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15. Branson, Missouri, a Cheesy Yet Charming Hub for Seeing the Ozarks

Locals Know Best

Release Date: 03/02/2021

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Today, I’ll be speaking with Ashley Mann about a fun outdoorsy day in the tourist destination of Branson, Missouri. And then the end of our chat, we’re also going to touch on a bunch of the outdoor adventures possible in the greater Ozarks area.

Join Ashley and me as we make the most of a day outdoors in Branson, Missouri, and then journey into all of the outdoor adventures provided by the surrounding Ozarks area.

 

About Ashley Mann

Ashley is a former full-time RVer.

She and her husband lived in an RV for three years, starting in 2016, while they both started their online businesses.

In 2019, they decided to return to their hometown of Springfield, Missouri for a few months and ended up falling in love with it so much that they decided to sell their RV and make it their permanent home base.

Ashley currently owns and operates a multitude of websites, including RVinspiration.com, a website about RV organization, decor, and renovations, and RenovatedRVsforsale.com, an RV listing website for buying and selling renovated RVs.

While RVing, Ashley blogged about their experiences, including why they bought an RV that they never traveled in, how they started out their online businesses, and even ultimately why they decided to end their RV life journey.

Read more about Ashley's RVing experience at RVinspiration.com/About or connect with her at AshleyMann.me

What We Cover in This Episode

  • What makes Branson, MO, a great hub for visiting the Ozarks.
  • The history behind the development of Branson.
  • What makes Branson both cheesy and charming.
  • The best time of year to visit Branson, MO.
  • Where to stay in Branson, MO, with and without an RV.
  • The best spots to get coffee and juice near Branson, MO.
  • A relaxing outdoorsy spot near Branson, MO that’s not to be missed – complete with streams, lakes, waterfalls, caves, bike rentals, tram tours, segway rentals, and horseback riding.
  • Why historic downtown Branson is worth your time.
  • The most authentic Ozarks Southern dinner spot in Branson, MO, and what to order.
  • A local’s favorite place to play mini-golf in Branson, MO.
  • The most overrated attractions in Branson, MO, and where you should go instead to get the biggest bang for your buck.
  • The best shows, museum, and Instagram spots in Branson, MO.
  • The must-visit destinations throughout the Ozarks, in both Missouri and Arkansas, for paddling, hiking, rock climbing, and swimming.

 

Quotes

"There’s so much to see and do here. Branson, it’s a vacation destination for people in the Ozarks, but there’s a lot I think to offer people that are not from the area as well.

You know, every part of the U.S. has its own flavor and feel, and I think Branson is a good representation of what the Ozarks have to offer.

And … not just Branson, but the Ozarks is where I would travel from across the country to visit."

 

"Branson, I like not because so much of Branson itself, but because it’s kind of centrally located.

So if you can spend a week or two in the Ozarks, there is a lot outside of Branson to do, and all of it is within an hour or two of Branson in different directions.

So I think it’s really a good hub for seeing the Ozarks. But there is a lot to do in Branson as well."

 

Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode

Where to Stay in Branson, MO:

What to do in Branson, MO

Outdoor Activities Mentioned in the Episode & What to do Beyond Branson Throughout the Ozarks

Branson, MO Restaurants Mentioned in this Episode:

Branson, MO Instagram Photo Spots Mentioned in this Episode:

 

Thanks for Listening!

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