There’s so much to experience in Branson, Missouri, Real Food Traveler’s Hospitality Editor, Ron Stern, had to choose 11 things to feature in this roundup for our readers. See what he suggests to take in the best of the area.

Save this roundup of fun things to do in Branson, Missouri to Pinterest to keep it handy. Photos clockwise: Branson Ferris Wheel, Silver Dollar City Succotash-making photos courtesy Branson, MO. The Farmhouse Cobbler by Ron Stern. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

11 Things to do (and love) in Branson, Missouri

From humble beginnings as a sleepy railroad town, Branson has grown into a first-class playground in the Ozarks for all ages. Known as “The Live Entertainment Capital of the World,” that title merely begins describing this family-friendly vacation destination. There’s a potpourri of attractions, shows, museums, restaurants and one of the best theme parks in America. It’s no wonder more than ten million tourists visit each year.

As if that isn’t enough, how about a place where they still value civility, patriotism, and old-fashioned values? Here strangers warmly greet you while seniors, families, and especially veterans are highly esteemed. Sound too good to be true? Perhaps, but read on to discover, as I did, some of the reasons why it’s so easy to fall in love with Branson.

The Attractions and Entertainment

With more than 100 family attractions and shows, you certainly won’t be bored here. In fact, deciding which venues to visit might just be your biggest obstacle.

The downtown historic district is popular for leisurely shopping and dining. While you’re there, be sure to visit Dick’s 5 & 10, an iconic variety store operating for more than 60 years. Each long aisle is crammed full of merchandise, from retro candy to trains sets to historical memorabilia. I spent a nostalgic hour just gawking at their huge variety of merchandise.

The entertainment district, known to locals simply as “The Strip” is roughly a four-mile stretch of road through hilly terrain along W.76 Country Blvd. Rivaling Las Vegas but more family-oriented, it is straddled on both sides with a blizzard of eye-catching amusements. How about a colossal King Kong hanging off the side of the Hollywood Wax Museum or a huge, upside down, deconstructed kids’ museum called Wonder Works.

The Hollywood Wax Museum. Photo courtesy of Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Standing at a dizzying 150 feet tall, what was formerly the Chicago Navy Pier Ferris Wheel was disassembled and relocated to what is now The Branson Ferris Wheel. The massive reconstruction project required four million pounds of concrete, six million pounds of gravel and 80,000 pounds of steel.

Affording sweeping views of Branson and the Ozarks, forty gondolas can accommodate 240 passengers while it completes one revolution. At night the wheel is brightly illuminated with 16,000 LED lights. You can even sit in your car, tune to 90.9 FM and enjoy what they call a “Music and Light Spectacular!”

But I’m just getting warmed up. I also spied a Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum, helicopter tours, “World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex,” alpine coaster, miniature golf, jeep tours, a butterfly palace, restaurants of every sort and scores of entertainment theaters.

I should mention that every live show in Branson honors war veterans in some fashion. Many times they were asked to stand to an appreciative applause by the audience for their service and sacrifice. You might bring a hanky for these moments.

A visit to the official Branson Tourism Center can supply all the information you need to make the most of your time. I have also listed some of the most stand-out venues below.

Hungry for more? Read about places to visit just outside of Branson.

Restaurants and Eateries

When it comes to dining, you will have more than 300 restaurants and eateries from which to partake. While I had tasty aspirations, it would take me the better part of a year to try them all. Here are a just few that I sampled and wholeheartedly recommend:

Farmhouse Restaurant in historic downtown has been serving hearty Midwest-sized meals for almost half a century. Country fried chicken, hand-breaded catfish fillets, and open-faced beef plates will more than satisfy and probably require doggy bags. Don’t leave without trying their signature blackberry cobbler, the very definition of a down-home comfort dessert.

The Farmhouse Restaurant’s fried chicken meal. Photo by Ron Stern.

Oscar’s Famous Ribs is hard to miss with its stand-alone red and white building on Veteran’s Blvd. Perpetual winner of the “Best of all Things Branson”– BBQ, they have mouth-watering, fall-off-the-bone ribs. I also loved their flavorful and tender brisket, pork, chicken, and meaty beans.

Curiosity got the better of me and I popped into another downtown eatery called Transylvania Bakery and Cafe. After spending thirty years in the food industry, including on cruise ships, Gabriel Onisoru brought his family recipes to town. His hand-made cabbage rolls were an unexpected, wonderfully flavorful dinner surprise. Then, he brought out a slice of what he called “Dracula Cake.” Oh my, this was a moist and decadent combination of chocolate cake mixed with cherries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and layered with Italian Cream. Don’t leave town without trying a dessert Dracula would die for.

For more than three decades, locals have flocked to Andy’s Frozen Custard® for their rich and creamy treats. I’m not sure what they do to make it taste so, well, addicting, but I made at least three visits to this retro  bit of confection heaven.

Branson Landing

The Waterfront District is the home of Branson Landing, a 1.5-mile, open-air mall adjacent to picturesque Lake Taneycomo. Known for specialty shopping and dining, celebrity chefs Paula Deen (Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen) and Guy Fieri (Guy Fieri’s Branson Kitchen + Bar) have also staked culinary claims here. There’s also a tiki bar overlooking the water, a brewery, as well as numerous retail and boutique shops.

The other, let’s call it a secret for those who haven’t been here before, is their amazing $7.5 million water fountains attraction. Terraced down to the lakefront from the town square, the same designers also created the fountains at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

Here they created a state-of-the-art choreographed musical show integrating the elements of water, fire, color, and light. Columns of water dance in unison to songs as they shoot as high as 120 feet in the air, to the delight of the crowds. My recommendation is to come at night to best view the intense colors and flashes of fire.

Shopping at Branson Landing is one of the fun things to do in Branson, Mo. Photo courtesy of Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Beyond the Lens/FlyRide

Beyond the Lens/FlyRide is a fusion of technology, entertainment, amusement, and just pure fun. Calling this “TECHNO-TAINMENT™ this huge indoor facility offers more than 150 interactive exhibits. Virtual reality games, escape rooms, bumper cars, and a surrounding kaleidoscope tunnel are all part of the unique experience. I spent quite a bit of time playing “The World’s Largest Pac-Man” game. Size doesn’t matter though as I still got eaten by the ghosts in short order.

The other reason to visit is their new attraction called FlyRide. It took more than five years and $8 million to construct this one-of-a-kind immersive encounter.

Let me try and set the scene. After an introductory movie featuring a humorous 60s-style flight attendant, I was escorted into a low-lit room along a row of aircraft-type seats. After strapping in, the four-story curved screen activated with high-def video. Being launched off an aircraft carrier, my seat moved in unison to the angle of the aircraft and I found myself flying over 20 of America’s most impressive landmarks. These included Niagara Falls, The Las Vegas Strip, The Pacific Ocean and Devil’s Tower. At the Grand Canyon, I felt like I was in a raft careening through white water rapids. A light mist of water hit my face as we splashed our way downriver. Simply an amazing, unforgettable experience and one for memory lane.

FlyRide takes you to Niagara Falls, virtually. Photo courtesy Beyond the Lens.

Titanic Museum

Of all the things I didn’t expect to find in Branson, The “World’s Largest Titanic Museum  Attraction” would have to top the list. Jutting out almost to the edge of Country Boulevard, this huge ship is one-half the width and height of the original and one-quarter of the overall length.

If you’ve ever wondered what life was like on board, especially on that fateful night, this is your chance to relive history. Each passenger is given a boarding pass with a biography of an actual passenger. Mine was Helena Rosblom, a third-class passenger, age 41. What was her fate? I could find out in the remembrance room.

There are 400 actual artifacts throughout the many galleries ($4.5 million worth). Each one is a precious memory, preserved by the curators. Walking through the re-created third-class hallway you can also touch an iceberg and feel the 28-degree water. My hand could only stand about ten seconds of this. I also tried standing on the sloping deck as it went down to see how hard it was—nearly impossible.

The masterpiece of this museum, however, is the grand staircase, a full-scale recreation of the original. The bronze cherub with 24-karat gold leafing is holding a torch and the clock in the background called “Hunger and Glory” dates back to ancient Greece.

So what happened to Helena Rosblom? Sadly, she and her two children perished in the icy waters, and their bodies were never identified.

The Titanic Museum is an interesting thing to do in Bransonm Missouri. Photo by Ron Stern.

Silver Dollar City

Who would have thought that “America’s #1 Theme Park,” is located in the Ozark Mountains near Branson? The honor was bestowed to Silver Dollar City by USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards and it’s only one of many. Unlike most amusement parks, this one has an 1880s-style theme complete with 100 craftsmen demonstrating old-time (lost) arts. This included a copper metal artist using only a blowtorch to make multi-colored jewelry. Another was grinding sorghum plants which were then heated and turned into sorghum cane juice, a staple sweetener during the mid-1800s. Both were for sale in the park.

Sitting atop Marvel Cave, this was the original attraction at the park discovered in the 1880s and is now a national landmark. You can still tour the cave today as well as experience more than forty action-packed rides. Time Traveler, for instance, is America’s fastest, tallest, steepest spinning roller coaster. Mystic River Falls has the record for the tallest drop on a water ride in the Western Hemisphere.

As for the food, don’t expect the “typical” fare here, far from it. Twenty-three eateries offer temptations such as pumpkin cake whoopie pie (fall festival) at Eva and Delilah’s Bakery, hand-made ice cream at Hannah Ice Cream Parlor, and smoked sausage mac and cheese at the Rivertown Smokehouse. Hearty skillet dishes can be found in different areas of the park with country recipes like succotash and one of their newest, chicken and andouille gumbo over cheese grits.

During the holidays, Silver Dollar City is transformed into another world. Fall features 16,000 pumpkins both large and small throughout the park. During the Christmas season, the trees and buildings are illuminated with an incredible 6.5 million colored lights.

Silver Dollar City adorned for the holidays. Photo by Ron Stern.

Add to all this Broadway-style shows and entertainment and you have all the ingredients for a perfect day at the park. There’s so much to see, do and eat, however, plan on spending multiple days exploring everything this Ozark attraction has to offer.

Hungry for more? See what a Silver Dollar City Christmas getaway is like.

 Aquarium on the Boardwalk

The first thing you will notice about the Aquarium on the Boardwalk is the stunning 55-foot tall Octopus called “Aquarius” enveloping the front facade. One of its huge tentacles reaches all the way out to the street.

The inside is no less impressive with a clean, colorful, and inviting décor. Ten interactive zones provide close-up encounters with 7,200 sea animals such as sharks, seahorses, octopuses, and scores of multi-colored reef fish. Kids will also love their submarine adventure and stingray touch pools.

Many comments on social media said this was one of the “best aquariums” they have ever visited and I would happily agree. All of the galleries such as the water tunnel, jellyfish infinity room, and Space Objekt Bloom Room were just gorgeous. The low-lit, deep blue displays accompanied by original scored music all add to the relaxing and tranquil ambiance.

The dramatic Aquarium on the Boardwalk in Branson. Photo courtesy the Branson Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Haygoods

Billed as “Branson’s most popular show”, I wasn’t sure what to expect at The Haygoods live performance at the Clay Cooper Theater. I think the best way I could describe it would be a creative family musical fantasy explosion of light, color, sound, and pyrotechnics.

The Haygood’s story is as fascinating and inspirational as you will find. Raised in a mobile home in the Ozark Mountains, the family didn’t have a lot of money. But that didn’t stop their parents from cultivating the musical talents of their children who learned how to fiddle and play a variety of other instruments.

When “mom” Haygood didn’t have the resources to pay for tap shoes, the boys nailed metal to the bottoms of old Army boots. They recreated this during the show, tapping in unison to pulse-pounding music, flashing laser lights, and intermittent balls of fire; all while being suspended upside down!

Catherine Haygood played so many instruments during the performance that I lost count. Several show-stealing segments featured her plucking originally scored music on a harp while two of her brothers simultaneously used violin bows to arco across the harp strings.

There’s a reason this show has sold out more than 2,000 shows since 1993. Trust me, you will want to book your tickets now for a performance you will remember for the rest of your life.

The Haygoods live performance photo courtesy Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Keeter Center, College of the Ozarks

Known as “Hard Work U” College of the Ozarks provides students who otherwise wouldn’t have the resources to attend college, an opportunity to work at various positions on campus in return for free tuition. This Christian school’s vision is to “develop citizens of Christ-like character who are well-educated, hard-working, and patriotic.”

Plan on taking a self-guided campus tour to see how they put their vision into action. Patriots Park has some fine sculptures honoring veterans and their families. You can learn about the history of the Ozarks at the Ralph Foster Museum with various archeological objects as well as antiques and firearms. There’s also an 1800s-era, water-powered grist mill, a basket weaving studio as well as a stained glass and candle shop.

Students can learn about the dairy industry, from birthing to milking right on-site. Best of all, in my opinion, is that the milk produced by their cows gets churned into creamy and flavorful ice cream which they sell at The Keeter Center.

The Keeter Center is a magnificent log cabin facility near the entrance of the college. You can book lodging at the highly rated Mabee Lodge and dine in their award-winning Dobyns Dining Room—all run by students.

The immaculate restaurant occupies a huge space with exposed log beams, furniture made from tree limbs, a copper ceiling, and even menus with engraved copper. Each student is thoroughly trained, and I found the service here to rival any five-star restaurant I have visited.

Everything I tried on the menu was mouth-wateringly tasty. The fried green tomato caprese appetizer, for example, was cooked in cornmeal made on campus and was deliciously crunchy with a tangy sweet interior. They alternate these with fried buffalo mozzarella, topping if off with pepper jelly that, you guessed it, they make right here.

A Fried Green Tomato Caprese salad in the Dobyns Dining Room, inside the Keeter Center College of the Ozarks. Photo by Ron Stern.

Showboat Branson Belle

Another surprise for new tourists, The Showboat Branson Belle’s 2-hour dinner and entertainment cruise on Table Mountain Lake is a must-do adventure for the entire family. The beautifully constructed paddlewheel ship was the largest ever constructed on a land-locked lake and is 278 feet in length and weighs 1250 tons.

After boarding, my pre-ordered 3-course dinner began to be served. You will have a choice between general seating or an upscale Captain’s Club menu. I had the latter and chose a glazed pork chop with potatoes and green beans. Dessert was a lemon, cake mousse, all of which was quite sumptuous.

The pre-show featured long-time magician Christopher James whose sleight of hand moves and audience participation was a real crowd-pleaser. Afterward, the ship’s performers sang and danced to rock classics accompanied by high-tech lighting and live music.

The extended intermission allowed passengers to explore the ship or head upstairs to the top deck for unobstructed views of the lake’s 800 miles of shoreline. The friendly crew and captain were also posing for photos inside the wheelhouse.

This is a wildly popular attraction that gets filled up quickly so be sure to include the Showboat Branson Belle in your travel itinerary. I promise you won’t regret it.

Showboat Branson Belle, photo courtesy of the Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Sight and Sound Theaters-Branson Queen Esther

The Sight and Sound Theaters are part of a global, faith-based entertainment company that includes stage performances, TV, and online streaming. Bringing bible stories to life, they reach audiences from over 175 countries.

Shows rotate depending on the season and in this case, the production featured the story of Esther. The setting is the Persian Empire during the period of 483-473 BC. Facing a seemingly impossible moral dilemma, Esther, who is secretly a Jew, must find the courage to trust God in choosing between protecting her own life or that of her people.

What can only be described as a marvel of set design, the scene unfolds to a palace in the ancient city of Susa. This includes a 180-degree wraparound stage 400 feet-long with four stories tall moveable building facades, intricate lighting and a bevy of live animals.

The logistics involved in this production are staggering with 3,000 individual costume pieces made from 24,000 yards of fabric. Esther alone has 16 costumes with 20 various looks.

One of the best plays I have ever seen, it is told musically with a running narrative. Each of the performers was fantastic, invoking supportive emotional reactions from the audience. How does it end? You’ll have to discover that yourself and find out if Esther was, as the scripture asks, “Made for a time such as this.”

In addition to all the things to see and do, there’s something else I found—Ozark hospitality which one local told me I would only find here. Indeed, everyone I encountered was genuinely friendly and helpful. Seniors, families, and veterans wearing identifying ball caps are all welcome in this small town with a huge heart.

Performance of “Eshter” photo courtesy Sight and Sound Theater.

Where to Stay in Branson, Missouri

Thousand Hills Resort Hotel is located right off the strip in the heart of many attractions. My room was clean, quiet and comfortable. Depending on how you book, a buffet breakfast can be included. They also have a very helpful concierge who can book discount tickets and provide insider tips during your stay.

-Story and photos where noted, by Ron Stern, Hospitality Editor for RealFoodTraveler.com.

Learn more about Branson, Missouri on their tourism website. To plan your own trip to Ames, Iowa, you can use our affiliate link for Expedia.

Please note: This was a sponsored visit, however, the story reflects the author’s honest opinions.