USA Midwest region – Footloose Forever

Aside from family vacations of lazy summer road trips and sophisticated cities, Branson, Missouri is known for great Ozark Mountains, which is a home for some of the best nature travel and outdoor adventures. The city has earned its reputations as one of the best weekend getaway destinations for family and friends. This charming town in the Midwest is accessible, yet provides a sense of seclusion for its guests out-of-town guests.

Though this city is largely known for its bright lights and live entertainment, it’s also the home for some of the best nature travel spots in whole Missouri. Strategically located at the foots of the Ozark Mountains, nature lovers and outdoor adventure enthusiasts will never run out of things to see and do in this city. Here are some of city’s awe-inspiring spots and views of great outdoors.

The Forest Park

Built on the grounds of the 1904 World Fair, the Forest Park is a city park that houses the original buildings with various attractions around, such as gardens, ponds, as well as the St. Louis Zoo. They have plenty of places to spend a whole day with your family and loved ones. Those who are interested to know more about the place’s art, culture, and history can visit the St. Louis Art Museum.

Shepherds of the Hills

This place is near Table Rock Dam, which is a great attraction of its own as well. The Shepherds of the Hills Fish Hatchery offers hiking trails and a unique wildlife experience from its tower. Their hatchery produces brown and rainbow trout for the ever-beautiful and abundant Lake Taneycomo.

This place also offers tons of great activities for nature lovers. Aside from the forest trail they also have lots of picnic tables, boat ramps, pavilions, and fishing access.

Table Rock Dam

As said earlier, Table Rock Dam is also a great tourist attraction in Branson, and it’s definitely the place you can’t miss if you love the waters. This place will let you camp, swim, boat, and fish. And if that’s not enough, then look around and appreciate the beauty of the Ozark Mountains. Aside from the various recreational activities, you will certainly find yourself busy taking pictures of this photogenic place.

Image via Flickr by Branson Missouri

The Marvel Cave

This tourist attraction dates all the way back to the late 1800s. This cave features breathtaking formations of limestone, which you will have the chance to see up close through its guided tour that will take you 500 feet below sea level.

Also, this place is near the biggest and most popular attraction in the Branson – the Silver Dollar City amusement park, which is the home of some of the most exciting rides and fun activities for the whole family.

Image via Flickr by danbodenstein

Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area

Still looking for more trails to conquer? Check out the Lakeside Forest Wilderness area and experience the beauty of the wooded and hill country that spans 140 acres. Ready your camera for the beautiful landscape, forest with big cedar-like trees, glades and waterfalls. You will be awed right from its entrance-way, as you will be greeted by a large log archway complete with ornamental iron gate.

These are just five of the many great nature travel spots in Branson. Book your vacation and see more of the beauty of the Ozark Mountains in your vacation.

This is a guest post by April Yap. April is an online publisher for The Cabins at Grand Mountain in Branson, MO. She often writes about camping, Midwest traveling, and log cabin experiences.

With abundant nature and comfort of modern city-life, Midwestern America is a paradise for leisure travelers. If you are planning for a vacation in the Midwest here is a quick guide for Hipmunk hotels Midwest region.

Image via Flickr by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region

Bloomington, MN

Surrounded by nature reserves in the west and southwest, Bloomington beckons nature lovers with riverside trails, lakes, and parks to explore. Enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing in the lakes in summer. Winter is also exciting with skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in the Hyland Hills Ski Area. The city is home to America’s largest mall, the Mall of America, which is not just a shoppers’ paradise but also an indoor amusement center with an indoor theme park and marine aquarium. Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington, La Quinta Inn & Suites Minneapolis Bloomington W, and Staybridge Suites Minneapolis-Bloomington are some of the affordable hotels in Bloomington, MN offering quick access to the mall.

Minneapolis, MN

With duty-free shopping and several free-entry attractions Minneapolis ensures budget-friendly vacation. Visiting Minneapolis in fall can get you some discount on the hotel prices. Budget hotels in Minneapolis, MN are located in the outskirt. Downtown hotels may offer upscale amenities but they are quite expensive. However, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis Northstar Downtown and The Hotel Minneapolis, Autograph Collection are some of the affordable options in downtown Minneapolis. Availing the public transit system for getting around can further cut down on expenses. Bicycling is another option for exploring the city in a leisurely manner.

Akron, OH

Strategically positioned at the junction of Midwest’s major interstate highways, Akron is the gateway to the Great Lakes region. The city’s rich cultural background, musical performances, theater, ballets, and orchestras attract crowd year round. As a result, there are several mid-range hotels in Akron, OH that offer satisfactory service to both leisure and business travelers. Despite being an industrial hub, Akron is full of greenery. Beautifully landscaped parks adorn the cityscape and offer scenic escapes within the urban area. Akron Zoo, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the city’s biking trails, parks, and golf courses offer ample scope for outdoor recreation.

Madison, WI

Vibrant nightlife, upscale restaurants, spectacular lakes and outdoor define Madison as a perfect leisure destination. Winter months are full of adventure with cross-country ski events, ice hockey, ice-skating, and ice-fishing activities. During summer, people enjoy kayaking and sailing in the lakes as well as hiking, biking, and camping along the nature trails. In fact, biking is the best way to explore the beauty of Madison. There are separate lanes and routes for biking in the city. The hotels in Madison, WI offer rooms with modern amenities at affordable rates. While some hotels offer bikes as a complimentary amenity to their guests, others can rent one from the Budget Bicycle Center on per-day or per-week basis.

Saint George, UT

Whether you are an experiential traveler, a sports enthusiast, or a vacationer, Saint George has something for all sorts of visitors. The city’s typical laid-back, small-town atmosphere combined with pleasant weather and spectacular landscapes make it an idyllic destination in the Midwest. Due to its proximity to Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon National Parks tourists swarm in Saint George year round. The city offers several low-cost accommodation options for visitors. Days Inn St. George, Super 8 St George UT, Claridge Inn, and Americas Best Inns-St. George are some of the pet-friendly hotels in Saint George, UT offering leisure amenities at lower rate.