Rain or shine, there are such a lot of issues to do in Branson, Missouri. As a part-time resident and lifelong customer, I’m sharing the most effective issues Branson sights for all ages, free issues to do in Branson with children, and tricks to make your go to easy!
We spend a variety of our time at our trendy lake home nestled on Desk Rock Lake close to Branson, Missouri. Branson is a household pleasant vacation spot stuffed to the brim with issues to do for a day, week or month all 12 months!
The place is Branson Missouri?
Branson is in Southwest Missouri, within the Ozark Mountain area. It’s nestled close to the Arkansas border and never removed from Oklahoma. Branson attracts guests from all around the United States, with most visiting spring by means of New 12 months’s.
The realm is understood for stunning sunsets, out of doors actions, caves, reveals, and household pleasant enjoyable. I grew up visiting Branson, a kitschy getaway nestled inside simply 4 hours of Kansas Metropolis, St. Louis, and Tulsa. It’s lined with reside leisure, over-the-top sights, thrill rides and eating places.
76 is sort of a household pleasant model of the Vegas strip, sans playing.
50+ Issues to Do in Branson Missouri
Branson boasts a big selection of reveals, indoor and out of doors actions, sights, trails, water recreation and one-of-a-kind experiences. There’s something for everybody, each season, and climate.
See Fish
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery (free) – See the fish ladder and trout pens that elevate 400,000 kilos of rainbow and brown trout every year! Contained in the schooling heart you’ll discover a variety of reptiles, too. Convey quarters to feed the fish.
Aquarium on the Boardwalk – See the ocean rays, stroll by means of the water tunnel, benefit from the contact tanks and extra! This newer Branson attraction price a whopping $55 million to construct! The outside of the constructing is a chunk of artwork.
See Animals Reptiles and Bugs
Tiger Sanctuary – Tour and feed large cats or go behind the scenes to find out about their care. They rescue and launch animals into wildlife as properly.
Promised Land Zoo – Stroll by means of a petting zoo and feed parakeets, donkeys and goats. The zoo boasts over 60 acres of animals, together with a tiger and lion rescue. Stroll by means of to see sloths, giraffes, a capybara and extra, then take a tram or drive by means of the 60+ acre park to see bison, elk, and zebras. Don’t miss the ostrich and emu eggs within the incubator on the reward store as you exit. In November and December, return to get pleasure from Christmas lights in Branson.
Wild World – Pet a stingray, play with lemurs, feed sharks and otters at this interactive aquarium and zoo.
The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest – The Butterfly Palace supplies a uniquely completely different and enhanced expertise from most aviaries. They provide cute hats, magnifying glasses and binoculars, which makes it really feel much more adventurous for babies. Stroll by means of whereas listening to the harp and get shut up views with complimentary nectar flowers positioned on the entrance to draw butterflies. The aviary is residence to over 1,000 butterflies and 40+ species! Not too long ago hatched butterflies are launched all through the day. Climb by means of the rainforest, go to the mirror maze and see an array of reptiles within the science heart.
Ideas
Butterflies are drawn to vibrant colours. Costume accordingly if you wish to appeal to them.
Don’t miss the mirror maze, rainforest (small play space) and science heart (reptiles).
Take pleasure in Rides
Runaway Mountain Coaster or Copperhead Mountain Coaster – In case you’re right here for the rides, you received’t be disillusioned by this curler coaster expertise! Each of those coasters wind by means of the woods and YOU management the velocity!
Silver Greenback Metropolis – You’ll love this clear, family-friendly amusement park constructed to supply actions whereas company waited to enter Marvel Cave. it’s crammed with rides the whole household can get pleasure from together with glass blowing, blacksmith, and woodcarving demonstrations to call just a few. Don’t miss Grandfather’s Mansion.
There may be a lot to discover together with 2 all-ages areas and some “all journey” rides! Return for the vacations since you don’t need to miss Silver Greenback Metropolis Christmas. Bypass the visitors in your means there and cease on the Previous Customary Dough Firm for wonderful cinnamon rolls or Donnie’s Diner for a conventional breakfast and pleasant smiles each time!
Tip
Obtain the app for journey wait occasions, showtimes and extra.
Ferris Wheel – of the numerous can’t-miss sights on Freeway 76 lies the ferris wheel, relocated from the Navy Pier in Chicago. It lights up at evening and is very enjoyable to see in the course of the holidays. It’s a gradual, sight-seeing journey.
Branson Scenic Railway – The traditional prepare departs on the historic depot nestled in downtown Branson and takes you thru the Ozark Mountains. In the course of the holidays is transforms into the Polar Specific the place you get pleasure from scorching chocolate, cookies, a go to from Santa and a journey by means of a Christmas gentle park!
Helicopter Tour – One among my favourite childhood recollections was taking a helicopter journey overlooking Branson and Desk Rock Lake, which you’ll be able to nonetheless do immediately! There’s no higher method to see the Branson strip, lake and the great thing about the Ozarks.
Bear Creek Trails – Take a one hour guided horseback journey by a waterfall.
Pink Jeep Excursions – Take a rugged journey by means of the terrain and revel in stunning views of Desk Rock Lake in a pink Jeep!
Branson Sights
As a lifelong customer and part-time resident, I nonetheless haven’t had the chance to see and do all of them. This record is compiled with a few of our favorites and a few we nonetheless hope to discover!
Wonderworks – An all ages, “the wrong way up” amusement park crammed with science, know-how, math and engineering enjoyable, rides, actions and extra! It’s your probability to relive the film “Huge” and dance on the piano, take a look at the power of your thoughts, physique, play in bubbles, journey the Surprise Coaster, expertise a hurricane and a lot extra! We have now visited a number of occasions with children and youths and it’s at all times a success! Put on shut toed sneakers for the 360 journey.
Dicks 5 & 10 – Dick’s 5 and dime is a favourite of youngsters and adults alike and a staple in downtown Branson. The shop is crammed with TikTok traits teenagers and tweens go loopy over, nostalgic toys, quaint sweet, crafts, collectibles, books, wonderful video games, pranks, quirky laughs, sodas, licensed favorites, cooking devices, {hardware} and a lot extra! You’ll discover all the things you by no means knew you wished, all below one roof.
Journey Seekers previously Past the Lens – This interactive attraction was a pleasing shock that entertained us for hours. They’ve a Flyride, traditional and Gen X video games, numerous enjoyable picture ops, and reveals. Have your picture taken by paparazzi, dance by means of the many years, stroll by means of a kaleidoscope and far, rather more! You’ll have a ball!
Immersive Disney Animation is an interactive gentle and sound present that’s getting nice opinions – if you happen to love Disney motion pictures you’ll love this one!
Hollywood Wax Museum – See the Hollywood signal, Mount Rushmore (up to date model) and King Kong multi functional cease! There are a number of out of doors picture alternatives which are definitely worth the cease! Step inside for much more movie star enjoyable.
Simply throughout the road, you possibly can stand beneath a huge meatball at Pasghetti’s. Stick a fork in me, I’m executed!
Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors – That is interactive fairytale expertise with hallways filled with mirrors and an opportunity to see who could be the hero subsequent to the Wax Museum.
Bigfoot Enjoyable Park – this can be a newer Branson attraction crammed with a lot to do! You’ll discover an arcade, mini golf, rides, and naturally the principle attraction, which is a Bigfoot Discovery Expedition! It’s a cool, totally immersive safari fashion journey by means of the Ozark Hills for the entire household.
Enjoyable Mountain – Enjoyable Mountain is an indoor / out of doors exercise at Huge Cedar and provides a novel bowling expertise, arcade, playground (free), laser tag and golf simulators indoors. Outside you’ll discover sloooooow go karts and an unbelievable ropes course over just a few gators, with a zipline!
Branson Touchdown – Go to the fountains at Branson Touchdown (free) for a water, fireplace, gentle and music present that begins on the hour from midday to 10pm each day (9 on Sundays). Discover a spot within the plaza or seize a drink on the patio at Cantina Laredo to get pleasure from. Branson Touchdown has quite a lot of shops together with Bass Professional, eating places and actions. Convey quarters to feed the fish as you stroll alongside Taneycomo.
Adventurous Actions
Wolfe Mountain Snowflex – Throw on some shut toed sneakers and hop on a tube! Hit the slick slopes, with out enduring chilly snow and revel in 12 months spherical enjoyable! The slick floor is Take pleasure in 12 months spherical “snow” tubing with out the chilly!
Fritz’s Journey – An indoor journey park excellent for wet days. Climb by means of tunnels, a aircraft, as much as excessive flying slides and up a brick wall! They provide three indoor rope programs – one for youngsters, one for adults and a treetops course for individuals who actually need to fly excessive.
Ziplining
Zipline USA – We’re lucky to have so many wonderful zip-lining experiences within the space. We have now tried all of them and it’s clear – Zipline USA takes you to new heights! It’s far and away the most effective Branson zipline due to it’s distant location, breathtaking views, huge landscapes, and among the highest and longest runs in the US! They’re dedicated to security, preserve an intimate group measurement and have a seamless check-in, gear and switch course of with skilled guides.
Ozark Explorer at Wolfe Mountain – Select between 4 and seven runs at this cover tour with 10 sky bridges.
Journey Ziplines – This roadside different at Shepherd of the Hills is brief and candy. Ticket buy, registration, check-in and equipment is slightly clunky, however the location is fast and handy to squeeze into your journey. The runs and views are slightly underwhelming, however it’s a straightforward introduction for newbies.
Vigilante Excessive ZipRider – Sit and leap off of the Shepherd of the Hills tower! This expertise is ticketed in 10 minute increments and is simply accessible when winds are minimal. It’s an exhilarating journey that takes you over an equestrian space and ends with a tender touchdown. The ticketing and check-in expertise is clunky, however price it.
Parakeet Petes Zipline – No expertise required! This two-seated expertise zips you throughout the lake as much as the cliff and again – twice! We have now executed this time and again and nonetheless get pleasure from it!
Ropes Programs
- Fritz’s
- Enjoyable Mountain
- Shepherd of the Hills
Water Parks
White Water – This childhood favourite is a neighborhood out of doors waterpark with a wave pool, water slides, lazy river, household rides and a lot extra! Go for just a few hours or for a full day of enjoyable within the solar!
Splash Nation – An indoor / out of doors water park with a lazy river, large slides, toddler pool and extra! That is the right place to make a splash rain or shine, even in winter time!
Nonetheless Waters – Nonetheless Waters has an outside water park with slides accessible to in a single day company.
Miniature Golf
Branson is loaded with miniature golf programs to check your expertise. Select your theme or strive all of them!
Outside Mini Golf
Indoor Mini Golf
Indoor Golf Simulator
Pickleball
Go Karts
- Xtreme Racing
- The Observe
- Enjoyable Mountain
- Grand Nation Resort
Bumper Boats
- Bumper Boat Amusement Middle
- The Observe
Bumper Automobiles
- Enjoyable Mountain (Flip Zone – the wrong way up, Spin Zone – spin)
- The Observe
- Grand Nation
- Bumper Boat Amusement Middle
Arcades
See a Present
There are such a lot of reveals in Branson MO they usually’re consistently altering.
- Acrobats of Shanghai – A really wonderful present crammed with unbelievable stunts (and actually gradual music). The children completely beloved this present.
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede – Buy tickets upfront for this widespread present that features a pre-show and dinner you eat along with your palms! Come early to see the horses.
- Sight and Sound Theatre – This widespread present brings the bible to life with theatrics and reside animals.
Branson Museums
Toy Museum – Revisit your childhood favorites and 1,000,000 others!
Dinosaur Museum – We haven’t visited, however I think about this museum makes some little children very completely satisfied.
Superstar Automotive Museum – See an ever altering array of automobiles from motion pictures and TV reveals together with the Quick and the Livid, Again to the Future, Automobiles and extra.
Branson Auto and Farm Museum – Over 90,000 sq. ft of traditional automobiles and farm tools.
Titanic Museum – You solely thought the Titanic was 12,600 under sea degree. It’s truly positioned in Branson, Missouri. Step contained in the sunken ship to see what went down. View artifacts, step onto the duplicate stairway, contact an iceberg, shovel coal and a lot extra. This attraction is attention-grabbing for teenagers, teenagers and adults.
Ripley’s Consider it or Not – Ripley’s is understood for it’s oddities and intriguing actions. Good for a chilly or wet day.
Historic Ozarks Pure Historical past Museum – This museum is a should for historical past buffs! It’s thoughtfully curated and fantastically embellished. This expansive museum is crammed with prehistoric creatures, civil struggle relics, Native American artifacts and wealthy in midwest historical past.
Branson Space Caves
Speaking Rocks is an exquisite strolling cave tour that makes use of gentle and sound to point out off the curtain formations. As soon as exterior of the cave children can get pleasure from a enjoyable play space full with a playground, remark tower, maze, gemstone panning and extra.
Marvel Cave – this Nationwide Landmark is basically fascinating to see, nonetheless, it requires entry into Silver Greenback Metropolis. It was Branson’s first attraction bringing vacationers from throughout. Take a stroll down and journey the tram again up for a novel expertise.
Wineries
Lindwedel – Native, household owned vineyard with wine flights and snacks. They provide juice for youngsters.
Ozark Hills – Wine and whiskey tastings and flights accompanied with charcuterie. Juice is obtainable for youngsters and those that don’t want to partake and beer and whiskey is served by the glass as properly.
St. James – Wine tastings, full bar, and a restricted menu together with brick oven pizza, charcuterie and salads.
Curling Vine Vineyard – Wine and juice tastings.
Issues to Do on Desk Rock Lake
Branson is residence to 2 lakes – Taneycomo (actions simply accessible at Branson Touchdown) and Desk Rock! Improve your Branson journey with a go to.
Moonshine Seashore free – Relax on a scorching summer season day and let the youngsters play within the sand and swim on the seaside on Desk Rock Lake.
Dewey Quick Customer Middle free – Take a break on a chilly or wet day and benefit from the view and actions on the customer heart. Construct a dam, learn a e book or get pleasure from one of many interactive actions whereas studying concerning the hydroelectric dam. You may go to the Dewey Quick Customer Middle and get a detailed up view of Desk Rock Dam by automobile or boat! It’s linked to a number of trails which are excellent for a straightforward stroll or bike journey!
Desk Rock Lakeshore Path – Take pleasure in a straightforward, shaded 2.2 mile stroll between the Customer’s Middle alongside the lake and see the Branson Showboat. The path concludes at State Park Marina.
Desk Rock Lake Dam – Simply throughout from the Dewey Quick Customer’s Middle, you possibly can catch a glimpse of water being launched from the lake. Test to see if there’s a spillway launch earlier than you go.
Feed the Fish – Step out over the water to feed carp, blue gill, minnows and turtles at State Park Marina. Meals could be bought inside for simply $1.
Hire a Boat, Wave Runner, Kayak, or Paddle Boat – Leases can be found at State Park and Indian Level Marina.
Spirit of America – Cool off and onto one of many catamaran’s each day cruises with inflatable swim toys like a trampoline and impediment course.
The Showboat – Take a cruise on the lake and benefit from the Essential Present, Sundown Cruise, Summer season Fireworks Cruise seasonal or pancakes and pajamas for Christmas.
Desk Rock Lake Eating places – Take pleasure in a chunk to eat on the water or with a view.
Prime of the Rock
Prime of the Rock is positioned in close by Ridgedale. An entry payment applies along with eating and actions.
Misplaced Canyon Path and Cave Golf Cart Tour – Soak up scenic views of the Ozarks and see desk rock, man-made waterfalls that movement over winding paths that lead right into a cave. Convey your ID and bank card for a cease on the Bat Bar earlier than you proceed your drive on Amish constructed bridges that take you to a wide ranging view of Desk Rock Lake.
Tip
Tickets are bought utilizing dynamic pricing. In case your schedule is versatile, plan and buy tickets upfront to save cash.
Sundown Ceremony – Every night at Prime of the Rock a sundown ceremony takes place with bagpipes to have a good time the top of one other stunning day (throughout daylight financial savings). Guide a desk on the patio at Osage or get pleasure from on the Buffalo Bar, stroll by means of the wine cave to the patio overlooking the “Finish of the Path” statue or on the garden close to the chapel (very restricted area attributable to development). When the bagpipes conclude, a civil struggle canon fires.
Museum – See particulars below museums above. Plan to peruse for at least 2 hours.
Par 3 Golf – This quick course overlooking the lake was host to the Legends golf match. It’s at present open whereas being expanded.
Day on the Spa
Seeking to calm down? Take slightly reprieve on the spa.
- Chateau on the Lake
- Huge Cedar
Free Issues to Do in Branson MO
- Dewey Quick Customer Middle – see above
- See the Horses at Dixie Stampede – Take the horse stroll across the stables exterior. See above.
- Fish Hatchery – see above
- State Park Marina – see above
- Moonshine Seashore – see above
- Desk Rock State Park – strolling/biking path
- Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation is 1,534-acre nature protect provides self-guided trails, benches and an remark tower.
- Fountains at Branson Touchdown – see above
- Superstar Automotive Museum – see one of many many automobiles on show exterior and take your picture (at present 2 automobiles from Automobiles, The Thriller Machine from Scooby and extra!
- Scenic Overlooks
- Picture Ops – 76 is FULL of picture ops! Take your picture below the enormous meatball, subsequent to King Kong, with Huge Foot, by Mount Rushmore (Branson fashion) and extra!
- Trolley – get pleasure from a journey on the trolley that runs by means of downtown Branson MO to see outdated time Essential Avenue.
- Boat or Kayak by Satan’s Pool waterfall
And only a quick drive from Branson, you’ll discover Dogwood Canyon! You may go behind the scenes to see all it has to supply in our YouTube video!
Tip
Plenty of sights are Route 76 resulitng in heavy visitors, particularly within the night. Use Waze or visitors reduction routes. Whilst you’ll enterprise just a few miles out of your means, they’re a good time saving measure.
The place to Eat in Branson
A few of our favourite native Branson Missouri eating places are:
- Mr. G’s Pizza – Chicago fashion deep dish pizza in a quaint household pleasant pub fashion restaurant in downtown Branson. The salads, sandwiches and toasted raviolis are all delish, too!
- Little Hacienda – Wonderful Mexican for brunch, lunch and dinner.
- Danna’s BBQ – Brisket, burgers, rooster tenders, scorching canine, nachos and all your favourite sides.
- Previous Customary Dough Co – Tucked in Branson West simply previous Silver Greenback Metropolis you’ll discover rolls as excessive because the coasters you might be about to journey! Say hello for me!
- Laketime Bistro – In close by Kimberling Metropolis, it’s my go to for appetizers, salads, seafood and steaks.
- Cantina Laredo – This chain provides nice tex mex and serves unbelievable views of Taneycomo and The Touchdown Fountain present.
- Prime of the Rock – Go to Osage or the Buffalo Bar for a memorable sundown ceremony, stunning views, and upscale eating.
Branson at Christmas
For one of the crucial particular celebrations you possibly can think about, come to Branson at Christmas time! There’s a lot to see and do, for each age and stage of life. They actually know methods to do it proper round right here!
Often Requested Questions
It’s a lot enjoyable to go to Branson in the course of the holidays. A lot of Branson, in addition to Silver Greenback Metropolis, turns into a festive winter wonderland! Summer season months whereas children are out of faculty are very fashionable, however which means increased crowds, longer strains, and naturally summer season warmth.
Branson is most notably identified for music and reveals on 76, however the Marvel Cave at Silver Greenback Metropolis and the e book, The Shepherd of the Hills in 1907 gave the realm notoriety.
It has grown to be a vacation spot for all ages with an amusement park, spectacular water options synchronized to music, numerous distinctive museums, actions, parks, caves, zoos, adventures and extra!
