Must Do Things in Branson?

[ahs483]

Hi! My family and I will be traveling to branson for three days next week..we have never been. We live in columbia, mo. I was wondering if anyone had a little list of must do things? We are going to be staying at the chateau on the lake...we arent really into the shows or anything like that and its just us two parents and our daughter who is a teenager. Any ideas? Thanks!!!

[0124]

We just got back from a week of camping on Table Rock Lake. We enjoyed the dam tour. You can get tickets at the Dewey Short Visitor Center by the dam. It's not often you can say you went inside the dam and it wasn't very expensive. We also enjoy going to the Branson Landing. We went to the Imax Theater and saw Toy Story 3 in 3 D. I thought the theater was very well maintained and there was a big crowd. You could also visit Dogwood Canyon and Silver Dollar City.

[biscuitcreek]

Silver Dollar City and/or White Water, Ride the Ducks, Titanic, museum at the College of the Ozarks, IMAX, Dogwood Canyon, mini-golf, ziplines, go-carts,
shopping at the outlet malls, downtown, and the Landing.....

There is a lot of things to do in Branson without going to a show if you're not into music. There are shows in Branson that aren't focused on music: Dixie Stampede, Kirby's Magic Show, Moscow Circus.

[Gilligan]

Good one BuiscuitCreek! Don't forget Branson Belle, Dixie Stampede, helicopter tours, scuba diving, parasailing, kayaking, tour the dam, and Paul Harris!

[SHOW GAL]

Welcome to the board,

We have people on the board that either live in Branson or visit quite frequently that are not into shows and they love the town.

I would suggest Silver Dollar City, Dixie Stampede, Ride The Ducks, the Imax Center, Branson Landing, Indoor and outdoor miniature golf, go kart-s, etc etc.

We also have many great restaurants, such as O' Dee's, Danna's, Keeter Center, Tijuana Willie's, Starvin Marvin's, Montana Mike's, Lone Star, etc. etc.

There will be plenty of things for you to do and places for you to eat.

[bransonframer]

Everyone is going to have different ideas of "must do". As for me, I'd also suggest Silver Dollar City as the top attraction that might be nearest to a "must do". If you go I'd point to the Train Ride, the Silver Dollar Salloon, and Marvel Cave. If you take the train ride, call Alfie and Ralphie "ugly" once for me I think as far as bang for your buck, you can't hardly beat a full day's entertainment out of Silver Dollar City for about the same price as 2 hours everywhere else. Two one-hour shows total to about the same price as single day admission there unless you find bargain tickets, but then you said you weren't into the shows anyway.

There's lots to do around the lake as already mentioned, but I haven't seen anyone mention the fish hatchery which is surprising to me since it'll be a short drive (or a painful roll ) down the hill from the Chateau.

Other things that might interest you... Branson Scenic Railways, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, Titanic Musem, or my personal favorite that's already been mentioned... The Ralph Foster Museum that is on the College of the Ozarks campus. There are really so many things to choose from.

[knaks]

I totally agree with the other posts, there are so many things to do and see other than the shows. We really enjoyed visiting SDC: which was absolutely fantastic. In SDC we rode the train, rode a couple of rides, watched the Magic show and the Dog Stunt show and the cloggers, visited some shops and went through the cave.
But SDC isn't the only thing that is awesomely cool.. we went to play mini-golf at one of the ohh-so many mini-golf courses there.. we rode the ducks, and visited a few shops.
A couple things we didn't get to do that I want to was visit the Titanic museum, and also visit Branson Landing. Maybe next time.

[DalmationDad]

As has been said, don't completely write off the shows until you see the entire list.. There really is something for everybody, no matter your tastes, no matter your ages.

When your stay is complete, please post a review of your activities..

[OkieAnon]

I don't know if anyone else mentioned it or not but i'd go with Silver Dollar City.


shopping
branson landing
mini golf
ride the ducks
Dixie Stampede

[kstater1997]

I would take the tour of the "Shepard of the Hills" homestead. We really enjoyed it. Also, go to Springfield and go to the Wilson's Creek Battlefield.

James

[Celebrate50]

I'd do the Zipline and Canopy Tours at Wolf Creek Preserve on Hwy 65,just north of Branson. You can see it from the highway: www.bransonzipline.com
Also kayaking on the lake would be fun: www.kayakbranson.com
Butterfly Palace: www.thebutterflypalace.com

[engel]

Don't miss the Branson Belle. Your teen (& you) would probably enjoy Hard Luck Diner.

[Lydia1959]

I agree with Silver Dollar City, Ride The Ducks, shopping at the Landing (lots of stores here a teenager will like). Stop in at Hard Luck Diner for a memorable lunch. You must also eat at Chester's as it is a board favorite!! #1 at Tripadvisor too.

I think you would really enjoy a show. The Haygoods would be enjoyed by your whole family. You might also enjoy The Dixie Stampede which mixes dinner and a show (I didn't like it, but most people do). SIX is another good family show.

I haven't been to the Titanic, but it has got good ratings here. A self guided tour of The College of the Ozarks is free and interesting (the students work at the college to pay their tuition). There is also a student ran restaurant which is also very nice at the Keeter center. The Fish Hatchery which someone else has mentioned is a fun thing to do as well (free to the public when I last went).

If you enjoy the outdoors, you might consider renting a pontoon or jet skis at one of the marinas. My teenage daughter always says that is the best part of our vacation (which is why we've already reserved a pontoon for our next Branson trip in August).

Have fun and be sure to come back and write a review of your trip!