Itinerary

Branson Bucket List: Must-Do Activities

Need help narrowing down your itinerary for your next Branson vacation? Check out our guide of must-do activities that should make every Branson bucket list!

two girls are waiting to drive go-karts at the Track Family Fun park in Branson, MO

The most difficult part of vacationing can sometimes be choosing what to experience. Don't have time to "do it all" during your next stay in Branson? Make it easy on yourself and take a look at some of our favorite must-do activities to add to your Branson bucket list below!

 

Get Your Adrenaline Pumping

Go soaring down the hills on the Branson Coaster!

Prepare to have some fun at one of Branson’s many adrenaline-inducing attractions. Ride mountain coasters at The Runaway Mountain CoasterCopperhead Mountain Coaster, or The Branson Coaster and take a swing-of-faith on the 100-foot Skycoaster towering over Branson's entertainment district at The Track Family Fun Parks' Track 4.

Go ziplining at Adventure Ziplines of Branson, the Vigilante Extreme ZipRider at the Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park, the Branson Zipline at Wolfe Mountain, or the many, many other ziplining complexes around Branson. At Snowflex Tubing Park, visitors can hit the slopes year-round! The 400-foot synthetic snow turf allows up to eight tubes at a time to sled together, making this the perfect activity for a family or friend group. 

If you feel the need for speed, put the pedal to the metal on go-karts at The Track Family Fun Parks. For those who get a kick from extreme heights, dare to free-fall from the 200-foot Bigfoot Gravity Bomb or Super Sling at Bigfoot Fun Park.

 

Enjoy the Ultimate Theme Park Experience

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Speaking of thrills, you can also find plenty of adventure at Silver Dollar City, Branson's popular 1880s theme park. Make plans to spend a whole day or afternoon to pack in as much fun as possible. There are over 40 rides, including their latest ride, Mystic River Falls, featuring the tallest drop on a water raft ride in the Western Hemisphere! 

New to the theme park in 2020, Mystic River Falls provides guests with a half-mile river journey with a four-story raft ride drop. Also don't miss Time Traveler, the world’s steepest, tallest, and fastest spinning roller coaster ever designed! Watch live craft and cooking demonstrations throughout the park, shop from over 60 stores filled with unique souvenirs and handmade goods, watch award-winning productions, sample favorite park treats like giant cinnamon rolls, skillet meals, old-fashioned salt water taffy, and more. 

If you're visiting while temperatures are warm, head to White Water for a theme park experience filled with over 2 million gallons of water waiting to be splashed around! Ride the waves in the 500,000-gallon Surf's Up Wave Pool, enjoy a lazy float down the Aloha River, or plunge from the seven-story Kalani Towers and the spiraling 240-foot KaPau Plummet. 

 

Soak in the View

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You'll be in awe of the beauty found in the Ozark Mountains. Even though you can appreciate the scenery from anywhere in Branson, some of the best viewpoints are high above ground.

Visit the Inspiration Tower at Shepherd of the Hills, where you can see panoramic mountain vistas, or explore Top of the Rock, where you'll find one of the most breathtaking views of Table Rock Lake. For the best view of Branson's city lights and entertainment district, hop on the Branson Ferris Wheel or The Skyscraper at The Track Family Fun Parks. 

For more ideas, here's a look at our favorite places to watch the sunset.

 

Shop ‘Til You Drop

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Branson is home to a variety of shopping areas. Find locally owned and boutique-style stores at The Grand Village Shops. For great deals on over 75 popular brands and designers, visit the Tanger Outlets

Venture through Historic Downtown Branson for charming flea markets, candy stores and resale shops. A stop at Dick’s 5 & 10, one of the nation’s last operating dime stores, is a must. 

Stroll the Branson Landing for plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The famous Branson Landing Fountains also perform in a spectacular fountain show synced to music and fire daily! 

 

Learn Something New at a Museum 

Explore the history and mysteries of the RMS Titanic in Branson.

Ranging from history and science to machinery and pop culture, Branson is home to several incredible museums. Learn about ancient fossils and gems at Prehistoric Fossils and the Dinosaur Museum (full of life-size dinosaurs!). The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure offers an interactive learning experience for all ages with its butterfly and insect sanctuary filled with thousands of species.

Journey through time to discover regional history at the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at the Top of the Rock and the Branson Centennial Museum located in Historic Downtown Branson. 

The Titanic Museum Attraction is a detailed replica of the actual maiden voyage that holds one of the largest authentic collections of items form the ship's tragic sail. In addition to viewing artifacts on display, guests can touch the wall of an iceberg similar to the one the ship struck. 

Beyond the Lens! is home to Branson's newest attraction, FlyRide, an amazing sensory experience that gives you an immersive feeling of flight as you soar over 22 national landmarks. It also explains historical conspiracy and crime theories and iconic pop culture stories using virtual reality and high-tech gaming systems. The Hollywood Wax Museum is a classic stop for anyone who loves movies and vintage Hollywood. It's also the perfect stop for photo opportunities with wax versions of your favorite stars! Branson's newest museum is WonderWorks, a three-story, interactive museum that looks like an upside down house in the middle of Branson's Entertainment District. 

Holding a collection of over 100 vehicles used in Hollywood productions, the Celebrity Car Museum is another well-loved spot for movie lovers. To see an impressive gallery of over 100 automobiles and tractor models, visit the Branson Auto & Farm Museum.

You'll find yourself educated on a variety of subjects after visiting Branson's museums! 

 

Get Out on the Water

Take a dive into the cool waters of Table Rock Lake.

Take advantage of the beauty and recreation offered on Branson lakes. Whether you want to fish, boat, or simply walk along the lakefront, the perfect location is here. 

Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake are home to some of the best fishing waters in the country. Marinas at both lakes offer boat and equipment rental, and guided fishing tours are also available. In addition to fishing excursions, you can also rent a boat and other recreational water vehicles at State Park Marina, Bass Pro Shop's Long Creek Marina on Table Rock Lake, and Main Street Marina on Lake Taneycomo.

As well as having dinner and a show aboard the Showboat Branson Belle, you can enjoy a relaxed water experience with sightseeing and lunch and dinner cruises on the Lake Queen or Landing Princess.
 

Drive Down the Entertainment District

Aquarium at the Boardwalk

Branson's famous Entertainment District is full of attractions, shows, shopping, lodging, and food for all! Start your 5.2 mile drive at the intersection of 76 Country Blvd and Shepherd of the Hills Expy near The Butterfly Palace and end at Historic Downtown Branson, full of its own vast array of entertainment.

On your way, don't miss stopping in at Aquarium at the Boardwalk, presented in 2021 as one of Branson's unique, newest attractions that will thrill visitors. Grab a concrete sundae or any treat of your choice at Andy's Frozen Custard, and visit Fritz's Adventure for 80,000 square feet of explorable, climbable space for all ages. 

 

See a Live Show

The Haygoods are Modern Family Entertainment at its best! This group of six siblings, 5 brothers and 1 sister, bring an all-new show to the Branson stage every year.

Branson is famous for its live shows, but you may be surprised to learn of the wide variety of entertainment Branson has in store.

In addition to the excellent traditional country music and variety shows such as Presley’s Country Jubilee, Branson’s Famous Baldknobbers and Clay Cooper’s Country Express, you can also enjoy shows that feature astounding magicians and illusionists, acrobats and music from just about every genre.

Tribute performances from Legends in Concert and George Jones & Friends honor stars from the past and present, including The Temptations, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, The Blues Brothers, Barbara Streisand, Taylor Swift, Elvis and more.

Dinner shows are also popular family entertainment choices. Be amazed by a cast of riders, dancers and 32 magnificent horses at Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction while enjoying down-home fare. Enjoy dinner and a show aboard the Showboat Branson Belle for a special performance on the beautiful Table Rock Lake. 

You can also find amazing seasonal productions at Silver Dollar City and The Historic Owen Theatre. Find a full list of live shows in Branson here

 

Ready to start planning your trip? Don't forget your FREE Visitor's Guide.

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