Courtesy of Silver Dollar City Attractions

Branson, Missouri

Entertaining with a capital “E.” That's Branson, which started out small as a vacation destination roughly half a century ago. Beginning with a couple of caves, some local fishing spots and a little show put on for tourists by the four musical Mabe brothers, Branson has grown into a full-fledged phenomenon while embodying the essence of small-town America. One key difference: This small town is packed to the gills with fun things to see and do.

Destination Articles

Branson, Missouri

Essentials

Spend the day at Silver Dollar City (399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy.). This 1880s village-themed park preserves Ozarks heritage with its working crafters and a bevy of festivals devoted to holidays, music and folk culture. It also has some pretty awesome thrill rides and tasty theme park eats.

Top Picks for Kids

The indoor-outdoor water park Splash Country (1945 SR 76W) offers something for both thrill seekers and those just wanting to chill out. The complex at the Grand Country Resort offers 40,000 square feet of waterslides, several play areas (including one that dumps 1,000 gallons of water on kids at a time), lazy rivers, an infant splash zone and hot tubs—one is reserved for adults.

Shopping

Loads of people come to Branson to shop, and it's easy to see why: with a historic downtown that could almost double for Mayberry, a new waterfront shopping and dining complex at downtown's doorstep and specialty stores and centers practically everywhere you turn, the opportunities are legion.

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Branson, Missouri

Off the Beaten Path in Branson