Dinosaur Walk Museum Ancient but Fun For Kids

Dinosaur Walk in Pigeon Forge was a nifty little attraction that offered a diversion from the mini-golf and go-carts found along the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Parkway, this attraction houses about twenty life sized statues of dinosaurs including the infamous T-Rex.

The building that contains these displays is essentially a warehouse about the size of a high school gymnasium and without taking in the educational aspect of reading the descriptive dialog that is associated with each display, a person could make it from one end to the other in about 5 minutes. I recommend, however, making your entry fee worth its while and taking the time to get into the event by reading all the postings to your children. There is some quirky and interesting stuff that kids will enjoy. Pigeon Forge's Dinosaur Walk Museum as a whole would be most appealing to the 2-10 years of age range. Be sure to buy online ahead of time to save a few bucks.

Cabins at Grand Mountain are Grand Indeed!

Seclusion, superior quality and simply stunning are a few of the words that came to mind during my tour of The Cabins at Grand Mountain in Branson. Their location beautifully combines the outdoor ambiance of the Ozarks with centralized access to all Branson entertainment.

The cabins, which are built in a subdivision type fashion, provide the perfect size accommodations for families, groups and couples. Each cabin has an individually customized interior, many with Jacuzzi tubs or walk-in showers, complete with large living areas and screened-in decks for enjoying the wilderness-type atmosphere. There is an outdoor pool located at The Cabins, with varying walk or drive access, depending on which cabin you rent.

I toured three cabins, with my favorite being the two bedroom cabin, due to its rustic lodge décor and flat screen televisions. This property truly is a step above the rest, and is well worth the additional cost. Parking is somewhat limited, and on-site amenities are few, but for Branson visitors looking to experience the other side of Branson, Branson's Cabins at Grand Mountain are a great choice.

Ride into the West at Branson's Roy Rogers Museum

The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Missouri transports guests to an era where cowboys were king, and a love of westerns was alive and well. The cowboy-style museum showcases everything related to the life of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, with pictures, memorabilia and automobiles being the bulk of the showcased items.

The personal family photos were a nice touch that really added to the family-value persona that was Roy Rogers. The collectible merchandise items were numerous, with Roy’s personal collection of cowboy boots and costumes a natural addition to the collection. My favorite part of the museum was the horse exhibit, where Trigger and several other horses are displayed in life-size proportions, which allows guests to truly see what a magnificent animal Trigger really was! The exhibits also come equipped with audio commentary, provided by Dusty Rogers, for added information about the different items on display.

Other portions of Branson's Roy Rogers Museum showcase the famous Nellybelle vehicle, along with Roy’s favorite Parade car, a Pontiac Bonneville Convertible, as well as the 1923 automobile that took Roy and his family to California, where Roy’s dreams really took off. The museum is concluded with a movie room, where reels showcasing Roy Rogers & Dale Evans run throughout the day.

Notables: There is an extensive gift shop, where souvenirs and western décor can be purchased. Remember to bring your camera, as the museum is photo friendly. There’s also a “shooting range” for the youngsters.

Branson's Hollywood Wax Museum a Blockbuster With Visitors

The Hollywood Wax Museum in Branson, Missouri is an interesting display of pop culture. The Mount Rushmore-like display outside instantly told me this museum was different than any other, as John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe took the place of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The Hollywood Wax museum, essentially, serves as an ode to the “presidents of Hollywood” with everyone from Humphrey Bogart to Johnny Depp on display.

I strolled through the Wax museum, taking pictures and reading interesting facts about movies and personalities, taking about an hour to fully take in every figure and display. I personally enjoyed the Wizard of Oz, Pirates of the Caribbean and Gangster Alley Exhibits, as well the Forest Gump and I Dream of Jeannie figures. They combined great wax artistry with music and special effects, such as shooting sounds and lights, to create a real feel to the life-like figures. Kids really enjoy the Branson's Hollywood Wax Museum because they can pose with characters from some of their favorite movies!

There is also a Hall of Horrors area, which is great for Horror movie enthusiasts, although parents might want to bypass this exhibit, as it is quite spooky. However, exhibits featuring the Men in Black, Star Wars and Hugh Hefner, as well as NASCAR’s finest are great photo opportunities and had all of my party smiling and hamming it up for the camera. My tour of the museum led to the concluding gift shop, which was actually a nice change from the usual gift shops. For anyone that loves pop culture, this is the place to shop. Everything from Gone with the Wind to I Love Lucy memorabilia can be found there.

Country Inn and Suites Unique Property, Budget Friendly

The Country Cascades in Pigeon Forge is an inviting property offering all interior corridor rooms. There are unique features at this hotel, including no first floor rooms. Instead of rooms, there is a lobby, breakfast area and a large indoor pool and hot tub. I found the seventh floor rooms to be a nice touch, as they have vaulted ceilings, a unique element not available at many hotels. The double queen rooms have a modern/floral décor that is a bit outdated, but comparable to what you would find in a similarly priced property. Their king rooms are decorated in the same fashion but are more spacious.

There is a deluxe continental breakfast available, a bonus I enjoyed during my stay. Many guests will also enjoy how the non-smoking floors are completely separate from the smoking floors. The Pigeon Forge Country Cascades is a modest property with a nice selection of rooms, although a few updates would really bring it all together. I would still recommend the property as it is a nicely kept, well-appointed facility, that just needs a few extra touches.

Governor's Inn Ranks High in Customer Satisfaction

Governor’s Inn in Pigeon Forge truly does look like a governor’s home, a top a sloping hillside adjacent to the Parkway. The lodging facility provides convenient access to all of Pigeon Forge’s attractions, which was a plus while I visited.

The rooms are nicely appointed with standard case goods. The double queen room’s layout was of a split divide style, with an interior half wall dividing the beds. This is a nice option to have when visiting with friends and family. The bathroom is also spacious for a hotel. Pigeon Forge's Governor’s Inn is also equipped with a heated outdoor pool and hot tub and small fitness center.

They have a fairly spacious breakfast area, which served the traditional breakfast staples. The Governor’s Inn in Pigeon Forge is a nice selection for all visitors, including couples, families and retirees. They provide a great level of comfort at an affordable price.

Hamner Barber Comedy and Magic Top Branson Ticket

If you’re looking for the best all around entertainment for your dollar, don’t overlook Branson's Hamner Barber Variety Show. And, don’t let the title “variety show” scare you away. Unlike other shows I’ve attended who overwork variety from the stand point of trying to be all things to all people, Dave Hamner and his wife Denise, along with Jim Barber give you the laugh you’re looking for and the wonder that only magic can provide. Other than a few awkward dance routines that appear to be done to help with transitions between Barber’s side-splitting antics to the suspense of the Hamner’s trickery, this show is fast paced enough to keep my 5 year old captivated and to prevent me the time to think that its anything short of fantastic.

A small cast in a quaint but very modern theater, the Hamner Barber Variety Show in Branson certainly doesn’t come across as low budget. Hamner and Barber, themselves, are authentic and clearly love doing what they do. Interaction with the audience certainly makes each show unique and in a town where entertainment tends to follow a model, this show breaks the mold. The show did stumble into intermission as Hamner and Barber bantered with each other on stage in an attempt to sell their goods, but they are genuine enough you really just see a couple guys trying to make a living doing something they enjoy. If there were a Top 10 list for Branson, this show would be on it.