When I asked on Facebook what I needed to make sure and do while we were in Branson, a friend said to go to College of the Ozarks. I laughed out loud. Why would a family of seven want to visit a college on vacation? But I assured her that I would check it out. As it turned out Trip Adviser ranked it #5 on the list of Branson attractions! I read about it online and was convinced that it was a place we needed to visit. I even looked in to staying there but the lodging was already full for the week we were there.
So our third day in Branson we leisurely got up and ready and then headed to The Keeter Center for an early lunch. We arrived a little early and the grounds in front of the building were so pretty that we took the time for a few photos.
I was just a tad worried that he might fall in. Ha ha.
This photo was taken after I made him get back a little. I loved it though. It reminds me of photos I’ve seen of my eldest sister Sara when she was a baby.
Walking around inside The Keeter Center we found this display. Bobby walked up to the 3D part behind the table and said, “Cake.” Cracked me up! The College of the Ozarks has a program that includes a war veteran who travels with a group of students back to the place the war was fought. The students get to learn about the war first hand from someone who was there. What a neat experience.
There is an ice cream shop where students make the ice cream they sell and a gift shop. The girls especially wanted to look at the gift shop. On one side the little store sold only items made at the college then across from that where Joy is standing are all kinds of souvenirs for purchase.
Then our name was called, and we were seated in the restaurant Dobyn’s Dining Room. Isn’t it pretty? This is a very popular place to eat in the Branson area and reservations are highly recommended. We purposefully came early and on a week day hoping to beat the crowd.
The food served is all homemade and much of the ingredients are produced there at the college! We all raved over the fresh rolls and cranberry scones served with apple-butter. Yum! I think we would have all been happy to just have that for lunch!
Jason ordered their version of the BLT with homemade potato chips, and he loved it!
Their signature smoked tomato soup also came with his meal, and it is awesome!
Since I was splurging on vacation, each one of the kids got to order their own meal. (We usually share meals when we go out to eat.) The kid’s meals were $6 and included a drink and their homemade ice cream that is sold in the ice cream shop for dessert. The kids had all wanted some of that ice cream so I figured the kid’s meals were a great deal. I ordered the Campus Carbonara Pasta and it was yummy, creamy, and very rich!
The ice cream was superb, and we thought the portions was generous for a kid’s dessert included in the meal. Everything was so good though that the kids were stuffed and asked us to help them eat their ice cream. We didn’t complain!
After the dessert they brought everyone a homemade butter mint. I agree; this is a must stop in the Branson area. Jason is still talking about the food there and says eating at the Keeter Center and touring the college was one of his favorite things we did on the trip.
Wow! My niece goes there and my bro & sis in law went there! I haven’t heard of this place until now! Thanks for sharing! We will have to add it to our list!
My family ate there many years ago! My dad was building a cabin for a ministry in Branson and the leader of the ministry took us to that restaurant for lunch after church on Sunday. It was SO GOOD. You’re making all my Branson memories fresh again! 🙂
That guy behind you looks like he is posing to take a picture with your family. LOL!
It amazes me how many people have NOT taken the time to visit College of the Ozarks… We live close to Little Rock and we have gotten in the car early morning, driven to the college for lunch and come back home…we always take the time to “roam” not inky the displays in the Keeter Center but also the entire campus! The displays of the students’ trips with the Veterans and their diaries never fail to touch our hearts! Thank you College of the Ozarks!
If you are ever up there again, try to plan a trip the last Sunday in June. They have Honor America, which is a free event and fireworks at night. My two kids LOVE the fireworks and compare all other displays to it. Which no other firework display beats. The Keeter Center has a BBQ buffet which is wonderful. I loved my four years there, and my children look forward to attending there.