Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks, Branson, Missouri, is a vibrant and exciting vacation destination that offers something for everyone. Branson has it all, whether you’re a fan of live music, outdoor adventure, shopping, or just relaxing and enjoying the region’s natural beauty.
With a wide range of fantastic attractions and activities available year-round, there has never been a better time to plan your visit to Branson. So why not make this the year you experience all that Branson offers?
1. Live Music Show Capital of the Ozarks
Branson is known as the “Live Music Show Capital of the World” and offers a variety of shows, concerts, and performances. Popular Shows in Branson include:
2. Adventure Awaits: The Best Outdoor Activities to Experience in Branson
Branson has plenty of outdoor activities to offer, including:
- Table Rock Lake – 43,100-acre lake offering boating, fishing, and other water sports.
- Silver Dollar City – SDC theme park has thrilling rides, roller coasters, attractions, and various shops and restaurants.
- Dogwood Canyon Nature Park – A scenic park with hiking trails, wildlife tours, and horseback riding.
3. Journey Through Time: Explore the Museums and Historic Attractions
Branson has several museums and historical attractions to explore, including:
- Titanic Museum – An interactive museum that explores the history of the Titanic and its passengers.
- Veterans Memorial Museum – The Veterans Memorial Museum honors the service and sacrifices of America’s veterans.
- Ralph Foster Museum – This museum showcases the history and culture of the Ozarks region.
4. Shopping in Branson is Top Notch
Branson is a shopper’s paradise, with a variety of shopping options, including:
- Branson Landing – The landing is a shopping and dining destination on the banks of Lake Taneycomo.
- Tanger Outlets – An outlet mall with over 70 stores offering discounted prices on designer brands.
- The Grand Village Shops – A collection of shops and boutiques offering locally made crafts, gifts, and souvenirs.
- The Shoppes at Branson Meadows – This shopping center features a mix of outlet and specialty stores, a movie theater, and restaurants.
- Grand Village Shops – This quaint shopping center features unique boutiques, specialty stores, and restaurants.
- Branson Mill Craft Village – This indoor shopping center features over 40 craft shops offering handmade items such as jewelry, pottery, and quilts.
- Dick’s Oldtime 5 & 10 – This classic five-and-dime store features various nostalgic and hard-to-find items.
5. Nature’s Playground: Discovering the Natural Beauty of Branson
The Ozark Mountains offer stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, including:
- Table Rock State Park – Table Rock State Park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and a marina.
- Henning Conservation Area – A 1,500-acre nature preserve with hiking trails and scenic overlooks.
- Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area – This 2,500-acre nature reserve offers hiking trails, camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Dogwood Canyon Nature Park – This 10,000-acre park features miles of hiking and biking trails, waterfalls, and streams, as well as fishing and horseback riding opportunities.
6. Explore Branson’s Top Attractions
Branson has several unique attractions that offer something a little different, such as:
- The Branson Ferris Wheel: 150-foot Ferris wheel with enclosed gondolas and spectacular city views.
- Silver Dollar City: SDC is a special place in the heartland of America where your family can gather together for fun, where traditions are created, memories are shared, and where time stops for you to celebrate each other.
- The World’s Largest Toy Museum showcases over one million toys worldwide.
- Hollywood Wax Museum – This museum features life-like wax figures of famous Hollywood celebrities.
- Runaway Mountain Coaster: The” Runaway Mountain Coaster” uses the beautiful, natural topography of the Ozarks to have an exciting user-controlled thrill ride that your family will want to ride again & again.
- Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure: Branson’s Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure is a spectacular interactive attraction that brings Mother Nature’s jungle environment up close for all to enjoy!
7. Dining in Branson is Amazing!
Branson has a variety of dining options, ranging from casual to fine dining, including:
- Billy Bob’s Dairyland: this classic 1950s-style drive-in that serves burgers, fries, and milkshakes.
- Level 2 Steakhouse: A fine-dining restaurant that specializes in steak and seafood.
- Fall Creek Steak & Catfish House: Fall Creek serves Ozark Mountain-style cooking, including catfish, hushpuppies, and fried chicken.
- Top of the Rock: With sweeping views of the Ozark Mountains, Osage Restaurant is one of Big Cedar’s can’t-miss experiences! Enjoy upscale regional cuisine, an inviting atmosphere, and top-tier service.
8. Experience the Fun and the Best Festivals
Branson hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, including:
- Ozark Mountain Christmas – Branson holiday celebration with over 2 million lights, parades, and live entertainment.
- Bluegrass & BBQ Festival – is the ultimate celebration of bluegrass music and mouthwatering BBQ, featuring top-notch bands and irresistible food that will leave you tapping your feet and licking your fingers.
- Sports and Recreation – Branson has plenty of sports and recreational activities
- Silver Dollar City – Fall Harvest Festival, Experience Craft Days filled with captivating artisans and special entertainment and Pumpkins In The City by night with thousands of illuminated pumpkins with non-frightful fun for the entire family!
- Branson Landing’s Annual Liberty Light Up – Held on July 3rd, this festival features a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Taneycomo, live music, and food vendors.
- Branson Music Festival – Branson music festival is a popular annual event that showcases a diverse range of musical genres and talented performers in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.
9. Branson is a True Golfing Destination
Branson has several golf courses for golf enthusiasts, including:
- Branson Hills Golf Club – A championship course designed by Chuck Smith and Bobby Clampett.
- Thousand Hills Golf Resort: A resort that offers an 18-hole and 9-hole course and has been rated one of the best courses in Missouri.
- Top of the Rock Golf Course – This unique golf course, located just south of Branson, features a challenging 9-hole layout designed by Jack Nicklaus and stunning views of Table Rock Lake and the Ozarks.
- Thousand Hills Golf Course – This 18-hole golf course in the heart of Branson offers a challenging and scenic layout that winds through the Ozark Mountains.
- Holiday Hills Resort and Golf Club – This golf course, located just a few minutes from downtown Branson, features a challenging 18-hole layout designed by Bob Dunning and a pro shop and restaurant.
- Pointe Royale Golf Course – This 18-hole golf course, located just a few miles from downtown Branson, features a challenging layout that winds along Lake Taneycomo and a pro shop and restaurant.
10. Make a Splash and Visit Branson Water Parks
Branson has several water parks for family fun, including:
- White Water – A water park with water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and other attractions.
- Castle Rock Resort and Water Park – A resort that offers a water park with slides, a lazy river, and a splash pad.
11. Sight Seeing Tours -Discover the Beauty of Branson
Branson has several sightseeing tours available, including:
- Branson Scenic Railway – A scenic train ride through the Ozark Mountains.
- VIP Tours of Branson – VIP Tours of Branson” provides exclusive guided sightseeing tours of Branson, MO, and the surrounding area. Get ready to feel like a VIP.
12. Toast to the Good Life: Exploring the Best Wineries
Branson has several wineries and vineyards for wine lovers, including:
- Mount Pleasant Winery – A winery that offers a tasting room and vineyard tours.
- St. James Winery and Restaurant – This winery and restaurant is located in nearby Branson West and features a variety of award-winning wines and a full-service restaurant serving lunch and dinner.
- Lindwedel Winery – A family-owned winery that offers wine tastings and live music on the weekends.
- Stone Hill Winery – This winery is located in Branson West and offers a wide selection of wines and guided tours of the facility.
13. Reel in the Fun and Go Fishing in Branson
Branson is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, including:
- Lake Taneycomo – is a lake stocked with rainbow and brown trout and offers year-round trout fishing.
- Table Rock Lake – Table Rock lake offers a variety of fish species, including bass, crappie, and catfish.
- Bull Shoals Lake – This large lake is located just north of Branson and is known for its clear water and abundant fishing opportunities. Anglers can catch various species, including bass, crappie, and catfish.
- Roark Creek – This small creek is located near downtown Branson and is a great spot for wading and fly fishing. It’s stocked with trout and features several public access points.
14. Get Crafty in Branson – Arts and Crafts
Branson has a thriving arts and crafts community, including:
- Branson Craft Mall – The mall features over 200 vendors selling handmade crafts and gifts.
- Silver Dollar City – A theme park that showcases traditional Ozark crafts, including glassblowing, pottery, and blacksmithing.
- Dick’s 5 & 10 – This historic general store is a must-visit for anyone interested in vintage and retro crafts, toys, and souvenirs.
- Ozark Mountain Quilts – This shop specializes in handmade quilts and offers a wide selection of styles and sizes.
- Art Galleries – Branson is home to several art galleries, such as the Art Collective Gallery, that showcases local artists’ work in various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and photography.
