Going to Branson, need some advice...
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Going to Branson, need some advice...
Hi guys, just booked a trip to Branson with the wife, parents, and some friends from June 3rd through the 9th. Staying at Big Cedar Lodge, and looking for some "must see's, or must do's" while in the area. Never been to the area, and plan to hit all four nearby States as well to check them off on my "Been to States" list. Looking for great rides, great meals and great biker friendly places. Bring it on guys, need some advice and suggestions!! Thanks in advance for the help.
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From: Bloomfield, NM
Silver Dollar City is kind of an interesting amusement park. Some of the lake dinner cruises are fun. Lot of good music theaters, especially if you like folk, country, traditional type music. A stop at Bass Pro Shops main store in Springfield is worth a look.
Traffic is a bear so keep in mind it will take more time than usual to get where you want to be.
Bill
Traffic is a bear so keep in mind it will take more time than usual to get where you want to be.
Bill
Branson scenery and shows are ok if you've never been there....but the area riding is what's best.... Most hiways in that area are scenic...If you drop down out of Missouri into Arkansas most of the roads are twisties.. Don't know how much riding you want to do in a day but from branson you can drop down toward Eureka Springs AR and then down SH 23 (pig Trail) towards Huntsville and to I40 and back up toward Harrison and Branson. SH 21 and 16 are all good to ride.....
Haven't been over too much of South Missouri roads except from Poplar Bluff to Thayer MO. That's a good ride into Mammoth Springs AR and to all points Arkansas....
Enjoy....
Haven't been over too much of South Missouri roads except from Poplar Bluff to Thayer MO. That's a good ride into Mammoth Springs AR and to all points Arkansas....
Enjoy....
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All of the above - and yes, it is a helmet state. In my experience the best riding will happen an hour south starting in Harrison, AR. There is a ton of info out there on that area (including a Ride report I just finished right here).
Like JMR said - I would bunk in Eureka Springs. Fwiw, I usually stay at the Land O Nod for under $100/night. But, if everyone has their hearts set on Branson, go for it. It's still very close to some great riding.
Like JMR said - I would bunk in Eureka Springs. Fwiw, I usually stay at the Land O Nod for under $100/night. But, if everyone has their hearts set on Branson, go for it. It's still very close to some great riding.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Springfield, Mo
There are tons of great rides in the area. Branson is full of things to do if you have never been there. Springfield, 30 miles north, has the headquarters of Bass Pro Shops. I was just in there yesterday and in the Archery Hall of Fame and Museum they have a bow and quiver made by Gerinimo. Going south, just north of Eureka Springs, AR there is a wooden suspension bridge going over the White River(I think it's the White). Even further south around Jasper, AR there is the Buffalo River Valley, certainly worth seeing. Google waterfalls in Arkansas and you will be amazed at how many there are in NW AR. Plenty to do in the area. Enjoy.
Last edited by molongneck; Dec 30, 2012 at 01:30 PM.
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From: MO
Check out the pizza parlor in nearby Reeds Spring. I don't know the name of it, but it's the only one in Reeds Spring, and Reeds Spring is not much bigger than a postage stamp. Great pizza, and the owner has a huge collection of vintage cameras on display.
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From: PNW
If you want to see Oklahoma on a road trip, a good ride out of Eureka Springs is hwy 62 west, 37 north, then 90 west into Noel. Very twisty. Noel is kind of cool and there are some interesting rock overhangs over the road on the west side. You could continue west into OK and check that off your list, meander south and stop back in Gravette AR at the Wooden Spoon for some awesome "Bumble Bee" pie and eats. From there you can head back on 72 which is just to get you past busy Bentonville and Rogers, work your way down to 12 over Beaver Lake and head east on that until you hit 23 - fantastic ride. Take 23 north back to Eureka Springs and work your way back to Branson.
This is an aggressive, full day of riding on some awesome roads.
If you want to head farther south you could head into OK after gravette (or skip it altogether - other than pie there's not much there) and pick up the Talimena Skyway (Google it) and loop back into Arkansas, then head north and east from there. This loop is much longer and I'm not even sure if it's doable in a day. It would be best to break it up with an overnight in Hot Springs etc and then work back to Branson on some more amazing roads too numerous to list here. If you're interested I can put together a 2 day loop that will wear out the sides of your tires the whole time.
This is an aggressive, full day of riding on some awesome roads.
If you want to head farther south you could head into OK after gravette (or skip it altogether - other than pie there's not much there) and pick up the Talimena Skyway (Google it) and loop back into Arkansas, then head north and east from there. This loop is much longer and I'm not even sure if it's doable in a day. It would be best to break it up with an overnight in Hot Springs etc and then work back to Branson on some more amazing roads too numerous to list here. If you're interested I can put together a 2 day loop that will wear out the sides of your tires the whole time.
Last edited by nevada72; Jan 1, 2013 at 10:13 AM.
