31. Skateworld
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 334-1630
Address: 100 Truman Dr.
Description: Want to become an Olympic ice skater someday? You can get started on four wheels at Skateworld. Little hopefuls can get in plenty of practice for around $5. The center has both in-line and speed skates. If you’ve got a special event coming up such as a birthday or graduation, call for rates on private parties. Skateworld is just west of Dixie Stampede. It’s open daily year-round from 7 to 10 p.m. Ask about private skating lessons.
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
33. Branson Ghost And Haunt Tour
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: By Reservation: (417) 423-7812
Description: Learn about the history of Branson in a hair-raising 90-minute walk with a guide who takes you on a search along the shadowy streets of the historic downtown area of Branson to hear stories of the strange and unexplained. Hear about the Jake Fleagle, a bank robber, who was captured and shot in a sting operation at the Branson train depot and how he still haunts it to this day. You’ll visit Branson Cemetery hear tales of Branson’s founding fathers. It’s not hokey, and it’s not scary—no lanterns or costumes or folks jumping out of bushes to scare you. It’s great exercise for parents and a way to work off children’s excess!
34. College Of The Ozarks Point Lookout
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 334-6411, (800) 222-0525
35. Edwards Mill
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 334-6411, ext. 3355
36. Ralph Foster Museum
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 334-6411, ext. 3407
Description: Two attractions on the campus of College of the Ozarks might be of interest to school-aged children: the Ralph Foster Museum and Edwards Mill. The mill is an old-fashioned, water-powered gristmill, where college students grind flour and cornmeal while you watch. You can buy a bag to take home with you. On the second floor of the mill, students use weaving looms to make tablecloths and place mats. The Ralph Foster Museum houses three floors of antique trinkets and gadgets, including exhibits on nature and Ozarks history. (For more information on the museum, see the Attractions chapter.) Both attractions are open Monday through Saturday. Admission is free for children younger than 18.
37. Dewey Short Visitors Center
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 334-4101
Description: A trip to the Ozarks wouldn’t be complete without a good dose of education about the area and its wildlife. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the Dewey Short Visitors Center just for that reason. Kids can look at the wildlife exhibits, learn about native flora along the nature trail, take in a film or lecture, pick up a book in the bookstore, and visit nearby Table Rock Dam and Powerhouse. There is no charge to the visitor center. The center is open seven days a week April through October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both the dam and visitor center are open on Saturday and Sunday November through March. (For more information on the visitor center, see the Recreation and the Outdoors chapter.)
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 483 Hatchery Rd.
39. Titanic Museum Attraction
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 334-9500, (800) 381-7670
Address: 3235 West MO 76
Description: Kids of any age will enjoy touching an iceberg and unlocking the secrets of the world’s most famous sunken ship. This new museum includes interactive experiences and opportunities to follow the personal stories of the Titanic’s passengers. The museum is open year-round, seven days a week. Admission is $18.82 plus tax for adults, $9.99 for children 5 to 12. Children four and younger get in free. Check the Web site for all of the special events and shows at this museum. (Also see the Attractions chapter.)
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 239 Turpentine Creek Lane
41. Playtime Pizza
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 332-1112
Address: 3101 Gretna Rd.
Description: When it’s time for dinner and the kids are bored, head for Playtime Pizza and step into the race car garage of driver Pete Za. The “garage” is a go-kart race track with two levels of arcades where kids can play Skee-Ball, air hockey, driving games—you name it. The tons of pizza, pasta, desserts, and other foods will delight the kids, too. (See also the Restaurants chapter.)
42. Art Showcase: A Gallery Of Fine Art
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 334-8490
Address: 144 East Main St.
Description: Mary Ravitz has a delightful new gallery, located conveniently in downtown Branson just up the street from the railroad depot and the new Branson Landing. The gallery features works by many artists, including some who are internationally known. You can find Murano glass hand-signed by Novarro and Veni, whimsical works by Pierre Matisse, and portraits by Royo. Also featured are Missourians who work in oils, photography, and wood carving, including Native American artist Doug Hall and award-winning artist Margaret Myers.Art Showcase is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from March through December and Thursday through Saturday in January and February.
43. Boger Gallery
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 334-6411
Description: This gallery frequently has visiting and traveling shows as well as student art shows. Exhibits are free. Call the college’s art department at the number above or the Branson Arts Council, (417) 336-4255, for its current featured exhibit.
44. Burlington Store Annex
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 335-4789
Address: 201 South Commercial St.
Description: In this downtown Branson store, you’ll find a full array of stained-glass work, as small as sun catchers and as large as windows, doors, and ceilings. It also carries an interesting variety of other quality gift items. What started as a basement stained-glass project for artist Suzy Aikman has now grown into a production studio with several retail locations and commissions from churches and businesses across the nation. The Yellow Ribbon stained-glass window in the old Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Theater is an example of the work they do.
45. Hess Pottery And Baskets
City: Branson, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (417) 272-3283
Description: Potter Tom Hess has a wide local following for his beautiful, earthy clayware. His unique open-air, twelve-sided yurt serves as the workshop and sales gallery for Tom and basket maker Lory Brown. Tom specializes in making a smooth red clay pie plate that produces an evenly-browned bottom crust. His pie plate has been featured in the New York Times and Fine Cooking magazine and enjoys a reputation of excellence that is worldwide. Lory makes baskets and ornaments from coils of longleaf pine needles she stitches together with strips of raffia palm leaf. The two artists also work together to create combination clay and pine needle wall pieces and baskets.