Plan a Trip to Branson MO

Neil Sawford • September 6, 2023

Plan a Trip to Branson MO


If you plan to take a wonderful vacation in Branson, list the places you want to visit. The most visited vacation destination in the Midwest is famous for its live entertainment shows and world-class shopping and offers a plethora of outdoor activities and many exciting attractions.


You can include a visit to many popular attractions or explore the many fun activities, including a thrilling adventure ride on Branson Jet Boats. To help you plan your vacation, check out these ideas in Branson.


What to pack?

Whatever the season, the weather in Branson can change quickly. Pack layered clothing if you're traveling in the spring or fall. Temperatures are lower in the morning and rise throughout the day. Year-round basics include comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, and a reusable water bottle.

Summer essentials include sunscreen, lip balm, insect spray, t-shirts, shorts, and a swimsuit. Winter brings colder temperatures, so cover up with a heavy coat, warm socks, fuzzy sweaters, gloves, a hat, and a scarf.


Where to dine?

Branson caters to all tastes. Restaurants for children, informal and elegant dining rooms, supper shows, and other activities are available. Buffets, steakhouses, unique eateries, national chains, lakefront dining, and more can be found on Branson's restaurant scene! Big D's BBQ, awarded Branson's Best BBQ four years in a row, is a must-try for barbecue lovers. If you want to enjoy beautiful views, have lunch at The Lake House, a local favorite.


Where to shop?

Some of the best shopping in Missouri can be found in the Branson/Lakes area. Over 100 specialty boutiques and eateries may be found at Branson Landing. Dick's 5&10, one of the few remaining nickel and dime stores in the United States, is located in historic Downtown Branson. Over 200 vendors, artists, and crafters sell their creations in the Branson Craft Mall. The Grand Village Shops and Tanger Outlets Branson are the ideal places to go for brand-name designer shopping.


Where to stay?

There are numerous hotel alternatives in Branson. Family-friendly hotels, luxurious resorts, bed & breakfasts, vacation houses, cottages, and other accommodations exist.

Stay at a top-rated Branson resort with on-site kid-friendly activities, spectacular attractions, and outdoor experiences to double the pleasure.

Popular spots to visit

●       Table Rock Lake

Table Rock Lake is one of Branson's most popular tourist destinations, with nearly 800 miles of shoreline, crystal blue waters, and world-class bass fishing. Swimming, boating, fishing, sailing, waterskiing, hiking, camping, and other activities are popular. Over 100 resorts surround the lake, and campsites dot the beaches.

●       Lake Taneycomo

Lake Taneycomo runs through the middle of town and is home to the Branson Landing Boardwalk. It is a world-class trout fishing site once a stretch of the White River and is now supplied by Table Rock Lake. Branson Jet Boats is a thrilling & beautiful way to explore the lake while having an adventure of your own.

●       Showboat Branson Belle

Explore Missouri's waterways on the Showboat Branson Belle, America's Most Entertaining Lake Adventure. Cruise the scenic waters of Table Rock Lake on a 700-passenger paddle-wheeler, dine on a delectable three-course meal, and enjoy an entertaining musical variety performance! Every trip to Branson is complete with a stop at the famed showboat.

Best activities to do in Branson

●       Bigfoot Fun Park

Bigfoot Fun Park, one of Branson's most popular attractions, offers thrills for people of all ages. Take a free fall of 200 feet on the Gravity Bomb! Journey deep into the Ozarks with the Bigfoot Research expedition team. A large arcade, mini-golf course, and 8Di gaming experience are also available.

●       Branson Mountain Adventure Park

Branson Mountain Adventure Park is where the Flyaway Quad Ziplines and the Runaway Mountain Coaster can be found. The park provides an exciting ride down on the Branson Mountain Coaster, where thrill riders can take in many spectacular views of the natural surroundings. Branson Mountain Coaster riders can also ride the Flyaway Ziplines Adventures, which cross and soar above the Mountain Coaster Track.


If you're planning a trip to Branson, the above tips can help you decide where to dine, buy, stay, and find engaging activities, such as a thrilling ride on the Branson Jet Boats.


By Neil Sawford November 22, 2024
Branson Vacations Perfect For Teens
By Neil Sawford November 15, 2024
First Trip To Branson?
By Neil Sawford November 8, 2024
Thrills & Tranquility in Branson
By Neil Sawford November 1, 2024
Water Power - Branson's Water Adventures
By Neil Sawford October 25, 2024
Bring Your Group to Branson Arranging some thrilling activities and experiences for the group members if you intend to take your group to Branson is a good idea. Look for well-known locations ideal for holding group meetings, and list team-building activities and experiences that can be enjoyed all day. Here is a list of popular Branson attractions to which you should take your party seriously. Runaway Mountain Coaster Every group member can enjoy a one-of-a-kind coaster ride that leverages the topography and natural elevation fluctuations to give an exhilarating journey of a lifetime by taking a thrilling ride on the mountain coaster in Branson. To guarantee a safe journey, individuals are seated in separate carts. The carts are propelled to the top by a chain similar to those used on regular roller coasters, allowing riders to enjoy spectacular views. A unique and exhilarating ride adventure can be enjoyed instantly when carts are unleashed at the top of the mountain and sent rolling down the hill. Branson Jet Boats You and your group can decide to take a water adventure ride on the Branson Jet Boats after an exhilarating ride on the mountain coaster in Branson. You will be able to witness the fabled Ozark woodlands and cliffs, the beautiful waters of Lake Taneycomo, and breathtaking lakefront vistas during a fantastic trip in a jet boat for the entire group. As the jet boat cruises along the lake, you will get to take in the breathtaking vistas and enjoy water splashes as the boat slides over the lake's clear, sapphire-blue waters. Jet boating is a unique lake excursion that combines the adrenaline of speeding down the river with unrivaled lakeside vistas. Branson Scenic Railway Groups can embark on an exhilarating journey with the Branson Scenic Railway train tour, which travels 40 miles round trip to mountain locations only accessible by train. It's about an hour and 45 minutes journey during the excursion. As the train travels, you'll enjoy a quiet moment in the first-class dining car. You'll be given hot cocoa, delicious baked cookies, and a gift of a unique commemorative mug. You can view many incredible sights, including theaters, live entertainment venues, outlet malls, and specialty shops, as the tour moves through downtown and draws to a close. Showboat Branson Belle Your group may rediscover the romance and majesty of those old riverboat days on a lake cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle! The grand paddle wheel boat from the 1890s with 700 seats is the perfect setting for your group gathering or business outing! Three food courses and a lively show include singing, dancing, comedy, and more during the tranquil and beautiful cruising on Table Rock Lake. Titanic Museum In Branson, the Titanic has been faithfully recreated. Your group can forge strong emotional bonds with accident survivors by seeing the Titanic Museum and hearing their testimonies and views. About 400 objects are on display as you walk through the museum. With attractions like walking through the first-class cabins, the bridge, the grand staircase, and even touching an iceberg, the Titanic Museum offers more than just a standard museum visit. Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Show A spectacular performance featuring 32 magnificent horses, ostrich races, stunt riding, and audience participation in a friendly North/South competition will undoubtedly be enjoyed by your company. A four-course dinner featuring a creamy vegetable soup, whole rotisserie chicken, hickory-smoked barbecue pork loin, corn on the cob, herb-basted potato wedges, and an apple turnover for dessert will be provided to you as you watch the performance! If you and your group have enjoyed a great time visiting many popular attractions in this part of the world, why not let them experience an adventure ride on a mountain coaster or jet boat in Branson ?
By Neil Sawford October 18, 2024
This History of Branson's Lake Taneycomo Branson is home to three stunning lakes: Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and Lake Taneycomo. With its calm waters, the beautiful Lake Taneycomo offers more water recreation opportunities for individuals of all ages, including boating, fishing, swimming, and even scuba diving. This artificial lake in Taney County was created from a segment of the White River. The name of the river comes from the county it is in. Water sports enthusiasts constantly come to Lake Taneycomo for more exhilarating water activities, such as a fantastic adventure ride on a jetboat in Branson. When the White River was obstructed by the Powersite Dam in Forsyth, Missouri, in 1913, Lake Taneycomo was created. From 1913 to 1958, it was a lake with warm water. In the 1920s and 1930s, tourists started to swarm the lake and the nearby towns of Branson and Rockaway Beach. Visitors were drawn to the stunning and crystal-clear waters of Lake Taneycomo for activities like water skiing, boating, fishing, sunning, and swimming. The lakeside communities had restaurants, lodging, and amusement centers, including skee ball and bumper cars. After the Table Rock Dam was built in 1958, Lake Taneycomo's water source changed. The White River's flowing waters transformed Table Rock Lake's bottom tailwater into Lake Taneycomo by pouring from the dam overflow. The deep tailwaters of Table Rock Lake are released via the dam into Lake Taneycomo. The cold water of Lake Taneycomo made swimming and other water activities challenging. Rockaway Beach saw a decline in visitors as Branson and Table Rock Lake saw an increase. Up until 1958, the White River was a lake with warm water. After the Table Rock Dam was built in August 1958, the water for Lake Taneycomo originates from the lake's bottom. The lake's temperature has remained in the mid-50s ever since. As you might anticipate, this change has reduced the number of people swimming near the Rockaway Trout Fishing on Lake Taneycomo Beach region. Many tourists who planned to swim in the lake instead chose to partake in other activities like an exciting adventure ride on a jetboat in Branson. Put, swimming in a chilly lake was not enticing. Both lake and river characteristics can be seen in Lake Taneycomo. Wading and bank trout fishing is possible in the shallow cooler water near the Table Rock Dam, which has an average temperature of 48 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius) and resembles a river. The average temperature of Lake Taneycomo climbs near the Powersite Dam in Forsyth, and the lake's depth exceeds 50 feet (15 meters). When Table Rock Dam produces electricity, the river's current is quite strong over its whole length, the water cools, and it turns into an intense, swift-moving river. The water's depth, temperature, and speed depend on how many generators are being used to produce energy at Table Rock Dam. Because of the frigid water at Lake Taneycomo, anglers quickly learned that the lake had become a top spot for trout fishing. Whether you want to fly fish or use other techniques, finding a better location to catch trout will take a lot of work. Following the completion of the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in 1957, Lake Taneycomo was transformed into one of the most popular locations for year-round trout fishing. At any time of year, finding no fishermen on the lake is unusual. Lake Taneycomo combines the most significant aspects of rivers and lakes, making it the perfect location for boating, sightseeing, fishing, hiking, and other water sports. Although Lake Taneycomo is well-known for its trout fishing, it also offers a range of leisure activities, including hiking, sightseeing, hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, and water skiing. The restaurants, hotels, shops, and performances in the Branson region are accessible to visitors to Lake Taneycomo. After spending significant time in Branson Landing, travelers who want to extend their aquatic adventure frequently head to the lake. Although tourism at Lake Taneycomo has fallen significantly, fishermen discovered that the lake's cold water made it one of the best trout fishing lakes in the country. In 1957, the Missouri Department of Conservation built the Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery. All types of trout fishing, including fly fishing, artificial bait, and live bait fishing, are permitted year-round at Lake Taneycomo. Visitors who want to see the natural beauty of the lakefront often travel to Lake Taneycomo. Visitors to Lake Taneycomo come to enjoy a meal at a floating restaurant, a stroll along the promenade, or a show at Branson Landing Promenade featuring stunning fountains. People commonly travel to the lake to shop and eat at the numerous excellent restaurants at Branson Landing. Branson Jet Boat from Branson Landing also offers a regular river tour of this lake. Many travels to Lake Taneycomo to escape the hectic city life, find tranquility, and enjoy the lovely surroundings. Lake Taneycomo is known as the most popular tourist destination in the region as it offers many fantastic water activities that every thrill-seeker wants to enjoy, including the newest water adventure ride on a jetboat in Branson.
By Neil Sawford October 11, 2024
Camping Under the Stars: The Top Campsites Near Your Branson Boat Tour
By Neil Sawford October 1, 2024
Branson's Natural Playground: Outdoor Adventures for Every Season
By Neil Sawford September 20, 2024
From Zip Lining to Jetboats: 7 Must Try Outdoor Activities in Branson
By Neil Sawford September 13, 2024
The History Of Tourism in Branson
More Posts
Share by:
Update cookies preferences