What to do in Branson, Missouri? About This Page:

[dejavu]

I think we are going to Branson next week. As usual, we will have no reservations and will fly by the seat of our pants. DH will probably tell me on Monday that we can leave on Tuesday.

Have you been there and what would you do with kids ages 9, 13, and 15? I am NOT a roller coaster type, but wondered if it's worth it to see Silver Dollar City, Celebration City (?), etc. and if there are other things to do besides ride rides.

I'm open to any suggestions!!

[Grammy Grumpy]

Check out the Titanic Museum, it is awesome!!! The outside of the building is shaped like a boat so you can't miss it!

There are several mini-golf courses that are lots of fun for the family.

Not been to Silver Dollar City, but would like to go there someday. Also haven't been to the Dixie Stampede but have been to Medieval Times and it looks similar.

Have a great time!!

[RogerRabbit]

We like going to Silver Dollar city. They have other things like the crafts there to do. I haven't been to Celebration City.

Michael

[dejavu]

We are planning to head for Branson next week and have no idea what to see or do there. Our kids are 9,13 and 15. Any suggestions?

[shadowpup]

We usually hit:

Silver Dollar City
Celebration City
White Water
Dixie Stampede Dinner Show

There are plenty of others shows that you may enjoy. Dixie Stampede is probably the hardest one to get tickets for.

[christiejay]

We just got back from Branson Sunday evening!

They have a great variety of things to check out. Here are some of our favorites:

The Branson Landing mall
Branson Scenic Railways
Tanger Factory Outlets
IMAX movies
Titanic Museum (lots of interactive exhibits)
lots of mini-golf and go-kart tracks
Silver Dollar City
Celebration City
Table Rock Dam Visitor Center
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery
Scenic Overlook (has short trail to observation tower and longer hiking trails)
Ride the Ducks
drive to Springfield (35 miles), check out Bass Pro Shops, Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Fantastic Caverns

They also have a wax museum, Ripley's Museum, Butterfly Palace, Veterans Museum, Presidential Museum, and other shops and tons of great restaurants!

Enjoy your trip!

[LorinMO]

Definately do the Titanic Museum and go down to the Riverfront in what is downtown Branson. Silver Dollar City and Celebration City are fun and there is plenty to do for the non-coaster type. Silver Dollar City has some cute shows. I'm not a big fan of the whole Dixie Stampede thing. Something about mixing food with animals running around in an enclosed environment just makes me queezy. Ick. There are some interesting shows and tickets can always be had if you are interested in seeing them. The Ducks are fun too. Dorky but fun. You could also rent a boat and go boating for the day on the lake.


If you're going check out the Wyndam (formerly Fairfield) Meadows resort for accomodation openings. Sometimes you can get a 1 or 2 bedroom condo for the same price as a hotel room. We go with a group of friends every fall and usually stay there.

If you go. Have fun.

You could always just come to St. Louis and see all the cool things here! Free zoo, Science Center, Art Museum, History Museum, Shakespeare in the Park - all free!

[MickeyMAC]

There are many things to do in Branson. Silver Dollar City is great-it is a theme park not an amusement park, there's plenty to see and do. Celebration City is more an amusement park but has some good rides. If you like to play mini golf they have some great places. The go-carts are fun, the shopping is great. They have many, many motels and condos the cost varies--check out their website. Lots of good places to eat, many very well themed. A great outdoor show is Shepard of the Hills-excellent drama. Have a good time, it's different from Disney but a lot of fun.

[Barefoot Eddie]

I live in Branson and we welcome you to our great little town! Your kids are the perfect age for a great vacation here. Must Do's: Silver Dollar City (go after 3:00 and the next day is free), Ride the Ducks, Titanic, a show or two of your choice (Presley's, Jim Stafford, SIX, Dick Clark's American Bandstand highly recommended). If you can, rent a pontoon or ski boat and spend a day on Table Rock Lake. Be sure & get tubes to pull the kids. Rentals available at State Park Marina about 2 miles south of Table Rock Dam. Go to Branson Landing at night and have dinner on the patio at any of the restaurants there. Drive around and see the sights - beautiful Ozark Mountain scenery. What NOT to do: do not stop at any of the booths offering discount, 2-for-1 tickets or any other 'special' offers. They are ALL time-share sales come-ons. Pick up your maps and get information only at the Chamber of Commerce office on Hwy 248 just west of Hwy 65. Also check out the Chamber web site - Branson Missouri vacation lodging, hotels, shows, Chamber of Commerce. You should go down Hwy 76 when you first get into town to get the flavor of many of the things there are to do. To save time and avoid traffic (unless you really like traffic) use the color-coded side streets to get around. The Chamber map will have the best maps in town. Hope you have a great vacation - we think you're going to be surprised about all there is to do here.

[dejavu]

I was wondering about all the "special" offers. Thanks for the heads up. I found several good maps (the color coded ones) and can see that it is one of those places that has way more to do than we will have time for. I was also pleasantly surprised to see it isn't as far as I thought so a one day drive will work perfectly.

Is there a "high season" or is all summer considered a "high season"? I'm wondering how hard it will be to find a hotel room (DH likes to SEE the hotel in person- no reserving ahead for us..)

[dejavu]

Thanks for all the great advice!

I had to laugh Lori- I had mentioned a stop in St. Louis to my DH already. (I was born there and have an aunt/uncle/cousins there still.) I need to check and see if my beloved Cardinals are in town near the beginning or end of our trip..

I was excited to see it's only 519 miles/8 hrs., 5 mins. to Branson. For some reason I thought it was about 100 miles further. Now if I can just pin DH down to a leaving day, I'll be set.

[KrisLuvsDisney]

We going to Branson....lots of fun. We enjoy going to Silver Dollar City and we are NOT big roller coaster fans, we also love going to shows, playing putt-putt golf, riding go-carts. We have done the Titanic exhibit and we loved that...we also like to Ride the Ducks, this is tons of fun. The shopping is excellent and if you like quilting, they have tons of quilt shops! We have enjoyed doing Dixie Stampede and the Branson Belle (dinner show).

Have a great time planning your trip.

[tinkerbellesmom]

Silver Dollar City and Celebration City are both lots of fun!!!! We go to Branson twice a year and love it there. The Branson Landing is also a great place to shop and they have a laser light show at night. The shows at Silver Dollar City are really good. We always go during Kids fest so my DD can see the American Kids. There is also a water Park there we have not been but are going this summer. The Dixie Stampede is OK but I was a little turned off because there was no silverware and eating around animals. My DD loved it though. Oh yeah and the fish hatchery is really neat also.


Also if you are going through St. Louis I think you are going to pass by Merrimac Caverns on your way to Branson and that is definitely worth a stop. It is about an hour to an hour and half tour!!!!

[Barefoot Eddie]

As far as lodging goes, there are lots of places to stay w/ lots of price ranges. Since you've got 5 in your group you might consider a condo rental. Recommended would be 1000 Hills or Stonebridge Condos. Regular hotels I'd recommend Comfort Inn & Suites, Clarion (extra $$), Best Western behind the Grand Palace. If price is no object consider Chateau on the Lake. Many others too numerous to mention. Middle of June is beginning of the high season but you should be OK. July is the busiest month. It would be best to have your hotel reservations before you got here, but if you arrive on a week-day it should be no problem. Good luck and hope you have a great time.

[tio marco]

Silver Dollar City is soooooo much fun!!! You will love it!