From Caves to Mountain Coasters, Find Out Why Tourists Visit Branson Attractions

Neil Sawford • October 26, 2022


Since the discovery of Marvel Cave many decades ago, Branson has continued to evolve, offering recreational activities, world-class live entertainment shows, and numerous exciting attractions.

These activities allow vacationers to experience Ozarks hospitality in a fresh, new way each time they spend a wonderful vacation. Branson's brief history revealed numerous activities and adventures in the Ozarks that drew tourists to the area to see many popular attractions, including the Branson Mountain Coaster.


Marvel Cave became a tourist attraction in 1894

As one of the oldest caves in Branson, Marvel Cave was opened by William Lynch in the late 1800s as a tourist attraction. By the year 1894, Marvel Cave opened to tourists. Silver Dollar City was made known in part due to the discovery of the Marvel Cave. Silver Dollar City might not even be named. That same year, the cave became a tourist attraction in the area, and by 1960, it had become the focal point of the premier theme park in Branson.

The Herschend family leased the cave in 1950 and made vast improvements for the accessibility of tourists to the shelter. By 1960 the same family established an 1880s Ozark Mountain Village around the entrance to Marvel Cave, the beginnings of Silver Dollar City. This popular attraction in Branson is the perfect tourist spot to visit after you have enjoyed a thrilling ride on the Branson mountain coaster.


In 1907, the Ozarks put the Shepherd of the Hills on the map.

The name Shepherd of the Hills comes from Harold Bell Wright's famous book of the same name. The book is Missouri's most widely read publication. When the book was first published in 1907, thousands of readers were drawn in by the intriguing story and the detailed language describing the Ozark's regions and the characters in the story. Even today, the book inspires people by allowing them to learn about the story and its characters.

Tourism to the area increased for more than a decade after the book's publication, with many visitors wanting to know where to find "Old Matt's Cabin," as Wright referred to the Ross homestead in the novel. Other businesses capitalized on the novel's success by naming their establishments after characters in the book, such as The Sammy Lane Resort.

Lizzie McDaniel purchased the Ross homestead in 1923 and made it a museum. He was also the first to host the Shepherd of the Hills story reenactments on the homestead's lawn.


Rockaway Beach Becomes a Vacation Hot Spot in 1902

In 1913, the Ozark Beach Dam near Forsyth was built, creating Lake Taneycomo, which aided in the growth of the resort community of Rockaway Beach. The number of permanent residents began to increase, followed by an influx of tourists eager to enjoy the warm lake's boating, fishing, and swimming.

Many new visitors arrived at the nearby Hollister, Missouri, White River Line Railway depot and took a boat down Lake Taneycomo to Rockaway Beach.

Rockaway Beach quickly became one of Missouri's premier tourist destinations, with visits from movie stars and U.S. presidents. Al Capone, the famous Chicago gangster, is said to have vacationed in the resort community but also had a hideout nearby!

Rockaway Beach thrived for many years until the completion of Table Rock Dam in 1959. It then created Table Rock Lake (now nationally known for its bass fishing) and significantly cooled Lake Taneycomo's warm waters.

Rockaway's broad appeal as a tourist destination faded as its lake became unsuitable for swimming. However, Rockaway has reinvented itself as a charming lakeside community with some of the best trout fishing in America steps away in the last decade.


Live Music Makes Its Mark in Branson started in 1959/1960

The Mabe brothers, known as the Baldknobbers, founded Branson's reputation as a live entertainment destination in 1959. The brothers' combination of country hits and comedy became Branson's winning formula for the country music variety show, which is still used in several successful shows today. The Baldknobbers relocated from their location along Lake Taneycomo to their theater on W 76 Country Blvd in 1969.

In the 1980s, there was more to do and see


Visitors to Branson were drawn in by the live music shows, outdoor recreation, and water sports adventure, such as in the Tri-lakes area. However, by the 1980s, Branson had begun to expand its entertainment offerings of world-class performances, which in many cases increased the number of time visitors stayed in the area.


After visiting the caves, watching world-class entertainment shows, and taking a thrilling adventure ride on the Branson mountain coaster, you will understand why tourists visit Branson's famous attractions.

a mother and son on a mountain coaster ride
By alulamoxie.com alulamoxie.com June 20, 2025
Family Fun for everyone in Branson
third person view of a person riding a mountain coaster in Branson
By alulamoxie.com alulamoxie.com June 6, 2025
Top Thrilling Activities for All Ages
By alulamoxie.com alulamoxie.com June 6, 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post
a view of forest trees from below
By alulamoxie.com alulamoxie.com May 29, 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post
By alulamoxie.com alulamoxie.com May 23, 2025
Learn more about our historic Branson attraction
By alulamoxie.com alulamoxie.com May 16, 2025
Branson, Missouri is home to a plethora of family entertainment options
By alulamoxie.com alulamoxie.com May 2, 2025
Come See the Lake & Historic Downtown Branson
By Neil Sawford April 25, 2025
Table Rock Dam -- Keeping Us Cool for 70 years
By Neil Sawford April 18, 2025
Anyone visiting Branson will discover numerous excellent pizza restaurants to choose from. Whether you're gluten-intolerant, vegetarian, or a meat-lover, you'll find something delicious here! Below are some of the best pizza restaurants in Branson to visit after a thrilling ride on the Branson mo roller coaster. Rocco's New York Style Pizza Rocco's New York Style Pizza serves up metropolitan-style fare like pizza, sandwiches, calzones, and salads in a unique setting. Garlic knots are popular, and specialties such as lasagna and penne Palermo are available. To ensure that customers receive the freshest vegetables available, this pizza shop selects and cuts them throughout the day. The shop also shreds all fresh Mozzarella instead of buying pre-shredded "cheese products" high in preservatives and additives. Mr. G's Chicago Pizza Mr. G's Chicago Pizza has been serving Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas since 1992, and it also serves salads, sandwiches, and pasta portions. Mr. G's, located just around the corner from Historic Downtown Branson, has been a favorite lunch and supper spot for the entire family for more than 20 years. The shop uses traditional Italian or unusual toppings on a deep-dish or thin crust, such as chicken, ranch sauce, or roast beef. This lovely pizza parlor is the ideal place to unwind not only after an exciting Flyaway Zipline Ride but also after a thrilling ride on the Branson Mo roller coaster. Cicis Pizza Cicis Pizza, located at 76 Country Blvd. in Branson, offers pan pizzas, loaded crusts, flatbreads, pasta, salad, soup, and more. At Cicis, you'll find an endless variety of delectable Pizzas. All served hot and fresh right out of the oven. From traditional and pan pizzas to flatbreads and stuffed crust, Cicis Unlimited Pizza Buffet has something for everyone. This pizza restaurant enjoys providing you and your family with new, money-saving discounts on all of your favorite Cicis menu items, such as our delectable Pizza, Pasta, Salads, and Desserts. Choose from any of these deals at any Cicis Unlimited Pizza location, where Carryout, Curbside Pickup, or Contactless Delivery are available. Cicis Pizza is a great place to eat after an exciting adventure ride on the Branson mo roller coaster. Parmesan's Pizzeria Parmesan's Pizzeria serves dine-in, carryout, and delivery in Kimberling City, just outside of Branson. This pizza parlor serves traditional pizza toppings and pineapple, mandarin oranges, BBQ chicken, cilantro, refried beans, Swiss cheese, and even spaghetti and meatballs, which are available on gourmet deluxe pizzas. Parmesan's Pizzeria serves delicious fresh pizza, subs, calzones, salads, and pasta plates. It offers fresh-baked bread, pizza dough, pizza, pasta sauces, and House and Caesar salad dressings. Hook & Ladder Pizza Co. This firehouse-themed pizzeria in nearby Hollister serves hand-tossed pies made to your specifications. The Hook & Ladder Pizza Co. makes all of its crusts and sauces from scratch every day. It has calzones, subs, spaghetti, soups, salads, and daily specials, which are also available. Moreover, they offer takeout as well as online ordering through Uber Eats. They make all of the crusts and sauces from scratch each morning using their secret recipes. The shop uses only the highest quality ingredients to provide an unforgettable pizza experience. The staff is also volunteer firefighters, and they would like to encourage everyone to find out how they can help their local fire department. Pizza by the Chef Just a few miles from Branson, Pizza by the Chef in Branson West serves gourmet pizza, salads, and sandwiches (or a phone call if you prefer delivery). Since 1992, Pizza by the Chef has been serving high-quality pizzas baked in a classic brick-lined deck oven with fresh dough and sauce every day. Hand-tossed pizzas, sandwiches, and salads are made with only the finest ingredients. Pizza dough and sauce are made on-site every day. Each dough is thrown by hand, and the sub rolls are made from scratch every day. The vegetables are never frozen and are always prepared from scratch. Ozark Mountain Pizza Ozark Mountain Pizza will deliver some of Branson's best Italian food right to your door! The Branson West pizzeria specializes in delectable pasta and pizza dishes, both traditional and unique. To tempt your taste buds, salads, sandwiches, meats, and seafood specials are also available at Ozark Mountain Pizza. Ozark Mountain Pizza is your premium pizza destination, offering fresh ingredients, classic recipes, and exceptional service. Traditional pizza toppings are available and a more upscale gourmet menu. With various bargains to choose from, you can treat the entire family to a tasty, cheap, and easy lunch at home or out on the town. After an exciting ride adventure on the Branson mo roller coaster, these top pizza restaurants are some of the best dining spots to hang out with the entire family.
By Neil Sawford April 11, 2025
Seasonal Splendor: Experiencing Branson's Year Round Charm
More Posts