Hidden Gems in Branson

Neil Sawford • June 29, 2022


Branson has many hidden gems to explore, ranging from international cuisines and unique attractions to live entertainment venues and historical sites. The Branson Mountain Coaster is one of the hidden gems you should try exploring with the entire family on your summer vacation trip. Don't miss out on discovering Branson's best-kept secrets so you can have a one-of-a-kind experience in this popular Midwest vacation destination.


International Cuisines to Satisfy Your Appetite

With the variety of international restaurants in Branson, you will have no trouble finding a sumptuous meal during your vacation. The world's entertainment capital welcomes visitors to the heart of Branson with various international flavors from around the world.

Vasken's Deli, a local eatery that serves a tasty selection of hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and more, will give you a taste of the Mediterranean. Vasken's delicious gyros (a spicy, savory combination of lamb and beef), chicken shawarma, Greek salad, or sample platter with falafel will satisfy you.

Dine at India Clay Oven if you want to experience the satisfying taste of Indian cuisine. If you haven't tried Indian food yet, this restaurant will entice you to return for more. This Indian restaurant serves a diverse menu of traditional Indian dishes such as tikka masala, pakora, and warm naan bread. You can go a-la-carte or munch on the hot lunch buffet.

Wakyoto is another international restaurant in Branson that serves authentic Asian cuisine such as Japanese steak and sushi. You can eat teriyaki entrees, tempura shrimp, edamame, and the special wasabi roll (a signature menu item).

Thai Thai Cuisine, a local favorite, serves dishes such as chicken satay, deep-fried calamari, beef salad, wonton soup, spicy noodles, and more. Other international restaurants in Branson include Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Irish, and many more.


Record-setting Attractions

Branson is proud of its numerous roadside attractions. One of these is Mr. Peck, the world's largest rooster, standing 43 feet tall at Branson's Great American Steak & Chicken House. It's a fun place to stop for a photo with the city's feathered fiberglass friend while eating sizzling steaks and farm-fresh chicken.

When you see the world's largest banjo towering 47 feet in the air inside the Fun Spot at Grand Country Resort, you'll know Branson is a music capital. The banjo is a reproduction of a Gibson banjo. It's a fun place to stop for a memorable photo souvenir.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not is another unusual attraction in Branson, with bizarre displays such as the world's largest ball of nylon twine. The fantastic ball is a must-see attraction, weighing 12,000 pounds and over 40 feet in circumference. This museum features unusual exhibits and artifacts such as a stagecoach made entirely of toothpicks, a spinning vortex tunnel, unique animal skeletons, and more.

Another fantastic photo opportunity with the Ozarks' newest attraction, the Branson Mountain Coaster, awaits at Branson Mountain Adventure Park. As the Midwest's longest and fastest roller coaster, it has been visited and enjoyed by many roller coaster enthusiasts looking for a thrilling mountain ride adventure at the park. The Mountain Coaster is an exciting ride attraction in Branson that every thrill seeker wishes to experience.


Local Sweet Spots

Dreamsicle is another shop that serves sweet treats to both locals and visitors. In Historic Downtown Branson, we serve ice cream, gelato, and sorbet. To make made-to-order pops, this sweet shop uses organic, in-house ingredients.

Another hidden gem in Branson is the Keeter Center at the College of the Ozarks, where you can enjoy ice cream from its creamery that is 100% made from scratch.

Sugar Leaf Bakery, Café & Espresso at the Grand Village Shops is another Branson best-kept secret that serves a delectable selection of bakery products, sandwiches, salads, specialty coffee, and more. This cozy spot is ideal for resting your feet after a fun morning or afternoon on the Branson mountain coaster.


Nightlife Venues

If you want a fun night out after visiting many exciting attractions, don't hesitate to visit some of the best night spots in Branson. The Paddlewheel, located near the Branson Landing and overlooking Lake Taneycomo, is a great late-night stop for drinks and music. The venue hosts "Rock the Dock" and open mic nights and showcases local artists and bands throughout the week.

Andy B's Bowl Social at the Branson Landing offers guests a perfect evening out with friends or family. Bowling, arcade games, private karaoke rooms, virtual reality games, escape rooms, and other activities are available. Andy B's entire restaurant and bar will keep you going all night.


If this is your first visit to Branson, don't miss the opportunity to see the hidden gems listed above, as they will help you have a wonderful vacation in this popular Midwest vacation spot.


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Off the Beaten Path Future Branson tourists should be happy since they have an excellent opportunity to experience activities off the beaten path in this region of the world. This vacation haven in the Midwest is a hotspot for fabulous entertainment, but this vibrant city is also home to many fascinating attractions you must learn about. In addition to the mountain coaster in Branson, the city's newest thrilling adventure ride in this vibrant city, you can check out more hidden gems off the beaten path. Top of the Rock Top of the Rock has many top-notch golf courses, including the Jack Nicklaus signature course and an Arnold Palmer-designed practice facility. It is located at the highest elevation in Taney County and is nestled in some of Missouri's most magnificent countryside. The Lost Canyon Cave, a breathtaking mountaintop wedding chapel, and a natural history museum are just a few of the mysteries tucked away within this stunning recreational site—such a fantastic Branson attraction. Bonniebrook Gallery, Museum, and Homestead Rose O'Neill, a renowned artist and the inventor of the Kewpie, lived in Bonniebrook. Visiting this 1870s house will teach you about the Kewpie craze that swept the globe in the early 20th century. This house was the first in Taney County to have indoor plumbing, electricity, and a telephone. Such an ideal place to visit after you have enjoyed a thrilling adventure ride on the mountain coaster in Branson. Butterfly Palace Experience rainforest adventures right in the heart of the Ozarks! Have the chance to view many tropical butterflies inside the Butterfly Palace's aviary. You can feed them or participate in a daily butterfly release. A natural rainforest with people can also be visited. It is unexpected right in the heart of Branson! World's Largest Toy Museum At the World's Largest Toy Museum, you'll get the chance to travel back in time. Six museums, including the National BB Gun Museum and the Stearnsy Bear Museum, are located within the complex, along with numerous collections. The World's Largest Toy Museum will bring back fond memories of your youth in the most excellent way possible. World's Largest Ball of Twine This is not a joke. At Ripley's Believe It or Not, you can find the World's Biggest Ball of Twine! The World's Largest Rooster, a gigantic fiddle and banjo, and (of course) the World's Largest Toy Museum are also located in Branson. Ralph Foster Museum The Ralph Foster Museum is on the College of the Ozarks campus at 100 Opportunity Ave. The exhibits at this museum, named after local radio pioneer Ralph Foster, an enthusiastic hunter, angler, and conservationist, reflect Ozarks' history and daily life. Coins, stamps, clocks, dolls, musical instruments, artifacts from Native American tribes, and an extensive collection of firearms, including gold-plated handguns and flintlocks, are among the groups. In addition to these incredible exhibits, the museum also houses stunning ornate saddles, Western gear, wildlife displays (including polar bears, deer, and waterfowl), antique cameos, and the vintage car that transported the Clampett family to California in the well-known 1960s TV series "The Beverly Hillbillies." The Discovery Room also features kid-friendly interactive exhibits. Marvel Cave at Silver Dollar City This fantastic location is a marvel. The Silver Dollar City theme park sprung up around the entrance to Marvel Cave after it was first built as a standalone tourist destination. You will descend 300 feet below the earth to the most extensive cave entry room in the United States as part of the price of your park admission. A knowledgeable guide will tell tales throughout the hour-long tour. You then ride a specially engineered cable train 1070 feet back to the top. Marvel Cave is located 500 feet below Silver Dollar City. Here, you will find The cathedral room, which is 400 feet long and 20 stories high, with 3 kilometers of excavated corridors. The one-hour trip is rated as complex because it has more than 600 stairs. Visitors are brought back to the surface by a cable railway train. Each evening, there is a 1.5-hour Lantern Light Tour (limited to 20 people), led by guides holding lanterns while narrating the history of the cave. Runaway Mountain Coaster at Branson Mountain Adventure Park You'll be in awe after this thrilling adventure for families! The mountain coaster in Branson is Missouri's newest and best attraction which is becoming more and more well-known on a global scale. The Runaway Mountain Coaster follows the land's natural slope for over a mile. It's a singularly thrilling experience that you must have. Visit Branson Mountain Adventure Park to see this undiscovered gem. Many thrill seekers looking for an exciting ride typically take a fascinating adventure ride on a zipline. Still, those who want to experience a journey on the mountain to witness the beauty of nature may decide to take a thrilling ride on the Runaway Mountain Coaster in Branson . If you're prepared to travel off the beaten path and seek an unforgettable adventure, look for these hidden gems in Branson waiting for you to discover.
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