Branson, Missouri, is a city on the rise. From its humble origins as a one-horse town with only a general store and post office, the city has grown into a unique and appealing tourist destination. With its history, beautiful lakes, position in the Ozarks, and flourishing country music scene, Branson offers adventure, glamour, and country charm. Stick around to see our choices for the best things to do in Branson, MO.
Marvel Cave
Initially named Marble Cave, this subterranean superstructure is classified as a National Natural Landmark, a title given only to natural features that are considered outstanding. The Cave has long fascinated explorers, with records of expeditions dating back to 1541, as the Spanish searched for the Fountain of Youth, or gold. There’s even a grim local legend that vigilantes-turned-outlaws The Bald Knobbers disposed of victims in a sinkhole in the cave. But that’s just a myth, right?
In reality, Marvel Cave is an actively growing wet limestone cave. This means that over the years, certain rock formations in the cave are getting larger, forever changing its underground landscape. A guided tour is included in the admission price for Silver Dollar City, which is coming up, don’t you worry, so why not do both in one outing? A tour of the caves lasts one hour and lets you marvel at the massive chambers, rock formations, and waterfalls lit by atmospheric lighting. And although the trip down can be hard on knees and ankles, the ride out is achieved by taking a cable train, which is better than a half-mile hike!
Branson Landing
Taking full advantage of its lakeside location is Branson Landing, a waterfront area offering dining, shopping, and fun attractions. Situated on the Taneycomo Lake, the Branson Landing is a great night out and is a perfect spot to fit in for a weekend vacation or a couple’s retreat.
The Landing offers extensive dining options, ranging from pub meals to grills to global cuisine and gourmet candy stores. If you’re looking for fun or adventure, the Landing provides numerous opportunities for sightseeing tours, indoor mirror mazes, arcades, ziplines over the water, and even high-speed boat tours of the lake. Be sure to also soak in the scenery with a quiet stroll on the lakeside boardwalk. Any time after noon is a good time to visit, as you can catch one of the iconic flame and fountain demonstrations every hour, on the hour. There’s truly something for everyone.
Aquarium at the Boardwalk
One of Branson’s newer attractions, the Aquarium at the Boardwalk, takes guests of all ages on an underwater journey. Boasting hundreds of species and thousands of individual animals, this aquarium is a modern, high-tech, and spectacular destination.
The Aquarium is home to a number of sharks and rays, crabs, seahorses, schools upon schools of tropical fish, and more. Some of the highlights include a 5D ride as you learn about ten zones of ocean life, a giant and climbable kelp forest offering unique photo opportunities for the kids, towering coral reefs, and beautiful “infinity rooms” which house ghostly jellyfish.
Given its popularity, early bookings for the Aquarium at the Boardwalk are mandatory and sell out fast. But once you get in at your assigned time, you’re free to take all the time you need exploring these oceanic wonderlands.
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Titanic Museum
Easily one of the most unique attractions in Branson is the Titanic Museum. It is exactly what it sounds like, a museum dedicated to the tragic maiden voyage of one of the world’s most famous passenger ships. Created by Titanic enthusiast and Branson resident John Joslyn, one of the leaders on the second expedition to the wreck site, the Museum aims to transport visitors back in time.
The Titanic Museum is an incredibly faithful recreation of the vessel, right down to the smallest imaginable detail. The museum also houses millions of Dollars’ worth of artifacts lifted from the actual Titanic. Guests are free to wander the halls and decks, taking in the magnificent grand staircase, turning the ship’s wheel, and even feeling how cold the water was on the night of the sinking.
Also, each visitor’s entrance ticket is printed with the name of an actual passenger on the Titanic, and at the end of the tour you can find out if your passenger made it to safety or not. With plenty of information to read, visitors will disembark after this one-of-a-kind experience with a connection to the ship and its history.
Catch a show
One of the best things to do in Branson is definitely taking in a show or two. And the city is best known for its country music. With multiple theatres and music halls, there’s pretty much always live music playing near you, and visitors can catch musical performances of any kind. The Clay Cooper Theatre deserves special mention, with its stable of talented performers delivering gospel, country, rock, Elvis impersonations, and much more.
If you’re in the mood for a different kind of production, the Dolly Parton Stampede Dinner Attraction will offer spectacles and thrills unlike any other for the whole family. Over a four-course meal, visitors will be treated to feats of horse-riding brilliance featuring a cast of 32 horses, and some talented riders. With light shows, pyrotechnics, and patriotic songs, the Dolly Parton Stampede Dinner Attraction is a night out like no other.
Hit the lakes
The Ozarks where Branson lies are famed for their lakes and rivers, and anyone visiting the area needs to spend some time on the waters here. Winding its way through the city is Lake Taneycomo, which could be mistaken for a river. Taneycomo draws visitors from all corners of the USA for its incredible trout fishing, as the lake is stocked with more than 750,000 rainbow and brown trout annually. Given that it’s actually the coldest lake in Missouri, the best way to experience it is by high-speed boat, zipline, with a rod in hand, or from the tranquillity of the boardwalks along its banks.
For other water activities, Table Lake Rock is not to be missed. Separated from Taneycomo by Table Rock Dam, the lake offers more than 800 miles of shoreline to relax or launch an adventure from. Visitors are encouraged to swim, rent a boat or inner tube, relax on a catamaran, or even go below the surface with a snorkel or scuba gear. If you’re interested in the great outdoors, be sure to also check out the hiking trails. There are also plenty of accommodation options too, from camping or RVs to chalets, cabins, or hotels.
World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex
This is, well, exactly what the name says. The World’s Largest Toy Museum houses centuries of toys of all shapes and sizes, demonstrating the evolution of play from the USA colonial era to modern times. The museum displays over a million toys, including well-known characters and franchises such as Barbie, Star Wars, The Avengers,
NASCAR, and practically anything else you could think of. There’s even a gift shop where you might just find that one piece for your collection that you were missing.
Besides that, this is just one of six museums in a complex that can be visited. The others include collections dedicated to BB guns, Checkers, Stearnsy Bears, Paul Harvey Jr, and the Harold Bell Wright Museum. That last one is of particular significance as it was Wright’s novel “The Shepherd of the Hills” that helped put Branson on the map.
Regardless of your age or interests, it would be impossible to visit the World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex and not feel delighted.
Silver Dollar City
Overlooking the scenic Table Rock Lake is Silver Dollar City, one of the biggest highlights of Branson. SDC, as it is sometimes called, is so much more than a theme park. It offers more than 30 rides for all thrill levels, and also a chance to experience history being recreated by authentic artisans. Where else can you ride one of the world’s fastest spinning roller coasters, the iconic Time Traveller, and then watch a figure being made out of glass?
Silver Dollar City offers so much to families, couples, or even solo travelers. The park features live shows daily, a host of restaurants, and even preserved historical cabins of pioneers. Also included in your price of admission is a tour of Marvel Cave that we mentioned earlier. And with more rides and sites than you could possibly do in a day, why not stay in the nearby cabins? The official Silver Dollar City cabins even offer complimentary shuttles from the cabins to the park.
It’s easy to see why so many guests return or buy season passes. Silver Dollar City is a must-do in Branson.
The Haygoods
Billed as “Branson’s Most Popular Show”, a Haygoods show is easily one of the best things to do in the city. The Haygoods are a musical family of five brothers and a sister and have set and smashed records consistently for decades. Musically talented from a young age, the siblings have continually and consistently refined their performances to deliver family-friendly and exciting on-stage experiences.
The numbers speak for themselves, and the Haygoods have performed before millions over the course of their career. Their shows frequently sell out, so booking is essential, and they’ve even toured internationally. A typical show features more than 20 instruments, costume changes, stunts, pyrotechnics, special effects, and musical arrangements of songs from the 60s to the present. It’s truly a show not to be missed.
And now it’s your turn to let your voice be heard. If you’ve been there already, what are some of your favorite things to do in Branson, MO? And if you’re planning on going, what are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below. And if you’re looking for more travel related videos, be sure to like this video, subscribe to Viewcation, and hit the bell for notifications. Thanks for watching, and travel safe.