US Travel Guide - Branson

Branson Entertainment

The foundation of Bransons billion-dollar economy is entertainment. This city of 5,000 or so residents greets over seven million visitors annually who come here seeking serenity on one of the areas three lakes, quality family time at Silver Dollar City, or the non-stop excitement offered by the star-studded theaters of the world-famous Branson strip.

Music
'Phenomenal' is the word used most often to describe the incredible boom in entertainment venues in the Branson area. Over the last 20 years, more than 40 show palaces have sprung up that can accommodate nearly 60,000 people combined - and on any given night of the summer, there are very few empty seats in any house along Highway 76.

The Bobby Vinton Blue Velvet Theatre is a 1,600-seat complex styled after European theaters. Vinton swoons the audience with renditions of his number-one hits backed up by none other than the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Blue Velvet, always a crowd favorite, shares time on stage with popular polkas inspired by Vintons polish heritage. If you need a little more romantic crooning, walk across the Branson Strip to Andy Williams' Moon River Theater, where the eternally popular singer delights audiences with his ballads, snappy dancing and wry comedy. Pushing the combined comedy/music envelope to sidesplitting laughter is Jim Stafford who built a grand palace along the west Strip where his music and comedy variety show has drawn rave reviews from the chilliest critics.
Country/Western guitar great Chet Atkins calls Stafford '...an exceptional guitar soloist.' And goes on to say that his show is one of the best he has seen in his time.
The diversity of musical entertainment offerings in Branson are indeed endless with a choice of more than 80 different shows offered on any given day.

Avoid the crowds of a packed house and take in a gourmet breakfast, lunch or dinner while enjoying a quality show like Cirque Fantastic aboard the Showboat Branson Belle. Plying the crystal-clear waters of Tablerock Lake, this stern-wheeled paddleboat returns guests to the era of the floating palaces and brings a little touch of Dixieland to the Ozarks. To escape to a culture half-a-globe away, board the Polynesian Princess and take in a Polynesian-style dinner and show while you gracefully cruise Table Rock and learn about the lake and the towns that disappeared beneath its waters.

Theater
Harold Bell Wright fell in love with the Ozarks at the turn of the century and used them as the setting for the nations first million-selling novel in history, 'Shepherd of the Hills.' Now, a massive outdoor amphitheater sits atop Inspiration Point and looks down into Mutton Hollow where more than 80 actors and actresses, 40 horses, cattle and a flock of sheep bring the pages of this great American novel to life. Romance, dance, action and non-stop drama will rivet you in the very setting where Wright penned his masterpiece.

Family
Revisit the pioneering spirit with your family at Bransons Silver Dollar City. This theme park encompasses a gallery of artisans who offer demonstrations of furniture making, glass blowing, candle making and other arts that were a way of life for Ozark homesteaders. Young and old thrill-seekers alike will find a myriad of adrenaline generating rides. Roller coasters, flume rides and the worlds first flume/coaster hybrid all combine to make your visit to this Ozark Mountain play land worthwhile.

Branson also knows that kids need something just for them. The Gotcha Laser Tag compound and Thunder Road go-cart racing provide a place to release the energy pent up after a few hours on the road. Scattered along the strip are a series of small parks known as The Tracks. They include racing, bumper boats, miniature golf and thrill rides like the sky coaster; and tickets purchased at one location are valid at any Tracks location.

If you need to cool off after a day in the hot sun, visit one of the many water parks, with wave pools and slides that plummet down the steep hillsides.

Sports and Outdoors
Tucked between two of the most pristine lakes in the Midwest, Branson has gained a reputation as a sportsmans paradise. Table Rock Lake harbors some of the finest bass and crappie fishing in Missouri and there are a plethora of boat rental agencies and fishing guides available. The numerous coves created by the rolling terrain make Tablerock Lake a water skiers Eden, and one can usually find glass-smooth water somewhere on the lake at any time during the day. Watercraft rentals are also available from any number of vendors.

Just below Table Rock Lake is Lake Tanycomo. The water that feeds this lake comes off the bottom of Table Rock Lake and is a constant 40-50 degrees. A large trout hatchery sits at the headwaters of Tanycomo and record-class brown trout are pulled from the clear waters regularly.

Branson is quickly becoming known for its golf links and the area boasts more than a dozen public and private courses. Championship courses like Pointe Royale and Thousand Hills Golf Resort offer as many as five tee boxes per hole and are meticulously manicured. All the courses share one quality ' a beautiful Ozark Mountain setting.

Museums
What would a tourist destination be without museums? Branson has a full compliment of entertaining and informative museums. The glitz and glamour of the strip is not lost at the Hollywood Wax Museum where facsimiles of your favorite stars stand in settings made famous by Tinsel Town films. Historical museums also abound and the Shepherd of the Hills features a restored homestead that gives visitors a glimpse at a simpler way of life. With films running hourly throughout the summer, the IMAX Theater offers a brief, cool high-tech venue where guests are treated to visually stunning documentaries made by the worlds most renowned filmmakers.

There is no lack of entertainment in Branson. The most difficult task you will have when you arrive is choosing which show or attraction to visit during your stay.

JD Meisner