Branson has tons of tourist attractions, but one incredibly worthwhile place to visit is the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum. Johnny Morris, the owner of Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas, grew up in the area and built this incredible museum as a tribute to his beloved Ozark hill country. Well worth visiting.
I’m also with you on the waterfall. LOL. I laughed to when you seen the “waterfall”! My wife shakes her head whenever I tell her let’s see a waterfall and you get to “that”!
The bacteria in those lakes are no joke, I had a cousin that went into a coma when she swallowed a bit of that water by accident. She recovered and she is doing fine.
Branson and lake of the Ozark are always crowded during the summer month's not only weekends. If you want to enjoy them go before June and after August. Then you will have mostly crowds on the weekends. Lived in a tourist area most of my life. about 50% of the tourist attraction do not bother to open except weekends in the spring and fall. There is almost always a bit of a drought during the summer some years it lasts longer as it did this year
😄😄😄😄 I live 70 miles from Branson and I loved your video. The reason I love your video is you call it Ike it is. So many are disappointed with Branson but it's our play ground because we have nothing else in the area. Love, love, love your video.
I live between Branson & Springfield. Branson is a fun little place to visit, shop, boat & see a home-spun musical show! Though, it is a shadow of what it was 20-25 years ago.
@@raallen1468 I don't know what Robert was expecting but many people are underwhelmed by Branson unless you enjoy the shopping, shows, etc. After watching Robert's videos he's more into the scenery, historical marks, quantity. Branson really doesn't offer much of that although it tries. IMHO, he should've explored Arkansas. That seems to be more of his cup of Cuban coffee. Although I just learned about that waterfall trail by Wyndham.
@@dustudyism That "waterfall" is part of the creek that runs past the old charcoal plant, crossing under Shepherd of the Hills road. It floods quite often. That washer was probably a remnant from floods of 2018-19. This summer's drought is why that creek is currently almost dried up. Imo, it's too bad he missed the "good parts" of 66 on the side roads around Cuba, Ft Wood, etc. and southwest of Springfield... His loss. My son built components for the (real) Hubble Telescope @ U of Iowa, in late 1980's.
@@raallen1468 yeah, I just didn't know that the "falls" existed. I've been through there many times. The other things you've mentioned just isn't Branson. Branson is a great city if you like shopping and entertainment but not for scenery and history save Shepherd of the Hills but even that is nothing more than a tourist trap shop and entertainment spot. I personally think he did a great job and does a great job in his videos. He simply tells it as he sees it. Just one man's opinion. Personally I love going to Branson for the entertainment because It's close and I don't like big cities. If I want scenery I'll stay in Arkansas. In the end Robert liked Missouri just was underwhelmed with Branson
It's a shame you went to Branson and didn't do anything except drive around some highways. When you plan to go back hit me up and I will make sure you have a great time and see the best things in Branson.
When I drove through Missouri in 2018 on a cross-country trip, it made me realize that Missouri State Parks were on their game with campgrounds. Very impressed. Sounds like your experience was similar.
Believe it or not, Robert, I think you'd LOVE Lake of the Ozarks -- especially if you had me as your guide! (Forget the asinine, filmed-somewhere-in-Georgia TV show, and the college party atmosphere you might have heard about -- that's a much less significant phenomenon than you'd think, and is confined to one or two teeny, tiny coves and only on certain weekends in the summer -- and even if you opted to participate, you'd find a typical beach in south Florida far more raucous, I promise!!). The lake is REALLY big (with more shoreline than the state of CA, since it's composed of millions of coves), with more low-key-upscale restaurants/shopping/etc. tucked away than you'll generally find on the lakes in southern Missouri (because it's more of a weekend getaway for suburbanites from St. Louis and KC, many with second homes there, and many of whom are looking for higher-end dining, etc. options), but with the same green, forested, natural Ozarks hills, plus copious natural activities: hiking, cycling, spelunking, exploring the state park and smaller regional parks, and water activities, including SAILING (yes) then anchoring and swimming off the back of the boat with gourmet lunches from a local (very foodie) cafe/bakery/culinary school-type place, relaxing (most likely totally by yourself!! -- VERY quiet area) by the pool at our really classy, low-key condo perched high on a hill overlooking the lake (one of my sister's German friends wouldn't leave his chaise lounge by the poolside, and kept calling the setting and view "paradise," insisting that Europeans had no idea places like that existed in the U.S.!) A recent visitor to the lake (from LA, there to see if it was actually like the silly Netflix show) said that the show was an insult to the area's natural beauty (since it was filmed at a piney, relatively flat, relatively undeveloped, and MUCH smaller lake in Georgia!!) and gave NO indication at all of lake's very visible (on the hillsides above the lake) gorgeous residential properties and up-market dining/retail options (not to mention the friendly, normal people -- most of whom are suburbanites from larger cities [though no insult to Lake-area natives intended! Small-town Missouri chick here, actually :P). Oh, and also -- check out the historic 1930s architecture from when the lake was new -- beautiful resort lodges, a funky retail business or two, lots of cabins, and at least one very cute hotel, all made from very distinctive (mostly "blonde") local stone quarried from the area way back when. Oh, and the ruins (part of one stone facade) of one man's Victorian-era "castle" (1905) at Ha Ha Tonka State Park -- quiet, soul-reviving, and with the most gorgeous scenery at any park of the Lake, in my opinion.
Found Wakonda park several years ago by accident. Agree with you it’s a beautiful park to stay at. Now stop there anytime I’m traveling through Missouri, love it❤️
Major kudos for not letting COVID impact your adventures. And especially for not complaining about it.....wish I could say the same for most nomad YT'rs.
Love your videos! They give me hope for my future travel plans. I can hear and see your disappointment with the crowds and how much physical distancing has affected our lives. Thank you for your videos!!
Thx Robert for another great and informative video. Always look forward to your travels. I've added a couple campgrounds to my list since you highlighted them here. Thx for your honesty as you explore & discover the beautiful America 🇺🇸 we love ♥️.
Hi Robert, thanks again for another vicarious trip down the road! Love the rolling hills and all that greenery! I remember seeing that "World's Largest Gift Shop" sign from my Rt 66 trip...I passed it by and had to turn around to get a picture. It's just down the road from St Robert, in case you missed it :-) About the murals of Cuba...one thing I've noticed about towns that boast of having lots of murals is a lot of them aren't necessarily facing the main drag. You can't see them all by doing a drive-by, you have to get out and walk around a little. Until next week...happy trails!
The Laura Ingalls museum is fantastic. During the film they show before you go in a violin is playing. At then end of the film, they reveal that it is actually Pa Ingalls fiddle that they play once a year.
Love your narrative.....make me feel I am part of the physical adventure.....THANKS for letting me be part of your trip...........I am in Puerto Rico.....
You gave me some chuckles about the water fall! We really enjoy your videos! We are planning on hitting the road in the spring of 2021, Lord willing. Thanks for sharing your videos! Keep up the great work!
The Branson Bell as great! Good food and very nice show. My aunt and uncle paid. Afterward I found out it was $50/person ! Several years ago. The Titanic Museum was really educational. When you enter they give you a passenger’s name and bio to think about as you tour. Then at the end you find out if your person survives..mine did. But none of my friends folks made it.
Great video as always. Remember when I got to Nashville in the late 70s and they were outright upset about this little town in MO trying to steal their thunder named Branson; turns out there was plenty of room for both of them.
I agree that Robert can sound a it negative but he tells it like it is. The Branson area is nothing like it used to be since the commercialism took over. Visited there in the 1970's and had a really good time but nothing is like it was back then. Went to Silver Dollar city when it first opened and had a real blast. Went back twenty years later and it was nothing like the original. Those places are all hype, the best thing about Robert's travels the scenery.
I've live in Mo.have for many years....been to Branson many times..never seen that waterfall and never want to!! Lol You should go to Dogwood Canyon there are some pretty waterfalls there...it's very nice and not far from Branson. You should have stopped at Lambert's in Ozark for some good ole fashion cooking!! But maybe they were closed due to pandemic. Anyway come back to Mo again...it's actually a beautiful place to live and visit! Oh and don't forget Merimac Springs state park and a wonderful charming restaurant in St. James called Sybills!! See you again sometime!!
Branson was a very pretty area many years ago. Now it is so touristy that it takes one an hour to get from one end of the strip to the other and it is only about 4 miles. Old Branson and Hollester (West Branson) are gorgeous. Silver Dollar City is an amusement park and as far as that type of thing goes it is tucked into a very scenic area making it very pleasant. Oh, the temperatures you experienced are summers in Missouri. It is very hot and humid everywhere!
Smoky Mountains/Gatlinburg is the same way. Used to be a place we went all the time. We went three years ago around Christmas and will never go back. It took two hours to go through town because of all the traffic.
Hello Traveling Robert😊😊🎸🎸, I agree with your assessment of Branson as it definitely isn't a place to be with so many crowds during a pandemic. The waterfall, where...where is the waterfall😊😊😊, at least the surrounding area is really beautiful. I have drivin sections of Route 66 in Missouri as part of a road trip to a family reunion in Tulsa, OK, and you should visit Tulsa if your in the area as its a great city. Missouri has so many beautiful rolling hills. The pork chops you were grilling looked really good. You know, that really gives me a great idea of bringing a grill with me on the road. Great video Robert👍👍👍. Looking forward to seeing Iowa and beyond.
Hi Robert! I was looking forward to a video from you on Branson. We visited there a couple years ago, and I was left with many of the same impressions that you had. Out of our trip, my favorite activity was actually the trout hatchery at the base of Table Rock Dam. I’m also a boat owner, and I was wishing we had out boat down there as soon as we arrived. Thanks for sharing!
We own timeshare points with Wyndham and we love it. We travel many times during the year and can go anywhere we want using points, not just one place over and over like in the old days. I bought our first timeshare on eBay for $200 and we now own three properties. We pay $100/mo for maintenance fees, which more than makes it worth it to stay for a week in Yellowstone like we did this year, or a week in Yosemite like what we're going to do next year. We also stay at the beach several times during the year as well as random places in the mountains. The trick is, we only travel when kids are IN school. A lot of people who bitch about timeshares, it's because they have kids and can't vacation except during school breaks, and can't get a stay at a location they want because it's popular and because every other owner with kids wants to go that same time of year. We've owned for many years and plan on buying more properties when we retire.
@TravelingRobert, don't bother going to the Chateau on the Lake until they get a major makeover. The beauty is definitely from a distance. We just stayed there two nights and it is outdated, dark, roof paint is peeling off, and lacks many of the normal services due to COVID 19, yet are still charging resort fees.
Love Branson. If you haven’t been to Bull Shoals lake and the White river in Arkansas you must go. There is a beautiful RV camping spot down on the white river. Absolutely beautiful, my wife’s parents live on one of the shoulders of bull shoals lake. We go every year. It’s a hidden gem. If you ever plan to go there let me know. I’ll give you info on a some places to see. Stay safe and safe travels Robert.
We are enjoying your 2020 travels amid the pandemic and your cautious attitude about discovery in the midst of crowds. Just to see how presentations may have changed with years of experience, lol, we also watched your very first video and so enjoyed it. You gave a rapport with us that is refreshing and honest and we appreciate that. ( I still don’t like you hacking products ... but I want you to make a living so you can keep traveling- lol❤️
I'm from the Ozarks of Missouri and have loved this series, but have lived in Bentonville Arkansas for last 20 years. Home of Walmart and an amazing area, Northwest Arkansas. You will so enjoy a visit here. Say hi if come. I work at Walmart market downtown. Happy Travels :)
We were there that same weekend. I drive thru that RV park you stayed in often because you can exit the back of that park and cut thru the residential area to get back to the strip. Would have been cool to see you on the road because we go to so many of the same places.
This was the best video, yet. After this pandemic, I and the hubs have got to go to Branson. Hopefully, we'll see an end to Covid soon. Safe travels.Oh, and thanks for the hearty chuckle first thing in the morning. Great way to start the day.
I feel the same way about going to tourist raps and and time shares. Also we avoid long lines at place to eat because no chicken sandwich is worth a 20 minute wait. Out limit is also 400 miles a day and there are two of us.
I was in the Branson area 5 years ago and I agree that the big show attractions just aren't for me. I just wish the weather was a little more cooperative so that I could've visited some of the spots that you hit. Table Rock Lake and the surrounding areas are beautiful.
Last part of my research historic Route 66 it located east west across central part of New Mexico highway exited 1985 which became one of most famous road in USA originally from Chicago Illinois through Missouri Kansas oklahoma Texas New Mexico Arizona before ending in Santa Monica in Los Angele covering total of 244 8 Milles its significant highly linking Chicago Los Angeles. Reduced distance between Chicago Los Angeles by more than 200 Milles which popular for many thousands of motorists drove west in decades thank you for giving us chance to read information stay safe blessed good luck to you your dearest ones
Car sightings: 1:22 Dodge Dakota Convertible edition (they didn’t have the roof down but it most likely is a convertible) 9:04 Jurassic park Explorer to the right 14:03/14:16 2021 GMC Yukon
So you finally made it to my state, huh Robert? Nice! I’ve been bugging you about coming up on your live streams to try our BBQ in KC for a while. I hope you enjoyed it 🙏🏼
Wow! My wife and I passed Wakonda State Park and campground on our way to visit our kids in Iowa (took a picture of that sign). The exact road! Have you done a video exploring Pensacola, FL, where I live, or Clarksville, TN, and Hopkinsville, KY where I’m from?
I'm going to Pensacola early next year. It is one of those places that whenever I pass through it's been rainy, or I've been on a tight schedule... but next year for sure.
Hey, if you get back to the Ozarks, hwy 412 or 62 in Arkansas is pretty cool, Bull Shoals White River state park is one the nicer places to see or Cranfield in Mt Home Arkansas. See ya.
You went the wrong direction when you exited I-44 at route F. If you had went right toward St. Robert/Waynesville MO, you could have visited the most interesting part of Route 66 in MO, Devil’s Elbow. There you could have ate at the famous Elbow Barbeque Bar and Grill. Plus the section of Route 66 there crosses the old Devil’s Elbow historic bridge over the Piney River. Also you missed the Fort Leonard Wood Military Museum that contains exhibits for the three Army Corps that call Fort Leonard Wood home, the Chemical, Military Police, and Engineer Corps. Oh also in the area you could have ate in the Caveman restaurant, that is actually in a cave.
Very interesting. Learned new things about you - seeing a side of you previously missed. My sony fdr3000 is flashing red lights top and rear with card inserted - this happen to you? It will not record. Card is empty. It's so cool you get to just drive around while others have to go to work - it's like a permanent vacation. Can't wait to be on the road. Very soon.
The X3000 very finicky when it comes to the card because the slot also accommodates memory stick. It will allow you to insert the card wrong unlike other cameras. Make sure it is inserted perfectly straight and in the right direction.
You would think the city could keep that "Waterfall Trail" in better condition. The old wash machine likely ended up there after the creek flooded. Branson is a hick town with lots of ways to loose your money. The best part of the Branson area is the scenery.
Shelbina, Missouri. Humid and cold. Step father was from there. Lots of Arnold’s. Cattle ranches. Pretty country. Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Traveled from Batesville, Arkansas to ft Leonard Wood to see hubby during the war basic training. Winter time and froze. Scenery was nice. What highway did I take? Two lane I think. Don’t remember.
I do love how you narrate things and how you put your words the lord god Jehovah really gave you a gift there Robert thank you for using that gift you really are a good man I'll be praying for you thank you for the new video:-)
