Branson named third-best motorcoach destination

The southwest Missouri city ranked No. 3 in the National Motorcoach Network’s annual survey of top destinations. Branson ranked below Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Washington, D.C.

Branson has been in the top four for 17 years and was named Top Motorcoach Destination of the Decade in 2000.

Branson’s Silver Dollar City also ranked in the Top 10 of the network’s survey of best manmade attractions. The amusement park came in at No. 6.

The rankings are compiled from surveys of member motorcoach operators who indicate where they plan to travel in the next year.

Motorcoach Travelers' Picks

Top 10 Destinations

1. Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

2. Washington, D.C. 

3. Branson

4. Nashville, Tenn.                    

5. Chicago, Ill.  

6. Atlantic City, N.J. 

7. Philadelphia, Pa.

8. New York, N.Y.  

9. Williamsburg, Va. 

10. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Top 10 Man-Made Attractions

1. Disney World

2. Grand Ole Opry/Opryland

3. Washington, D.C. (monuments and Smithsonian museum)

4. Statue of Liberty

5. Graceland

6. Silver Dollar City

7. Dollywood

8. Pennsylvania Dutch Country

9. Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village

10. Universal Studios

Top 10 Motorcoach States

1. Pennsylvania

2. Florida

3. Georgia

4. Tennessee 

5. South Carolina

6. Virginia

7. New York

8. Missouri 

9. Kentucky

10. North Carolina

Top 10 Motorcoach Restaurants

1. Cracker Barrel

2. Bob Evans

3. Golden Corral

4. Shoney’s

5. Olive Garden

6. Piccadilly Cafeterias

7. Western Sizzlin’

8. Landry’s Seafood Restaurants

9. Applebee’s

10. Rainforest Café

Source: National Motorcoach Network

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s May 16 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.