Whenever you are taking a vacation in an unfamiliar place, it is always a good idea to try and pick up some tips from the locals. Local people can be an invaluable information source for the tourist and vacationer – the locals are the ones who know how to get around town, where the best diners and hotels are, what to avoid, and what hidden treasures are tucked away around town. Wherever you are, the locals can be key to a good trip, and Branson, Missouri, is no different. Read on to see what Branson tourist tips the locals have in store for you!
Check The Weather: Branson is situated in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks. While it is a beautiful place to be, the weather in the Ozarks can be EXTRMEMLY volatile – which is why most locals suggest checking the weather before and during your trip activities. This can be done by simply watching the local news channel or, if you are on the go, downloading a local weather app onto your smartphone (the KY3 Weather App is a good choice – it is free to download and features an up to the minute live weather radar). Be sure to always have a sweatshirt and a raincoat with you, as the weather can go from hot to cold and dry to wet in a matter of minutes. Having a backup plan of activities in case of weather is always one of many solid Branson tourist tips.
Take The Backroads: As any local knows, the traffic on the main Branson thoroughfare, Highway 76, can be horrific. Luckily for those trying to get to work or basketball practice on time, there are some alternate back routes that can be a huge time saver for tourists and locals alike! Any tourists coming to Branson should be sure to familiarize themselves with Branson’s color coded alternate routes – each one will still get you to any Branson destination of your choosing and will save you time and stress. Pick up a Branson roadmap at any of the area welcome centers to help get you around town.
Go Out of Your Way: As any local will tell you, there are dozens of hidden treasures around Branson if you just know where to look. So check out TripAdvisor, browse the Branson papers, and talk to some locals! Chances are you will find fantastic out of the way eateries, hidden craft shops, beautiful secluded hiking trails, and fun, family oriented attractions. You never know what you can find in Branson with the help of a local!
Stay Safe, Especially on the Lakes:
Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, is one of the most versatile (and most famous!) lakes in the Midwest. Table Rock Lake, a man-made lake created when the White River was dammed up by the construction of the Table Rock Dam to alleviate flooding problems, has a long history of being well used for outdoor recreational activities, especially during the summer months! The lake is great for fishing and swimming, and the surrounding parks and nature areas provide outstanding places to hike, camp and mountain bike with a lakeside view. And of course, what is a lake without boating? Table Rock Lake is the perfect place for summer boating – and here are some tips to keep you safe on the water!
Wear a Life Jacket:
Even if it seems a bit overdone, this is probably THE most important safety tip to comply with for any sort of boating activity. Wearing a life jacket really can save your life in the event of a boating accident. A life jacket is a personal flotation device that is designed to keep the wearer afloat in a breathable position in the water. Life jackets come in a variety of styles, colors, thicknesses and materials – so “it doesn’t match my fishing outfit” or “life jackets are uncomfortable” is NOT a valid excuse not to wear one. All states have regulations that say children must wear a life jacket while on the water, and Missouri is no different. Be sure to find one that fits your child properly before hitting the water!
Stay Hydrated:
It is no secret that it gets HOT in the summertime. So be sure to drink liquids, and plenty of them! Out on deep water in a boat is not the time you want to find yourself dehydrated or suffering from heatstroke. Pack a cooler with enough drinks to last everyone on your vessel the entire day – and don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. If you think you might be getting dehydrated (some symptoms are dry mouth, increased thirst, dizziness, confusion and the inability to sweat), you should immediately stop your activity and find a shady spot to rest. Drink some liquids and prop your feet up until symptoms have passed.
Know Emergency Protocol:
Whether an emergency on the water occurs or not, you and your crew need to be informed of and prepared for emergency protocol. The first step is to stay calm and assess the situation. Your boat should be equipped with a GPS, so step two is to take not of your location so you can call for help – that’s step three. Before you set out on the water, you and all your passengers should have a working knowledge of your vessel’s ship to shore radio. Consider laminating and posting the radio instructions, and how to send out a MAYDAY call next to the device.
With a little planning and preventative methods, your summer of boating on Table Rock Lake can be safe, successful, and fun. Always remember – safety first!
These are just a few of the helpful Branson tourist tips you can get from the locals around town. But don’t forget the most important tip of all when taking a trip to Branson: have fun!
