Restaurant Scene Grows in Branson
March 10, 2007. After most people book a luxury vacation rental in Branson, Missouri, they're likely to look around online for some of the city's popular entertainment shows –Dolly Parton, Yakov Smirnoff, or the Acrobats of China, anyone?
But increasingly, Branson is becoming a culinary destination as well. USA Today reported 34 new eateries opened last year, serving an increasing demand for dining experiences. The town already had a big list of restaurants, from the white-cloth Candlestick Inn to the good ol' Baldknobbers Country Restaurant.
Missouri has also become a hotspot for wineries, as reported by CNN.com. A recent travel poll found the state shared third place for wine-related travel in a four-way tie with North Carolina, Oregon and Pennsylvania. Most of the vineyards sit closer to the Missouri River, but there are quite a few in the southern part of the state.
Branson also draws visitors for the golf courses and proximity to the Ozarks, a great outdoors haven. With so many things to do, it's easy to plan a vacation there that will please everyone.
Next week, we'll look more closely at the travel poll featured on CNN.com. Gourmet Magazine and the International Culinary Tourism Association commissioned the survey, which really whet our appetites!
