Branson Travel Information
Branson, population 6,500, is an Ozark Mountain entertainment
mecca. Its more exuberant boosters often call Branson the live
entertainment capital of the world. A thriving live music and theater
scene hosts national and international acts. Abundant shopping
opportunities, theme parks, and easy access to three lakes make the
area one of the nation’s top family vacation destinations. The
forested Ozark Mountains provide scenic views, dogwoods in spring and
changing leaves in fall, which can be enjoyed by auto, helicopter or
train. More than 100 different live performances, concerts,
musicals, theater, comedy and acrobatics, play out in 49 venues. Music
acts cover a wide variety of genres including country, gospel, jazz,
rock, classical and more. Several performers call the area home
including Andy Williams, whose Moon River Theatre was Branson’s first
non-country music venue. Dinner theater performances like Dolly
Parton’s Dixie Stampede, which features horses, buffalos and
ostriches, are popular. Holiday visitors enjoy extravagant light
displays and special seasonal shows at the entertainment
venues. Visitors come to Branson for serious shopping. Branson
has three outlet malls, Tanger Factory Outlet Center, The Shoppes at
Branson Meadows, and Factory Merchants Branson. In addition, there are
numerous craft and antique stores and art galleries. There are
many non-performance attractions for families. Go-cart tracks and
miniature golf courses are spread throughout the city. Craft
demonstrations and festivals are part of the charm of 1880s themed
Silver Dollar City. Amusement rides and arcade games are the base of
Celebration City. White Water Water Park is open May through September
and Splash Country offers indoor water play all year. The Shepherd of
the Hills pays tribute to Harold Bell Wright’s novel of the same name.
Its Inspirational Tower gives a bird’s eye view of
Branson. Three area lakes provide year round boating, water
sport and fishing venues. Table Rock Lake is home to Ride the Ducks.
These amphibious vehicles take visitors from city tours into the lake
with a splash. The 43,000-acre lake is a popular bass fishing spot and
hosts several fishing tournaments. Fly fishing paradise, Lake
Taneycomo is 2,000 acres of stocked, coldwater trout habitat. The
northern sections of Bull Shoals Lake cross the Missouri border from
Arkansas. Bull Shoals’ deep water brings scuba diving and fishing
enthusiasts to the area. Branson has 10 award winning golf
courses with challenging Ozark Mountain terrain. Mild weather allows
several of the courses to be open year round. Branson is located
45 miles south of Springfield. It is accessible via U.S. Highways 65
and 160 and State Highway 76. There are many lodging options including
resorts, campgrounds, cabins and RV sites on the lakes, and condos,
hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast around the city.
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