Has anyone spent time in Branson, MO. We have a trip planned in late June and looking for recommendations on areas to stay and things to do.

They still got that Asian fella that plays the fiddle?

Been there a few times.
Stay at the Wyndham resort since my family has that program.

Silver dollar city is pretty cool. I like the old time crafts they do (blacksmith, glass blowing, candy making, etc). Their rides aren't bad either.

Definitely check out downtown. The titanic museum and celebrity wax museums are neat.

Get tickets for some shows. I can't remember off the top of my head which shows are good, but they have some really good ones. One is Shepherd of the Hills. Definitely a classic.

I went there over Christmas a few years ago with my daughter, parents, and sisters.

It was my least favorite family trip ever. Skip all the touristy BS and just go hiking or biking.

Or better yet change the location if your trip lol

I live 20m north of there. Love the area but I haven't done much in Branson.

Top of the Rock, Big Cedar Lodge is cool

We have a ranch not to far from there and go to Branson often as a family and it is something we do at least a couple of times a year.
I can highly recommend Big Cedar Lodge or Cody's Cabins. With Cody's Cabins it is a couple who owns various high end log cabins that are really cool. All sizes for all size families.
Lots to do in Branson. I would suggest as far as shows that Dolly Pardons Stampede is very popular as well as the Sight and Sound Theater. Shepherd of The Hills is cool as well.
And as said, Silver Dollar City is fun for kids as well.
Table Rock Lake is right there as well with boat rentals, fishing guides.
One of the things that the wife and I enjoyed was the dinner train. Very high end and great food.
Just a short drive north is Springfield and the mother ship original Bass Pro Shop. Largest store of any. They recently opened the Wonders of Wildlife and Aquarium and it is a must do for sure.
Also check out Dogwood Canyon or go on one of the offered trail rides in the area. The Ozarks is a beautiful area.
Would also suggest going to the National Fish Hatchery just below the Table Rock Damn. Really a cool tour.... where they raise trout etc.
Branson itself has lots to do and lots of good restaurants.
I will say you should definitely check out Big Cedar Lodge and all the restaurant and such around it.
The traditional shows like Presely's or such are great family entertainment based on country/western music theme.
We have taken kids, old folks, young couples and all have enjoyed it and come back every year.

Wonders of Wildlife at the main Bass Pro Shop in Springfield is definitely worth the trip and allow at least 4 hours to see everything.

We did a family trip to Branson when I was in elementary school. Stayed at Lilly's Landing on Taneycomo. Went to a bunch of shows. Saw Kenny Rogers, Mel Tillis, and more. The only part of the trip I enjoyed was Silver Dollar City and stopping at McDonald's. You know the one they built up on that great big ol' bridge Across the Will Rogers Turnpike.

That was a long miserable ride from far West Texas. Have fun!

went a couple years ago for a family trip. I felt it was "okay". Not a trip I'd want to do again for a family vacation.

Silver Dollar City was a good park and worth the day we spent there.
Golf at Big Cedar Lodge is top notch.


everything else was blah...

We did do Dolly Stampede or w/e the hell its called. Food sucked. Show was okay. If you're going to Branson to do outdoorsy type of deals like golf, fish, rent a boat on lake, etc you're okay. Beautiful country, however the town per se sucked.

Get tickets now for whatever show is playing at Sight & Sound. They will be sold out well before you get into town.

Dedicate a day or two to Silver Dollar City.

Go to Dolly Parton's Stampede for dinner and a show.

Head up to Springfield for Bass Pro Shops and eat just south of Springfield at Lamberts.

Hewey Calloway said:

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The only part of the trip I enjoyed was Silver Dollar City and stopping at McDonald's. You know the one they built up on that great big ol' bridge Across the Will Rogers Turnpike.

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Did you make it through the stoplight at the Shawnee Bypass okay? I hear that's a dangerous intersection.

Dogwood Canyon is a must and probably my favorite place; take your own bike and ride the trail. Stunningly beautiful.

Stay at Big Cedar Lodge($$ but worth it)
Dogwood Canyon (walk or bike)
Top of the Rock (golf cart tour/food/golf/museum)
Go on a 1/2 day fishing trip either fly fishing Dogwood canyon or drop shotting Spotted bass on Table rock.
Taneycomo has phenomenal trout fishing too.

Did Branson for a day and did runaway mountain coaster and Reza Illusionist show and Titanic museum.

More of a destination guy rather than tourist so one day was more than enough in Branson.

We went Spring break last year and enjoyed it. Silver Dollar City was a lot of fun. But the best part of the trip was the Bass Pro shop Museum and the NRA museum in SPringfield. Worth the entire day.

I am going to jump in on this thread as well. We are headed to the same area the third week in June, but staying in a condo on Tablerock. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a guide for fishing on Tablerock Lake? Would really like to go after some smallmouth while there.

penn02 said:

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I am going to jump in on this thread as well. We are headed to the same area the third week in June, but staying in a condo on Tablerock. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a guide for fishing on Tablerock Lake? Would really like to go after some smallmouth while there.

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Stay out on Tablerock Lake. Somewhere like Big Cedar mentioned above or the cabins. Beautiful.

I have used Eric Olliverson several times. Guides for trout on Taneycomo and small/largemouth on Tablerock. Excellent Guide.

https://www.ericseliteguideservice.com/

Enjoy!

Wes '87

These kinds of posts never seem to amaze me. Wide range of responses from it's literal hell to it's a great time for the family we do multiple times a year.

That area is beautiful with 4 seasons. Has a vast range of things to do from the touristy shopping and theme parks shows and rides, zip lines and ATV, great lake scene, amazing golf, awesome lakes or river fishing, hiking and decent food for a non-large city experience. I can't see how a person couldn't have fun even if they were a boring person who only wanted to curl up with a book in a mountain lodge surround by trees next to a fire.

https://tourscanner.com/blog/fun-things-to-do-in-branson/

This about 1000 times!

The Ozark mountains area is some of the prettiest areas in the country. That area of Missouri and Arkansas is very old school conservative with the influence of the old traditional values of that region.
Branson and the shows, shops, activities emulate that culture. The shows are patriotic and exemplify a somewhat wholesome old school "God and Country" feeling to them.
If you are looking for wild night life, bars, drinking, Branson is not the place.
If you like the outdoors, hiking, scuba diving, hunting, fishing, boating, trail riding, etc. or just being in beautiful country... it's a fun place.

I have used Eric Prey at Focused Fishing. Great guy and very experienced. Well recommended in the area.

That's a bit dramatic. My review was from an 8 year olds point of view.

I will say I've spent time in the Ozark's since that fateful trip to "literally hell". It's a beautiful area and great for outdoorsmen. If I was to go back I would stick to the hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities in the quieter places.

Gotsandy said:

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They still got that Asian fella that plays the fiddle?

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Sonic Tabuchi used to play at the old Country Gold dance hall on the deep south side of San Antonio 40+ years ago. Glad he is still playing!

Having the ranch in Junction, Tex. we much enjoyed going to the Ozarks. It has a true four seasons and it actually rains there!
We liked it so much we bought a ranch in that general area and really enjoy going to Branson from time to time.
However, like you, we go during the fall and spring when crowds are minimal. Makes a big difference.

I know spell check got you. Soshi Tabuci
Very talented. One hell of a fiddle player!

if into shows, check out the Haygoods. outstanding family oriented entertainment

Went to Lamberts for some down home cooking, and throwed rolls ( google it)
Table Rock is beautiful.
Apparently there is a culinary school that serves the public but we have never been out by the lake
Big cedar lodge golf cart tour is solid.
boat rentals are pretty reasonable at the marina in town to get on the water or wet a line
we stayed at the city RV park, it was crowded but nice.

The amusement park is pretty good, I would not dedicate an entire day to it though because its not that big.

Mountain coasters are awesome, we didnt do any in Branon but did in Pigeon Forge and the concept is fun.

Agree with the Ozarks being absoultely beautiful. There are a few national forests nearby for hiking, etc.

Have fun!

I went to Silver Dollar City as a kid, had to have been early to mid 70s. Don't recall much but I'm sure I had fun.

In subsequent visits through the Ozarks I remember lots of traffic through what used to be sleepy little Branson.

Given the choice I'd rather fish the trout parks.

Have you ever been over to Rock Bridge over past WestPlains?

Gunny, let me know if you need me to keep an eye on the Junction ranch while you're in the Ozarks. That just right down the road from me.

We're going there this summer as well, June 24-jul1.

Staying at willow ridge (Marriott)

Cool. Right now we go kinda back and forth.

I went once as a kid. I enjoyed it, but that was 40 years ago. I can definitely second the recommendation on the Titanic museum. We took our daughter there when she was younger and she really enjoyed it. She was obsessed with all things Titanic. It's a very well done museum.

We used Bill Beck a few years back. He was great, had us on fish all day long, smallies and large mouth Used a variety of techniques and taught us a bunch. Would highly recommend.

Table Rock Guide Services

For other things to do near Branson. Make the short drive to Springfield to Bass Pro. The NRA Firearms museum and Archery hall of Fame are cool and free. Haven't been to the aquarium, but that looks like a fun thing to do with the kids (ours are all grown). Catch Minor league baseball in Springfield while you're there, it's a Cardinals farm team, great venue and always a great time.

No sir, just Bennett Spring and Montauk.

AustinCountyAg said:

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went a couple years ago for a family trip. I felt it was "okay". Not a trip I'd want to do again for a family vacation.

Silver Dollar City was a good park and worth the day we spent there.
Golf at Big Cedar Lodge is top notch.


everything else was blah...

We did do Dolly Stampede or w/e the hell its called. Food sucked. Show was okay. If you're going to Branson to do outdoorsy type of deals like golf, fish, rent a boat on lake, etc you're okay. Beautiful country, however the town per se sucked.

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My mom is from Springfield, and I grew up going there. This post is dead on.

It may be one of the most underrated locations in the US for outdoor stuff, and the Bass Pro guy (Miller?) pours money into the area. But the shows are very stale, and the main drag is tourist trappy. I have great memories of Silver Dollar City though. That Hillbilly Fire in the Hole roller coaster gave 8 year old me nightmares.

Overall, I've been calling Branson itself Homeschool Vegas for years, and I haven't budged off that opinion.

"That Hillbilly Fire in the Hole roller coaster gave 8 year old me nightmares. "

This is the last year for Fire in the Hole. They are going to tear it (or maybe burn it) down when Silver Dollar City closes for the season.

I often recommend staying at the Keeter Center at the College of the Ozarks. It is a beautiful facility and the rooms and service are wonderful. Turn down service includes fresh milk from the college dairy and homemade cookies made from ingredients sourced on campus, as well.

College of the Ozarks does not charge tuition, so every student works a campus job to pay for their education. This includes the hospitality fields that run, clean, cook, and serve at their lodging locations. They have a fruitcake and jelly kitchen, a mill, and a couple of museums on campus that you can visit. Before covid, visitors were welcome to 'help' milk the dairy cattle, not sure if that is still an option. It was a shock to see my kids voluntarily get up for 5am milking on vacation!

Close enough to Branson for all the touristy stuff.