More Affordable Adventures After Your Runaway Coaster

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More Affordable Adventures After Your Runaway Coaster

Neil Sawford • February 28, 2023

When planning your next vacation in Branson, try any free things to do in this popular Missouri vacation destination.

This popular tourist destination is full of family-friendly hot spots and attractions, such as the Branson Landing shopping area, outdoor picnic and hiking areas by the lake, and free trolley rides around Branson's Historic Downtown. After you've seen all of the exciting attractions in Branson, including a thrilling ride on the Branson roller coaster, don't forget to stop by these free places in Branson.

Grand Village

When you window shop at the Grand Village, you are not required to buy anything, though you may be tempted. Try browsing the fantastic displays of pottery and jewelry designs at Peter Engler Wood, Lori's Soap Market, the Thomas Kinkade Art Gallery, Sunrise Leather Works, fudge, and souvenirs at Dickens Gift Shoppe, and free samples of select food and drinks at Mulberry Mill.

As you walk down cobblestone streets surrounded by picture-perfect shops, outdoor pavilions, water fountains, and cute park benches, you might feel like you're in a Disney movie. There are also unique photo opportunities, such as the supersized wooden chair pictured below! Grand Village is undoubtedly one of the best free things to do in Branson!

Branson's Historic Downtown

While you're having a great time in Branson's Historic Downtown, try to explore the picturesque home of Mom & Pop shops and many other outdoor events. Enjoy a fantastic ride on Sparky, the FREE downtown trolley, or take a stroll around the area to discover quaint breakfast cafes, antique shops, novelty stores, international food options, Bed & Breakfast establishments, and photogenic murals.

Historic Downtown, located just minutes from the Branson Landing, Starbucks, the Hilton Hotel, and the Branson Scenic Railway, is the perfect place to spend time with family and friends after you have enjoyed a thrilling ride with the Branson roller coaster.

Donut Statue at Dunkin Donuts

If you are a donut connoisseur, you should pay a visit to Dunkin Donuts in Branson. Not to buy donuts, but to pose in front of the large scale, chocolate glazed, rainbow sprinkled cake donut in the middle of the outdoor seating area!

After you have enjoyed a fantastic ride with the Branson roller coaster, don't miss visiting Donut Statue and taking photos for the family vacation album. If you want to brag to your friends about it, this double-frosted donut will get a lot of attention on Facebook and Instagram.

Hiking Trails

Many hiking trails are available in Branson during the morning, day, and evening hours. Enjoy the natural beauty of the area at any time of year, with scenic spots, natural landscapes, and even caves. When you drive to any of the memorable hiking trails in the Ozark Mountains, bring your best boots and even your bike for the best routes.

Among the popular hiking trails that you can enjoy in Branson are:

● Ruth & Paul Henning Conservation Area

● Nature Trails, Waterfall Hiking Trail

● White River Valley Trail System

● Sunset Park, Chinquapin Trail

● Lakeside Forest, Stockstill Park

● Northbeach Park

Picnic Areas

Picnic areas are a great place to take your breakfast, lunch, or dinner to-go and enjoy your meal up close and personal with nature at any of the designated picnic areas in Branson, Missouri! You can eat at any of the parks' tables or, if you have a blanket, find a spot to sit in the grass. There are numerous pristine areas with expansive views of the lake and the Ozark hills. So, when you participate in this peaceful and enjoyable free activity, sit back, munch a lot, and enjoy the sound of chatty birds!

Picnic Areas in Branson can be found at Eiserman State Park, North Beach Park, Murphy Park, Indian Point Public Use Area, Caudill Park, Epps Park, Parnell Park & Alexander Park.

165 Scenic Overlook

The Scenic Overlook off of 165 is a quick pullover where people can see stunning views of the lake, the Ozark mountains, and the Table Rock Dam. Any time of day is an excellent time to visit, but sunrise and sunset are stunning! The overlook is another of the many FREE things to do in Branson and is a popular destination for visitors.

Branson Lakes

With three lakes all within a short drive from the city of Branson, Missouri, visitors will have three times the fun and entertainment! Enjoy a family-friendly vacation by participating in lake activities such as swimming, fishing, picnics, camping, hiking/walking, and more! Bring your kayaks, boats, fishing gear, and floaties if you're looking for a genuinely free experience before visiting Branson's Bull Shoals, Lake Taneycomo, or Table Rock Lake.

After you have enjoyed a great ride with the Branson roller coaster, don't miss to visit these popular spots. They are all free to see, and you will find it great to tour around with the whole family.

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Off the Beaten Path in Branson

By Neil Sawford • January 2, 2025

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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