Branson is a town in central Missouri with a population of just under 13,000 (2020).  Branson is a major tourist center  and is sometimes called the "Family Friendly" Las Vegas because of the many attractions and bright lights in town. There are more than 100 live shows in over 50 theatres, plus museums and amusement parks. An astonishing number of…...

Ames, Iowa, is located in the central part of the state, about 30 miles north of the state capital of Des Moines. The city was founded in 1864, as a stop on the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad, and was named after U.S. Congressman Oakes Ames of Massachusetts, who was influential in building the transcontinental railroad.  Iowa State University of Science…...

This town in northern Georgia is old gold mining center; in fact it had a mint that produced U.S. coins. It has the Dosta Playhouse and the largest cultural arts center in the region.. Valdosta State University is also a center of local culture. See our article: Road Trip: The Mountain Towns of North Georgia, for more ideas....

History lovers will find Natchitoches (NACK-uh-tush), Louisiana to be an interesting retirement community. Located on the Cane River Lake, this charming southern town of 18,500 was the picturesque setting for the movie Steel Magnolias, starring Sally Field and Shirley MacLaine. An older movie set here is The Horse Soldiers with William Holden and the Duke, John Wayne. The town was…...