Hermann, Missouri (about 2 hours)

  • Alpenhorn Gasthaus: Private accommodations, gourmet meals, a hot tub under the stars and a wine cellar.
  • ​Hermann Hill: Offers luxury amenities with steam showers, jetted tubs, fireplaces, flat screen TVs, and king size beds. Some suites offer kitchens, BBQs, saunas, fire-pits, private hot tubs, nightly cookies and ice cream, free margarita bar-decks with views, and more. Tour area wineries and distilleries. Don't miss the driving scavenger hunt to earn a 25.00 gift credit. 

Chicago Area (about 4 hours)

Sybraris Pool Suites (Multiple Sites in Chicago Area)
Features either a hot tub attached to a pool or a separate whirlpool tub. All suites come with a private pool, a king-size bed, massage chair, and a fireplace. ​​

Kansas City, mo (About 4 Hours)

Eat
  • Joes bbq! The food is great! There is a ton of history along with it.
  • Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant
  • Crayola restaurant
  • Mildreds for breakfast/ brunch: amazing selection of coffee, smoothies and all sorts of food
Play Stay
  • ​The hotel connected to the crown center there is a ton to do that’s in walking distance. 

french lick, IN (about 4 hours)

  • Spring Mill State Park (30 min drive) has old water mill and old buildings to explore plus trails. 
  • Big Splash Adventure. They have weird hours though so make sure to check
  • French Lick Train
  • French lick resort
  • ​Larry Bird restaurant

Galena, IL (about 5 Hours)

  • Cloran Mansion Bed and Breakfast (Galena, IL)  Multiple types of rooms, including pet/children friendly and those for romance. Amenities vary to include flat-screen TVs, fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and sleeper sofas. Complimentary breakfast has eggs to order, tea, coffee, juice, a signature entrée, and more.  
  • Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa (Galena, IL) Arrive to chocolates, a long-stem rose, and champagne. Choose horseback riding, hiking, biking or relaxing in the spa. On-site dining and other amenities available. 
  • Goldmoor Inn (Galena, IL) Has suites, log cabins, and country cottages. Cottages and cabins have private porches, galley kitchens, fireplaces, and whirlpool tubs. Has a spa, on-site dining, and access to Ski Slopes.  Breakfast delivered to cabin. 

Branson, Missouri (About 5 hours)

Stay
  • Lodges at Table Rock Lake:  Comfortable suites with good views, plenty of space, and fantastic bedding. Free internet. Kitchen had dish ware and cooking supplies including a mixer, coffee maker, toaster, and blender. Bathrooms came minimally stocked. Daily cleaning was not included. Playground was under construction and pool was closed when we visited.
  • Welk Resort: Book a room that includes the water park or you have to pay per use.
  • Westgate Resorts
  • The Village at Indian Point: Close to Silver Dollar City overlooking Table Rock Lake. Has a boat dock, outdoor pool, indoor heated pool and hot tub that is open year round. One or Two bedroom available.  Some condos are dog friendly. 
Play
  • Silver Dollar City: an impressive array of fun for all ages.  With the littlest ones (under 5) you'll love
    • Fireman's landing: has spinning rides, drop rides, climbing and a fun ball area that you have to see.  Most rides allowed all ages.  Great place for a range of different ages!
    • Half Dollar Holler: has a Carousel, Treetop Trail, Sand Play, and Storybook Circle. TreeTop Trail is a maze of elevated dwellings for kids to climb over and through. Designed for ages 3-7.  Does not allow taller children.
    • Grandfather's Mansion: house with slanted floors, and funky mirrors. 
    • Geyser Gulch: ​3 story building with foam balls and interactive ways to play with them. All Ages!!
    • Flooded Mine: an interactive boat ride where you shoot at targets. All sorts of water spraying and around you.
    • Brown's Candy Store: 1800s-clad staff make peanut brittle.  Free samples.
    • Frisco Steam Train: Has a hilarious show half way through.  Try to Sit in the 2nd or 3rd Car to get the best view and interaction with cast members during the stick-up. 
    • Molly's Mill Restaurant: Kids 3 and under are free for the Buffett. 12.99 or salad bar and dessert for 7.99 kids 5.99
    • Hospitality House: has free diapers, wipes, sunscreen, medicine, camera batteries and more.
    • Nursing Stations: are comfortable and air-conditioned.
  • Fritz Adventure: Has metal, net, and wood climbing structures throughout.  Has climbing wall, indoor and outdoor ropes course, little tykes ropes course, around 5 slides, laser tag, toddler area, and underground tunnels.  Great for all ages!  Worth a trip in and of itself! (10% military discount. Foster\Adopted kids are free, 4 and under are free.) 
  • Branson Tracks: Go Kart tracks, bumper cars, spinning ride, bumper boats, an arcade, and the ferris wheel (from Chicago Navy Pier) are a few of the great offerings!  We loved our time at Track 4!  The ferris wheel takes a full 7.5 minutes for each rotation so it is relaxing for all ages.  The go kart rides were well staffed and maintained to allow for very little wait and tons of fun!  Our little loved the tiny ferris wheel and our biggest loved shooting people in the bumper boats!  (Track 3 has toddler stuff, but opens at odd hours.  Call ahead for open times to ensure you aren't arriving when a track is closed. Website may have inaccurate information.) Check website and facebook for discounted rates.
  • Branson Wild World: Up close animal exhibits.  I struggle with reviewing this site.  Staff were well informed, kind, and seemed to care about the animals.  On the other, enclosures seemed small and lacking places for animals to hide.  Water had an oily film.  Staff allowed us to hold and interact with snakes for free.  There was a free petting area with carefully posted safety rules to interact with stingrays, sharks, coral, and horseshoe crabs. Additional feedings or interactions cost more.  Had a light up mini golf course which was cute, and a bit tight of a squeeze for additional cost.
  • Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery: Pay quarters for “Fish Food” and walk along runs to feed the various stages of trout.
  • Branson Landing: FREE water fountains and music by the water's edge.State Marina: cheap pontoon rentals
  • Branson Discovery Trolley: FREE trolley links Branson Landing and historic downtown Branson. Runs about every 15 minutes.
  • ​Dewey Short Visitor Center: Little FREE museum with hands-on exhibits.
  • Branson Scenic Railway:  four course candlelit dinner aboard vintage rail cars Saturdays at 5:00 pm July 4th- October.​​
Eat
  • Arandas Tacos: Great Mexican restaurant with fresh food and authentic tastes.  Prices are reasonable.  Authentic food and kind staff.  Single restroom for entire restaurant.  No changing table in restroom.
  • The Funky Twig: Great Ice Cream
Nearby
  • Table Rock State Park: Visitor’s Center at the dam has historical film and interactive exhibits for FREE. 
  • Ha Ha Tonka State Park: a short drive from the Branson area.
    • Bridal Cave: 1 hour tour with great staff.  Around $22 entrance fee.  Sneakers recommended.
    • Castle Ruins: FREE! a nice view and some interesting abandoned castle ruins.
  • Dogwood Canyon: Waterfalls, fishing, hiking, tram tours, bike rental, and Segway rental.  There is a cost to enter.
Tulsa, Oklahoma (About 7 hours)
  • Gathering Place:  Has a five-acre adventure playground where kids can let their imaginations run wild by exploring climbing structures, slides, suspension bridges, puzzles, instruments, net climbing structures, tiny houses, spray area, mist area, tunnels, dams, streams, a water lab, and the water plaza.  In the Gathering Place, you can also find interactive water fountains, a skate park, koi ponds, soccer fields, basketball courts, a water maze, and a soft sandbank.

other adventures

Jefferson City, Missouri (About 3 hours)
Visit the Missouri River, tree lined bluffs, historic buildings, architectural treasures, and landmarks. There are also museums, fine cuisines, quaint boutiques, and beautiful parks. 

Memphis, Tennessee (About 5 hours)
Lots to do and great food.  Date night at Flight for great food. Try Fam for Asian and the Beauty Shop for brunch. They are known for BBQ. Kids adore the Memphis Zoo.  Also visit Shelby Farms Park, Botanical Gardens, Zoo, and Meeman-Shelby State Park. 

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Macon, Georgia

West Plains, Missouri  (About 4 hours)
Tucked in the Ozark Mountains, near pristine wilderness areas and spring-fed streams, a small-town feel with big-city conveniences.