landing Cruises – Choose from a variety of unique cruises across Branson Lake on several different types of boats.  Head down to Branson Landing and look for the sign for cruises and check cruise schedules and availability.

As I mentioned previously, there are many more Fun Things to in Branson and I’ll be sure to cover the rest in an upcoming post. Have fun and enjoy your next visit to Branson, Mo.