Welcome to the Branson Landing: An Overview

Nothing like the new Branson Landing has ever graced the shores of Lake Taneycomo until the present. This shopping and dining adventure is all that and much more. Stretching along a one and a half mile stretch of Lake Taneycomo, Branson Landing is a self-contained city with a town square that can hold up to five thousand guests. Designed and built at a cost of over 400 million dollars, Branson Landing is one of the region's newest and most expensive attractions to date. Since the Grand Opening in late May 2006, Branson Landing has attracted curious visitors and serious shoppers.

Branson Landing is simple to locate, adjacent to historic downtown Branson on the shores of Taneycomo. Both Highway 76 and Business 65 offer access to the new shopping venue. With 2,500 parking slots, parking is not a problem. A large outdoor parking lot is located near Belk at the north end of the Landing and a parking garage is also on site. Shops run the gamut from exclusive and expensive to simple shops that suit any budget. The Branson Landing is expected to draw more than 7 million visitors a year to the area. Two Hilton hotels are planned with the first slated to open in Fall 2006. Luxury condos are being sold within the self-contained community of Branson Landing and these offer spectacular views of the Landing, Lake Taneycomo, and the city of Branson.

Branson Landing offers six distinct and different districts and two anchor stores, one at each end. Belk Department Store holds the north position and is the sole Belk store in Missouri. Belk carries name brand designer names in clothing and house wares along with house brands guaranteed to provide quality. Belk is located within the Station District.

In the adjoining Wharf District, the look and taste of a Gulf coast fishing camp can be found at Joe's Crab Shack. Specialty shops including Claire's, Pacific Sunwear, and The Finish Line can also be found. A children's playground in this district has a pirate's island theme and features a pirate's fort, adventure care, playground equipment and the chance to find sunken treasure.

Branson Landing's Downtown District caters to children and families with the popular Build-A-Bear-Workshop, the Discovery Store, Disney Store, and Strasburg Children.

Uptown District is home to trendy boutique type stores that include Victoria's Secret, Chico's, Coldwater Creek, and Oh, My Goddard Gallery featuring the work of acclaimed artist Michael Goddard.

In the Neighborhood District, look for down home favorites like Famous Dave's BBQ where the enticing aromas lead hungry diners to the door and other taste tempters like The Fudgery or The Big Popper. The Big Popper features ten gourmet flavors of popcorn daily. The Neighborhood District is also home to personal care shops such as Nail City, Regis Salon, and Holy Land Naturals.

Bass Pro Shops anchors the south end of the Branson Landing with their outdoors theme store and a floating restaurant, White River Fish Company, slated to open in Fall 2006. Also in the Neighborhood District are the Five and Dime General Store, Father Time Clock & Collectibles, the Candy Emporium and more.

Street entertainers fill the narrow main street of the Branson Landing with song and sound, everything from Scottish bagpipes to country music and drums. Ronzo the Clown brings a smile to faces young and old with his antics.

The Town Square, located in the center of the Landing between the Uptown and Downtown districts, has space for 5,000 guests. The Square is the site of the fountains. Each hour on the hour a spectacular light, water, and sound show erupts on the lake front. By night, the show includes fire in attraction with a price tag of $7.5 million dollars. Created by Downtown Design, the light show is produced by the same folks who designed shows for the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Downtown Disney in Orlando, and Universal City Walk in California.

If walking the mile and a half thoroughfare is wearing on the feet, hop aboard one of the custom Trolleys that carry guests between four stops without charge. Trolleys run from 8am until 11pm Monday through Saturday and from 9am until 9pm on Sundays.

Branson Landing will continue to grow as new shops and eateries are added. Visitors can enjoy everything from Philly Steak to seafood and barbeque. Sullivan's Steakhouse features a 1940's vintage atmosphere and the soon to open will treat "wedding guests" to a comic show, champagne, a full pasta meal and wedding cake!

Irish music, spirits, food and fun can be found at Waxy O'Shea's Irish Pub and when the Hilton Promenade opens, The Liberty Tavern will feature the best of home cooked American cuisine.

Branson Landing is certain to become one of Branson's most popular attractions and rank as a favorite destination for many. With a major department store and many stores not found elsewhere in the region, Branson Landing will draw shoppers from a wide area in every season of the year.

Branson Landing is billed as a new shopping and dining adventure on Lake Taneycomo but it is more. Branson Landing manages to combine the homey feel of a traditional downtown with an upscale mall, a county fair, and the luxury of Rodeo Drive with Ozark mountain hospitality. It's an experience that everyone must have -- and that visitors will return to enjoy again and again.

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Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy lives and writes on a rocky ridge in the Missouri Ozarks. A fulltime writer, she is a member of both Missouri Writers Guild and Ozark Writers League. - [author's site]