*Nighttime on the Strip! You can see the Branson Ferris Wheel and The Track Family Fun Park
Entertainment for Many Tastes
While country music shows are quite prevalent, there are other entertainment options to consider:- Pepsi Legends Theater: Elvis, the Blues Brothers, the Temptations, and others have been impersonated here.
- The Haygoods: A high-energy musical extravaganza featuring talented siblings who play over 20 instruments.
- Shanghai Circus: Aerial feats, dancing, comedy, and magic combined into one show!
- Illusionist/Magician Shows: Prepare to be amazed by mind-bending tricks and illusions.
- Religious Productions: Sight & Sound brings biblical stories to life on a grand scale!
- Showboat Branson Belle: A paddlewheel riverboat cruises on Table Rock Lake while guests enjoy live music, comedy, and breathtaking views.
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner: A captivating dinner show with horses, stunts, and a feast.
- Murder Mystery: Comedy, intrigue, and food? Who wouldn’t enjoy that?
*The Showboat Branson Belle. A live show, dinner, and relaxing cruise.
Thrilling Amusements
Over the years, Branson’s largest theme park has encouraged other entertainment centers to emerge.- Silver Dollar City: A Hillbilly-themed park nestled in the Ozarks, guests experience thrilling roller coasters that sometimes break world records, skilled craftspeople blowing glass and creating confectionary delights, a variety of live shows, and reasonably priced food that’s a notch above most parks. Oh, and you can’t forget to tour the beautiful cave near its entrance!
- Whitewater: A seasonal outdoor water park with slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers.
- Splash Country Waterpark: Open year-round, this indoor water park offers aquatic adventures no matter the weather.
*Silver Dollar City also has some fun water attractions during the summer.
Nature’s Amusements
Branson is a scenic destination with lakes, streams, and steeply rolling hills dotted by thick forests. Fortunately, this setting also allows for many outdoor activities!- Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo: Engage in boating, fishing, water skiing, tubing, and more. These lakes are perfect for a serene day out or for catching your next big fish. Table Rock is a large lake suitable for any activity, and Taneycomo might feel more like a river and provides great trout fishing.
- Hiking and Biking: Whether spending the day at the scenic Dogwood Canyon or exploring one of the many free trails, the Branson area offers a refreshing escape into nature.
*Dogwood Canyon can be a delightfully easy way to enjoy the scenic Ozark outdoors.
Museums and Other Curiosities
Informative or weird and quirky. There’s variety in this category as well!- Titanic Museum: Relive the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic in this museum on a grand scale.
- World’s Largest Toy Museum: Nostalgia awaits with vintage toys for the child in each of us.
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: Oddities and wonders abound.
- Hollywood Wax Museum: Pose with your favorite stars (wax versions, of course).
- Branson Auto & Farm Museum: Vintage cars and farm equipment come to life.
*Described as the world's largest Titanic museum attraction, visitors can see millions of dollars worth of Titanic exhibits.
Even More Adventure
There’s a variety of other adrenaline-pumping activities beyond the big parks in Branson.- Shepherd of the Hills: Ziplines, climbing, shows, and breathtaking views from one of the tallest towers around.
- Bigfoot Fun Park: Mini-golf, bumper cars, and arcade games are just the start.
- Branson Ferris Wheel: Take a spin and soak in the panoramic views.
- Mountain Coasters: Race down the hills with the wind in your hair. Roller coasters don’t have to be high in the air when steep hills abound!
- Golf: Perhaps not that adventurous but definitely enjoyable for many! Branson has multiple golf courses surrounded by the beauty of the Ozarks.
*Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris wanted to connect people to nature with his golf courses.
Retail Therapy
What would a vacation destination be without shopping? Branson has discount, upscale, and antique shops providing deals for you to discover.- Tanger Outlets: Bargain hunters rejoice!
- Branson Landing and Grand Village Shops: Waterfront dining and upscale stores.
- Historic Downtown Branson: Quaint boutiques and antique treasures.
- Branson Craft Mall: Handmade crafts and unique finds.
- Bass Pro Shop: Based out of Springfield (45 min North of Branson), the Branson Landing also has one of these hallowed outdoor stores. And if you’d prefer to experience the grandeur of the original, make the short trip North.
*From discount outlets and second hand stores to high end, Branson offers a variety of places to shop.
Beyond the Ordinary
Over the years, folks have envisioned some rather unique activities for Branson’s visitors. Why not check out something that you can’t find just anywhere?- The Butterfly Palace: A magical butterfly habitat.
- 1984 Arcade: Retro gaming fun for all ages.
- Aquarium at The Boardwalk: Dive into an underwater wonderland.
- Fritz’s Adventure: Climb, swing, and explore an indoor adventure park.
- Escape Games: Test your wits and teamwork.
- IMAX Theatre: Larger-than-life movie experiences.
*The Butterfly Palace lets you get up close with some very majestic little creatures.
Savor the Flavors
As is the case with many vacation destinations, Branson’s restaurants reflect both the culture of the area and the diverse tastes of its visitors. Midwestern fare might dominate, but quality ethnic cuisine is also easy to find.- BBQ and Comfort Food: With no fewer than 10 BBQ restaurants alone, Branson serves up hearty meals that warm the soul.
- Chain Restaurants: Familiar names like Chik-Fil-A, Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Cheddar’s, and Cracker Barrell dot the area.
- Ethnic Cuisine: Explore Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean, Jamaican, Mexican, and other flavors.
- Upscale & Celebrity Eats: While names like Paula Deen and Guy Fieri might be familiar, Branson also offers upscale gems well-known to locals like The Keeter Center and the Osage Restaurant.
*Beef, pork, and chicken are prominently featured at nearly every BBQ joint in town.
In addition to this incredible variety, there’s one other facet of Branson that really stands out: affordability. With operating costs being relatively low in this part of the country, most businesses can pass those savings along to their customers.
Ready to make the trip? Although most of Branson’s visitors tend to be less than a day’s drive away, flying here is a solid option. The Springfield-Branson National Airport has connections to major hubs on multiple airlines and is less than an hour from Branson.
So if you’ve not yet visited Branson or are ready to discover it all over again, go ahead and craft your own vacation from a wide variety of entertainment options. There's good reason that millions of folks visit Branson every year. Looking for adventure? Check. Want to visit someplace that's family-friendly and affordable? Branson has you covered there too. Come see why so many people visit Branson time and time again!
*Please note that all images were used according to usage rights from www.explorebranson.com. Images may have been cropped and/or resized to fit within the above content.