Branson Missouri, in the Ozark Mountains, is a well-established tourist powerhouse that's nonetheless in a reasonable price range: with theme parks, outdoor adventures such as Showboat Branson Belle, Ride the Ducks (amphibious military landing vehicles), and Branson Scenic Railway; indoor show attractions such as Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show; and Family Fun Centers.
Some sample attractions: "Titanic ... The Legend Continues" recreates first-class staterooms, third-class steerage, the Grand Staircase, and lots more. Branson Landing is an lodging and entertainment district with boardwalk along the Taneycomo Lakefront. In 2006, Silver Dollar City added a Grand Exposition -- in the style of the golden age of World's Fairs of the late 1800s -- has 10 new family rides; 2007 brings the GIANT Swing, that sends passengers 75 feet into the air at 45 mph, and swings them back and forth; the theme is barnyard, and has family-fun activities.
Meanwhile, St. Louis, Missouri claims to have more free attractions than anywhere in the US except Washington, DC: such as the - free - St. Louis Zoo, with 90 acres and 11,400 exotic animals living in natural habitats. Or the free St. Louis Science Center.
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