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City Guide Featured Our Travels Reviews

Santa Ynez Valley-Solvang California Worldmark

town of solvang californiaVineyards and wineries abound in the lush and beautiful Santa Ynez Valley.  If you enjoy wine you will love the quaint Danish town of Solvang, California.  But since wine country is not usually associated with family fun, I thought I would write a review of our time at the Santa Ynez Valley – Solvang California Worldmark Resort to help you decide whether or not you want to add Solvang to your vacation itinerary!

We stayed at the Solvang Worldmark near the beginning of our Epic Road Trip and were so happy with our experience there.  While the town was far from engineered for children, the Worldmark Resort itself was perfect for our three kids! 

worldmark solvang california

worldmark solvang

solvang worldmark

solvang worldmark resort

solvang california worldmark

The Solvang Worldmark Resort was smaller than some of the fancier places we stayed and didn’t have staff led activities any of the days we were there but with a foosball table, pool table, and table tennis in the clubhouse along with an open movie viewing area, the kids were pretty happy regardless.

By far the best part for me was the 1’6″ kiddie pool.  While I hung out in the hot tub they could play in the pool without me worrying about them drowning.  Since none of our kids knew how to swim at the time it was always a little overwhelming taking all three of them to the pool by myself.

Of all the resorts and hotels we stayed in on our 4 month road trip, this pool was by far my favorite for that one reason!

solvang worldmark pool

solvang california worldmark pool

What we liked about Solvang California Worldmark:

  • The Worldmark Resort was very kid friendly
  • The main part of the town is a short walk from the Worldmark
  • While not the most luxurious accommodations Worldmark Solvang was fresh, clean, and was perfectly suited for a family getaway
  • The kiddie pool, of coarse!
  • A nice family game area
  • Grilling Patios
  • Friendly front desk and facility personnel

solvang california worldmark clubhouse

solvang california clubhouse

What we didn’t like about Solvang California Worldmark:

  • No bike trails nearby – though there is a short path behind the resort which would be a good place for a short walk

*We were in no way compensated for staying at Worldmark Solvang and writing this review…we just liked it that much:)

Tips for Traveling to Solvang with Kids:

  • Eat out for lunch in order to experience the authentic Danish cuisine with out breaking the bank.
  • There is a Subway on Mission- the main strip if your kids don’t like to try different kinds of food.
  • If you are NOT staying at the Worldmark make sure to research beforehand to ensure there is stuff for them to do where you will be staying.
  • Don’t miss Ostrich Land.  A local ostrich farm where you can feed the big birds!  Click on that link to watch a funny video of our time there!!!
  • Pastries galore in town – Yumm!  And many are big enough to share!

visit solvang california

The town is well kept and feels like a great little getaway from the hustle and bustle you associate with California.  I would love to go there again!

I hope you found this review helpful.  I heartily recommend staying at this worldmark, especially if you are going to Solvang with your children.  I also wrote about FREE things to do in Santa Barbara if you are interested!

Emily Oak Home Sweet Road

 

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City Guide Featured Our Travels Reviews

The Ridge Tahoe Review

Just when you pass a ski lift and think you can’t possibly drive any higher the road curves and The Ridge Tahoe sign comes into view.  And what do you know, the steep incline continues UP!   I am not a skilled writer so I can not impress upon those who have not been to The Ridge Tahoe the unsettling feeling you get driving through narrow passages between rock faces.  It appears to be landscape that engineers defied God and gravity to build upon.

the ridge tahoe at lake tahoe
In no way am I afraid of heights but I gotta tell you this drive did something to me.  Each time we left the resort for some fun and came back – it happened again.  It was like heart palpitations without the actual palpitations.  I know, it’s a little melodramatic right?

The steep drive pays off because once you get to The Ridge Tahoe you are treated with sweeping views of the valley below.  It’s stunning.

the ridge tahoeWhile the resort itself is a bit aged they do a good job of keeping it clean and comfortable.  There is a ton of stuff to do while you are there as well.

You never have to leave the resort to create fun memories with your family.  If you plan on visiting outside of ski season, like we did, a few things to do on site are putt putt golf, tennis, private hiking trails, swimming, and rock climbing lessons.  They also have a couple of playgrounds for younger kids, a game room and theater which plays free movies twice a day.

the ridge tahoe swimmingthe ridge tahoe pool
The living space was large and open so the five of us never felt cramped in our one bedroom unit.  Although it’s clear that the last major kitchen and bathroom renovation was done in the late 80’s or early 90’s the new carpet, hardware, fixtures, fireplace facelift and tasteful decor distracted us away from the age of the place and made it feel warm and inviting.

the ridge tahoethe ridge tahoe kitchen
the ridge tahoe bedrooms
Did I mention the Jacuzzi soaker tub?  I’ve got one word for it.  Mammoth.  It felt like they actually designed the place around the tub.  The Ridge Tahoe is located within the ski resort Heavenly and as far as I’m concerned if for no other reason than this one feature it is aptly named!

the ridge tahoe bath
One obvious thing the condos are missing is air conditioning.  It was fall and we had to sleep with the slider in our room and windows open- and it was still too hot.

What we liked about The Ridge Tahoe:

  • Views
  • Activities galore
  • Kids Club
  • Shuttles to town
  • Ski-in Ski-out during ski season
  • Jacuzzi tub!

What we didn’t like about The Ridge Tahoe:

  • No air conditioning – please do not underestimate the importance of this one thing
  • Farther from the lake and town then we’d like

VERDICT:

We would go to The Ridge Tahoe again for sure during ski season or cooler months, but NEVER during the summer due to the absence of AC.  I loved all the activities but would plan better to take full advantage of them next time.  Also, if we were planning on spending most of our time near the lake I would find other accommodations.  It’s a bit of a drive.  All in all we had a wonderful time there.

Tips for your visit to The Ridge Tahoe:

  • Drink lots of water.  The high elevation will make you feel dizzy and sick quickly if you are not properly hydrated.
  • Make sure to plan ahead to make sure to take advantage of the onsite activities.

Emily Eck Home Sweet Road

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Featured Reviews Style

Quality, Comfortable Cool Shoes

cool shoesAs you know from my style posts here on the blog, quality trumps a low price tag every time. And you know how much I love a good deal! I am so glad that we found out about Merrell Trail shoes last year. While 4 out of the 5 of us own our own pair, the boys in particular have benefited from these super comfortable cool shoes.

I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t want to spring the $65 that these bad boys cost, but I can tell you over a year later, that it was some of the best money I have EVER spent on footwear. What initially won me over were the great reviews on rei.com and amazon.

I’m a big believer in sharing only resources with you guys that I know will benefit you and I can stand behind.  After a year of abuse from these rough and tumble sons of mine, I thought it would be a good time to tell you about my VERY FAVORITE brand and style of cool comfortable shoes for the kids.

I kid you not, E and Biggie have worn them at least 300 out of the last 365 days of the past year!  The only reason for the days they haven’t been on their sweet feet is because it was either too cold, or they were muddy and I was in the process of washing them!comfortable cool shoesAfter I saw how rad they were for the boys I bought a pair for David and me too!  The only reason Girlr didn’t get a pair is because her feet were too small:)

I wear mine barefoot or with thin ankle socks.  They are low profile and don’t stick out like a sore thumb like a lot of running / excersise shoes I see.  They fit like a glove, which is the point apparently — hence the name Merrell Trail Glove!

Somehow Merrell has figured out a way to give them enough shock absorption so that your knees don’t get rocked on concrete and enough protection on the sole for rough trails.  I even wear mine to the gym when I go — which is not enough!

cool shoes Of coarse my favorite thing to do with them is to wear them on an adventure date with my man!

We bought the boy’s shoes at REI and our adult version at Amazon.

*Please note that the links in this post are affiliate links.  This simply means sometimes I recommend a product and if you choose to purchase that product via my recommendation, I will get a small referral commission. Of course, this is at no extra cost to you but it does help keep my candle burning so I can keep bringing you great tips! I truly appreciate your support in this way. Thank you.

Emily Oak Home Sweet Road

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Featured Our Travels Reviews

Theo Chocolate Tour

I had the pleasure of going on the Theo Chocolate Tour at Theo’s Factory in Seattle with my Mom and two sisters.  We were downtown for a couple of days celebrating my mom’s birthday and my sister suggested we take the chocolatey tour. She had done it before with some of her girlfriends and thought it would be fun.  She was right!

theo chocolate tourIt’s always nice to do something a little less commercial and off the beaten path when it comes to exploring what a city has to offer.  These types of tours are especially good if you have already seen the more touristy attractions and are looking for something interesting that you haven’t done before.

I’m a sucker for good design and Theo Chocolate Factory has that in spades.  From the live edge wood benches and shelves to stained concrete floors.  They even embellished the ceiling with leaves cut from thick waxy paper in different shades of green.  The canopy transports you to the tropics where cacao trees grow!

Not a bad start.

Theo Chocolates Seattle

Theo Chocolate Tour

Theo Chocolate Tour

My mesmerization of the decor was sweetly interrupted by bowls of chocolate samples being passed around while the tour guide gave the history of the Theobroma Cacao (chocolate) fruit tree.  It’s greek translation literally means “food of the gods!”

I am no god, but this is my kind of food baby!

theo chocolate factory

theo chocolate factory

We went when the factory was partially shut down so we didn’t get the entire picture with the machines whirring and chocolatiers working away decorating delicacies.  Even so, it was interesting – and yummy.

At the end of the tour you end up in the gift shop where you can purchase chocolate on your way out.  Besides chocolates and caramels to share with David and the kids, I bought a couple of burlap sacks that held the cacao beans while they were in transport.  I haven’t decided what I am going to do with them yet, but I love decorating with things gathered along the way that remind us of cool stuff we’ve done or places we’ve been – so I won’t let those go to waste.

theo chocolate tour

theo chocolate tour

The tour guide does a good job of walking you through the process from plant to package.   They are clearly well trained in explaining Theo’s commitment to quality and sustainability because I went from knowing nothing about Theo Chocolates to feeling some loyalty to them.

If you are considering taking the Theo Chocolate Tour yourself and aren’t sure if its suited for your children, the company recommends kids be 7 or older.  My sister brought her baby without incident.  There were a few kids there who were younger than 7 and they did great.  You have to make that call depending on your child’s activity level and ability to stay engaged.  I don’t think I could take all three of our kids by myself at this point but it is a great date idea and would love to take one of my older kiddos if it was just the two of us.

Whether you live in the Emerald City or are just visiting, the Theo Chocolate Tour is definitely one to consider if you are looking for something fun to do that is out of the box.  And if you are a Seattle native, it’s a perfect thing to add to your staycation itinerary!

Don’t forget to “like” my FB page or follow my boards on Pinterest for more ideas on creative ways to enjoy life with your loved ones and connect with the  world around you!

Emily Eck Home Sweet Road

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Featured Our Travels Reviews

iFLY Indoor Skydiving – No Life Insurance Necessary

David recently surprised me by taking me to a place called iFLY Indoor Skydiving here in Seattle.  We first spotted the iFLY building when it was under construction on one of our visits to see family before we moved back for good.  I have wanted to go indoor skydiving at iFLY ever since.  I am a big fan of free falling, and need more of it in my life.

He knows me well and this kind of date is right up my ally. We first went skydiving about a year after we got married.  The Man didn’t want to go but I persuaded him to do it for the sake of love.  I was 21.  And he was convinced he was about to DIE.

So convinced in fact that he got his life insurance and all of our finances in order and made sure I knew where every last bit of our assets debt was at the time.  You know, so I could take care of myself after he was gone!

After the training we boarded the rickety plane.  He was shaking slightly and I was just in heaven.  I have a thing for turbulence.  It’s like some sort of drug my body craves.  When most people are completely terrified of the plane going down – I am in my own little world.  so. very. happy.  The statistics are in our favor so I just sit back and enjoy the ride.

That said, my sole skydiving experience was a bit of a disappointment.  The free fall was much shorter than anticipated and for the most part the event was a serene one.  Not really what I was going for.

iFLY indoor Skydiving

And I have to say, iFLY was much the same.  It was fun, just not the life altering have to go back immediately kind of fun.  You don’t really get the free fall feeling.

You are more concerned about whether you are holding your body correctly so you don’t bump into a window wall or fall flat on your face.  When things start looking shaky the skydiving instructor gives you some hand signals to help you self correct and if that doesn’t work, he gently repositions you himself.

If you want them to shoot you high in the vertical wind tunnel, you have to pay an extra 10 bucks for about 10 seconds.  Which is kind of insulting after already laying down $60 for 2 minutes.  But it’s an experience you don’t want to miss so you throw down the money and go with it.

The extra ten dollars was worth it since it was the only rush inducing part of the whole thing for me.  I’m not saying it wasn’t fun, just that for the most part it wasn’t a big rush.

ifly indoor skydiving

ifly indoor skydivingifly indoor skydiving seattle

One of the best parts about going to iFLY indoor skydiving is watching the instructors who take a turn at the end of each cycle and show you all their crazy tricks.  If you are not inclined to try out the wind tunnel yourself, you can go watch for free.

All in all, it was a fun experience with my man.  Not an extreme rush but definitely not a bust!  We liked it enough to go back and plan on taking the boys so they can experience it for themselves during our Seattle Staycation!

If you plan on going, make sure to check with Costco to see if they are currently selling iFLY indoor skydiving gift certificates.  I saw some at our Costco for $40, which is where we will be purchasing the tickets for the boys!

Have you ever been skydiving – indoors or otherwise?  I’d love to hear about it!

If you haven’t done so yet, don’t forget to like my Facebook page so you can stay updated on our family shenanigans and get inspired to do some of your own!

Emily Eck Home Sweet Road

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Our Travels Reviews Travel With Kids

Mount Rainier National Park – Paradise, Washington

Mt. Rainier National Park EntranceMount Rainier National Park – Drive to Paradise
What does a mother do who is traveling with kids when her patience is running thin and her husband is out-of-town?  She packs up the kids, grabs her mother and drives to Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park!

Mount Rainier National Park is shockingly beautiful!  The drive to Paradise from the Seattle area is absolutely stunning.  I could feel the tension leaving my body the longer we were driving along the winding road toward the Mountain.

Although I was raised in the Seattle area and had visited Mount Rainier two or three times in my life I was once again in awe of its majesty.  It is something to behold far off but up close its beauty and strength is so much more pronounced.   We drove there via Enumclaw, WA.  Along this route to the park you will find the White River, periodic canopies of trees over the roadway, and charming cabins that tempt you to stay.  Be careful to watch for signs.

Both mom and I were so engrossed in the scenery we missed the turn altogether!  We didn’t realize until MUCH later when we were headed down the other side of the mountain.  Whoops!  The entrance fee to get into Paradise is $15 per vehicle.  The pass/receipt is good for 7 days so you can really stay and explore as long as your schedule allows.

From the Seattle area it is faster to visit Mount Rainier National Park via Sunrise so I had actually never been to Paradise.  Have I missed out!  There is so much to see on the way up.

Once you arrive at the top the new Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise welcomes you.  If you don’t pack a lunch you can buy a snack or full meal at the café.  The gift shop has some great gear and souvenirs you can pick up.  My mom bought some lovely hammered earrings to remember the day.  Isn’t jewelry such a great thing to buy for a souvenir?  One way to make sure you enjoy what you bought instead of it finding its way to the trash can soon after you leave.

Mom has arthritis so it wasn’t going to work to take a long hike but we did enjoy a 20 minute walk up.  She took Girlr down to enjoy ice cream on the terrace so the boys and I could spend more time hiking.

After visiting I have to say I would LOVE to stay a night or two at the lodge.  You can pay a little less to share a bathroom with other visitors or splurge for your own!  I’m not sure I’m quite ready yet to share a toilet with strangers.  Since our kids aren’t old enough to enjoy two full days of hiking I see it better suited for a romantic getaway.   Perhaps David and I will add that to the bucket list!

Travel with Kids travel tips when heading to Mount Rainier National Park – Paradise

  • Be ready to dress warm by bringing a jacket or sweatshirt or layer your clothing so you are comfortable no matter what the weather.
  • Check for road closures/conditions at Mount Rainier National Park Road Status Web Page
  • Leave early in the morning so you have lots of time to explore.
  • Pack a lunch so you can enjoy a picnic.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses.
  • Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.  At this elevation you will need it! You and your kiddos can easily get nauseated and feel sick if you don’t drink enough water at high elevations.
  • Binoculars are fun to have.

Pros:  Mount Rainier National Park – Paradise

  • Stunning scenery, pictures just don’t do it justice.  It is breathtaking.
  • Makes for a great day trip.
  • Relaxing drive and walk around Paradise.
  • There are plenty of places to get out and explore along the way.
  • The standard park pass lasts 7 days from when you buy it so you can go back for more!
  • Great hiking trails.
  • Family friendly.
  • Great way to connect with your loved ones and nature!
  • Hot food, lodging, and nice gift shop at Paradise.

Cons: Mount Rainier National Park – Paradise

  • There could be stop and go traffic depending on road work.
  • Must be super vigilant if you travel with kids because at certain parts of the hike there may a steep drop just off the trail.











If you can’t decide between visiting Paradise or Sunrise on your trip to Mount Rainier National Park, make sure to check out the post I published about our family hike at Sunrise.

Hope you feel inspired.  I can’t wait to go back!

Emily Oak Home Sweet Road

 

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Our Travels Reviews Travel With Kids

Review of Mount St Helens Washington

Review of Mount St Helens, Washington

We were all excited to make the trip and also write a review of Mount St Helens for those who travel with kids.  Since we both grew up in the Pacific Northwest The Man and I were looking forward to taking the kids to see the “mountain that blew up”.  The day started with stellar roadschooling by watching old videos of Mount St Helens from filmmaker Michael Lienau whom we met a few years back in Kansas City of all places.  When St. Helens exploded Michael and two other men were dropped in via helicopter to document the historic event.  He quickly landed in a life threatening situation.  Thankfully he survived and was able to get the rare up close footage of Mount St Helens we are privileged to watch decades later.

Despite missing the correct exit on the way to Mount St Helens, which extended our trip a bit, the drive was beautiful.  We stopped at a few educational centers on the way to Johnston Ridge Observatory, the most popular point of interest.  Unfortunately, at no point did we meet a single friendly park ranger.  We were VERY disappointed with this park.  If you want to visit a place that is kid friendly you may want to avoid the Mount St Helens visitor centers.  Biggie and E set to climbing a mound next to the Johnston Ridge Observatory when an authoritative ranger promptly ran over and gave us the what for.  Something about being fined 100 bucks for each stick they touch.  The only highlight was the oral history of the mountain given by an enthusiastic ranger to a large group of visitors.

Having just visited Mount Rainier National Park a few days before and being absolutely raptured by its beauty I was taken aback by how different the two mountains are.  Mount St Helens has an eerie, ominous feeling to it.  I suppose it is what one would expect from a volcano but not having given it much thought I was unprepared for it.  Just as St Helens displays the unforgiving groanings of nature with a massive crater, I couldn’t help but feel a similar emptiness.  Looking upon the destruction that hollowed out mountain and the barren landscape beneath left me longing for LIFE.

Travel with kids travel tips:  Mount St Helens, Washington
  • Be ready to dress warm by bringing a jacket or sweatshirt.
  • Many of the attractions were closed when we went.  The best time to visit is between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
  • When you reach Johnston Ridge be sure to keep your kids on the trail.  The park rangers don’t have much patience those how disturb the landscape.
Pros:  Mount St Helens, Washington
  • An active piece of history
  • Has its own beauty which is unusual to experience first hand
  • Very educational and great for roadschooling
  • The gift shop has beautiful things made from volcanic ash from St. Helens.  How cool is that?!
Cons:  Mount St Helens, Washington
  • Not very kid friendly
  • Many of the visitor/educational centers along the way cost extra money
  • Ominous, eerie and unsettling feeling to it

 

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Reviews Uncategorized

Review of Penske Truck Rental and 1-800-Pack-Rat

Penske, PODS or Pack-Rat?

We originally secured a storage container similar to the PODS from a company called 1-800-Pack-Rat.  We loved the idea of using them because it takes so much hassle out of moving.  Like the PODS, 1-800-Pack-Rat will drop off the container when and wherever you want them to and pick it up when you are ready.  This is ideal as it allows you to pack at your leisure.  Once you are ready for them to pick it up, either have them deliver it next door or across the country.

If you are planning an epic road trip between moves like we did (come on you know you want to) just have them store your container in one of their secure temperature controlled storage facilities.  They charge a monthly fee which is comparable to standard storage space and will hold it for as long as you’d like.  They even throw in 30 days free when you sign up with them.  The downside is that 1-800-Pack-Rat only allow for a 6000 lb weight limit for each large unit, which isn’t bad unless you are:

  • Collecting books with the express purpose of opening a library soon
  • Are a scrap metal collector who needs an intervention for hoarding
  • Us and our food storage!!!  Yep, as soon as I started packing up our disaster supplies I knew we were doomed!  Everyone I know that has used 1-800-Pack-Rat has been extremely happy with their service, maybe once we burn through all these rice and beans we’ll get a chance to see for ourselves!

penske truck rental

Why We Chose Penske over the Competition:

In the end Penske Truck Rental was a better fit for us.  After getting rid of a bunch of our stuff we still had a large amount to transfer to storage.  We would have needed at least 2  1-800-Pack-Rat storage containers to fit the same amount as one 26 foot Penske Truck Rental.

Save Money with Penske Using this Method:

If you are planning a move and looking into how to save money on these services you can save BIG by knowing a few tips:

  • Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate!  We were able to get 1-800-Pack-Rat down to $1400 for one large container by asking for their best price.  And then asking again!
  • One trick is to fill out the online form (this is what we did with Penske Truck Rental) and go through the entire ordering process but not actually pay.  This will ensure a call back from a Penske representative who will then give you an even better price than any online “special”.
  • Be sure to use your AAA discount to get the best deal possible.  Don’t forget your AAA card when you go to pick up your truck.
  • If you plan to drop off your Penske Truck Rental after hours be sure to use a location that allows for after hours drop-offs.

I sincerely hope this helps you as you decide the best way to transition from one place to another.  Moving can be so overwhelming!  All the best to you 🙂

Emily Oak Home Sweet Road

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City Guide Our Travels Reviews Travel With Kids

Things To Do In Branson MO With Kids

Branson City Guide

things to do in branson with kids

I wouldn’t recommend taking a trip to travel with kids two weeks before moving but recommendations are overrated, except for ours of course!  Branson, MO is one of those coveted places for those of us who live, …err, used to live in the Midwest and there is a ton of great things to do in Branson MO with kids. It is one of the few recognizable vacation spots smack dab in the middle of the country and I love it!  Branson is a great family vacation idea and a good place to travel with kids as there’s a lot of neat things to do in Branson.

Silver Dollar City

Powder keg silver dollar city with kids

things to do in branson mo with kids

Silver Dollar City is our very favorite thing to do in Branson MO with kids.  It is such a unique theme park which makes you feel like you just stepped back in the 1800’s.  The staff dress in old fashion garb, bluegrass music tickles your ears and the flavors of summer make your mouth water throughout the day.  Shrieks and squeals from the park’s rides add to the excitement.  One thing that makes it such a special place for thrill seekers like us is that they let you take your little ones in line with you and hand them to the other parent/caregiver without having to wait through the line separately.

silver dollar city water rides

silver dollar city with kids

Places to Stay in Branson, MO

We have visited Branson countless times over the past few years and a few resorts are worth mentioning.

Dewey Short Visitors Center on Table Rock Lake

The new Dewey Short Visitors Center on Table Rock Lake is a must thing to do in Branson MO with kids, especially if you are into roadschooling.  The top deck will make you want to go on a romantic date with your love and follow it up with a slow dance.  So serene and beautiful.  Girlr was sleeping in Ol’ Faithful so The Man and I took turns with the boys.

I literally stood outside and breathed in the beauty from that top balcony.  Inside is a rustic, modern masterpiece.  Absolute eye candy for a wanna be designer like me!   Perfect for roadschooling with all the educational exhibits and hands on learning tools.

Branson Belle Dinner Show Boat

On the other side of the parking lot is the beginning of a bike and walking trail. Along the lake you will pass by the Branson Belle, a dinner show boat.  Even if you decide not to take the popular dinner cruise the gift shop and docks are worth checking out if you have the time.

Branson Landing

Branson Landing is an outdoor waterfront mall is a great thing to do in Branson MO with kids and we never miss it when we’re in town.  The water, fire and light show is a new attraction.  It is a short presentation synchronized to music.  It was a bit of a letdown if I’m honest.  Then again, it was free and was a good excuse to get off my feet, sit on the grass, and let the kids run around.  The boys liked the flames.

White River Fish House

Bass Pro Shops’ White River Fish House Restaurant was excellent.  Fish is a hard thing to get right.  There are few things worse than poorly cooked fish.  They did it very well and the atmosphere was well thought out.  We fed the fish on the back dock after lunch, it kept us entertained for a good 15 minutes.  Nice!

Branson is certainly a great place for a family vacation.  We really just scratched the surface of all there is to do there.  The kids still beg us to go back!  Silver Dollar City is the favorite of coarse!  I hope you feel encouraged to go there yourself!

Emily Oak Home Sweet Road