What to Do in Branson, Missouri

If you live anywhere around Missouri, Branson can be a good and reasonably-priced place to take a family for vacation. Although this city is definitely a hot spot destination for groups of older folk, plenty of young families find in Branson a fun vacation spot, too.

But what's a not-so-elderly person to do in Branson, you may ask? Well, having been to Branson, MO three times in my life (once as a pre-teen, once as a college student, and recently as a wife and mother in her mid 20s), I think I've been enough to be able to say, plenty!

I feel fairly confident to recommend what to do if a family is only given, say, three days to enjoy the city of Branson. The main attraction that Branson offers is the shows - period. But, Silver Dollar City (SDC), Showboat Branson Belle, The Dixie Stampede, and Ride the Ducks are all remotely big other attractions in Branson, and of course there are other less-time-consuming attractions I'd recommend also.

Shows

I've gone to several shows in Branson, including Shoji Tabuchi, The Baldknobbers, 50's at the Hop, Mel Tillis (with daughter Pam), and a few more I no longer remember. But ever since I saw The Shoji Tabushi Show when I was 12 years old, it's been my all-time favorite Branson show. Famous for Shoji's incredible violin playing, The Shoji Tabuchi Show also features the wonderful singing of his wife and daughter and many other talented singers. I have to recommend this one if you're interested in seeing a show (it is one of the pricier shows but most definitely worth it!).

And, having never yet been myself but having heard from the locals and even some other tourists, in Branson I would also take the time to see the other must-see show The Kirby VanBurch Show starring Kirby aka "The Prince of Magic," his wife Bambi, and Kirbam the White Tiger. Of course, feel free to see as many other shows that attract you, but these two are (in my opinion) most likely a few of the very best shows in Branson.

Dinner with Entertainment

Besides the shows, there are some dinner-with-entertainment-types that are great to go to, such as Showboat Branson Belle and the Dixie Stampede.

Showboat Branson Belle is very nice. One boards the largest land-locked showboat in the USA and gets to dine while the show gets going. The service here is incredible, as immediately upon sitting a salad arrives. Nearly before one can finish with the salad, the rest of the food starts to arrive. After dessert the main performance starts and one becomes mesmerized by the dancers, singing, doggie ventriloquist, and the husband-wife acrobatic team. My two-year-old even enjoyed the show and had no problem staying awake (the show time we chose started at 8 PM).

The Dixie Stampede I've only been to in Gatlinburg, TN, but I hear it's the same in Branson, which would be very enjoyable. As I recall the one time I visited it, the dining table is in a stadium, where one watches horses and riders and a battle of the North and the South take place while eating the [exceptionally good] food with bare hands. That's right, no silverware (or plastic ware either) allowed. Even soup doesn't get a spoon.

Silver Dollar City

If it were my first time in Branson, I would probably go to Silver Dollar City (SDC) just to know what it's like. SDC, in my opinion as a 20-something woman, is pretty good. It is an old-fashioned-type of amusement park where the people that work there wear old-timey clothing (dresses if they are ladies, and pants, long-sleeved shirts & suspenders if they're men). Soap, candy, and other items get made there and one can usually watch the process. The candy being made can even be sampled, if desired. And several shows can be gone to all with the price of admission (if you're early enough to find a seat).

SDC has rides. I wouldn't say that most of the rides compare to rides at Six Flags, but kids, if you have any, will most likely enjoy them (especially the water rides if you go during the hot times) and teens and adults will, too, if they're not too picky. The rides my family & I most enjoyed this November were a viking ship-type ride called the Mighty Galleon and the upside down roller coaster called WildFire. Most of the rides require you to be 36 inches tall in order to ride. My little girl was only 34" so was not allowed on some of the fun ones like the Royal Tea Party and Elephant March rides for children. The good news for shorter ones is that there are at least a few kiddie rides that can be ridden for those under 36 inches. The 3 rides called Wings of Wonder, The Ladybugs, and Happy Frogs are made specifically for toddlers or younger children. And we ended up finding a few rides that didn't have a height restriction like SkyChase Balloon Ride.

When planning a day at SDC, please realize that this park does not open early. It opened at 1 o'clock when we were there in November '06. That is quite late! And it closed at 9 PM, so there wasn't a lot of time to get everything done in one day (at least not with a 2-year-old).

Ride the Ducks

I have actually been able to Ride the Ducks twice in Branson, so I do definitely recommend the Ducks to anyone who has never before ridden them. These ducks are vehicles that go straight from land into water. By riding a duck, one will get an entertaining driver who'll explain a lot about Branson, old and new, while driving a group around part of the city. Every guest is given a FREE noise-making Wacky Quacker upon boarding a Duck, so if ever the driver/tour guide says something that's perhaps exaggerated, untrue, or just not funny, a guest can just quack at him for it! This ride is mostly on land, but eventually the Duck splashes into the water and the driver allows the kids to take turns driving the boat; it's a lot of fun!

Places to See that Don't Have to Take All Day

If you decide to go to SDC with one of your three days, at least you will have all morning long to do other things, like tour the Titanic Museum Attraction (which I have yet to tour), visit the educational and [free] Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, and, of course participate in great shopping at Branson's three outlet malls. I enjoyed browsing the 2 different Corelle outlet stores found at the Factory Merchants Mall (one of the outlet malls), since I needed a few extra white Corelle bowls and plates to add to my kitchen collection, and I found a bargain!

Honestly I like Branson, but it's okay with me that I've been only 3 times in my 20-something years. I like visiting every 5 years or so, just to see what's new and to visit the attractions that I had liked in previous years. Branson is packed with activities in which to partake, no matter your age, and I've only mentioned the main ones! One could definitely make a lengthy vacation in Branson, but, if need be, three days can be enough time to experience the best attractions and shows that Branson offers.