An Honest Review of Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri calls itself, “The live entertainment capitol of the world!” Which begs the follow-up question, “But is it, really?” They claim to host over 40 theaters and 80 live shows, which sounds like a big deal. In this article we will discuss the best things to do in Branson, Missouri, but we’re also going to dig into Branson a little bit, because this is a provocative place.

Welcome to another installment in our Honest Review category, where we include a little more negativity in our guide than usual. So whether you’re wondering what to do with your time in Branson, or you want to know the Branson vibe, what Branson looks like — maybe you can’t decide if its worth visiting Branson at all — whatever it is, you’ve found the right website.

Here’s what you’ll find in this Branson, Missouri Review: A Brief History. Frequently Asked Questions. The Best Things to Do in Branson. An Honest Conclusion. We hope you enjoy!

A 20-Second History of Branson

Branson, Missouri has only been “a thing” for the past 30-35 years. Before that it had allure, dating back to the discovery of Marvel Cave in the late-1800’s (now found at Silver Dollar City), but the rise to national notoriety was a slow burn.

In the 1950’s and 60’s musical performers such as Red Foley, the Baldknobbers, and the Pressley Family began performing in areas around Branson, eventually settling into the area we now recognize as the theater district. Around this same time Marvel Cave was transitioned into a theme park 10 miles outside of town.

However, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that Branson’s reputation for entertainment spread like a cultural autumn blaze through our forested consciousness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Branson similar to Reno or Las Vegas?

It is nothing like either town. Branson is more like Myrtle Beach.

The defining features of Reno and Vegas are extravagant casino hotels in the desert. The defining features of Branson are go-karts and cartoonish buildings in the hills of the Ozarks.

How much time will I need to see Branson?

If your goal is to immerse yourself in the best of what Branson offers, we would recommend four full days. This would allow you ample time to see the major attractions and not feel hurried.

Two days might suffice, and three-days is a happy medium.

What’s is the vibe in Branson?

The typical Branson visitor is retired and white, southern or mid-western, and middle-class. A town that caters to this generalized population will reflect their cultural tastes.

We found Branson to be wholesome, but there is nothing classy, stylish, or complex about any of it.

Is there anything to do other than shows?

Yes, absolutely. There are a multitude of tourist attractions around town. Some are fantastic, like the Titanic Museum, while others are typical of other tourism hubs.

Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops fame owns several conservation properties that are open to the public. These excursions are a fantastic way to explore the natural component of the Ozark region.

Table Lake is ubiquitous around town, so if boating is your thing you’re in luck. If you don’t own a boat you can take a dinner cruise on The Belle.

What does Branson look like?

Picture a winding road through green hills with trees far enough off the road to not obscure the sky. Now line that winding road with old businesses and small hotels that are looking a fair bit tired.

Eventually you come to a stretch of road where the businesses increase in size and garishness. Large signs begin to compete for your attention. A preposterous building that is actually a Mexican restaurant captures your reticent curiosity. Then it’s a pop culture museum and a miniature Mount Rushmore. Next a massive structure shaped like the Titanic…

Eventually these wacko establishments give way to low-rent falderal and Taco Bell, but don’t you worry. There’s more impedimenta and oversized theaters on the next street over!

Is Branson worth visiting?

Such a great question. We will answer this in our Honest Conclusion at the end. You won’t want to miss the Honest Conclusion.

The Best Things to Do in Branson, Missouri

Without further delay, here are the 11 Best Things to do in Branson, Missouri. We hope you enjoy the rest of the article.

Must Do: Things to Do in Branson, Missouri

Must-Do attractions are typically the reason we’ve decided to visit.

Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City is 20% thrill park, 20% children’s rides, 20% frontier trade education (blacksmiths, etc.), 20% musical performances, and 90% food stands. We haven’t found a fun park like this anywhere else. It could be true that Silver Dollar City is best for families with young children or retired folks who want to listen to live music between meals.

There are a few good rollercoasters (Time Traveler, Powder Keg, Wildfire), and one great one (Outlaw Run). The inclination might be to treat SDC like a rollercoaster park, but that’s the wrong approach. You’ll want to slow down and immerse yourself in the ambiance to extract maximum joy from the experience.

NOTEWORTHY: Be sure to take the Marvel Cave Tour at Silver Dollar City. We thought this was the single best attraction in the park.

Titanic Museum

If you want to have an amazing day, do yourself a favor: Go to the Titanic Museum and learn everything you can, THEN go to your hotel and watch Titanic. Prepare to have your mind blown. We never noticed how much information was woven into the Titanic movie until after we learned all the facts in the museum. What an incredible movie — to the smallest detail they nailed it.

The Titanic Museum itself is remarkable as well, and is one of the better museums we’ve visited around the country. Each component of the Titanic story is viscerally shared, from the ship’s construction, to the class differences among the travelers, to the musicians, to the sinking of the ship, and more! Not only is it profoundly educational, but fun and touching, indeed.

Related Article: Best things to do near Kansas City, Missouri

Dogwood Canyon

Step away from the Branson strip to get out in nature at Dogwood Canyon. A thirty-mile drive will take you to perhaps the most beautiful private property we’ve ever seen.

Imagine a 3 mile canyon with a river running through it, dotted with trees and patches of grass. Now picture waterfall after waterfall cascading down the ancient canyon walls into vibrant blue-green pools, some of them filled with bright yellow fish. If mobility is an issue they offer a tram tour, but you’ll want to walk the trail to soak up as much beauty as you can.

The Haygoods Show

The Haygoods perform what is widely considered the best show in Branson. The act consists of six siblings with preternatural musical ability, each of them playing multiple instruments and possessing a lovely range of voices. It is inspiring to witness the stunning talent of a single family.

Their music is familiar and upbeat, and their unpredictable humor helps everything blend into a pleasing, well-rounded concert. We definitely would recommend this show in Branson.

Should Do: Things to Do in Branson, Missouri

Should-Do attractions receive a strong recommend.

Top of the Rock / Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail

There are two excellent things happening at Top of the Rock / Lost Canyon Cave Nature Trail. First, you’ll take a motorized golf cart on a dramatic 2.5 mile path through the property. Along this path you’ll see myriad waterfalls, as well as enter a colorfully lit cave which serves alcoholic beverages.

After you’ve enjoyed some nature, check out the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at Top of the Rock (a shuttle ride away from the Lost Canyon Cave Nature Trail). This is easily the finest Native American museum we’ve visited in the country. The story of indigenous Americans has never been more clear, and we’ve never seen so many artifacts.

If you love to travel, we have something we would like to give you. It is our professionally designed e-book and it is FREE of charge. We think it’s pretty great, and we’re hopeful you’ll like it, too. It’s called, “Cultivating a Lifetime of Travel”. Click HERE. and we’ll send it on over!

Dolly Parton’s Stampede

The Dolly Parton Stampede is probably the most popular show in Branson (certainly the best marketed), and the evening comes with a chicken dinner. Equal parts music, humor, and horseplay, you can expect to be entertained to a level of 5 out of 10 (give or take 2 rating points).

Nothing will amaze you including the food, but the show is uplifting and you’ll fill your belly.

Branson Scenic Railway

Ride with Branson Scenic Railways on a 40-mile roundtrip excursion through Ozarks foothills and tunnels. You will learn the history of the area as you cross bridges and trestles.

Experience the luxury of rail travel from yesteryear. The historic 1905 depot in oldtown Branson is the headquarters for the Branson Scenic Railway. The depot houses a gift shop that carries many train items. There are multiple tours per day.

Could Do: Things to Do in Branson, Missouri

Could-Do attractions are worthwhile, but come without a strong recommend.

Daytrip to Springfield, Missouri

Just 30 minutes up the highway, Springfield, Missouri is a great place to spend an afternoon. We really enjoyed strolling the downtown area near Park Central Square. Black Sheep Burgers on Walnut is considered one of the best in Missouri. And for you nature lovers, the Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park is a free public botanic.

Old Town, Branson

Historic Downtown Branson is not required viewing. What could be a special part of town seemed like a lot of nothing. They have a free trolley that laps the neighborhood and a few of the shops are interesting. Not a bad way to kill an hour, but not the best way, either.

Related Article: Best things to do in Saint Louis, Missouri

Aquarium at the Boardwalk

We love aquariums, but this is a small one. If you have kids with you, they will enjoy the rays and jellyfish. However, the $30+ admission is prohibitive.

Table Top Lake

Table Lake looks amazing on a map, but in reality it’s not very accessible. Water enthusiasts shouldn’t have much trouble putting their boat on the water. For anyone who just wants to stop by the seashore, Table Lake State Park is on the east side of the lake five miles from the theater district.

All the Other Things to Do in Branson, Missouri

We accomplished a lot in 6 days, but Branson has enough entertainment to keep you busy for twice that long. Here are some other ideas that sound like decent options for which we cannot vouch.

Pressley’s Country Jubilee

Reza magic Show

Showboat Belle Lunch and Dinner Cruises

Acrobats of Shanghai

Clay Cooper’s Country Express

An Honest Conclusion: Things to Do in Branson, Missouri

It isn’t often that a vacation destination has a variety of worthwhile attractions, yet plays down to a lower denominator, becoming less than the sum of its parts.

If you told us some hypothetical place had a decent theme-park and night life entertainment in a somewhat beautiful region we’d think you were onto something. In our minds we pictured Branson had a central strip like a mini-Vegas with tall hotels and large concert venues. What we got was — at least in part — the Ozark mountain version of three-story souvenir shops and putt-putt.

The reality is, Branson puts butts in the seats because their target demographic loves what they’re selling. Unfortunately for us, Branson is just too ordinary.

Furthermore, Branson looks like their salad days were twenty years ago. And since we’re piling on, the town is not very walkable.

Now… Is Branson worth visiting?

Honestly, it depends on your level of sophistication. Ask yourself if you like Myrtle Beach, Wisconsin Dells, or whatever money sucking town is close to home. Did you love that place? Well, Branson is a bigger or better version of that.

Despite all the nature and music, at the heart of Branson is a tourist trap with middling accommodations. This has become the reality regardless of their good intentions.

If you can live with it, then by all means catch a show and see some nature. You probably won’t regret it, and you might just love the place!

Thank you for stopping by our website! We are the Hoffmann family, a full-time RV family that has split residence in Seattle, Washington and San Antonio, Texas. We have special needs children that we homeschool, and work travel assignments for the Veteran Affairs Hospital. If you would like to learn more about us, check out our Start Here and Biography pages. In the meantime, God bless and travel happy!

If you prefer to read a more flattering review of a destination, see our fanboy reports on Charleston South Carolina, Greater Chicago, or The Redneck Riviera!

Recent Posts

• 50 Best Things to do in Middle America
• 10 Best Things to Do in Oklahoma City
• A Day in Manhattan, Kansas
• 20 Best Things to Do in Kansas
• 30 Best Things to Do in Missouri