Why You Should Visit the “Fly Over States”: Vacationing in Oklahoma & Branson, MO

I thought I would take a break from my usual blog posts and share about our recent family vacation. As I enthusiastically talked about our trip to a friend, she suggested, “Why don’t you do a blog post about it?!” So, here I am, typing away…

While some people jet off to Florida, the Caribbean, or warmer areas during their spring break, we were excited to visit family and explore a different part of the country. We drove out to northeast Oklahoma and Branson, Missouri to enjoy our week together.

Between the warmer weather, the rolling hills, and cattle ranches, we were enthralled with the magnificent, untouched beauty of the drive out to the plain states. I don’t know what we were expecting when we entered Oklahoma, but I know we did anticipate more flatland. But being on the outskirts of the Ozark mountains, we were met with beautiful rolling hills and the occasional oil jack pump (which we don’t see in the Midwest, so that was cool sighting). Northeast Oklahoma was so much more than what we were expecting, and honestly, we can’t wait to go back and visit again. It’s a gem that many people view as “flyover state”, but we highly recommend taking the drive and soaking in what it has to offer (which is a lot!).

Oklahoma Highlights:

Visiting “The Gathering Place” park and playground in downtown Tulsa. This expansive park is a world-class park right along the Arkansas River. The mission of the park system is to both engage and educate. Between the plethora of gardens, bridges, overlooks, trails, and playgrounds, you’d need multiple days to fully appreciate this park. There were so many different playground structures for all ages and abilities; I don’t think we even saw all the park offered in our day visit. Within the park there is a lake where you can even rent kayaks and paddle boats to enjoy during the summer season. There’s also a science museum that does charge a fee for entry. Otherwise, the park system is completely free. My husband thought this was the nicest park we’ve ever visited, and I agree!

Walking Cherry Street and eating at Andolini’s Pizzeria & then Rose Rock Micro creamery. If you like shopping and food, you’ll love exploring this iconic street in Tulsa. There are plenty of boutiques and notable stores. You’ll be surprised at the chic ambience and fun atmosphere for people of all ages.

Stopping at the iconic “Golden Driller” statue. This statue not only gives thanks to the hard-working people who brought the petroleum industry to life, it honors God with the abundant resources He provided for the vision and creative ideas to take place. It’s a must-see near the expo center. It’s also free! While in Tulsa, we also learned, it’s an art deco hub since it was greatly influenced by so many moving west during the oil boom. I would love to go back to Tulsa and take an art and history tour of the city. I think this would have been difficult with elementary aged kids, but maybe with older teenagers it would be more manageable and better appreciated.

Driving to “The Pioneer Woman’s” Mercantile Store & Restaurant in Pawhuska. If you follow Ree Drummond’s cooking show on the Food Network or enjoy homecooked food, you’ll love her restaurant in the Mercantile. Not only is the store adorable with her iconic floral pieces, but you also can’t miss the upstairs bakery or the in-house restaurant. We didn’t stay in Pawhuska, but the Mercantile also offers their own boutique hotel next to the restaurant and store. Be sure to try either the Cowboy or Cowgirl coffee!

When it was time to head into Branson, Missouri, we were reminded how much the drive is like heading into the Smoky Mountains. Except when driving from Springfield, Missouri into Branson, you are greeted by a giant cross with tear drops on it both vertically and horizontally. It’s a welcome reminder of Christ’s suffering on the cross and faith in what He’s done for us.

We love traveling back to Branson in the spring. We’ve never been in the summer, but we’ve heard it’s terribly busy, and once you’re there, it’s easy to understand that with how much there is to do and see in the area. In the Ozark hills and cliffs (or mountains), we stayed toward Table Rock Lake which was a wonderful, quieter experience. Our location was closer to the Silver Dollar City theme park. It was nice to be away from the busyness of downtown Branson but also feeling like we were close to it all. At the end of a busy day, we loved returning the views from our condo of the beautiful Table Rock Lake and soaking in the mountain air.

Branson, MO Highlights:

Spending time outside walking the Ozark mountains. One of the treasures of this trip was drinking my morning coffee, doing my Bible study, and then heading out for a walk. Near our Airbnb, we had a beautiful view of the mountains and Table Rock Lake. We also had a view of Silver Dollar City, so we could see a few of the coasters. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a peaceful morning with mountain air especially before starting a day full of activities.

Seeing “David” the musical at “Sight and Sound” theater. If you haven’t been to a “Sight and Sound” theater show, you need to add it to your bucket list. Sets are three-stories high with a giant LED screen in the backdrop to magnify the experience. “Sight and Sound” uses a panoramic stage, so you are surrounded by the events taking place to where it literally feels like you’re there. Not to mention they use and care for live animals in each performance. It’s not just the high-quality performance that keeps guests coming back, it’s also the caring and helpful staff. And don’t forget to pick up some of their signature glazed almonds when you watch the show. You can’t miss the aroma when you walk in the temple-like building. “David” is on stage in Branson for 2026, and “Joshua” is on stage at “Sight and Sound” Lancaster, PA. Be sure to see these Bible stories brought to life!

Enjoying the Copperhead Mountain coaster. Be sure to put a mountain coaster on your list when visiting Branson. These coasters a different from your typical amusement park coaster. The Copperhead Mountain coaster is the longest one in Branson. You can choose to ride it day or night as the coaster car starts at the top of a hill and you twist, curve, and make your way downhill with a braking system that you control. If you have younger children, they can ride with you in the same car.

Stopping at Hurts Donuts. Hurts has a wide selection of donut flavors and sizes- from Fruity Pebbles flavored, to Cookie Monster, to S’mores. Whatever flavors spark your interest, they are likely to have it. They are mostly known for their locations in the plain states, but you can also find them in several other locations across the U.S. And thankfully, they offer gluten free options which is rare for many gourmet donut shops.

Walking Historic Downtown Branson and enjoying shopping and the arcade at The Landing. Historic Branson offers a special feel with a range of specialty gift shops, resale/flee market venues, gift items, clothing, and a spattering of bakeries, restaurants, and specialty drink shops. We enjoyed smoothies at Revive Juice and Coffee Bar, known for their healthy food alternatives. There’s also a more modern shopping feel with your typical department and well-known name-brand stores through The Landing. We enjoyed walking the strip here, and while the fountain show was out of order, we saw it four years ago and our then young kiddos really enjoyed it. There’s plenty of shops, restaurants, and arcades for the whole family to enjoy in this area.

And you can’t miss Silver Dollar City! Even if you’re not a ride enthusiast, you will enjoy the village stores, good food, cave tour, and shows. There are over 100 craftsmen who demonstrate glass blowing, blacksmith work, jewelry making, and so on. The food at Silver Dollar City is far above your typical amusement park selection. They have hearty meals including a meat, potatoes, and vegetable skillet, barbecue ribs, or turkey legs just to name a few selections. You also can’t forget to stop by Clara Belle’s to purchase a loaf of cinnamon bread. We tried the original and finished it in one sitting! Not to mention, there’s a chapel on site where they have services on Sunday at 10 am and 11 am. If you’re there during the week, the chapel has certain times where they sing hymns throughout the day. This theme park stands out from others for many reasons, but the quality of service and the commitment to honoring God and country definitely set it apart.

Why was this vacation so unexpectedly fun? I think we had a good combination of time with family in Oklahoma, visiting places we’d never been before, and adding in some thrills. I know some vacations are meant as pure relaxation, and others can be go-go-go. This was a great combination of being able to relax, explore, and enjoy some thrills along the way in an expected place. It was definitely a fulfilling trip for our family. Be sure to put Oklahoma and Branson, Missouri on your bucket list of family vacation travels.

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While this was a different post from my usual content, I still feel it fits right into the theme of this site as living a full life in Christ by enjoying the relationships and opportunities God has placed before us. It’s always good to find time for rest and relaxation for our mental and physical health. Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Yes, I’m still working on my book and hoping to finish, Lord willing, before my kids are out of school (May 2026). May God continue to bless you in your health and relationships.

Instagram: @amberjohnsonfishfulllife