Branson

NOT THAT MANY years ago, Branson was just a sleepy little town in the Missouri Ozarks. It was not known for much more than simply a place for hillbillies and baldnobbers. About the only attraction in town was one show which featured country music. Also, a nearby cave drew a few sightseers. But that's all it took to set things in motion for a building boom and development which is beyond belief. Today, Branson is a tourist mecca which attracts thousands of visitors every year from across the United States and numerous other countries. It is Missouri's top leisure destination.

Branson has become America's live entertainment capitol. It is located on U.S. Highway 65 about 40 miles south of Springfield - Missouri's 3rd largest city. From springtime through fall, there are over 100 Branson shows - from early morning until midnight - in over 50 theatres featuring live performances. Some shows are scheduled on a year-round basis. An interesting fact is that there are more theatre seats in Branson than in the city of New York.

The Branson area includes 3 pristine lakes; 12 championship golf courses; dozens of museums and attractions; a full-range of dining options with over 60 restaurants; numerous shopping venues, including 3 outlet centers; over 70 motels, hotels, and resorts; plus facilities which will accommodate most any size crowd for conventions, conferences, and meetings.

Dogwood Canyon and Silver Dollar City - an international award-winning theme park - are both close to Branson's city limits. And, the village of Hollister is just "next door."

Entertainment for the whole family is one of Branson's key features. The variety of attractions and activities is extremely impressive. Visitors can ride the Ducks, go go-carting, play putt-putt golf, go shopping, or engage in water activities. When it comes to shows, there are Broadway-type productions as well as shows which feature magicians, acrobats, cowboys, and animals. There are singers, dancers, and musicians. There are touring artists - and others who make Branson their home.

Branson's historic downtown section includes Dick's Old-time 5 & 10 - plus numerous other mom-and-pop-type stores. However, downtown is also now home to The Landing, a new modern outdoor shopping center with name-brand stores located at the city's lakefront. The Landing includes a boardwalk which stretches a mile and a half along the shoreline of Lake Taneycomo. New hotels and convention center space were also major additions to the city as a part of The Landing project. However, Branson is perhaps best known for "the strip"- a 7-mile stretch of Highway 76 which carries traffic to theatres, restaurants, shops, motels, museums, and all kinds of amusements and activities. And, drivers may be happy to learn that there are alternate routes to all of these venues.

My wife and I feel privileged to live within easy driving distance of Branson. We make several trips there and to the surrounding area every year. Whether our journey is for a day or a week, we always enjoy the world-class entertainment coupled with the feeling of small-town hospitality. We highly recommend Branson as one of the best family vacation destinations in the country.

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-- An evening view along Highway 76 in Branson, Missouri is shown in the photo above.