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Branson in the Bag!

The Simple 3-Step Formula for the Perfect Summer Vacation

Article by Kelsey Huber

Photography by Provided by Westgate Resorts

Originally published in Topeka City Lifestyle

So you know you want to plan a vacation, but where should you go? What hotel or resort will you choose? What activities will you plan? So many unknowns. Relax! We’ve taken the hassle out of vacation planning. We’ve got the perfect place and the easiest way to choose the activities. All you have to do is pick the time! 

Just a four-hour drive from Topeka, Branson is the perfect destination for a quick, no-airfare-required getaway that offers dozens and dozens of options for vacationing families. Top-rated attractions, live entertainment, and tons of shopping and restaurants make Branson the perfect vacation destination… and it’s so close to Topeka! So Branson is a no-brainer…but where will you stay? 

The place is Westgate Branson Woods Resort. Located on 145 beautiful, wooded acres in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, this vacation resort property just underwent a $3.2 million remodel a year ago. The newly renovated rooms feature light, airy decor, updated flooring, and luxury bathroom fixtures including new vanities, countertops and back-lit mirrors. The multi-million-dollar upgrade also brings an all-new spa to the outdoor pool, allowing visitors to enjoy a relaxing dip with a breathtaking view no matter the time of year.

Westgate Branson Woods Resort boasts a wide range of accommodations as well. Looking for a romantic getaway? Choose a studio villa - the perfect cozy little love nest for two. One bedroom villas sleep up to four guests, feature jetted tubs and fireplaces and are perfect for a family of four or a group of friends. Larger parties will enjoy the spacious two bedroom grand villa which includes a full kitchen, fireplace, furnished patio or balcony, and 1,400 square feet of space with room for up to eight guests. With 682 units, and both timeshare ownership and nightly rentals available, you can find the perfect accommodations for your group.  The Westgate Branson Woods Resort has a sister property, Westgate Branson Lakes Resort, that underwent an $8.2 million resort renovation less than two years ago. The Westgate properties will not disappoint!

As if there wasn’t enough to do in Branson, the resort itself features tons of fun activities to enjoy: an indoor heated pool, outdoor pools, miniature golf course, volleyball court, shuffleboard, basketball courts, hiking trails and much more! Search for beautiful waterfalls, venture out for a hike, spend the day at nearby Silver Dollar City, or just enjoy the scenic view of the surrounding Ozark Mountains, the resort’s location offers an adventure perfect for every traveler. We all know there are lots of things to do in Branson, but now you know a great place to stay when you go. 

 Dubbed “The Live Entertainment Capital of the World,” Branson features dozens of shows from music to magic to showboat cruises, and don’t forget Dolly Parton’s Stampede - dinner and a show in one! Then there’s the lakes for boating, fishing, and water sports. There’s so much to do, it can be overwhelming. Since every group has their favorite activities, let’s break it down by interests:

51 Things to do in Branson

Adventure 

Silver Dollar City

Splash Country Indoor/Outdoor Water Park

White Water Branson⁠ 

Fritz’s Adventure

Adventure Ziplines of Branson

The Track Family Fun Parks⁠

Runaway Mountain Coaster 

Branson Ferris Wheel⁠

Castle of Chaos (3D haunted house ride)

WonderWorks (mental amusement park)

Bigfoot Fun Park 

Nature

Dogwood Canyon

Branson Scenic Railway

Aquarium at the Boardwalk

Branson’s Promised Land Zoo

Table Rock Lake & Table Rock State Park

The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest

Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery

Talking Rocks Cavern

Bear Creek Trail Rides⁠ 

Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail

Branson’s Wild World Animal Park

Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area

National Tiger Sanctuary⁠

Lake Taneycomo

Museums

Titanic Museum Attraction

Hollywood Wax Museum

World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex

Veteran’s Memorial Museum 

Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum 

Branson Centennial Museum 

Branson Celebrity Car Museum⁠

Shipwrecked Treasure Museum

Dinosaur Museum

Music Shows

Famous Baldknobbers

Dolly Parton's Stampede

Clay Cooper's Country Express

Dean Z - The Ultimate Elvis

Dublin's Irish Tenors & The Celtic Ladies

The Haygoods

Hughes Brothers Country Show

Hughes Music Show

Jesus

Legends in Concert

Reza Edge of Illusion

Shanghai Circus

Showboat Branson Belle

Doug Gabriel

Daniel O'Donnell

Hamners Unbelievable Variety Show

Three-Step Formula for Family Fun

  1. Call 888-794-5326 and make reservations at Westgate Branson Woods Resort. 

  2. Have each group or family member circle their top three favorite activities from this list. 

  3. BOOM. You’ve got your Branson vacation in the bag! Pack the car and drive to Branson.

No matter who, when, why, or how manyWestgate Resorts are the WHERE to stay in Branson!