Ride the Ducks! (special family 4 pack available online)

Looking to tour Branson in style? Ride the Ducks for a quacky good time! Seriously...the Ducks will be one of the highlights of your trip to Branson.

Before you board, you will receive a special item that will help your experience be set apart from any other regular tour...a wacky quacker. Quack! Yep, and not only will you want to quack at everyone, you will be given many opportunities to do so!

Choose from a tour through Branson and into Table Rock Lake, departing from the Strip or a tour through downtown Branson and into Lake Taneycomo, departing form the Branson Landing.

Before you go, be sure to purchase your tickets online and get the online special of only $50 for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children)!

We rode the Ducks when our youngest was only 3 months old, and the other two boys were 4 years and 2 years old. They absolutely loved it. The captains give great detail about the history of Branson while throwing in some pretty corny (and funny) jokes along the way.

We saw some gorgeous views of Table Rock Lake and the Ozark Mountains, and then splashed into the lake at the Branson Belle. The kids even get a chance to drive the Duck in the water!

Ride the Ducks is a wonderful Branson experience, and we look forward to riding again this summer!

Oh, and save those Wacky Quackers!!! Quack them at many Branson businesses and attractions and receive a discount! Click here for a current list of participating businesses.

Branson Zipline - Huge Discount!

I just saw this super discount at Big River Bargains for the brand new Branson Zipline! You can do the 2.5 hour Xplorer Canopy Tour for $59 - normally $99 - WOW! My problem is that my boys would want to do it, too...you must be between 75 lbs. and 275 lbs. to participate, and well, Joey is only 42 lbs. at 4 years old...maybe in a few more years!

Just added 6/12/2010...I noticed that KCWD 96.1 radio station is offering the same for just $45! These you will need to purchase in person at their office (I am not sure if they will mail them to you or not). Call their office at 870-741-1402 for more information.

You may even be able to use your Branson Guest Card (see post below) when you arrive to receive a FREE 5x7 photo of your adventure!

Make your reservations with Branson Zipline, as they do have a limit for the tours each day. You can even do this online, and then enter the voucher code you receive from Big River Bargains at checkout. Please note that Big River Bargains change their offerings almost daily, so if you know you want to do the zipline, I would purchase the advance discount tickets immediately - then you can make your reservation when you know which date you would like.

Be sure to leave a comment to let us know how your adventure was!!!

Branson Guest Card = savings on your trip!

The Branson Guest Card is a simple, credit card sized card that is so packed with discounts that they send a full book along with the card so you know all of your discounts! Before our trip down to Branson in early May, I ordered our card online at http://www.bransonguestcard.com/ for $19.95, plus $2 shipping. It was a Sunday evening, and I had the card and book in hand on Wednesday (First Class mail).

You can also now pick up the card for the same price ($19.95) at many of the locations in Branson that honor them, as well as the Branson Chamber of Commerce (located just north of Branson on Hwy. 248, west of Hwy. 65,on the south side of the road).

We already saved $2.50 per person to play miniature golf, as well as 10% off our very favorite pizza, Pizza by the Chef in Hollister. We are looking forward to saving even more this coming weekend at Indian Point Marina when we go tubing, Famous Dave's BBQ at the Landing, and more! To see the entire list of savings for shows, attractions, restaurants, and even gas, visit their website at http://www.bransonguestcard.com.

The Hiking Trail at Branson Canyon

As promised, here are a couple of pictures of the newly cut hiking trail in our little neighborhood. The trail winds up into the woods and then follows along the creek, coming to a handhewn log bridge that crosses over and then back into civilization.

Even though Branson Canyon is only 5 minutes from Hollister and 1 1/2 miles from Hwy. 65, it feels like the middle of nowhere, tucked into the side of the Ozark Mountains, overlooking Table Rock Lake.

If you haven't stayed at Canyon Retreat yet, be sure to make your reservations soon. There are just a few odd dates available for the summer still, and guests are already calling about the fall, so don't hesitate too long! Give me a call today - 636.584.3864!

Dixie Stampede Discount TIckets!

Looking to go to one of THE BEST shows in Branson for less? Visit KTLO Radio's website and give them a call today to purchase Dixie Stampede tickets for only $33 each (regularly $46.99 each).

How to do it:

• Call the radio station at 870-425-3101.
• Purchase the number of tickets you need.
• The radio station will mail you ticket vouchers.
• Call Dixie Stampede to make your reservation and let them know that you have ticket vouchers to redeem.
• Redeem your ticket vouchers for the tickets at the Dixie Stampede ticket window.
• Enjoy the show!

Hiking Trails!

We got word that the hiking trail has been cut! The trailhead is at the top of the hill near our home. We can't wait to go check it out this spring!!! As soon as we do, we'll be sure to post a few tantalizing pictures.

Travel Insurance for your Trip - Just in Case

For NewYear's Eve, we had a family scheduled to arrive for a 3 day weekend. They planned to celebrate their son's visit home from Iraq while he was on furlough. The plan was for him to arrive home on the 27th, and they would then come down to Canyon Retreat on the 1st of the year.

However, plans didn't go smoothly. As of the 27th, the son was still overseas. Then he made it to Ireland on the 28th, but the plane was in for repairs. Finally, on the 30th, he made it home safely, and the family was able to make their trip to Branson and relax together at Canyon Retreat.

A little too late, we thought of travel insurance. We highly encourage travel insurance now. Most plans can be cancelled because of illness, and your trip total is refunded by the insurance company. You can even upgrade your plan to include "cancel for any reason."

If you do purchase travel insurance and end up cancelling your trip to Branson and stay at Canyon Retreat, we will refund the cleaning portion of the amount. The cleaning (only $135 currently) is more than the price of the insurance in many cases.

For example, a family that would like to come to Canyon Retreat for a week during Spring Break may not be able to make it because of an ongoing illness. They want to book, though, as the family member is currently doing fine. The total cost of Canyon Retreat for the week would be $1435, and the insurance through Access America would only cost them $67.50. According to the quote, this covers cancellation because of illness. So if they end up unfortunately needing to cancel, they would not be out of any money. And if all goes according to plan, the cost of the insurance added to the cost of Canyon Retreat is still a very reasonable lodging cost.

Please contact me today to reserve your vacation in Branson and Canyon Retreat!
Tyann Marcink
636.584.3864