By Jared Paventi
Branson, Missouri, is quietly becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the Midwest. Home to more than 60 theaters and museums, its profile has quickly grown. The 2009 opening of Branson Airport, with service by AirTran and SunCountry, connects the tourist haven with the rest of the country.
One of the main attractions in Branson is its scenic railway. The 40-mile train trip takes riders through tunnels, over bridges and around the Ozark Mountains. The depot is centrally located on East Main Street in Branson. There are a handful of luxury hotels in the area. Expedia.com, Travelocity.com and TripAdvisor.com were used to rate the quality of hotels.
Lodges at Timber Ridge
The Lodges at Timber Ridge is a luxury property with one- and two-bedroom lodges. Rooms include large-screen, high-definition televisions; DVD players; custom gourmet kitchens; and oversized bedrooms. Some are equipped with Jacuzzi tubs. Timber Ridge also has three restaurants, a 2,300-seat theater and The Splashatorium---a 10,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor water park with 100-foot waterslide and attractions for kids of all ages. Timber Ridge is five miles away from the rail depot.
Lodges at Timber Ridge
200 Foot Hill Court
Branson, MO 65616
Phone: (800) 590-0155
Website: http://www.reservebranson.com/details.asp?t=H&id=493#amens
Chateau on the Lake
The Chateau on the Lake is a AAA Four-Diamond property overlooking Table Rock Lake. Perched on a hill like a castle, the Chateau has 301 rooms and suites, spread out over eight different levels. Guests are welcomed by a 10-story open lobby and have access to a private marina with watercraft rentals, in-house spa and award-winning restaurants.
Chateau on the Lake
415 State Highway 265
Branson, MO 65616-8954
Phone: (417) 334-1161
Website: www.chateauonthelake.com
White River Lodge
White River Lodge overlooks Table Rock Lake. The lodge has four private rooms and one two-bedroom suite, with custom furnishings to provide a rustic mountain feel. A bed and breakfast, the White River Lodge has a great room with stone fireplace, sun room with floor-to-ceiling windows and access to a patio, a lake-view dining area, and a theater room.
White River Lodge
738 Ozark Hollow Road
Blue Eye, MO 65611
Phone: (800) 544-0257
Website: http://whiteriverlodgebb.com
Resources
About the Author:
Jared Paventi is the communications director for a disease-related nonprofit in the Northeast. He holds a master's degree from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication and a bachelor's degree from St. Bonaventure University. He also writes a food appreciation blog: Al Dente.
