Honored as one of the world’s best family destination resorts by Travel & Leisure, Missouri’s Big Cedar Lodge is a luxury retreat for adults as well as an action-packed wonderland for kids. Nestled in its own wooded hollow, the resort features two spas; one in a 1920s carriage house the other on a lakefront, five swimming pools, and breath taking land and water adventures ranging from bass fishing, water skiing and lake cruises to campfire wagon tours and horseback riding.
The resort is Located in the heart of the Midwest, just 40 miles south of Springfield, Missouri. The two main airports are Branson and Springfield/Branson Regional. American Airlines flies from San Diego to Springfield through Dallas Fort Worth (DFW). Southwest flies to Branson through Chicago (MDW).
KID'S CLUB
Drop your little ones (ages 4-12) off at Little Cedar Kids Club for an amazing adventure packed with games, nutritious snacks and wilderness experiences. There are also fun “theme days” ranging from Exploring Nature Day to Saddle ’em Up Day. The Kids’ House also offers evening entertainment with welcome bonfires, dive-in movies, fishing and junior golf clinics. If you hit the right season, make sure to grab a rod and join in on the young anglers fishing program.
Do your kids like rewards? Get them involved in “adventure pins,” from the resort for participating in activities such as BB gun safety and training, camping, tent making, fire building, and canoeing.
Big Cedar Wine Club: Monthly event
Each month the wine club invites you to explore fabulous wines from around the world and learn the art of pairing and tasting.
ACTIVITIES CLOSE TO THE LODGE
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
Located just 15 minutes from Big Cedar Lodge, this amazing 10,000-acre park offers walking and biking trails, guided tram tours, trout fishing, horseback riding and a café. There are even log cabins for those not wanting to leave.
Titanic Museum
http://www.titanicbranson.com/
Board a recreation of the famous ship and view artifacts, shovel coal in the boiler room, touch an iceberg and experience the kid friendly, “tot-titanic.”
Table Rock State Park
http://mostateparks.com/park/table-rock-state-park
Within a short drive from Branson is a 43,000-acre lake offering a public marina, swimming, camping, boat rentals, and parasailing.
Branson Landing waterfront shopping
http://www.bransonlanding.com/
This waterfront shopping and dining area in downtown Branson features clothing, jewelry, gifts, and and vibrant atmosphere complete with fountains set to music.
Silver Dollar City theme park
http://www.silverdollarcity.com
This massive amusement park has all the bells and whistles from rides to attractions to a full water park during the summer months. Starting in spring through December, check out the Showboat Branson Belle; a two-hour cruise with a family-friendly show and three-course meal.
Eureka Springs
www.eurekasprings.org
A little over an hour outside Branson, you’ll find this quaint mountain village. Relax on a carriage ride through the historic village, check out the local theatre or browse through some of the incredible art galleries.
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Elise Edwards began her career as an award-winning writer, producer and news anchor where her expertise was in celebrity, fashion and beauty. She has two children and lives with her family in Los Angeles.
Published: April 2013
