The Best Things to Do in Branson

One of the most visited cities in all of Missouri, Branson draws in around 9 million tourists each and every year and has a long list of amazing attractions to enjoy, shows to see, and things to do. In fact, there’s so much to see and do in Branson, that a lot of people feel overwhelmed when planning their trips and aren’t sure quite where to start. This guide will go over some of the best-rated things to do in the area to help you narrow down your choices and plan out the perfect itinerary.

Silver Dollar City

If you’re heading to Branson as a family, you really can’t afford to miss out on a trip to Silver Dollar City, one of Missouri’s most popular amusement parks. Suitable for folks of all ages, this park has enough rides and attractions to keep you entertained time after time. Indeed, many visitors find that a single day at Silver Dollar City just isn’t enough and have to come back for more, and it’s not hard to see why.

The park has more than 40 different shows running daily, as well as dozens of rides for all ages too, from high-octane wooden roller coasters to gentler attractions in the kid-friendly Fireman’s Landing zone. There are also plenty of stores dotted around the park selling all kinds of hand-crafted goods and special souvenirs, as well as several eateries offering everything from fried chicken to oversized cinnamon rolls.

Branson Landing

If you’re looking for a fun place to be in Branson that doesn’t require any kind of entrance fee, Branson Landing is the place for you. An entertainment, shopping, food, and nightlife hub, Branson Landing is a lively and vibrant spot in the Branson area to enjoy at any time of day or night, and since there’s so much to do here, it’s an area that can suit people of all tastes and preferences too.

Situated right beside Lake Taneycomo, Branson Landing stretches out for around 1.5 miles in total, featuring lots of great shops and restaurants, as well as a lakeside boardwalk that is particularly beautiful and romantic early in the evening as the sun sets. You’ll find water fountains here too, as well as music and activities throughout the year.

See a Show

Of course, it’s impossible to talk about things to do in Branson without mentioning the many, many live shows and theatrical presentations that have helped to make the city so famous and popular over the years. In fact, one of the main reasons people visit Branson in the first place is for its live shows, and the vast majority of visitors don’t depart without having seen at least one of them. The great thing about Branson’s live shows, aside from their quality, is the fact that there’s such a lot of them, in many different styles and genres to suit people of all ages and tastes.

If you love magic, for example, you can enjoy shows like Reza Edge of Illusion and Rick Thomas – Mansion of Dreams. If you prefer comedy, you can enjoy Yakov Smirnoff’s “Make American Laugh Again” or the highly popular Buckets N Boards. If you’re interested in music of all kinds, check out the Haygoods or Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express, or if you want a show with a little bit of everything, Dolly Parton’s Stampede is the one for you.

Aquarium at the Boardwalk

If you’re looking for something a little more subdued and relaxing, but still highly entertaining and memorable to enjoy during your time in Branson, you might want to consider paying a visit to the Aquarium at the Boardwalk. It’s one of Branson’s more recent attractions, but it’s already generating a lot of hype and attention.

This very special aquarium is home to over 250 different species of aquatic animals, with over 7,000 animals in total. It features all kinds of interesting displays and exhibits too, including a 5D submarine adventure show, a 24-foot Kelp Forest climbing area for kids, and its own cast of fun mascot characters like Finn, the Golden Puffer, and Aquarius, the Giant Octopus.

Table Rock Lake

If you’re out among the Ozarks, it makes sense to visit one of the local lakes, and Table Rock Lake is one of the best in the Branson area. Stretching out across southwestern Missouri into northwestern Arkansas, this reservoir was designed and constructed by the US Army back in the 1950s, with nearby Table Rock Dam helping to generate hydroelectric power for the area.

Stretching out across more than 50,000 acres and enjoying over 800 miles of shoreline, Table Rock Lake has more than enough space to cater to the huge numbers of visitors that flock to Branson every day. Here, you can swim, dive, fish, sail, and so much more, with stunning, beautiful surroundings in every direction. It’s a really great escape for those moments when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in peace and quiet for an afternoon.

The Titanic Museum

Everyone knows the basic story of the Titanic and millions of people have seen the movie version of the tragic events that conspired on 15 April 1912, but if you want to learn more about what really happened and enjoy an authentic Titanic experience for yourself, the Titanic Museum in Branson is the best place to do so.

Here, guests will be given their own Titanic boarding pass with the name of a real Titanic passenger, before stepping aboard a recreation of the famous ship. Inside, you can enjoy a self-guided tour, observing more than 400 items that were retrieved from the sunken vessel itself and seeing recreations of some of its most famous areas like the Grand Staircase. Over the course of your tour, you’ll find out the fate of the passenger on your ticket too.

Final Word

These are just some of the many things to see, do, and enjoy in Branson. Research additional lists of shows and attractions online to help you plan the perfect trip.