There's Entertainment in Them Thar' Hills
May 18, 2007. In the heart of the country, the Ozarks provide some topographical relief between the Great Plains and the Midwest. The lakes, mountains and forests are a perfect place for luxury vacation rentals. But this isn't just a place to enjoy the Great Outdoors. The town of Branson, Missouri, has become one of America's entertainment capitals.
The Ozarks are actually a large plateau that straddles the Arkansas-Missouri border. Thousands of years of weathering have created a beautiful series of canyons and ridges that harbor unlimited outdoors recreation opportunities: hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, canoeing, off-road driving and golf. And then there are the massive lakes that have been created in the region. In one recent article, fishing guide Archie Gauwitz said the Lake of the Ozarks has the best fishing of anywhere he's ever been.
The town of Branson, Missouri, sits at the northern edge of the Ozarks. This little town has grown up to be a big-time showcase for theater, musicals and concerts. From Dick Clark's American Bandstand to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, visitors will have a choice of some of America's top performers and shows. Missouri's wine country has also migrated toward Branson, according to an article in the local newspaper. Stone Hill has been drawing visitors for years now, and the Mount Pleasant Winery will open in 2007.
