The phenomenon of Branson as a vacation destination began in the early 1900s, when Harold Bell Wright wandered into the Missouri Ozarks in search of relaxation. He wrote about the beauty he found in a book called Shepherd of the Hills. Readers from around the world traveled to experience these Ozark Mountains for themselves.
More than a century later, people still go to enjoy relaxation along with exceptional entertainment, shopping, and food.
Underground Exploration
One feature of the Ozarks is the number of caves open for exploration. With more than 7,300 mapped caves, Missouri easily earns its nickname The Cave State. Marvel Cave, which is included with admission to the Silver Dollar City® Amusement Park, offers a challenging 500-foot climb down steps and ladders. But your reward is reaching the bottom of Missouri’s deepest cave, and there's a cable train ride to get back to the surface.
The Smallin’ Cave is a short distance through the woods near the town of Ozark and displays ancient petroglyphs and other carvings. You can also take an off-trail wild tour of the cave that requires you to walk through water with provided helmets and headlamps.
Family Activities
There's plenty to do for families in Branson. If you're looking for a low-key thrill ride, take a spin on the Branson Ferris Wheel. Formerly the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel in Chicago, the spinner is 150 feet tall with 16,000 LED lights. Or just go for the show; the ride is the centerpiece of ELECTRIFY, a free nightly music-and-light spectacular.
For interactive — and educational — fun, check out the 100 exhibits and rides at WonderWorks, billed as an amusement park for the mind. See jellyfish, coral reefs, and even mermaids while learning about the value of the ocean at the Aquarium on the Boardwalk. Or visit aliens and bounce with bubbles among interactive experiences at Beyond the Lens.
Branson Theaters
Some of the world’s most unique productions are in Branson. With nearly 100 shows to choose from, it can be hard to narrow them down, but music lovers certainly can't go wrong with either of these:
Louise Harrison searched all of England to find four guys who looked and sounded like her brother George and his friends, better known as The Beatles. The resulting tribute show is called Liverpool Legends.
Iconic American entertainer Dolly Parton created a traditional review called Stampede that includes a four-course meal.
Or you can escape from reality with Reza: Edge of Illusion, which infuses large-scale illusions with comedy and magic.
Branson Eats
Some of the best homestyle food in Branson comes from the kiosks and restaurants at Silver Dollar City, which is also home to the country’s only cooking school at an amusement park.
Other popular spots include Billy Gail’s Cafe for breakfast and lunch; the Mythical 'Wich for creative, themed sandwiches like the Missouri Monster (New Orleans-style muffuletta) or the Cyclops (meatball sub); Mel's Hard Luck Diner, known for its singing servers; and Smith Creek Moonshine, a restaurant and tasting room.
Shopping in Branson
Although it’s now an international brand, Bass Pro Shops® got its start in nearby Springfield, MO, and is now an anchor of Branson Landing. The mall also has more than 100 specialty shops and more than a dozen restaurants, including Guy Fieri's Kitchen + Bar and Joe's Crab Shack®. For discounts and deals, Tanger Outlets features some 75 brands, including Kate Spade New York®, Lululemon®, and Michael Kors®.
These Ozark hills are also filled with artisans. Find hand-thrown pottery, candles, jewelry, quilts, and other items at dozens of stalls at the Branson Craft Mall. And perhaps nothing tops the showcase of America’s heritage artists better than Silver Dollar City during the Harvest Festival held each year from mid-September through late October.
Where To Stay
Hyatt Vacation Club® at The Lodges at Timber Ridge
Book your stay and you’ll have the perfect home base for the best of Ozarks’ outdoor adventures. Go biking and hiking. Enjoy water activities in the summer.** At the resort, you can recharge and enjoy enticing amenities and service with genuine care.
Join our Around the Town Scavenger Hunt, themed movie nights with popcorn, escape room, or wood-burning workshop. For some fresh air, take a self-guided nature walk.
Soak up family fun at the 10,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor Splash-A-Torium® pool complex and waterslide. Or kick back and unwind in the two hot tubs.
Take the family on a nature walk to explore the beauty of the Ozarks. Work up an appetite, then gather everyone for a cookout and dinner al fresco.
Work out at the fitness center, complete with cardio and strength-training equipment, or play billiards, foosball, video games, board games, and more at the activity center.
Come rest, relax, and share unforgettable moments with family and friends in Branson at Hyatt Vacation Club at The Lodges at Timber Ridge.
Book your reservation on The Lounge.
* No inquiry has been made into the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, or the qualifications, safety, or quality of the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, and WHV Resort Group, Inc. and HV Global Group, Inc. (collectively, “HVC”) make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance, or any other aspect of such off-site locations, activities, events, or service providers listed herein. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the off-site locations, activities, services, events, or providers. Neither WHV Resort Group, Inc. nor HV Global Group, Inc. assumes liability for attendance at, or visits to, any off-site locations, or the products, activities, or services furnished by independent service providers. Additional fees and costs may apply. Activities and events are subject to change. Some activities or events may require the participant to be in good health and have a certain level of skill.
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Top Things to Do in Branson for Couples
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