Ten Tips for Your First Visit to Branson

Neil Sawford • July 4, 2022

Since Branson has become known as the world's entertainment capital, many tourists have made their way to the most visited tourist destination in Missouri. A famous vacation paradise in the Midwest, Branson offers wholesome entertainment, breathtaking scenery, and enthralling outdoor activities for visitors of all ages.

Don't miss out on a thrilling adventure on the Branson Jet Boat or the Mountain Coaster in Branson before visiting many popular attractions. To fully enjoy Branson, we've compiled a list of 10 tips for making your first visit to this popular vacation spot memorable.


How To Get Here

Branson is near the southern border of Missouri and a short distance from northwest Arkansas. Branson has long been known as a top road trip vacation destination because one-third of the country can easily reach it in less than a day. Your trip to Branson can be more enjoyable with scenic, monumental, exciting, and historical stops.

Although road trips are the most popular way to get to Branson, they are not the only way! There are two national airports within 50 miles of the city. Branson Airport (BKG) offers year-round select flights from across the country, and Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), is located just up the road in Springfield, Missouri.


What To Expect

Branson takes the best parts of a big city - entertainment, shopping, and restaurants - and makes them accessible, safe, wholesome, and fun for the entire family. When is the best time to visit Branson? It comes down to personal preference with pleasant springs, hot summers, colorful autumns, and mild winters.


Where To Stay

Branson, like other cities, has a wide range of hotels from which to choose. Unlike most cities, you don't have to leave Branson to find top-rated campgrounds and RV parks. All-inclusive, world-class resorts surround the city and line the beautiful Table Rock Lake shores.


Best Bites

A pancake the size of a car hubcap is being served at a popular cafe in Branson. Foodies are flocking to Branson's new restaurant scene. The city has a great mix of favorite chains, and Branson has them to satisfy your taste buds. Remember to try the cool, sweet homemade ice cream or the Branson fudge.

When it's time for a drink, visit a nearby winery or distillery. Take some home with you to remember the classic Ozarks taste. Coffee lovers will appreciate the unique brews and traditional cups served in an eclectic setting.


See A Live Show

As soon as you get there, you'll know why Branson is known as the Live Music Show Capital of the World! The city has over 150 productions to choose from, catering to a wide range of audiences.


Bring The Whole Family

One of the best ways to enjoy Branson is to visit the Silver Dollar City Attractions. This theme park in the style of the 1880s has jaw-dropping roller coasters, comfy train rides, play areas for kids, and splash-tastic water rides. Spending several days at Silver Dollar City will still give you more to discover, such as the mountain coaster in Branson.


Explore The Great Outdoors

The outdoor scene in Branson is thriving! Take on the great trails or ride on a wide variety of breathtaking water adventure rides on the Branson Jet Boat or a thrilling coaster ride on the Mountain Coaster in Branson.

Must-see sights

Although Branson has many unique attractions at every turn, you need to see a few significant spots.

Branson Landing Fountain Show is a spectacle of lights, water, fire, and music for all.

Dick's 5 & 10 is one of the oldest nickel and dime stores in the United States and has been a Branson icon for over 55 years. Dick's 5 & 10 offers more than 250,000 specialty items to guests of all ages.

The iconic Branson Ferris Wheel that once stood on the Chicago Navy Pier was brought to Branson's Entertainment District in 2016.

Come During The Christmas Season

Christmas time is truly the most wonderful time of year in Branson! This time of year, prepare to visit the place to see hundreds of unique Christmas trees scattered throughout America's Christmas Tree Capital.

Discounts & Deals

Many shopping malls in the area offer discounts all year, so we encourage you to follow social media channels and bookmark the websites of the businesses you wish to visit! You can also check out great deals for discounts on some of the area's top shows, hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions.


Want to know more? Check out our extensive list of things to do in this popular vacation destination, including a thrilling ride on the Mountain Coaster in Branson. With your first trip to Branson planned, you're off to a great start.


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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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