- Darin House / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
In Branson, it isn’t hard to find something for the entire family to enjoy. Whether you’ve brought your kids along to splash around at White Water or brought your spouse for a romantic weekend, Branson, Missouri always has something wonderful waiting around every corner.
Located in historic downtown, not far from the bright lights of the Branson Landing is a shop called Dick’s Old Time 5 & 10. Located on Main Street, the store is said to be a “step back in time.” Ever since its opening, Dick’s Old Time 5 & 10 has been different and eclectic. Over 175,000 items live in this Branson landmark, including gifts, souvenirs, toys, games, household gadgets, toiletries, linens, sewing notions, yarn, greeting cards, crafts, and, most importantly, hard-to-find old-time candy. You can rediscover some of your favorites from your childhood and give your own kids a taste of yesteryear with candies like Slo-Pokes and Turkish Taffy. The interesting mix takes on a museum-like charm with a toy train collection, an extensive collection of local arrowheads, and a collection of sports memorabilia. The Baseball Hall of Fame includes autographed photos from famous players like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Cy Young, Ty Cobb, and more. There are also photos of Michael Jordan and other starters from the Chicago Bulls’ championship teams, Muhammad Ali, and Jack Dempsey.
Another of Branson’s best attractions is The Shepherd of the Hills outdoor theater. The Branson area was vividly captured in the 1907 novel The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright, who wrote the piece while staying with John and Anna Ross, who homesteaded 160 acres of land just west of present-day Branson. Tourists flocked to the area after the book was published, many coming to see Old Matt’s cabin featured in the book. Today, talented actors and actresses perform this tale of love, loss, and hardship in a thrilling show with live horses, sheep, and a burning log cabin (really). The show has attracted millions of visitors since the first season in 1960 and is performed from May to October. Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $18.00 for children ages 4 – 18. A Family Pass is available for $99 and includes admission for two adults and two children under the age of 16.
One of the newest attractions to the Branson area is Branson Ziplines and Canopy Tours. Located in the Wolfe Creek Preserve, Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours have three tours available that each include a variety of ziplines and suspension bridges. The best part about the tours is their accessibility, designed with all ages in mind. One couple even celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with Branson Ziplines. Each tour can last from as short as 30 minutes to as long as four hours. The most popular zipline tour is approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours, and features seven ziplines with 10 sky bridges. For the less adventurous, there is a guided walking tour through Wolfe Creek Preserve. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to photograph the surrounding beauty of the Ozarks. With all of these options, it’s perfect for both the thrill-seekers and the land-lovers.
Before leaving Branson, take in some of the natural splendor that Harold Bell Wright appreciated so much. Table Rock Lake is only one of the three beautiful lakes surrounding the Branson area. During the summer months, the water warms to temperatures comfortable for swimming, and many visitors to the area enjoy spending a day out on the lake. Boats are consistently part of the landscape, and are often seen pulling water skiers and inner tubes. Kayaking and canoeing are also options at Table Rock, and anglers love the pristine waters which are brimming with fish, including crappie, bluegill, catfish, and trout. Some lodging near the lake also offers private boat docks for those bringing their own boats to Branson.
Finally, make sure to visit Branson Scenic Railway. The railway gives guests a glimpse into unknown regions of the Ozarks, going to places inaccessible to cars. The train takes a 40 mile roundtrip through the Ozarks, going either north to Galena, Missouri, or south into Arkansas. Excursions take about an hour and 45 minutes, and are narrated by the train conductor, who guides you through the landscape and landmarks including Crest Tunnel, Barren Fork Trestle, and extinct communities like Gretna, Melva, and Ruth. The train itself is reminiscent of the heyday of rail travel in the 1940s and 1950s. The cars have been refurbished to offer passengers first-class comfort and experience while they ride the rails. Visitors are encouraged to tour the different train cars during their excursion, as there is just as much to see inside the train as there is outside of it.
With so much to see and do in Branson, it can be challenging to decide what to do while here. Dick’s Old Time 5 & 10, The Shepherd of the Hills, Branson Ziplines and Canopy Tours, Table Rock Lake, and Branson Scenic Railway may represent some of the best, but they are just a tiny sampling of the great attractions in Branson for families, young and old, to enjoy.
Author: David Bryce is an online content creator who frequently blogs about travel, vacations, and Branson golf or other topics in Branson, MO.