Branson Missouri is a wonderful mix of neon and nature. Inside the performance venues (commonly called theatres in Branson) you'll experience the vibrant sounds of the live music shows; take a step outside where you'll take in the vibrant colors of the outdoors while experiencing world-class recreation and fun! Those of us from Branson are often asked to describe it and explain why approximately 8 million people visit here each year. Truth be told there are a variety of opinions but we all agree that just like we love Branson so do our visitors. Every time you visit you'll discover something new about our town...we keep discovering new things each year ourselves! If you're considering a visit to Branson and wondering about things to do and points of interest, take a gander at our top 10 points of interest below. (Actually there's so much to see and do in Branson that a top 10 list doesn't really add up...but everyone says you like to see top 10 lists and so we're happy to take a stab at it!)
1) Live Shows! Branson, dubbed the "live music show capital of the world", has over 100 live shows featuring a wide variety of musical genres, acrobatics, dance, magic, performance art, theatrical plays, and more. Every visitor has a favorite or two or three! There are so many different shows available with a diversity of entertainment styles. What truly creates that bond with a particular show is the interaction between the stars on stage and the folks in the audience - it's a connection, a heart thing that creates a heartfelt experience for our show lovers. From home grown stars to nationally known entertainers, big sprawling productions to small intimate venues, specialty shows to variety shows, the live show scene in Branson is humming - you could say the hills are alive with music. Check out the shows in Branson by clicking here.
2) Hills - actually they're called the Ozark Mountains, the oldest Mountain Range in the US. The rolling hills add for lots of winding roads and beautiful tours. Bikers love to cruise around these parts as do the many, many show and shine events featuring a wide variety of cool cars. And some of the best cruising is in the fall when the trees and hills are an amazing array of colors. Typically the most brilliant color happens mid-October through the first of November. There are multiple ways to experience outdoor recreation - from Bigfoot Fun Park Mini-Golf (rated the #1 miniture golf course in the state of Missouri) to the Zipline Canopy Tour at Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park.
3) Silver Dollar City is probably one of the most unique experiences you can have in the U S of A. While it is called a theme park, Silver Dollar City is actually a world of its own. Filled with crafts, music, food, rides, live music shows, and colorful characters, Silver Dollar City is also home to a special Fireman's Landing (honoring our firefighters), several rollercoasters - including the Time Traveler the world's first multi-turning spinning rollercoaster and the world's most daring wooden rollercoaster Outlaw Run, and a variety of shows & festivals throughout the year. Since 1960 Silver Dollar City has continued to grow and add experiences and even features in November and December during Branson's Ozark Mountain Christmas wonderland "An Old Time Christmas" (that is in our opinion the best in the country and guess even USA Today agrees naming "An Old Time Christmas" America's Best Theme Park Holiday Event in 2021) In 2020 they added a new experience "Mystic River Falls" that takes water adventure to new heights! In 2024 the all-new Fire In The Hole will debut in March. An off park experience that you'll want to enjoy - the Showboat Branson Belle -- where you'll cruise on Table Rock Lake, see a live musical variety show, and dine!
4) Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park & Outdoor Drama should be on everyone's schedule. The original book "The Shepherd of the Hills" was at one time the 2nd most read book in the country (right after the Bible) and the intense interest in the characters of the book made the Ozark Mountains a destination. This outdoor drama retells the story from the book and gives visitors a look into the cutlture of the Ozarks and hillfolk. On property is also the Inspiration Tower with a Vigilante ZipRyder, a Homestead Tour, a dinner show, the original Toby Show, and of course at Christmas Time the incredible Trail of Lights. Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park features a multiple of festivals throughout the year, a zipline canopy tour, a ropes course, off-road ATV adventures, a farm tour, Lil Pete's Playground, Trail Rides, and an excellent restaurant - Shepherd's Mill Restaurant. Each year this cultural icon keeps adding new adventures.
5) Water fun - Branson is surrounded by three lakes offering up a variety of awesome outdoor fun. On Lake Taneycomo take a leisurely float with Kayak Branson, do a little fly fishing for trout - both browns and rainbows, zip across from Branson Landing to Mount Branson on Parakeet Pete's Waterfront Zipline, and visit the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery. On Table Rock Lake there is boating, scuba diving, paddleboarding, bass fishing (and other types of fish), tubing, skiing, you name it you can enjoy the pristine water and see some incredible sunsets. Bull Shoals offers excellent fishing and some beautiful boating. In addition there are several rivers and creeks around Branson offering floating, fishing, and fun in the sun.
6) It might surprise you to know that Branson has a variety of museums. From the Veterans Memorial Museum to the World's Largest Toy Museum, there is something for everyone's interests. For historical museums you'll find the Centennial Museum, Ralph Foster Museum (dubbed the "Smithsonian of the Ozarks" and located at College of the Ozarks), Harold Bell Wright Museum, Rose O-Neill Bonniebrook Museum and although not technically a museum a visit to Dick's 5 & 10 in downtown Branson is certainly a step back in time. The first Titanic Museum Attraction is located in Branson as well as the Hollywood Wax Museum, Shipwrecked Treasure Museum, the Auto and Farm Museum, Branson Dinosaur Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium, the Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure, and more.
7) College of the Ozarks (CofO) is an outstanding Christian Liberal-Arts college where no tuition is charged and we're proud that year after year it receives accolades as one of the top colleges in the country. Even more so we're proud of the College's values and dedication to graduating students debt free. Those attending CofO work their way through college - that's why CofO is known as Hard Work U. Visit the campus and take the tour, dine at their restaurant at the Keeter Center, visit Ralph Foster Museum, Patriots Park, and discover this gem of the Ozarks.
8) People are probably one of the most interesting part of any visit to Branson. From our stars on stage to the folks visiting, you're going to discover someone who will contribute to making a visit to Branson an experience of a lifetime. The authentic connections from the heart are amazing to witness as are the welcoming smiles and happy hellos. Ozark Mountain Hospitality is a tradition that still shines in these Ozark Hills. We're glad you're here! But even more then that, we're interested in you and your story...and we want you to feel good about being here. Plus we're a family town (and for us family is everyone whether you're an empty nestor couple or grandma & grandpa bringing the grandkids or a group connected by love and not necessarily blood) and our family is entertaining your family. While all the things there are to do make this a destination filled with exciting and fun surprises, it's the people from here and everywhere that converge on our small town that make Branson what it is - fondly known as "America's Favorite Hometown".
9) Dining, eating, breaking bread together is an excellent way to discover each other and also the culture of the community you're visiting. While Branson has plenty of great national restaurants, from the Cantina Laredo at Branson Landing to the Olive Garden on W 76 Hwy to the Pizza Ranch on Hwy 248, one in particular stands out. Located on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, the Golden Corral in Branson is probably one of the best places you'll ever enjoy a buffet. Several local restaurants to experience are McFarland's, Hero's Tastes & Taps, Minnie's Fair Food, Momo's, Danna's Barbecue, Papa Grand's Pizza, Florentina's, Vaskens, Outback Steak & Oyster, La Hacienda, the Paddlewheel at Branson Landing, Shepherd's Mill Restaurant at Shepherd of the Hill's Adventure Park, and of course while at Silver Dollar City try some of their delicious food. Another excellent option for a meal is to see a show and have your meal right there. You can do this at the Hughes Brothers Theatre, the Showboat Branson Belle, Grand Country Music Hall, and the Little Opry Theatre in Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex.
10) Shopping. Yes Branson has shopping! From Branson Landing to Tanger Outlet to the Grand Village there are plenty of shopping adventures! Be sure to check out the gift shops at all of the theaters - there are some very unique items in these shops with plenty of glitz and souvenirs. Don't miss the specialty shops at Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex and Grand Country Music Mall. Dick's 5 & 10 and the Branson Craft Mall both offer some "unique to the Ozarks" souvenirs and who can resist Kringles Christmas Shop at any time of the year! Classic Creations and More offers some fun party ideas where you can even create your own special bling outfits! And while we know it might seem funny - doesn't everyone on vacation visit the local Wal Mart? We've got a supercenter north of town, a Wal Mart smack dab in the middle of W 76 Hwy and another supercenter in Branson West.
Just for fun here's one more extra tidbit...always check out the special events because you'll find reasons to come back to Branson at different times of the year. From Hot Winter Fun (Jan 1 thru March 31) to Ozark Mountain Christmas (Nov 1 thru Jan 7) there are fun events, festivals, and specialty shows to discover. The things to do in Branson on a year round basis are plenty, throw in the special events and you just might decide to move here and become a regular participant in all the fun. You'll find a list of annual events and festivals by clicking here.