About
Branson, Missouri
OVERVIEW
Known as the "Live Entertainment Capital of the World," Branson lies in the heart of the beautiful Ozark Mountains in Southwest Missouri - within a day's drive of more than half of the population of the United States. Branson boasts nearly 50 state-of-the-art live entertainment venues, where you can enjoy everything from country music to rock 'n' roll to swing, jazz, gospel and blues, as well as comedy and Broadway-style musicals. In addition to live entertainment, Branson features eclectic attractions, outdoor recreation opportunities, award-winning theme parks, water parks, fine dining, outlet malls, championship golf courses and much more!
BEST TIME TO VISIT BRANSON
Tourist season officially begins in April when many of the live entertainment venues and attractions reopen. Peak tourist season is June and July, and between Labor Day and Christmas. The average temperature in Branson from June through September is 86F. Branson averages 2 inches of snow each winter (the coldest months are November through January). Note: Many Branson live shows are closed from January through March.
GETTING TO AND AROUND BRANSON
Branson lies in Southwest Missouri - 1,190 miles from New York City, 1,652 miles from Los Angeles, 546 miles from Chicago, 250 miles from St. Louis and just 167 miles from Little Rock, Arkansas. Located 45 minutes from Branson, the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport offer 66 flights daily connecting to eight international airports via five airlines: American Connection, American Eagle, Delta Connection, Northwest Airlink and United Express.
Most of Branson's live theater venues lie along "neon-blitzed" Highway 76, also known as Country Music Boulevard or simply "The Strip." Traffic along the theater-strewn route is often heavy but many hotels offer the convenience of complimentary shuttles to the main attractions and shows. Most visitors drive to Branson and tours buses/motorcoaches are very common. In fact, Branson has been rated as the No. 1 motorcoach bus destination in the United States by the American Bus Association.
BRANSON LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Branson boasts more than 100 family-friendly shows that feature superbly talented entertainers who perform everything from country, pop, blues, rock 'n' roll and gospel to big band, swing and Broadway show tunes. Comedians, magicians and specialty acts round out the wide diversity of entertainment offerings. Popular Branson shows and performers include Dixie Stampede, Mel Tillis, Moe Bandy, Mickey Gilley, Gatlin Brothers, Jeff Foxworthy, Yakoff Smirnoff, Doug Kershaw, Bobby Vinton, Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers, Jim Stafford, Sons of the Pioneers Dinner & Show, Hughes Brothers, Darren Romeo, George Jones and Doug Gabriel, among many others.
BRANSON OUTDOOR RECREATION
The Branson area boasts three scenic lakes - Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake - that offer a myriad of outdoor recreational opportunities, including boating, canoeing, fishing, swimming, jet skiing, waterskiing, sailing and parasailing. Nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, Branson also offers championship golf courses, hiking and biking trails, campsites and more. Five miles West of Branson lies the ever-popular 43,100-acre Table Rock State Park, which features a marina, campsites, hiking trails and picnic areas. For the novice or experienced golfer, Branson golf courses feature challenging layouts designed by renowned architects, varied terrain, scenic mountain vistas, tree-lined fairways and intricate waterscapes.
BRANSON SHOPPING
A vacation getaway to Branson is not complete without a visit to one of the area's three outlet malls - Factory Merchants Branson, Shoppes at Branson Meadows and Tanger Outlet Mall - that contain more than 200 brand-name outlet stores such as Aileen, Bass Shoe, Osh Kosh b'Gosh, Florsheim, Polo Ralph Lauren, Old Navy, Gap, Rockport, Carter's, Casual Corner, Izod, Van Heusen, Bon Worth and many others. Branson Landing, a 95-acre, $300-million shopping, dining and entertainment complex, opened in downtown Branson in 2007.
BRANSON THEME PARKS & ATTRACTIONS
In addition to world-class live entertainment, Branson features fun-filled theme parks such as Celebration City and Silver Dollar City. Known as "The City Built for Family Fun," Celebration City offers more than 30 themed rides and attractions, a game-filled boardwalk, specialty shopping, eclectic dining and a nightly laser and fireworks spectacular. The award-winning Silver Dollar City boasts 17 thrilling rides and attractions, 50 entertaining shows daily and four spectacular festivals. In addition, visitors to Silver Dollar City can take guided tours of Marvel Cave, Missouri's deepest cave. Branson water parks include Splash Country and White Water - the "hottest beach in the Ozarks!" Other popular Branson attractions include American Presidential Museum, Branson Scenic Railway, Grand Country Mini Golf, Hollywood Wax Museum, IMAX Entertainment Complex, Ride the Ducks, Ripley's Believe It Or Not!, Roy Rogers - Dale Evans Museum, Showboat Branson Belle, Stone Hill Winery, Talking Rocks Cavern and Veteran's Memorial Museum.
BRANSON TIMELINE
1882 - Branson is named after Rueben Branson, who opened a general store here that later became the town's post office.
1907 - The immense popularity of Harold Bell Wright's bestselling novel, The Shepherd of the Hills, starts drawing tourists to the Ozark Mountains.
1912 - City of Branson is incorporated with 1,200 residents.
1959 - Branson's first musical show, Baldknobbers Hillbilly Jamboree, makes its debut.
1960 - The Shepherd of the Hills outdoor drama debuts in Branson. Silver Dollar City opens as Branson's first theme park.
1967 - The Presley family constructs the first theatre (Presley's Country Jubilee) along "The Strip."
1983 - The Roy Clark Celebrity Theater opens along "The Strip."
1987 - "Box Car Willie" becomes the first celebrity entertainer to perform on a permanent schedule in his own theater.
2004 - Associated Press names Branson one of the top 20 family vacation destinations in the country.
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