New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate the coming of the new year and the passage of time. If you’re looking to celebrate that special evening with a romantic night, you may want to consider a slightly-more-than-special hotel room. There are several hotels offering jacuzzi rooms that would be perfect for a romantic New Year’s Eve getaway!

Gazebo Inn

Without question, the Gazebo Inn is the most popular hotel in Branson, and it’s easy to see why. This adorable Victorian-style hotel is brimming with comfort and charm. From the moment you step through the door, you’re treated like family. The hotel is situated close enough to the strip that it is easy to take in a show and retire to the solitude of the Gazebo Inn. For New Year’s Eve, take advantage of the jacuzzi room, or one of the several other suites, and enjoy a special evening. 

Grand Plaza Hotel

Nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, just outside Branson’s entertainment district, the Grand Plaza Hotel is a cozy and comfortable place to spend New Year’s Eve. With all the amenities of home, you’ll be more than comfortable during your stay in Branson. The friendly staff is more than happy to assist you in finding and getting to your shows. Take advantage of the jacuzzi suite for a special New Year’s Eve celebration.

Grand Oaks Hotel

If you’re looking for a  quiet place to spend New Year’s Eve, then the Grand Oaks Hotel is the perfect place for your stay. Located just off the 76 Strip, the Grand Oaks Hotel offers guests a quiet retreat to relax in after a busy day in Branson. This hotel is packed with amenities, so you’re sure to have a comfortable visit. Take advantage of the jacuzzi room during your stay to make for a memorable New Year’s Eve.

If these three hotels don’t suite your New Year’s Eve needs, check out the rest of the hotels in Branson. Visit our Hotels page and browse the expansive selection. You can search for a specific hotel or sort by room type or amenities. You’re sure to find the perfect fit.

This October, Vacations Made Easy and its sister site Branson Shows are unveiling a variety of promotions and discounts on some of the hottest activities, shows and lodging in Branson, MO!

With $5 off admission to shows such as Yakov Smirnoff and Jim Stafford you are sure to find double the laughs with money left over. Buy one get one half off on activity options including Branson Landing Cruises on Lake Queen and Landing Princess ensure you are able to enjoy the natural beauty of the Ozarks. And the phenomenal offer from Ricky Boen and Texas Mud of buy one get one free will literally cut your entertainment expenses in half!

View dozens of money saving options on some of Branson’s hottest activities and shows and save big online!

Additionally, you will find a variety of ways to save on your hotel as well. Branson visitors will find a number of popular lodging options including the Gazebo Inn, Barrington Hotel & Suites and more offering the unprecedented deal of one night free with a two night stay, allowing any weekend visit to be an extended one!

Those interested in saving money during their next stay in Branson, MO can view all of our special lodging promotions and discounts online.

Branson, Missouri was selected to host an Ironman 70.3 qualifying race for the 2010 Foster-Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Florida. Ironman 70.3 Branson is set to take place September 19, 2010.

The race allows for 2,000 participants, and registration is now open for triathletes wishing to participate in this event. Chateau on the Lake Resort and Convention Center is acting as the host hotel for this event, and the first phase of the triathlon begins there.

The Ironman 70.3 Branson begins with a 1.2 mile swim in Table Rock Lake, beginning from Chateau on the Lake and ending at Moonshine Beach. The second phase of the race is a 56 mile bike ride through the Ozarks hills, which is followed by a 13.1 mile run.

In addition to qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in Clearwater, the winner of the race wins $4,500, and monetary prizes also go to the second through sixth place winners, with $25,000 in prizes available overall. The Branson event is one of 34 qualifying events held in the U.S. for the championship event. 50 qualifying spots are up for grabs at the Branson event. The championship event is set for November 14, 2009.

Registration, event details, rules, and a schedule is available at the official Ironman Branson Web site.

For lodging during this event, check BransonShows.com for hotels and inns throughout the Branson area, including options near Table Rock Lake and Moonshine Beach. In addition, BransonShows.com offers tickets to many Branson shows and attractions to enjoy during this event. Visit BransonShows.com or call 1-800-987-6298 to set up your reservations.

Do you have a skill that you think is truly rare? Does your pet have an amazing trick? If so, your chance for fame has arrived! The Late Show with David Letterman will be in Branson on June 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Branson Landing to hold an open casting call for his Stupid Human Tricks and Stupid Pet Tricks segment of his show.

There are no admission or entry costs, but the casting call is first come, first served. There is no age requirement, but participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent of legal guardian. The auditions begin at 11 a.m. and end promptly at 2 p.m.

For those who are bringing pets, they must bring sufficient water, pets must be kept on a leash or in a kennel and be under control of their owner until the audition time, and owners must provide up-to-date vaccination information.

Participants who are chosen will receive an all-expenses paid trip to New York for their appearance on the Late Show in front of a live studio audience and millions of at-home viewers.

Contestants must review the full list of official rules for the casting call, which can be found at http://ozarksfirst.com/content/Letterman. Tricks must be safe, fun, and unique, and pets must be treated humanely. Release and waiver forms must be signed by every participant.

The casting call is being put on by the Late Show with David Letterman, KOLR-10 Springfield, KSFM Ft. Smith, KHTV Little Rock, and the Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau. There is no guarantee that David Letterman will actually be at the casting call.

BransonShows.com offers a variety of lodging in Branson for both you and your pet by Branson Landing and at other parts of the city. You can explore a list of options here.  Also, if you want to catch one of Branson’s famous shows like the Jim Stafford Show or SIX, you can purchase your tickets here.

As the snow melts and warmer weather approaches, it’s only natural to want to be outside more often to explore nature and it’s amazing features. With a wide array of outdoor recreation destinations available in the Branson, Missouri area, you’ll find yourself taking day trips to to do just that! Enjoy bike rides, leisurely swims, and family picnics at some of these outdoor locations that draw hundreds of nature enthusiasts from Spring to Fall.

Dogwood Canyon

• Visit this 10,000 acre  park to enjoy a variety of recreational sports including hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. Dogwood Canyon also offers fascinating guided tours by tram or jeep that can provide up-close views of wildlife in their natural habitat. Come celebrate annual events like Christmas in the Canyon and try a stay in one of the many rustic log cabins, perfect for  giving you a way to  escape the hustle and bustle of the world without sacrificing all the comforts of home.

Moonshine Beach

• Enjoy this recreational site after a long day of shows or shopping Branson or make it your sole destination for a day of fun! This sandy beach is great for swimming, boating, and picnics. Enjoy the courtesy dock, restrooms, and showers for your convenience as well as an on-site playground. This is sure to be a place that warrants repeat visits!

Table Rock Lake State Park

• Come to this 350 acre area on the north side of Table Rock Lake, Table Rock Lake State Park for an afternoon of canoing, para-sailing, and water-skiing courtesy of the full-service marina. Of course you can also enjoy camping, picnics, volleyball, bicycling, and hiking! Although there is no designated beach area,  you can still enjoy swimming in the lake.

Branson visitors, prepare for year-round water park fun in ’09 with the coming addition of Castle Rock Resort & Waterpark. Formerly known as Atrium Inn, Castle Rock Resort & Waterpark has completely renovated its current rooms throughout the last part of 2008, while expanding with an additional 100 suites and indoor waterpark.

The indoor waterpark itself is not set to be open until mid February, though guests can currently take advantage of the resort’s accommodations. Both standard rooms and a variety of suites are available for reservation and coupled with amenities including a children’s activity center and Castle Rock Restaurant.

Of course, the main draw of Castle Rock is undoubtedly its indoor waterpark, and while there’s still over a month before its official opening the resort has already presented the public with an idea of what to expect. As just a sample, the waterpark will feature three slides, splash pool, lazy river, and even outdoor options including a wading pool and activity pool for when the weather does cooperate with your vacation plans! Below, you’ll find a detailed list of the current activities set to be part of the grand opening of the waterpark.

Tentative Castle Rock Waterpark Rides and Attractions

• The Cork Screw – a spiraling, half-pipe slide
• Tube Slide – 30 ft, one or two person tube slide
• Lazy River – gently flowing river with inner-tubes
• Kiddies Zero Depth Entry Pool – shallow, play area for children with small slides and interactive structures
• Outdoor Kiddies Splash Pool – outdoor play area with fountains
• Outdoor Wading Pool – relaxing, shallow pool for those that want to take it easy
• Outdoor Activity Pool – pool for active visitors with multi-level sun deck and structured activities held throughout the summer season.

For more information on Castle Rock Resort and the grand opening of its waterpark, visit www.CastleRockBranson.com or call them directly at 417-336-6008.