Branson is one of the most beloved and most visited cities in all of Missouri, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only does this charming city have a wonderful location, surrounded by the scenic Ozark Mountains, with magical lakes and magnificent natural spaces all around, but it also has countless attractions and activities of its own to offer for visitors of all ages.
From live country, music, magic, and comedy show to theme parks, museums, mini-golf, and more, Branson is a city you can visit time and time again, doing something new and different on every occasion. If you’re planning a trip, it can be hard to pick which shows and activities you should do first, so here are some pointers of the best things to do to help you get started.
The Shows
We couldn’t possibly start a list of the best things to do in Branson without speaking about the city’s many shows. Theater and live entertainment are huge aspects of Branson life, and the city’s theater district is one of its most famous aspects, with millions of visitors flocking to the city from far and wide to see and enjoy all of the many shows that Branson has to offer.
And there really are a whole lot of shows, spanning many different genres. You can enjoy magic and illusions, for example, in shows like Rick Thomas Mansion of Dreams, or enjoy laugh-a-minute comedy with the likes of Make America Laugh Again and Buckets N Boards. There are grand country dinner shows like Dolly Parton’s Stampede too, along with country music spectaculars such as Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express.
Silver Dollar City
If you’re planning a family and friends visit vacation, you can have a lot of fun if you bring the whole gang to Silver Dollar City, one of the most popular amusement parks in the whole of Missouri. Aimed at visitors of all ages and completely family-friendly, this park has countless rides, shows, and attractions to fill a whole day and more, with many visitors coming back again for a repeat visit just to see and do some of the things they missed out on the first time.
There are dozens of daily shows at Silver Dollar City, along with lots of rides for everyone from young children to older thrill-seekers, so whatever your tastes and preferences happen to be, you’ll find something to love at this park. It even has its own eateries offering fried chicken and sweet treats, as well as a veritable marketplace of stalls and stands selling souvenirs and handmade goods.
The Titanic Museum
The tragedy of the Titanic is one of the most famous stories known to man, and countless people have heard of the ship’s sinking in 1912 or watched the famous movie, made by James Cameron and starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. But there may still be a lot more about the Titanic that you aren’t aware of, and you can find out all about it at the one and only Titanic Museum in Branson.
This museum offers a truly unique experience, quite unlike any other museum in the world. When you arrive, you’ll be given a replica Titanic ticket, bearing the name of a real-life passenger, and over the course of your journey through the museum, you’ll actually find out what happened to the passenger on your ticket. You’ll also be able to admire hundreds of authentic items, retrieved from the sunken vessel itself.
Branson Landing
Lots of places around Branson have entry fees and tickets of admission, but if you’re looking for somewhere to pass the time that doesn’t cost a single dime to enter, Branson Landing is the place for you. This is one of the hottest hubs in the city, home to some of Branson’s best eateries, shops, and nightlife locations too.
It’s a really lively location where guests can eat, shop, have fun, and simply chill out and enjoy the warm, welcoming vibe and Southern hospitality of this city. You’ll also get to enjoy awesome views over nearby Lake Taneycomo, as well as walking along the 1.5-mile boardwalk, which is a truly special and romantic place to be in the early evening as the sun starts to set.
Aquarium
One of the best things about Branson that helps to make this city feel so refreshing, vibrant, and alive is the fact that it’s always growing and evolving, with new attractions added all the time. The Aquarium at the Boardwalk is one example of a recent addition to Branson’s long list of activities and fun things to do, and it’s a great place to cool off on a hot summer’s day.
You’ll find more than 7,000 fish and marine critters at the Aquarium at the Boardwalk, with over 250 different species on display in total. Not only will you get to admire the creatures in all of their splendor, but you’ll also learn a lot about them along the way, with many interesting, educational displays and exhibits, plus a fun play area for kids.
Natural Attractions
When you’re in Branson, surrounded by theaters, shows, bright lights, and endless eateries, you might forget that you’re also surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural areas in the whole of the United States. Branson is nestled in the heart of the Ozarks, with lakes and mountains all around, and if you ever feel like getting out of the city, nature is waiting to welcome you.
There are lots of great places to explore in the local area, from great canyons and gorges to forests and wooded areas, lakeside hiking trails, and mountain climbing opportunities too. This is a good option to consider if you want a day doing something different from the usual Branson attractions or if you want to save some money, as there are many super spots to have picnics that are totally free to access.
Final Word
These are just some of the countless things you can see and enjoy in and around Branson. We hope this list has given you some inspiration to plan your perfect trip.