Branson's Ramada Inn Resort an Oasis of Fun

The Ramada Inn Resort in Branson, Missouri is an expansive property located near many of Branson’s most popular attractions, such as Dixie Stampede. There are a lot of “extras” on-site at the Ramada Resort, including a large, well equipped fitness center, two outdoor pools, basketball court, volleyball area, shuffleboard, two hiking trails, arcade, children’s playground and picnic areas. Wireless internet is available throughout the property, and they serve a free, full hot breakfast buffet in the adjacent restaurant. The resort, situated on 22 acres, certainly offers a lot for guests to do as far as recreation goes, and they are slowly revamping their rooms to reflect more of a modern touch.

The current rooms, which come standard with two queen beds, are decorated in a paisley décor with floral accents. The vanity is located outside of the bathroom, and the room is equipped with a 27’ television, café style table and chairs, coffee maker, hair dryer and iron/ironing board. The case goods are a bit dated, but the room, for the price, coupled with the extra amenities Branson’s Ramada Inn Resort offers, is a good bargain for Branson visitors.

Approximately 10% of the Ramada Inn Resort has been redesigned with a luxurious modern feel. The new rooms, many of which are suites, feature a sleek design accented by a 37’ flat screen television, chaise lounge, 3 person Jacuzzi, plush bedding, new case goods and an upscale bathroom. These rooms add a lot of class to the resort and are sure to be a hit with guests, but are available in only limited quantities at this time.

Branson's Hall of Fame Hotel Offers Great Location, Budget-Friendly Prices

The Hall of Fame Hotel in Branson, Missouri is located directly on Highway 76 (Country Music Boulevard), in the midst of Branson’s entertainment district. The property features both standard hotel rooms and condo-style suites. Designed for travelers on a budget, the Hall of Fame hotel is modest in their design and décor, and they offer basic amenities such as coffee maker and hair dryer in-room. Their rooms feature either double double or double queen accommodations and are furnished with a country-charm décor. The layout has the bath vanity located on the outside of the bathroom, while the standard café style table and chairs is also available in-room. The case goods are a bit dated, and the television is a standard ’27. The studio condo has a lot of space for two people and includes a large whirlpool, small living area and kitchenette style area complete with sink, microwave, fridge and dishwasher. The most unique element of the studio condo is the bathroom, which includes a double shower head.

There is a free continental breakfast served at the hotel, with biscuits and gravy included. A moderate size pool is also located on property. Branson’s Hall of Fame Hotel has refrigerators and microwaves available for an additional charge as well.

The Hall of Fame Hotel is a good choice for travelers on a budget, who are looking to spend more on activities rather than a place to rest.

Branson's Howard Johnson Features Great Location, Family-Friendly Amenities

The Howard Johnson in Branson, Missouri is a large property with rooms located throughout three buildings. Located right off of Highway 76 (Country Music Boulevard), they offer easy access to all traffic relief routes as well as a convenient location for shopping, show seeing and dining. The breakfast room of the hotel is exceptionally sized, equipped with two flat screen televisions and serves a continental breakfast complete with waffles and fresh, delicious doughnuts. Two computers are also available for guest use in the lobby, free of charge. The featured amenity at the Howard Johnson would have to be their pool area, which is massive in size and is highlighted by an extensive patio area complete with a cabana, lounge chairs and a playground for children. The pool area is great for families due to its large main pool, which is complimented by two pools specially designed for children with depths of only 4 inches, 8 inches or 2 feet. There are also two hot tubs on site.

The Howard Johnson offers double double, double queen and king rooms, each furnished in a modern, rich hued décor. The rooms, which were recently remodeled, have all new carpet, drapes and bedding (including 5 pillows per bed!), while the bathroom has new tile as well as new, curved shower rods for additional showering space. The layout of the room is traditional, with the vanity outside of the bath, and the standard café style table accenting the window. Refrigerators and microwaves are available for guests at an additional charge of $10 a night. The same charge applies for pets. The case goods in the property are older than the other room features, but the overall rooms are a great bargain for the price, especially when you consider all the Branson Howard Johnson offers, as well as their prime location.

1st Inn Branson Raises the Bar on Budget Friendly Hotels

The 1st Inn Branson is located on Branson’s famous Country Music Boulevard (Hwy 76), in the heart of the Branson Entertainment District. This property is a budget hotel, offering pocket-book friendly rates while also providing a higher level of comfort, design and amenities than most other Branson budget properties. Their recent renovation, which occurred in late spring, is responsible for many of the changes which have turned 1st Inn Branson into a top choice for Branson travelers who are looking to save money yet still desire the comforts of home.

The hotels amenities include an outdoor pool, which is of medium size and equipped with a nice-size patio area. The pool area also feels secluded, even though the property is on busy Hwy 76, a plus in any visitor’s book. There is also a hot continental breakfast to take advantage of, offering your basic breakfast staples as well as French toast and waffles. There is a small fitness center available, as well as a guest laundry unit. The 1st Inn Branson is completely smoke and pet free. Wireless internet is also available throughout the property.

As mentioned previously, the hotel underwent extensive renovations this past spring, which are apparent in both the exterior and interior of the hotel. The exterior is a mix of stone and natural hues creating a welcoming environment which overlaps into the interior of the property. The same warm hues are used throughout the property, and they create very inviting rooms. The rooms are completely new in design and concept and feature 32’ flat screen televisions, new carpet, new drapes, new bedding, new case goods, new tile and new shower curtains. That’s a whole lot of new, and it shows! I was impressed with this property during my stay and found their property to be a nice change of pace compared to other budget properties where I have lodged.

The Pierce Arrow Show in Branson Hits Their Target!

The Pierce Arrow Show in Branson, Missouri is a spectacular display of music, comedy and special effects. Their theater is definitely one of the nicest in town, and the matinee show I attended had one of the biggest audiences I had seen. After seeing the show, I realized why their show was so full – it’s because they’ve got one of the best shows in Branson!

Jarrett Dougherty, Pierce Arrow’s resident comedian, starts the show and had me laughing out loud in a matter of seconds. Pierce Arrow then took the stage, to the tune of confetti, smoke and flashing lights for a spectacular introduction and even better set of country and gospel hits. A little bit of everything is covered in their show, though, evident by the likes of song choices like “Pretty Woman,” “Can’t go Home,” by Bon Jovi and Bob Seger’s “Take it Easy.” However, I thought the band really shined during their gospel selections, which included the moving “I can only Imagine,” “Elizabeth," and “Spirit in the Sky.” They were also joined by Desta, the woman songstress of the show, for a rousing rendition of “O Happy Day,” which highlighted the entire crew at their best.

The mix of Jarrett Dougherty’s comedy, including a skit featuring lotto winner Claude Hopper, with Pierce Arrow’s vocal stylings is a winning combination that has proved to be extremely popular. I came away from the show a fan, and I believe the show emphasizes the importance of God, Country and Family in a very honorable, yet entertaining way. Branson’s Pierce Arrow show also has a moving tribute to veterans, beautifully orchestrated to showcase the sacrifices made.

The Pierce Arrow show is a Top Ten Must-See Branson Show.

Branson's Comedy Jamboree Features a Variety of Entertainment

The Comedy Jamboree Show in Branson, Missouri is located at the Grand Country Music Hall in a quaint but comfortable theater. With a capacity of just 551, the theater provides an intimate atmosphere for the audience participation heavy show. The show is more variety show than anything else, with comedy, music, dancing and zany antics at the forefront of the production. The Ozark Mountain Country Band is present throughout the show, providing some nice instrumental stylings while their lead singer, Splinter Middleton, provides the right amount of country twang.

The show features a lot of comedy bits, many of them corny in nature but also completely hilarious. As this is Branson, the comedy is completely G-rated and family-friendly. The best routine of all was the “Dr. Phil Sketch,” where the host, Stretch, and comedian, Jae, take the world of talk shows for a spin around the Comedy Jamboree block. And let me tell you, the end results are hilarious! A lot of the comedic skits in Branson’s Comedy Jamboree Show rely on audience members to participate, which leads to tremendous laughs for everyone. One in particular, which I’ll call the “Monkey See, Monkey Do” segment, had me rolling with laughter.
Tracy Heaston, a fantastic piano player, is part of the show’s line-up as well, and his playing is very good. The band does an excellent job on “The Devil went down to Georgia” and “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” which was my favorite.

Overall, the Comedy Jamboree does succeed as a variety show matinee. It definitely brings the funny to town.

The Duttons in Branson Show America They've Got Talent

After seeing The Duttons in Branson, Missouri all I can is “Wow!” I was completely in awe of their mastery of instruments, singing, and overall appeal they exude. This is one talented family, albeit one of the most talented I’ve ever seen, and they connect the idea of family-friendly entertainment in all they do. Some of you might be familiar with them already, as they were top ten finalists on last year’s “America’s Got Talent.”

The show began with a medley of country & bluegrass hits, including “Mountain Music,” “If you’re gonna play in Texas,” “I’ve Been Everywhere” and “Bayou.” From there, the performers delighted me with their sheer instrumental talent, even playing behind their backs. Amy is one of the finest Fiddle/Violinists I have ever heard, and she amazed me throughout the show. Her brother, Tim, is also one of the most versatile musicians I’ve found in the Branson area, and his ability to play every instrument on the stage was remarkable!

The Dutton Family also has several little members, the Dutton children. Now, many Branson shows have the performer’s children in them. However, none have impressed me the way the Dutton Children did. They took the stage and made it their own! My favorite kiddie performance was the Dress Shop segment, where Ben’s little boy sings “Somewhere Out There.”

There is so much in The Dutton Show, it is hard to point out all of the highlights. But, a few more of my favorites included the classical segment, where the violin is accompanied by the piano, then by the whole band, for a moving number. Their “Devil Went Down to Georgia” performance was a rousing rendition of a country classic, as was their fun interpretation of “Cotton Eyed Joe.” The Branson Dutton Show was capped off by a spot-on performance of their signature song, where all performers played the opposite violin, creating an instrumental effect I’ve never seen before!