Branson Missouri's Free Attractions

Coming to Branson, Missouri on your next vacationWinery in Branson, Missouri, so magnificent.
does not mean you have to pay an arm and a leg toThe Stone Hill Winery is one of the most popular
have a good time. You will find there are severalattractions in Branson. With main facilities in Hermann,
different ways to spend your time in BransonMissouri, the Branson division of the winery still
without having to spend a dime. The beauty thatprovides an amazing opportunity to learn about and
abounds in this Ozark's paradise is enough to provideexperience the wine making process. Stone Hill
you with the incentive you need to travel to theWinery is the oldest winery in Missouri. It is also the
area. However, where you go may be dictated bymost awarded in the region. The Branson location is
how much you can afford.an amazing 12,000 square feet in size!
Branson, Missouri is not the type of big townVisitors to the Stone Hill Winery have been coming
metropolis where everything costs you something.here since 1986. The tour lasts one hour and you
You can actually come to the area on a budget andhave the opportunity to taste the amazing, flavored
still take away as much, if not more from the entirewines as you make your own determination of
experience. The whole family will love the quaint andwhether Stone Hill Winery really is the best winery in
serene settings. From a walk along the lake's edge toMissouri. During your tour, you will travel through the
a picnic lunch or swimming excursion, there are plentywinery and view the systematic process for
of low cost activities for the whole family to enjoyproducing wine.
and take in when traveling to this beautiful area.You will get the chance to view a short film on the
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatcherywinemaking tradition in Missouri. This outlines the main
You can explore the Shepherd of the Hills Fishheadquarters for the Stone Hill Winery in Hermann,
Hatchery at no cost to you. The Hatchery, whichMissouri, which boasts vineyards and cellars.
provides trout to the nearby White River, is locatedFrom here, you will be invited to smell the scents of
outside of the Branson city limits. However, it is notmaturing Sherry. This intoxicating aroma is baked and
too far away, a mere six miles to the southwest.aged in oak casks. On the rest of your Stone Hill
This is the largest facility in Missouri to produce andWinery tour, you will have a chance to watch the
stock trout. This is done through the Conservationwinery bottle its famous Spumante wines. Every 15
Trout Production Program through Missouri'sminutes, a new tour begins and they are no cost to
Department of Conservation.you or the other members of your family.
The Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery was built inTable Rock Lakeshore Trail
1957. The first successful trout production occurredTable Rock Lake is one of the beautiful lakes in
back in 1958. On average, 301,000 lbs. of trout areBranson, Missouri. The Army Corp of Engineers has
produced here each year. These catchable troutteamed up with the Missouri Department of Natural
make up over one million trout that are producedResources and the Herschend Family Entertainment
annually.Corp to provide the ultimate trail around the
From this million, close to 500,000 trout each year isLakeshore of Table Rock Lake. These agencies
placed in Lake Teneycomo. The Lake also receivesreceived a $500,000 investment into this project and
225,000 trout from Neosho National Fish Hatchery,now, both residents and visitors to Branson will enjoy
which is located in the Southwest Ozarks. All of thethe Table Rock Lakeshore Trail.
other trout produced by the Shepherd of the HillsThe Table Rock Lakeshore Trail is wheelchair
Fish Hatchery is stocked in trout management areasaccessible. In fact, wheelchairs are the only motorized
around Missouri. This, of course, includes the Whitevehicles allowed on these paved trails. The Table
River, which is known for its successful trout fishingRock Lakeshore Trail is eight feet wide and spans 2.2
programs.miles.
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is responsible forThis trail was completed in the fall of 2004. Since
producing both rainbow and brown trout in order tothen millions of visitors have received views never
meet Conservation quotas. The facilities at theseen before by those who have visited Table Rock
hatchery provide both eggs and fingerlings so trout isLake in the past. The trail runs from the Table Rock
successfully produced. On over 211 acres (84 acresDam (south side) at the Dewey Short Visitor Center
developed), you will enjoy a visit to the Shepherd ofand ends at the State Park Marina.
the Hills Fish Hatchery. A quarter of a million visitorsPoints on the trail offer restrooms. There is a place
come to the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatcheryto hike and bike on the trail and since the trail
when they visit Branson, Missouri, each year.complies with ADA (American with Disabilities Act)
A trip to the hatchery provides an informed tour ofstandards, nearly everyone, even those who might
the premises with information on the Shepherd ofnever have seen the splendor of the Ozarks
the Hills Fish Hatchery. On your free tour, you willotherwise, are able to see magnificent views of the
learn about the entire trout production process fromTable Rock Lake.
start to finish. Explore the world of trout incubation,The Table Rock Lakeshore Trail will take you through
tank maintenance and issues, raising and spawningthe woodlands, along the shoreline and over wet
young in ponds, and you can even feed theweather creeks throughout the area. Native plant life,
hungry-fish while enjoying the fresh, mountain, Ozarkindigenous animals including deer and various bird
air.species are available on the Table Rock Lakeshore
Stone Hill WineryTrail. The trail is open from dawn to dusk.
Stone Hill Winery has a 150-year history of producingAccepted modes of transportation on the trail
wine. This heritage makes for the best wine in thebesides wheelchairs and those walking or running
region. You can explore world history and technologyinclude skateboards, bikes, and scooters. You can
when you go on a free tour of the Stone Hill Wineryschedule a picnic in one of the conveniently located
facilities. This winery has been awarded forpicnicking areas or simply tour the trail to enjoy the
excellence in the wine making industry. Now it is yoursplendor of the Ozarks, which surrounds you.
turn to find out exactly what makes the Stone Hill