Why You Should Visit Branson, Missouri

As a Springfield, Mo., native,�¯�¿�½I have seen Branson evolve over the last 20 years.�¯�¿�½ Branson was the place we would visit when we simply wanted an escape from the ordinary.�¯�¿�½ It is one of the biggest tourist towns in the U.S. and if you have ever been there, you know why this is true.

The live musical shows have been a staple here for quite a number of years, beginning with the first two shows, theÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Baldknobbers and Presley’s.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ From there, many country music legends decided to come see what the rage was all about, and many of them opened theaters here as well.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ Glen Campbell, Mel Tillis,Tony Orlando, and Roy Clark were some of the big names you would expect to see.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Glen, Mel, and Roy no longer have theaters here, butÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½still continue to perform.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Mel Tillis tours the country,Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½as does Tony, but every so often you might catch them back in the town of Branson, because it hasÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½a home-town feeling like no other place.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ Glen Campbell does a show here now(at certain times of the year)Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½with Andy Williams.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½There are over one hundred shows in town in many varieties like music, gospel, comedy, magic, Broadway style, and more.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ If a show isn’t a good one, it doesn’t last long in Branson.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ For information about shows in Branson, visit www.bransontourism.com.

More than shows, there is fantastic shopping with the exciting newÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Branson Landing, featuringÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½great water-front shopping along Lake Taneycomo.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ You will also see thousands ofÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½differentÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½street performers (performing at various times),Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½beautiful fountains, an ampitheater with the Motown Experience Show, and even a playground for the little ones.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ Malls like theÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Branson Meadows Mall, the Red Roof Mall, and the Tanger Outlet Center will thrill any shopaholic, not to mention all the specialty and gift shops to browse.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ There are also many great restaurants to choose from, and of course lodging of every kind from cabins, to luxury hotels, to RV parks and more.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ If you love to fish, you can’t beat Lake Taneycomo, and Table Rock Lake, offfering great fresh-water fishing, and water sports like swimming, snorkeling, and boat and water craft rentals.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ A great place to swim is the Dewey Short Visitor’s Center (417-334-4101), and located close to Table Rock Dam. The beauty of the Ozark hills will entrance you, offering hiking trails, sightseeing,Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½and hunting. Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Access to both lakes are just minutes from Branson.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

Cruises that excite the senses are available too:�¯�¿�½ the Showboat Branson Belle (800-952-6626), offers lunch and dinner cruises with a show to thrill and entertain you.�¯�¿�½ Before the show starts, you can wander at your leisure around this beautiful steam-boat to enjoy the breath-taking views of Table Rock Lake.�¯�¿�½�¯�¿�½The Polynesian Princess (417-337-8366) also offers an exciting dinner cruise with live entertainment.

Theme Parks like Silver Dollar City and Celebration City offer fun and excitement for the entire family.�¯�¿�½ Silver Dollar City has been a major draw to the area since 1964, and offers a glimpse back into a simpler time with live master craftsmen displays, country music shows, and the smell of that�¯�¿�½great home-cooking in the open air is simply unmatched.�¯�¿�½ Try some kettle corn, shop the one-of-a-kind shops, then brave the many rides�¯�¿�½like the American Plunge, Lost River, and my favorite, Fire in the Hole.�¯�¿�½�¯�¿�½Many new rides have been added, too! �¯�¿�½For more information about shows and the schedule, visit: www.silverdollarcity.com.

Celebration City offers all the fantastic rides you love, including a brand-new wooden roller-coaster,�¯�¿�½an incredible laser show, fireworks, great specialty shops, shows for kids, and a wide variety of eateries after you work up an appetite from all that fun.�¯�¿�½ For more information and schedule visit: www.bransoncelebrationcity.com.

There are so many fun and exciting things to do here, it is impossible to list them all, and it seems new ones pop up every day.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ I have yet to check-out the new Dick Clark Variety Theater, which features some of the great legends of Rock-n-Roll like Bill Haley’s original Comets, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers,Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½and more.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ I have been hearing rave reviews about this place.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ It is not just a theater, butÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½also a museum(The Patch Museum)Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½featuring classic cars from 1957, and more.

Once you visit Branson you’ll want to return every year.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ WIth all the excitment and fun things to do, you can be sure there will enough to keep you busy for quite some time.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ For information on attractions, theme parks, and Branson in general, visit the official Branson website: http://www.branson.com/branson/.