Unlock spectacular travel destinations with your Palmera Vacation Club membership.
One of the best weekend getaways in the Midwest, this Ozark Mountain Town is known for live shows and endless forms of entertainment. Once meant to be a booming industrial hub for timber, Branson, Missouri, grew into a resort town welcoming travelers looking for a lakeside getaway. Known as the Live Entertainment Capital of the World, Branson is becoming more of a foodie paradise offering everything from fine dining to kid-friendly eats. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of places to explore and natural beauty to discover.
When it first became clear that Branson was becoming a travel destination, candy, ice cream, and soft drink factories began popping up around the waterfront in addition to newly-constructed hotels. Soon, street fairs and other community celebrations gave visitors a taste of the Ozark’s. A lot has certainly changed since those early days. Now, Branson is booming with tons of fun-filled attractions and activities for all ages to enjoy.
Live Entertainment
You can always count on plenty of live shows to choose from when you visit Branson, with the town having over 50 theaters! There will always be the handful of classic shows that are—and probably will always be—a staple to the Branson experience, but of course, new shows in rotation shake up the scene and provide audiences with fresh entertainment. While you’ll find a plethora of country shows and tributes to famous artists, there are also comedy shows and kid-friendly shows.
Take a look at just a few of the great deals on entertainment you can find on the Quest activities page for Branson, Missouri:
Attractions
For those looking for a thrilling way to spend your day, plan on visiting one of the various amusement and fun parks. If it’s a warm, summer’s day, maybe a day spent at one of the water parks in the area sounds appealing. Silver Dollar City is one option that has it all—a theme park, water park, and plenty of live entertainment—even a show out on Table Rock Lake aboard the Showboat Branson Belle. This doesn’t mean you can skip over any of the other amusement and fun parks in the area, as they all have their distinct themes and can’t-miss attractions. Explore Fritz’s Adventure, an indoor adventure park, The Branson Ferris Wheel, Bigfoot Fun Park’s heart-pounding rides, and more!
Have you ever been on a mountain coaster? A great way to see the Ozark foothills for thrill-seekers, there are three mountain coasters in Branson to choose from, be we dare you to try them all! Each mountain coaster has another activity on property, with The Branson Coaster having the daring 123-foot-high, Branson Buzzsaw, the Runaway Mountain Coaster offering a zipline and gem mine, and the Copperhead Mountain Coaster only a piece of Shepherd’s Adventure Park. At Shepherd on the Hills, your group can not only enjoy the adventure park but can also attend a dinner theatre show or visit the farm to take a history tour.
While in the Cave State, why not uncover the fascinating formations of one of Missouri’s caves? Take a tour of the incredible limestone formations that have been amazing visitors for over 100 years. Stop by Marvel Cave or Talking Rocks Cavern, or nearby Crystal and Fantastic Caverns. Exploring these magnificent underground wonders is an amazing experience you won’t want to miss—unless you’re claustrophobic or aren’t a fan of stairs, then keep on reading for other ways to enjoy Branson!
Museums
Just as Branson has a wide array of live shows and fun attractions to choose from, the town has a collection of Museums that’ll cover everyone’s interests in your group. From prehistoric time periods to the wild and pretty wacky, it’ll be hard to decide on which museum to buy tickets to when they’re all so interesting! You’ll find yourself and thousands of free-flying butterflies in a rainforest at the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure. Ogle at pirate treasure and other finds from shipwrecks of Spanish galleons and Civil War ships at the Shipwrecked Treasure Museum. Want to see over 40 life-sized dinosaurs? If so, you’ll definitely have to visit Branson’s Dinosaur Museum.
Outdoor Activities
It’s time to head outdoors and truly experience the Ozark’s natural beauty. With three lakes that have been attracting visitors for years, you can head out on the water to boat, kayak, canoe, or water ski. Fishing is one of Branson’s go-to activities. Fishing guides will be happy to take you to the best spots for bass or trout fishing, with plenty of excursions fit for the fishermen in the family, or the whole group. Take the adventure on land and explore the region’s hundreds of miles of trails through day hikes that cover all difficulty levels. Branson’s trails aren’t only for hiking, so bring your bike or saddle up and enjoy the scenery on horseback.
Branson shines in every season, and it really comes down to who you ask as to when the best time to visit is. Fans of hot, summer days will have a blast on the region’s lakes or at one of the waterparks from May through August. There’s no limit to the number of things to do, as the town is in peak season. More daylight means you can fit more activities into the day’s itinerary, so make sure to get a good night’s sleep to recharge for the next day’s adventures!
Many people believe that November and December are hands-down the best times to visit Branson. The summer heat is long gone, but believe it or not, Branson’s winter weather is actually pretty mild. At least, compared to other places during that time in the United States, so don’t forget to pack a coat! The main reason why this time is considered the best is because of Ozark Mountain Christmas, a celebration of the holiday season. We’re talking holiday-themed live show, festivals and events, and a wide spectrum of attractions. Branson’s Scenic Railway features the Polar Express Train Ride, and the region’s Christmas light displays are unparalleled. It’s a pretty magical time in the Ozarks, so think about spending the holiday season in Branson.
For those of you who love weather that only reaches to the lower-to-mid-70s, the spring and fall seasons are the perfect fit. These shoulder seasons let visitors experience all of the outdoor activities and the town’s attractions without the heat and or the crowds. As a plus, spring brings beautiful blooms, and you’ll be surrounded by beautiful fall foliage.
There are many great places to stay in Branson, and with your Palmera Vacation Club membership, you’ll be able to book a stay through the RCI Exchange. RCI always seems to have great deals on accommodations within and around city limits, so always keep checking or start an ongoing search to make sure you don’t miss out on anything. Here are just a few of the fantastic finds waiting for you on the RCI Exchange:
Rates/Points are subject to change.
