We are going across to Dubuque IA, then down to Branson MO, up to Kansas City for some world class BBQ, then to Omaha NE for the zoo and home.

So, anybody have any recommendations/ideas/hints or tips on places to stay (dog friendly) eat and places to stop & things to see/do along the way??

This is the best hotel around for cost and bein a nice place to stay. It's close to all the attractions but off the beatin path so it's easy to get in and out of. If you stay close to the strip this time of year it's a nightmare with traffic. Branson, MO Hotel Map & Directions: Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows

For what to do. Shows are everyplace and I've been to most of em and never been disappointed with any of em. Just find the ones that suit your taste.

Good food all over the place but I can't think of any one place for BBQ that stands out. Be sure you stop off at Lambert's Restaurant on your way there. When you get off highway 44 at Springfield Missouri and head towards Branson it's about 15 miles down the highway from Springfield on your way. You won't miss the signs and they are guaranteed to make ya fat. If your meal doesn't fill you up just let em know and they will bring you out another serving of it. But I'm an eater and I rarely make it through the first plate myself.

Be sure to stop off at Springfield and it hit main store for Bass Pro Shops. It's a cool place to wander through and they also have a museum of mounted critters to wander through including many world records.

WARNING though. Branson is gonna be crowded through the summer, just the way it is. Still a lot a fun, mostly for us older folks but the strip will be shoulder to shoulder walking. If you get on the main strip and go West all the way you will dead end at a new shopping mall complete with Bass Pro shops. It's a nice mall to wander through and mostly locals so the crowds aren't so bad.

We typically get down there at least 3 or 4 times a year and love it. Christmas is the best time.

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Thanks will check it out, I've got Kin from a little town called Avs deep in the Ozarks, but have never been there.

The kids want to hit the Roy Rogers Museum and Silver Dollar City along with a few other museums. Figure we will spend way to long and way to much money there

The bigest problem I see is we will have a dog with us and lots of hotels do not like pets, even older extremly well behaved ones.

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Only town I know of in that area close to AVS is called Ava if that's what you meant.

You won't have a problem with finding a place to allow pets for overnight as much as what to do with them while your playin tourist. Very few hotels will allow you to leave the pets in the room while your gone for the day and it's to hot in the cars.

If your schedule is flexible be sure to check the Silver Dollar City calender. They run a lot of events through the summer that may fit into your schedule. Don't forget about the Sheppard Of The Hills park while your there also. We've been goin there for years and still find new things to do every time. It's vacation all by itself around the area.

Oops, I meant Ava, can't spell with BBQ sauce on my fingers

We found a La Quinta in Branson that allows pets to stay in the room when people are not around & they have a semi decent .mil discount (better than AAA) so more than likely that's where we will make reservations. Will call to confirm the dog can stay in the room, but from the website that's fine.

Forgot all about the Sheppard Of The Hills, saw that play when I was still a teenager living at home, will have to go again!!!!

Really not very flexible, going to a family reunion in Dubuque & from there we have limited days before back to work. Thus a long drive to Branson as we originally were going to the Dells & Green Bay area.

I havent been to Kansas City but my brother has spent a fair bit of time in the area and has probably eaten in most BBQ joints around there. I know he raves about Aurthur Bryants. Arthur Bryant's BBQ in Kansas City

Theres also: LCs BBQ and Oklahoma Joes

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im close to branson and like uncle bubba said, not a show ive been to has not been great. the best show/dinner in town is the Dixie stampede. they have a great food plot they bring out to you and a realy good show. steal your dollar, i mean silver dollar city is awsome, love it, and also white water is a great summer time place to hang out in the heat. alot of the time they will offer a discount if you buy the tickets to white water and silverdollar city and celebration city at the same time. never been to celebration city cause im not the biggest fan of rollar coasters.

like i said before, no matter what you go see or do while in branson, its all top notch.

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o ya, if you go during the middle of the week it will be the least busy since alot of poeple are working then, or kids still in school. have fun

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Might as well hit up the original bass pro in springfield .. its amazing if youve never been there. It isnt really bbq but there is a brazilian steak house in springfield that one of my friends from that area raves about. Pay something like $30-$40 to get in then they bring you meat until you cant walk out the door under your own power.

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