Fun On the Mountain? Why Not Explore Under Them Next?

Neil Sawford • February 13, 2023


After you've had your fill of the Branson mountain coaster, why not visit some of Missouri's most spectacular caverns? Many caverns have sparkling stalactites and stalagmites clinging to the cave ceilings and floors. Cave salamanders, cave crickets, and upside-down bats are just a few of the fantastic sights you can see while exploring the caves. If you haven't been spelunking, try the Marvel Cave, Talking Rock Caverns, Fantastic Caverns, and the Smallin Civil War Cave.


Marvel Cave in Branson

Located at Silver Dollar City theme park, Marvel Cave is the ideal cave to explore after you have enjoyed an excellent ride with the Branson mountain coaster. If you want to see one of Missouri's cavernous wonders but don't have a lot of time on your itinerary, don't miss visiting this cave. The tour of this limestone cave lasts about an hour and is included with theme park admission. Explore nearly 500 feet beneath the surface through fascinating formations and discover why this was one of the first attractions to bring visitors to Branson when it opened to the public in 1894.

Marvel Cave is Missouri's deepest cave and can be explored for 60 minutes on an introductory tour that departs every 30 minutes or for 90 minutes on a lantern light tour that leaves once a day. The Marvel Cave tour ticket includes admission to Silver Dollar City. Marvel Cave is the closest to downtown Branson of all the best caves.


Talking Rocks Cavern in Branson

This outdoor attraction, located just minutes from Silver Dollar City, is nestled in a 400-acre nature preserve and has something for everyone. Talking Rocks Cavern is the place to explore the history and growth of wondrous mineral and rock formations up to 100 feet underground if you want to see jaw-dropping formations on a tour that isn't too physically strenuous! If you're looking for a little more adventure, the grounds also have hiking trails with a lookout tower, picnic areas, 4000 square feet of rock and gift shop, miniature golf, gemstone mining, kid's play areas, and more!

This beautiful cave features spectacular natural beauty like curtain and bacon formations. Still, it is now devoid of typical cave life due to the sealing of the entrance to the cave when it was first discovered. The daily tour takes about an hour that frequently departs throughout the day.


Fantastic Caverns in Springfield

Discovered in 1862 by a curious dog, Fantastic Caverns is a fascinating sight that has entertained many cave explorers for over a century. Due to the cave's fragility, visitors explore the caverns in comfortable jeep-drawn trams. This stunning cave is filled with natural wonders like massive columns, pearls, flowstones, and more. It's the ideal place to take the whole family when visiting Branson. The tour lasts approximately one hour and departs every 20 to 30 minutes.

Fantastic Caverns, the only ride-through cave in the United States, are ideal for those unable or unwilling to undertake a strenuous hike to enjoy a cave. Fantastic Caverns also have diverse animal habitats, including the grotto salamander, cave crawfish, and the rare, blind Ozarks fish.


Smallin Civil War Cave in the Ozark Region

Another cave near Branson that was first documented in the Ozarks is Smallin Civil War Cave. In his 1818 journal, explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft described and praised the cave. Osage Indians lived in this civil war cave (possibly including the Cherokee tribe). There is also evidence that the cave was used for military purposes during the Civil War.

When you join the One Hour Guided Tour on a half-mile walk, you will learn about the cave's history, geology, and folklore. This tour is suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters because there are no stairs. Off-Trail Wild Tours are also available at the cave, which will take you knee-deep into 54-degree water, over rimstone dams, and to beautiful, intricate formations such as the "Mushroom."


Ozarks Caverns in Lake of the Ozarks State Park

The Ozark Caverns offers a tour designed for children aged five and up and adults to explore the cave on a basic level. Angel Showers is featured on the cave tour, an unusual cave phenomenon. It appears to be a never-ending shower of water coming from the solid ceiling rock. Visitors can also discover claw marks left in the sediment-filled by animals that sought shelter inside the cave thousands of years ago thanks to the cave's protected environment.

Ozarks Caverns is home to four species of salamanders, four species of bats, and 16 species of invertebrates. Four invertebrate species live exclusively in caves and never leave the protected environment. Ozarks Caverns is also home to many small, hidden cave creatures, such as the blind grotto salamander, which can sometimes be seen on cave tours.


If you want to see sparkling stalactites and stalagmites clinging to the cave ceilings and floors with your own eyes, you should visit these caves after you've had some fun on the Branson mountain coaster.

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Hits the Shops After You Leave the Mountain Many of us enjoy shopping, especially when we're on vacation in Branson, so we usually look for the most popular venues whenever we travel to new regions. With favorites like Branson Craft Mall, Grand Village Shops, Tanger Outlets, Branson Landing, and more, we always make ourselves ready to visit the best spots in Branson. These are the shops that most thrill seekers want to visit following a thrilling ride on the roller coasters in Branson MO . Branson Craft Mall The Branson Craft Mall is an indoor, air-conditioned, heated shopping facility dedicated to the amazing artisans of the craft world, with over 200 vendors from all over the country. It sells clothing, quilts, leather goods, jewelry, baskets, rugs, and other items. The Pickin Porch Grill, which serves the best food in town, is located in this shopping area. Branson Craft Mall is the place to go if you're seeking artisan things. This retail center has 200 booths selling anything from stained glass to ceramics to house décor. If you're craving sweet treats, Branson Fudge Company is a must-visit at this shopping center. It is the best shopping spot after a thrilling ride on the roller coasters in Branson MO. Grand Village Shops Want to experience great shopping filled with unique businesses and boutique shops? Look no further than the Grand Village Shops. This lovely shopping location is where you can find great bargains on specialty items such as unusual fashion garments, jewelry, fine arts, and men's and ladies accessories. You will also discover the right Christmas decor and gifts here, so keep this location in mind when the holidays arrive. The Grand Village Shops, located in the heart of Branson's entertainment district, is a 24-hour shopping mall. It has numerous unique businesses with an old-town Charleston atmosphere, making it an ideal destination to spend the day. The architecture and design are impressive on their own, but the natural allure of this mall is its diverse selection of stores and restaurants. Tanger Outlets If you're looking for a good deal in Branson, go to the Tanger Outlet Mall, which offers additional shopping options. Tanger Outlet Mall, beautifully situated on Highway 76 Strip, offers many shopping options; whether you're seeking an item from Izo, Under Armour, or Toys R Us Express, this mall has everything you need. The mall also offers a variety of amenities, such as parking and restaurant options. Tanger Outlets in Branson is a fantastic shopping destination with over 70 shops and eateries. Tanger Outlets has everything you're looking for, from designer accessories to name-brand clothing. If you're looking for a fashionable wardrobe, you've come to the correct spot. Here you'll find an incredible assortment of well-known brands such as Loft, American Eagle, Oakley, Eddie Bauer, Gap, Old Navy, and many more. 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