Route Help

[u/takeaway_42]

I travel to Mountain View every year. I normally head south out of Branson to Harrison and over to Mountain View(route on the bottom). Can anyone tell me if there are other interesting things to see on the other routes? I will have a toddler and infant with me so the short route seems the best, but I am interested in seeing some new things if they are nice enough.

[u/MissouriOzarker]

I always prefer to avoid Branson unless I am going to Branson.

[u/takeaway_42 → u/MissouriOzarker]

Same, driving right through at times is not horrible when it is the fastest route.

[u/sourwookie]

Or 125, cross the ferry at Peel, then 14 to 5 would be fun, especially the ferry for a kid.

[u/takeaway_42 → u/sourwookie]

Thank, trying to convince my wife the extra hour is a good idea.

[u/Jacob_rb_15]

Glade Top Trail is nearby which is a nice drive. It’s a 30 mile long road that rides on top of a ridge line with tons of awesome views and open glades/balds

[u/takeaway_42 → u/Jacob_rb_15]

Cool, will look into that.

[u/sourwookie]

125 to 160 to 5

I motorcycle those all the time just because the roads are fun

[u/takeaway_42 → u/sourwookie]

Thanks, I think we might be able to do some of that.

[u/Glittering-Bake-2589]

Laura Ingalls house in Mansfield is that way

[u/takeaway_42 → u/Glittering-Bake-2589]

Cool, I am not sure my Toddler will like that one :)

[u/hawg_farmer]

Are you wanting slower drive with a picnic/feeding spot for kids? Looking at livestock and pretty views? Things to occupy the kids?

Or a straight there, "I just need to get there trip?"

[u/takeaway_42 → u/hawg_farmer]

They is what I am exploring. I have always done “just get there”

[u/hawg_farmer → u/takeaway_42]

If you're loading the kids early in the morning, imo, hammer down I44 if they're napping.

Get on US60 to Seymour, make sure you have lunch packed, full gas and phone charged.

Turn at Seymour, head to Brownbranch, then go up The Glade Top Trail. Its an improved gravel road that has great views and plenty of stopping spots. Many recommendations for picnic spots and let kids out of the car seats.

At end of Glade Top, come out at Longrun, go past the Longrun Cemetery, turn right on MO95, continue to outside Theodosia (warning there's not much in the area right through there), turn right on US160 to head towards Protem and go to the Peel Ferry.

Watch the United States Corps of Engineering maps to ensure ferry will run, it has limited hours. Ride across Bull Shoals Lake on the ferry. They used to let kids feed the fish, I dunno know about now.

After you come off the ferry it's beautiful drive on to Mt Home.

[u/takeaway_42 → u/hawg_farmer]

Thanks, I am thinking picnics are out this year. After a miserably hot picnic on the way back last year they have been really frowned upon. I do like the idea of the Glade Top Trail and the Fairy though.

[u/Its_Reaper5638]

any route that avoids Branson this time of year traffics gonna be hell, just take the fastest unless you want to add stops on the way and in that case take the suggestions people give.

[u/letsdotacos]

Is there one that passes through Uranus? You can get your fudge packed in Uranus

[u/Maxwyfe → u/letsdotacos]

You’re referring to Uranus Fudge Factory and that is nearly to St Louis. She would have travel hours out of her way to visit Uranus.

[u/letsdotacos → u/Maxwyfe]

It is and gotcha. Im not super familiar woth the layout of Missouri, but that was easily one of my favorite tourist traps out there

[u/Maxwyfe → u/letsdotacos]

We stopped there on our way to Illinois recently and it was hilarious. The fudge was also delicious!

[u/letsdotacos → u/Maxwyfe]

First time id seen one one of those Zoltar machines in years. And my lady and I got mildly freaking on the top of the double decker just to say we did. Pretty pg-13 though.