Branson, MO

Travel Guide

Sight and Sound Theatres showing outdoor art, heritage architecture and a garden
Sight and Sound Theatres showing outdoor art, heritage architecture and a garden
Silver Dollar City featuring rides as well as a small group of people
Hughes Brothers Theatre featuring signage and a sunset
College of the Ozarks featuring a garden

With over 50 theaters putting on as many as 100 shows at any one time, this city calls itself the Live Entertainment Capital of the World.

Music revues, stand-up comedy, variety, circus acts and magicians are all on offer at Branson, Missouri’s many theaters. It’s not all about theaters though Branson also has a wide range of family-friendly attractions such as theme parks, fishing and watersports.

Many of Branson’s 50 theaters are along the 76 Strip, a great place to start your visit. Visit the American Bandstand Theater which is like stepping back into the 50s. There are cars from the 50s, less than one thousand seats, and before the show, projection screens show the theater’s history.

Move into the 70s with the Cabaret Theater’s “70s Music Show,” which showcases some of the best tunes of the 1970s, or enjoy a 3-D laser and video show at the Jim Stafford Theater. If live country music sounds more appealing, visit the Circle B Theater or the Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show.

There is more to Branson than theaters and music, though. Visit attractions such as the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure, the Hollywood Wax Museum and Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors. For families, Silver Dollar City is a good place to visit it has six festivals throughout the year featuring bluegrass music, barbecues and kids’ activities.

Outdoor activities in Branson often center on its three large lakes. Between them, Table Rock, Lake Taneycomo and Bull Shoals offer excellent fishing, boating and water recreation. Fish for trout or largemouth bass, or go wildlife spotting on a replica paddle steamer. Otherwise, board the old Branson Scenic Railway for a narrated round trip of downtown and the adjacent countryside.

Because of its many indoor attractions, Branson attracts visitors all year round. The lakes are at their busiest during the warm period (May to October) however, ongoing residencies and seasonal shows keep it busy in the winter as well.

Where to stay in Branson

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Foggy River Woods

If you're spending some time in Foggy River Woods, Thousand Hills Golf Course and Castle Rock Resort and Water Park are top sights worth seeing.

Foggy River Woods
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Skyview

If you're spending some time in Skyview, Welk Resort Branson Theatre and Table Rock Lake are top sights worth seeing.

Skyview
Branson Ferris Wheel featuring a garden and night scenes

Branson Theater District

4.5/5(2,906 area reviews)

Travelers to Branson Theater District praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Tanger Outlets and Branson's Promised Land Zoo.

Branson Theater District
Branson Landing which includes signage and street scenes

Downtown Branson

4.5/5(317 area reviews)

Downtown Branson is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Branson Landing and Branson's Scenic Railway while in the area.

Downtown Branson
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Gretna

If you're spending some time in Gretna, Aquarium at the Boardwalk and Ballparks of America are top sights worth seeing.

Gretna
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Green Mountain

While visiting Green Mountain, you might make a stop by sights like Marvel Cave and Xtreme Racing Center Branson.

Green Mountain
Thousand Hills Resort Hotel

Thousand Hills Resort Hotel

3 out of 5
120 Wildwood Dr S Branson MO
$76 nightly
The price is $86 total per night from Feb 15 to Feb 16
$86 total
Feb 15 - Feb 16
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Branson. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (5,720 reviews)
Room was clean and comfortable. Seemed to be a good value for the price

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2026

Thousand Hills Resort Hotel
Hyatt Vacation Club at The Lodges at Timber Ridge, Branson

Hyatt Vacation Club at The Lodges at Timber Ridge, Branson

4 out of 5
147 Welk Resort Circle Branson MO
$95 nightly
The price is $135 total per night from Mar 2 to Mar 3
$135 total
Mar 2 - Mar 3
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Branson. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,234 reviews)
The staff was so kind to let us check in early with the storm.

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2026

Hyatt Vacation Club at The Lodges at Timber Ridge, Branson
Hotel Grand Victorian

Hotel Grand Victorian

3.5 out of 5
2325 W Highway 76 Branson MO
$119 nightly
The price is $136 total per night from Feb 8 to Feb 9
$136 total
Feb 8 - Feb 9
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Branson. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,859 reviews)
Clean comfortable room, great staff, very good shower, great breakfast

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026

Hotel Grand Victorian
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hyatt Vacation Club at The Lodges at Timber Ridge, Branson

Hyatt Vacation Club at The Lodges at Timber Ridge, Branson

4 out of 5
147 Welk Resort Circle Branson MO
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Branson. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,234 reviews)
The staff was so kind to let us check in early with the storm.

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2026

Hyatt Vacation Club at The Lodges at Timber Ridge, Branson
Still Waters Resort

Still Waters Resort

4 out of 5
21 Stillwater Branson MO
Book a stay at this family-friendly condo in Branson. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,532 reviews)
No breakfast available at Still Waters that i saw. We were placed in a luxury suit but felt like it needed updated. The carts for luggage were needing to be updated. Minimal supplies in condo but had enough since we only stayed two nights. Was very clean and bed was mostly comfortable. Again needed ...

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2026

Still Waters Resort
Marriott's Willow Ridge Lodge

Marriott's Willow Ridge Lodge

3 out of 5
2929 Green Mountain Dr Branson MO
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Branson. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 3 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (848 reviews)
It was a wonderful stay here 😊

Reviewed on Jan 10, 2026

Marriott's Willow Ridge Lodge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Branson

There is no established public transit system in Branson, which means that to get the best out of your time in the area you’ll need to rent a car. There are numerous car rental agencies in town, and at the regional airports if you’re arriving by plane. There are a small number of taxis in town as well as tour companies who can arrange to shuttle you between attractions. The downtown area is easily walkable. Visit the Missouri Department of TransportationOpens in a new window website.Browse Branson rental cars.

Best time to visit

Branson has two peak tourist seasons: the winter holiday season, when the whole city gets into the festive spirit, and the summer, between June and August. During the winter it can get cold, with average highs of around 42 F (5 C) in January, but this all adds to the Christmas atmosphere. July and August see average highs in the high 80s F (low 30s C), while spring and fall are pleasantly mild.

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