Hotel at a Glance: Branson Surrey Inn
Branson Surrey Inn is just half a mile from the 76 strip, the core of Branson’s family-friendly entertainment scene. Guests can walk to the strip’s theaters and restaurants, or drive to nearby attractions such as Silver Dollar City and Table Rock Lake.
- See a show: Some of this deal’s options include two VIP tickets to Acrobats of China, a performance packed with daring stunts.
- Free hot breakfast: Each day starts with a waffle-and-pancake bar, biscuits and gravy, and more.
- More freebies: WiFi, fresh popcorn in the afternoons
- Grill your own grub: There are barbeque grills in the pool area.
- Best way to unwind: with a massage from the onsite therapist
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 rolling plateau of wooded hills, snaking rivers, and limestone bluffs. But follow down Route 76 and you’ll find Branson, which looks like a miniature, more family-friendly version of Las Vegas.
Dozens of stages and music halls line Branson’s main strip, some of which are owned by stars such as Dolly Parton. On any given night you can watch anything from country music performances to circus acrobatics to 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, or watch as blacksmiths hand-forge mailboxes for the mayor’s private collection.
If you want to duck away from the lights, it’s worth it to explore the surrounding countryside. Within about 30 miles, there are two large lakes—Table Rock and Taneycomo. Each is stocked with trout and has boats available for rent. Or head to Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area, where you can bike or hike along Roark Creek and through dense oak forests. Paul Henning, who was inspired to create the Beverly Hillbillies after a Boy Scout trip to the Ozarks, donated the 1,534-acre reserve.