Have you considered a family weekend in Branson Missouri? If you like entertainment shows and free activities Branson is your family getaway. Whether you choose mini-golf, go-karts, the Promised Land Drive-Thru Zoo, or one of the dozens of family-friendly shows, there is plenty to do in Branson.
Things to do in Branson.
I get all sorts of responses from people when I talk about going to Branson, Missouri for a family weekend. Here are a few examples:
- Isn’t that a destination for old people?
- But there are just family things to do there.
- Or, my favorite – they just have cheesy entertainment shows in Branson.
Man, are those folks wrong. Between Papa Joe, Trixie, and I, we have visited the Branson Missouri area a half-dozen times or more. Visits have included family getaways, couples weekends, as well as extended family vacations.
We have found activities that are expensive and activities that are free. Activities that range from famous entertainment shows like Dolly’s Dixie Stampede to camping and fishing at Table Rock Lake. From shopping and dining at Branson Landing, exploring caves and scenic drives, to a drive-through zoo.
Branson really does have something for everyone.
Nature sights in the Branson Missouri area.
My readers know I always enjoy nature sights and activities, so I’m just gonna start there. Camping at Table Rock State Park was a really great get-back-to-nature experience. Activities nearby include a marina with boat rentals, snorkeling in the lake, fishing (of course), and the famous Branson Belle.
The state park campground is one of our favorites, our review of the campground can be found here.
There are other great nature activities in the Branson Missouri area too.
Known as the Tri-Lakes area, Branson offers lots of great water activities. Visitors can choose from Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock Lake, or Bull Shoals Lake, featured below.
Within city limits, visitors can also enjoy the region’s walking trails and city parks (all free of course).
Or if you are ok driving a few miles to Springfield, Fantastic Caverns is an incredible experience for both the young and old. Here are a few of my favorite photos from Fantastic Caverns – which is (by the way) a drive-through cave.
This place was pretty cool, if I may say so myself. If driving is your gig, make sure to enjoy the scenic drives surrounding the Branson, Missouri area. This is an incredibly beautiful area of the US to visit.
Time for the elephant in the room – entertainment shows.
I always thought of going to one of the entertainment shows as corny. Papa Joe literally had to drag me to one. But once I got there, I was hooked.
My first experience was Dolly’s Dixie Stampede. Imagine… the house lights are down. You can smell the sand and residual horsey smells. A sense of excitement in the air. And all of a sudden, HE rides out.
With all the pomp and ceremony of a born performer, the MC circles the inner sand-lined court on a coal-black steed, surrounded by a mysterious fog. Telling the story of acrobats, hoops of fire, and clowns.
While eating a dinner of chicken, potatoes, and corn, visitors are treated to an entertainment delight. One caveat – the show’s theme centers on a not-so-fictional battle between the North and the South and ends on a note joining both into one united body. Be patient. If this is a culturally sensitive theme for you, the Stampede will not be a great entertainment show to start with.
However, one only needs to head down the main drag to find dozens of other shows to attend. Shepherd of the Hills, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, Broadway’s Greatest Hits, the Baldknobbers, Reza the Illusionist. You can literally find a show for every taste.
Personally, I like horses so Dolly’s Dixie Stampede was a winner for me, despite the North and South thing.
Maybe a drive-through zoo is your answer for your family weekend.
Imagine starting out with a petting zoo. Then progress to an interactive experience feeding parakeets. Meandering at your own pace, strolling through hundreds of exhibits of lions, giraffes, ostrich, and heaven only knows what else. I just remember there being so many animals to enjoy that I can’t remember them all. Follow all that up by jumping in your car or a tram to see the behind-the-scenes view of even more animals.
Promised Land Zoo lives up to all that, and so much more.
How about some museum time in Branson?
If you haven’t visited Branson’s Titanic Museum, you are missing out on something special. Interactive, informative, and bone-chilling, this is a great opportunity to spend time indoors while teaching the kiddos a little history. With plenty of spots to sit and absorb the surroundings, films to watch, and “conductors” roaming through, there are lots of ways to enjoy this experience. Literally, this ship-shaped museum is filled with relics from the Titanic.
Perhaps the Auto and Farm Museum is more your speed. We didn’t visit this one, but noticed everyone coming out with huge smiles!
If cars are your speed, another great option is the Celebrity Car Museum. Believe me, both the old and young will appreciate this one!
As you can see, I certainly did.
Branson – not just for gray-hairs.
Our kids loved time on the Branson Belle, I can’t wait to go back and enjoy it again!
The kids loved playing laser tag at Grand Country Fun Show (I kicked their b#%ts). Go-Karts were enjoyed by all, as was the 3-D ride at the Grand Country Fun Show. The Grand Country Fun Show pretty much was an all-day entertainment zone for the kids (and parents).
Interactive opportunities at the Promised Land feeding parakeets were enjoyed by all.
And if that’s not enough, start out your day at Whipper-Snappers with a breakfast buffet. Any place that has an exterior like this just has to be fun-filled on the inside!
Are you ready to consider Branson Missouri for your next family getaway?
I know for us, Branson has become a family staple. On average, it has become a family getaway destination for us about every other year.
In this post, I included specific information and photos from our last 2 family vacations spent in Branson. Each of those was spent with different family demographics. One trip was all adults, another was with a younger family. Hopefully, I have shown you lots of options, but believe me, there’s lots more to choose from for your family vacation.
There are lots of other family getaway activities for Branson.
- Silver Dollar City
- Branson Scenic Railway
- Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure (on my list for our next trip)
- Hollywood Wax Museum
- Themed mini-golf
- Distillery tours
And the list goes on, and on, and on…
Hopefully, I have dispelled these myths
- A destination for old people – nope
- Just family things to do there – nope
- They just have cheesy entertainment shows there – and, nope!
So, when you are ready to enjoy a family weekend or a family-friendly destination, keep Branson, Missouri on your radar. You won’t regret it!
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