Review: Branson Landing in Branson, Missouri

If you are heading to Branson, Missouri to enjoy the shows and attractions, don't overlook Branson Landing. It is located at the end of Branson's bustling strip and is a wonderful place to enjoy a leisurely stroll, shopping and street entertainment.

My family and I parked in a free lot next to the Bass Pro Shop and started our adventure there. I am not much of an outdoors person, but this store has everything. It is set up with life size displays of waterfalls and taxidermy animals. There is a huge glass fronted aquarium with large fish that excited the fishermen in my family. This aquarium is also wonderful entertainment for children, as there were many standing there with large sparkling eyes.

We traveled through the other side of the store and came out on the street of the Branson Landing Street Mall. There are stores on each side of the street and as far as I could tell the only traffic allowed was foot traffic and a trolley that went from one end of the mall to the other. We split up into two groups. My husband and I wandered through stores we found interesting and my teenage son's went their way, searching for the Aeropostale and Hollister stores.

We enjoyed the Five and Dime Store with it's fun abundance of miscellaneous goodies. It was a great store for picking up inexpensive souvenirs for family and friends. The toy store closed just before we reached it, which was probably a good thing. I had spotted a Wizard of Oz Monopoly game through the window that I am sure would have been pricey. The candy store was a huge attraction. Bins were filled with every kind of taste bud enticer that you could imagine. We held on to willpower and proceeded on. I did enjoy a 1/2 pound slice of peanut butter and chocolate fudge at The Fudgery, though. Hey, I was on vacation!

Beautiful music could be heard up and down the street and we sat and had coffee for a while and enjoyed a man playing a pipe instrument made of several lengths of bamboo.

Our favorite store was Earthbound. If you want to relive your teen years of the 60's and 70's, then this bohemian shop of wares will have you totally hooked. The hemp jewelry, posters, halter dresses, wrap skirts and incense were just a few of the things that caught our eye. Our teens caught up with us at this shop and we discovered that what was old is now new again.

I highly recommend the Branson Landing. Park your car and enjoy numerous shops, no traffic and great atmosphere.