We've never been and we're taking the kids in a couple of weeks (ages 12, 10, 8, and 4....3 oldest are girls and last is a boy).

For those that have been, do you have any favorite stops? Best things for the kids? Definite "don't" do things?

Silver Dollar City is one of the best amusement parks I've been to. Probably that was on your radar already.

Another fun thing to do if the weather is nice is to rent a pontoon boat and go out on Table Rock lake for some swimming and cliff jumping.

Beware of timeshare salesmen. Most of the places offering discount show tickets are pitching timeshares. I made the mistake of stopping by a booth on the way out of a grocery store to ask about tickets, fortunately I figured out pretty fast what was going on.

Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks- restaurant , bakery etc- I think it's student run but my parents and their traveling buddies always enjoyed that part of the trip the most.

If you are into shows and the Bible is your thing, the shows at the Sight & Sound theater (think that's the name) are very good. We also enjoyed the Pierced Arrow Theater show.

I thought Branson was for oldies like medicare and social security old.

Silver Dollar City has some excellent rollercoasters (5) and kiddie rides. Multiple musical theater shows.
Plenty of food & drink. Check the events schedule and you can be entertained continuously. Late show in the Hollow has always been excellent.

Dixie Stampede, all ages will enjoy, includes dinner. Been multiple times and always enjoyed.

Sight & Sounds Theater Biblical Story currently is "Samson", saw the performance in April.

Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks is great for lunch/dinner. Excellent food and service by the students.
It is called "Hard Work U". We consider it the Best Place to Eat in Branson Area.

Cake and Cream, 1950's spot for burgers, ice cream, cake, cookies, banana splits; just name it. We always make it atleast once.

We like the Branson Belle, dinner show on the Showboat. But with those two young ones
just might not be a good idea.

Lots of theaters/shows/restaurants. We don't do a lot of shows and restaurants vary.

If you want to drive 30 minutes north to Ozark, Lambert's (place of the thrown rolls), good food (more than you can eat), we always make it once.

South about 30 miles is Harrison, Arkansas, and a good place to stop for food is Neighbor's Mill. Actually owned by an Aggie. Great muffins, cinnamon rolls, and bread.

Again in Arkansas, look up War Eagle Mill, old 1840's mill, still in operation and has a restaurant up stairs.
You have to cross a one way, steel structure, plank runners to get there. East of Sprindale & south of Eurika Springs.

If you are driving, in route place food & visit/break
Lake DeGray, Mt Magazine, Queen Wilhemina, Cliff House
Mt Magazine, highest pt Arkansas, Lodge and nice restaurant
Cliff House, close to Jasper, overlooks Grand Canyon of Ozarks, excellent food
Queen Wilhemina, lodge and restaurant
Lake DeGray, lodge and restaurant

Enjoy, there are things for the younger kids, just spread out.
Good shopping at Branson Landing, Tanger, and Mulberry/Christmas store

The Titanic museum is surprisingly pretty cool, though the younger kids will probably be bored.