Branson, Missouri, is a vibrant tourist destination with many attractions, live shows, and natural beauty. It’s often noted for its affordability, especially compared to other vacation destinations. With careful planning, travelers can enjoy the city's offerings and save even more! Here are some practical tips to maximize your enjoyment while saving money.
The fountain show at The Branson Landing.
Cheap Eats
Branson offers various affordable dining options, making it easy to satisfy your appetite without overspending. From classic American diners to diverse food trucks, you can find something for every taste and budget.
Local Diners: Branson has many charming diners offering affordable meals. Try Billy Bob's Dairyland for classic American fare or any of the classic cafes in downtown Branson. Cracker Barrell also often has good deals on the West end of the strip. And why not order a little extra for the next day’s meal? The net result can be saving a few dollars!
Food Trucks: Discover local food trucks offering various cuisines, from BBQ to tacos, at reasonable prices! Located on the North end of town.
Markets: Check out the Branson Farmers Market for fresh produce and ready-made meals from local vendors. Generally open Saturday mornings.
Fast Food: There are many online articles about eating cheaply at fast food restaurants. For example, you might consider a sour cream & chive baked potato and 4-piece chicken nuggets for about $5 at Wendy’s. Then take it home and provide your own beverages.
Cooking In: Consider eating out less and cooking some of your meals. Breakfast and dinner can make sense to eat in. Lunches tend to be cheaper when eating out, and you might already be out having fun for the day anyway. If staying in a vacation rental, cooking in can be far easier and perhaps healthier too. If staying in a hotel, consider one with a minifridge for storing breakfast items and then swinging by the grocery deli for a light dinner.
Mr. B's Ice Cream Parlor in Downtown Branson
Free Attractions
There's no need to spend a lot to enjoy Branson's rich culture and scenic beauty. The city offers numerous free attractions, from public parks to historic sites.
Walking Tours: Explore downtown Branson, home to historic buildings and unique shops, some of which have been around for over a century. The free trolley is both fun and convenient!
Edwards Mill: located on the campus of College of the Ozarks, this working mill is powered by a 12-foot water wheel. University students grind whole-grain meal and flower that’s available for purchase. "Hard Work-U" also offers other sights to tour; check here for details.
Parks: Visit Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area or Stockstill Park for a serene escape and scenic trails. And don’t forget to check out the scenic overlook across from Vintage Paris.
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery: Although closed until 2025 for renovation, this free conservation center has excellent exhibits and live animals.
Museums: Enjoy free days at museums like the Branson Centennial Museum for a taste of local history. And be sure to check out the Dewey Short Visitor Center near Table Rock Dam. It’s a free, 3-story center with interactive exhibits in scenic surroundings.
Hiking: Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Branson area by enjoying one of the numerous hiking trails.
Theaters: Some theaters offer complimentary performances or open rehearsals.
Live Music: Check out local bars, cafes, and churches for free live music performances.
Branson Landing Fountain Show: A $7.5 million water show with 120-foot geysers and fire cannons.
Moonshine Beach: One of the area’s most popular swimming destinations, this sandy “beach” on Table Rock Lake offers fun and sun for the whole family! They may charge a small fee, so check ahead.
Disc Golf: Sunset Park, near Lake Taneycomo, features a disc golf course. Bring a frisbee and try a round!
Branson's Downtown Trolley, affectionately named "Sparky", is free to ride and convenient!
Discount Tickets
Scoring deals on tickets can make your trip more enjoyable and affordable. Branson offers several ways to save on shows and attractions. Many of Branson's businesses also offer promotions and packages that make enjoying the city easier.
Box Offices: Many venues provide same-day discounts for remaining seats.
Online Deals: Websites like Groupon and TripAdvisor offer discounted tickets for various shows and attractions. Also be sure to check out the locally-oriented websites like www.branson.com, www.bransonticketdeals.com, and www.bransontourismcenter.com. These sites offer deals and/or coupons from time to time.
Group Discounts: Travel with a group to access bulk ticket discounts.
Local Deals: Visit Branson's Chamber of Commerce website for special deals and promotions from local vendors.
Seasonal Promotions: Look for off-season discounts and packages that include lodging, dining, and activities.
Military and AAA Discounts: If you or a member of your party serve/served in the military or are members of AAA, many places offer discounts to those individuals. Search online for such discounts.
Best Value Accommodations
Staying in a vacation rental provides comfort, additional space, and savings. These rentals offer various amenities that allow you to save on dining and other travel expenses, but there are situations in which staying in a hotel can be cheaper.
Consider these scenarios below for a 5-night vacation. To factor in potential savings, we’ll make the following assumptions:
- a meal out is $15/person and a meal in is $7/person; with hotels we’ll assume all meals are eaten out and in rentals only 1 meal is eaten out each day.
- 2-4 guests can fit in one hotel room but 6 will need 2 rooms; 6 can fit in all our rentals
| Type | Guests | Nightly Rate | Cleaning Fee | Daily Meals | Total Cost |
| Hotel | 2 | $150 | $0 | $90 | $750 + $0 + $450 = $1,200 |
| Hotel | 4 | $150 | $0 | $180 | $750 + $0 + $900 = $1,650 |
| Hotel | 6 | $300 | $0 | $270 | $1500 + $0 + $1,350 = $2,850 |
| Rental | 2 | $150 | $125 | $58 | $750 + $125 + $290 = $1,165 |
| Rental | 4 | $150 | $125 | $116 | $750 + $125 + $580 = $1,455 |
| Rental | 6 | $150 | $125 | $174 | $750 + $125 + $870 = $1,745 |
The added room and comfort of a vacation rental is difficult to quantify, and by looking at the numbers alone, you can see that hotels aren’t always the most affordable option. For many, that adds up to allot more value with a vacation rental.
There are of course many other variables – perhaps you’re a party of 4 but it’s 2 couples, and although y’all like each other, you want separate rooms. Or perhaps you stay in a vacation rental but eat only one special meal out and the rest in. Maybe your hotel offers a free breakfast that’s worth enjoying, or maybe you never eat breakfast at all! And if your stay is shorter or longer, that can dramatically impact the math as well.
So plan ahead, book early, and explore Branson's affordable options to make your trip memorable without overspending!