Q: Over the Labor Day holiday we’re attempting a slightly crazed road trip to Branson with our kids, ages 2 and 4. We’re going through the Ozarks both ways–our first night will be in Jefferson City, MO–and would like to try and figure out any good stops along the way or things to see with the kids. Any help you could provide would be much appreciated.

A:  That’s some trip!! Please feel free to email us a video of your adventures. I asked Kathy Mackdanz, the Auto Travel Resources Manager at  AAA Minneapolis, for some recommendations. Since the first leg of your trip is roughly 500 miles of Iowa farmland, she suggested regular stops at Iowa Tourist areas, including one two hours into your trip at exit 214 on I-35w/I-35.

Once you get to Branson, you can put away the portable DVD since you’ll be overwhelmed with family activities, including White Water water park, Branson’s Dinosaur Museum, World’s Largest Toy Museum, Showboat Branson Belle cruises,  the Branson Scenic Railway tour and  The Family Fun Factory.

On your way home, the drive to the Osage Beach resort area from Branson is roughly 125 miles. From there, it’s 320 miles on US 63 to Des Moines. On the way, you can check out the tallest working windmill in the U.S. in Pella, IA and the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and Prairie Learning Center in Prairie City.