Big Cedar Lodge
At Big Cedar Lodge’s newly opened Cedar Creek Spa, cottage-style charm balances rustic elegance. Candles line the stone walls surrounding the spa’s indoor grotto pool, which contains full-body massage jets and secluded coves. Spa-goers can also relax in the unique Vichy tub, at the Ozark Rain Experience or with a fireside massage.
Coming this fall, the Outdoor Academy by Bass Pro will offer a 1,200-acre Ozark paradise for hiking, fishing, sport shooting, archery and target practice. The Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve will celebrate the area’s ancient history. Items on display will include carbon-dated skeletons of prehistoric Missouri creatures, an expansive display of Civil War artifacts and one of the nation’s largest Native American collections. In addition, the lovely Dogwood Canyon Nature Preserve is adding a working gristmill, a general store, a restaurant, a bike barn and a patio area.
In 2014, Big Cedar Lodge concentrated on world-class golf. Two new courses opened last June: Buffalo Ridge, an 18-hole championship course, and Top of the Rock, a nine-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed par-3 course. Also new are the Arnold Palmer Practice Facility and the “Himalayas” Putting Complex, designed by Tom Watson.
On April 22-26, for the second consecutive year, the lodge will host the Bass Pro Shop Legends Tournament, which is part of the PGA Champions Tour. Set to open in 2015, the Gary Player-designed family course at Buffalo Ridge will feature 12 holes that cater to novices of all ages.
National Tiger Sanctuary
The National Tiger Sanctuary, approximately 15 minutes north of Branson, shelters 30 big cats in a rural setting. Established in 2000 to create a safe and protected environment for the animals, this nonprofit facility has been funded through private donations and membership support. Since moving to its current location in 2011, the sanctuary has added a visitor’s center, expanded the number of enclosures and continued to procure cats. Most are rescues from zoos, private owners or from other sanctuaries that can no longer support the animals.
Guided tours allow visitors to get close to the cats, much closer than at a zoo. Each animal is affectionately named. Guides describe their histories, health issues, personalities and quirks. About one-third of the sanctuary’s cats are shown on any given tour, which ensures that the cats have plenty of downtime. During the always-popular Feeding Tour, guides dole out chicken drumsticks that are scarfed down by the big cats, bones and all, much like a dog taking a biscuit.
“On the feeding tour, groups see more of the cats’ personalities,” said zoologist Abby Strait. “Especially in the summer, when they tend to be lazier, it’s more likely that they’ll come up to the fence and spend time near the group.”
Around Town
New at Branson Landing, Parakeet Pete’s Waterfront Balloon ride will offers spectacular views of the city and Lake Taneycomo. The Landing’s fountain shows dance to new tunes, “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi and “Hoe-Down Rodeo Ballet” by Aaron Copland, featuring the London Symphony Orchestra. Next Christmas, the holiday fountain show will feature “Carol of the Bells” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
For shoppers in the group, Tanger Outlets has added stores: Adidas, Express Factory Outlet, Helzberg Diamonds Outlet, Pandora, Sunglass Hut and Talbots Outlet. Tanger expects to announce several additional stores in 2015.
