Branson, Missouri

Ideal for family vacations, especially for children, Branson is truly a happening place as far as tourism is concerned.

Named after Rueben Branson the postmaster and general store owner, Branson is located in Taney County, Missouri. Branson is located on the shores of Lake Taneycomo. The city is close to Table Rock Lake and Bull Shoals Lake that are formed by dams on the White River. As per the 2000 census there are only 6050 living in the city. Originally, a place for lumber shipment, tourism developed in the 1930s.

Branson has 49 live performance theatres, 10 championship golf courses, an award winning theme park apart from the three pristine lakes. There are a number of attractions museums, dinning places, hotels and meeting places.

Branson is famous for its live music theatres, so much so that it’s known as the entertainment capital of the world. There are 100 shows being performed in the 50 theatres in Branson. The sizes of the theatres vary from small to palatial. While the small one can seat 50 people, the big ones can accommodate 4000 visitors. While the seating capacity is varied, the type of music that you can listen to has even more variety. The music that’s played there includes Bluegrass, pop, jazz, rock-n-roll, country, swing, Big Band, Broadway, classic, patriotic and rap. You can hear from morning until evening popular music given by famous musicians, cowboy poets, classical composers, cinematic blockbusters, yesteryear’s top pop bands as well as the latest top 40 songs.

In addition, you will be surprised that you are sitting next to a singer whose song is being sung. In such an event go and ask for their autographs, they would be glad to oblige. The quality of entertainment and the chance to be up and close with singers has earned Branson a good reputation to have it featured in the top 20 family holiday destinations in the USA. Other than the music shows there are a number of shows on magic, comedy, special effects, animals, acrobats, fireworks, pyrotechnics, water displays and trick-riders taking place all year long. Major artists perform concerts through out the year for limited days. Many times a music show is accompanied by dinner on site, horse d’ oeuvres and party favors. Mainstream country musicians like Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, Ray Stevens, Jim Stafford and Boxcar Willie are responsible for the tourism boom in Branson.

Among the natural attractions, the lakes and the scenic Ozarks are prominent. Silver Dollar City is a famous theme park that remains open from March to December is at the top on the agenda of many visitors. Taking a ride on the lost river would be a pleasant wet experience. Celebration city another theme park takes off from where Silver Dollar City ends. It starts during the afternoon and continues in to the night. A laser show and firework display heralds the evening. There are many rides, shows and attractions including the ‘Ozark Wildcat’, a large wooden roller coaster. Dixie Stampede is another must attend show in Branson. It’s a dinner theatre where the audience is divided in to two sections: south and north with a Wild West theme. Dolly’s story of America comes alive with a full-scale production set in a 35,000 square foot arena featuring six tons of stampeding American buffalo, 32 horses, racing pigs and ostriches, and dozens of talented singers, dancers, trick riders and costume-clad servers. Dinner is a sumptuous four-course feast.

There are other attractions in Branson such as White Water Branson, Showboat Branson Belle, Branson’s American Star, Ride the Ducks, The Tracks etc. Ride the Ducks is a ride on the amphibious vehicles of the World War II era. A trip to the world’s largest toy museum would take you back to your childhood and children would be ecstatic at the sheer number of toys displayed. There are rooms after rooms filled with toys for everyone to see. If you are planning a RV journey to Branson, the Lakeside RV camp would welcome you with all the amenities for RV tourists. Helium filled balloon trips over the Ozark Mountains would give a panoramic view of the area. Titanic: the Legend Continues is a museum that takes you to the historic tragic disaster scene for 90 minutes with a half size replica of Titanic, complete with a stateroom, staircase, deck, the captain’s commands and an iceberg. There are also 400 priceless artifacts and treasures from the tragic scene. The American President’s museum contains clothing, photographs and documents from George Washington to George Bush. The Hollywood wax museum has 170 life-like statues of Hollywood stars. In addition, there is a Ripley’s Believe It or Not adding fun to your tour of museums in Branson.

Simply chilling out on board a cruise on a lake with good food and drink is another idea that many visitors to Branson indulge in. All water sports activities can be pursued with gusto in the lakes. A range of dishes from American, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese Greek and many more can be savored in Branson’s many eateries. Chain gourmet restaurants, choicest eateries, fast food, buffet and large banquet facilities are there to suit all kinds of eating requirements.

When so much of fun and excitement await visitors, the arrangement for lodging is something in which Branson measures up equally - 18,000 lodging units to suit various budgets can be availed in Branson. Golf course facing condos and hotels, lake adjoining resorts, cabins, bed and breakfast inns ever type of accommodation is there to make the tourist’s stay comfortable. Tickets to events and shows can be purchased right in the hotels.

Don’t be surprised if at the end of it all you leave Branson humming music and have a lot of sweet memories of the good times you had with your family. If you forget about this city by any chance, your kids would definitely remind you of the Toy museum and urge your family to return to Branson the next time.