Branson, Missouri, nestled in the Ozark Mountains, is ranked 20th among all overnight leisure vacation
destinations in the country. In fact, the Branson Chamber of Commerce reported 7.8 million visitors in 2006, and
expect to exceed better than 8 million visitors in 2007. Listed below are just a few of the reasons Branson
has earned the title "The Live Entertainment Capital of the Universe".
Branson/Lakes area offers 48 theaters and more than 100 shows. Audiences can see shows throughout the day as breakfast shows, matinees, and evening performances provide something for everyone.
In Branson's earlier days, the entertainment was basically "Blue Grass and Country", but as time has gone
on, Branson now offers world famous entertainers, whole families of very talented singers and musicians,
acrobats, magicians, and comedians -- all of which provide good
and wholesome entertainment that you can bring your whole family to see.
The Town Square (pictured at right) typically features live entertainment, with a fire and water fountain display every 30 minutes.
Before it was known for its shows, Branson was a center of Ozark Mountain crafts. The residents made what they needed for survival, including quilts, pottery, baskets, glassware, wrought iron and more. Branson Fest (March) is the spring festival that showcases the area's arts and crafts, along with shows and food. Silver Dollar City has craftsmen performing basket weaving, glass blowing, ironworking and woodcarving. The new Branson Mill Craft Village offers the work of more than a hundred artisans, many of them working on-site producing wood, textile, glass and leather arts and crafts.
Branson is home to three outlet shopping malls with more than 200 retailers. For the enthusiastic shopper, they could enjoy a full day of 'shopping til you drop'.
A stroll along the 1 1/2 mile long "boardwalk" which borders Lake Taneycomo is not only beautiful and relaxing, but you are entertained by recorded music, varying in style depending on the area of the Landing that you are passing.
The Branson/Lakes area is also ideal for canoeing, camping, hiking, biking, birdwatching, and simply wandering through the hills. And for those who like a little sport with their exercise, Branson offers several noteworthy golf courses.
Branson Creek Golf Club - voted as the No. 1 Public Access Course in Missouri by Golfweek Magazine for the third consecutive year. This course is located off Highway 65 and Branson Creek Drive, just south of Branson, Missouri. Guests of the facility experience championship course conditions and world- class service, surrounded by magnificent views of the Ozark Mountains.
Pointe Royale is another of Branson's beautiful golf courses. With lush grass greens and Bermuda fairways, eight water holes, sand and grass bunkers, and tees for all levels of play, Pointe Royale is a world class golfing experience.
Springtime is beautiful in Branson, with Bradford Pears, Redbuds, White and Pink Dogwoods blooming during the month of April, followed by Azaleas, Crepe Myrtles, Rose of Sharon, and on and on.
The Branson/Lakes Area is home to three scenic lakes offering fishing, boating, parasailing, jet skiing, and swimming. While the lakes all offer great fishing for novice and professional anglers, each has its speciality.
This Scenic Overlook on Hwy 165 shows the origin of Lake Taneycomo following the damming
of the White River by the Corp of Engineers for the construction of Table Rock Dam. It's over 700 feet down to the lake
and you will frequently see turkey buzzards, BELOW the viewing area, riding the thermals.
The fish hatchery is open to the public at no cost, unless you want to spend 25 cents to buy a little fish food to watch the fish scramble for it.
Table Rock Lake from a public viewing area. The lake has over 700 miles of shoreline stretching into northern Arkansas. Great for game fishing, boating and water sports, there are numerous ramps available for launching your boat.
Lake Taneycomo, with it's cold waters, offers superb trout fishing. It is famous for fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. While mostly 'catch and release', there are sizes and limits for daily possession.
Bull Shoals Lake is stocked with a variety of 'keep and eat' fish, and also is great for boating.
While Branson offers a large variety of activities for the young family, retirees are also finding that Branson meets their lifestyle choices as well. In fact, Branson was recently featured in the March/April 2007 issue of the "Where to Retire" magazine. The editor, Mary Lu Abbot, has this to say: "Nestled in the hills of southwestern Missouri's Ozarks, this laid-back locale provides top-notch entertainment, scenic beauty and a low cost of living. Branson's main attraction, the "Strip" is a seven-mile stretch of highway packed with music halls, theaters, museums, hotels and restaurants. Water lovers will enjoy three area lakes, where fishing and boating are popular activities. With a four-season climate, opportunities for volunteering or a new career, the College of the Ozarks, several large shopping malls and hundreds of churches, Branson suits many interests for retirement."
Entertainment, Theater, & Shows
Branson/Lakes area offers 48 theaters and more than 100 shows. Audiences can see shows throughout the day as breakfast shows, matinees, and evening performances provide something for everyone.
In Branson's earlier days, the entertainment was basically "Blue Grass and Country", but as time has gone
on, Branson now offers world famous entertainers, whole families of very talented singers and musicians,
acrobats, magicians, and comedians -- all of which provide good
and wholesome entertainment that you can bring your whole family to see.
The Town Square (pictured at right) typically features live entertainment, with a fire and water fountain display every 30 minutes.
Arts & Crafts, Shopping, Dining
Before it was known for its shows, Branson was a center of Ozark Mountain crafts. The residents made what they needed for survival, including quilts, pottery, baskets, glassware, wrought iron and more. Branson Fest (March) is the spring festival that showcases the area's arts and crafts, along with shows and food. Silver Dollar City has craftsmen performing basket weaving, glass blowing, ironworking and woodcarving. The new Branson Mill Craft Village offers the work of more than a hundred artisans, many of them working on-site producing wood, textile, glass and leather arts and crafts.
Branson is home to three outlet shopping malls with more than 200 retailers. For the enthusiastic shopper, they could enjoy a full day of 'shopping til you drop'.
A trolley provides free shuttle service from one end of Branson Landing to the other, with frequent stops along the 1 1/2 mile "Red Brick Road." 
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Historic Downtown Branson is also a shopper and diner's delight. An old-fashioned 5 & 10, a number of boutiques and speciality
stores combined with quaint eateries make the downtown area truly special.
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New in 2006 is Branson Landing,
a $420 million, 95-acre development along Lake Taneycomo blending over 100
retail shops with dining, luxury lodging, riverwalk, town square, marinas, and nightlife into a dynamic,
waterfront setting.
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You'll find many restaurants, speciality shops, two Hilton Hotels, ample parking, and a recently completed Convention Center. |
A stroll along the 1 1/2 mile long "boardwalk" which borders Lake Taneycomo is not only beautiful and relaxing, but you are entertained by recorded music, varying in style depending on the area of the Landing that you are passing.
Outdoor Activities, Golf
The Branson/Lakes area is also ideal for canoeing, camping, hiking, biking, birdwatching, and simply wandering through the hills. And for those who like a little sport with their exercise, Branson offers several noteworthy golf courses.
Branson Creek Golf Club - voted as the No. 1 Public Access Course in Missouri by Golfweek Magazine for the third consecutive year. This course is located off Highway 65 and Branson Creek Drive, just south of Branson, Missouri. Guests of the facility experience championship course conditions and world- class service, surrounded by magnificent views of the Ozark Mountains.
Pointe Royale is another of Branson's beautiful golf courses. With lush grass greens and Bermuda fairways, eight water holes, sand and grass bunkers, and tees for all levels of play, Pointe Royale is a world class golfing experience.
Springtime is beautiful in Branson, with Bradford Pears, Redbuds, White and Pink Dogwoods blooming during the month of April, followed by Azaleas, Crepe Myrtles, Rose of Sharon, and on and on.
Lake Activities
The Branson/Lakes Area is home to three scenic lakes offering fishing, boating, parasailing, jet skiing, and swimming. While the lakes all offer great fishing for novice and professional anglers, each has its speciality.
This Scenic Overlook on Hwy 165 shows the origin of Lake Taneycomo following the damming
of the White River by the Corp of Engineers for the construction of Table Rock Dam. It's over 700 feet down to the lake
and you will frequently see turkey buzzards, BELOW the viewing area, riding the thermals.
The fish hatchery is open to the public at no cost, unless you want to spend 25 cents to buy a little fish food to watch the fish scramble for it.
Table Rock Lake from a public viewing area. The lake has over 700 miles of shoreline stretching into northern Arkansas. Great for game fishing, boating and water sports, there are numerous ramps available for launching your boat.
Lake Taneycomo, with it's cold waters, offers superb trout fishing. It is famous for fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. While mostly 'catch and release', there are sizes and limits for daily possession.
Bull Shoals Lake is stocked with a variety of 'keep and eat' fish, and also is great for boating.
Resources
- Branson Chamber of Commerce: 1-800-214-3661 OR 417-334-4136
- City of Branson
For the Retiree
While Branson offers a large variety of activities for the young family, retirees are also finding that Branson meets their lifestyle choices as well. In fact, Branson was recently featured in the March/April 2007 issue of the "Where to Retire" magazine. The editor, Mary Lu Abbot, has this to say: "Nestled in the hills of southwestern Missouri's Ozarks, this laid-back locale provides top-notch entertainment, scenic beauty and a low cost of living. Branson's main attraction, the "Strip" is a seven-mile stretch of highway packed with music halls, theaters, museums, hotels and restaurants. Water lovers will enjoy three area lakes, where fishing and boating are popular activities. With a four-season climate, opportunities for volunteering or a new career, the College of the Ozarks, several large shopping malls and hundreds of churches, Branson suits many interests for retirement."
