Things to do in  Branson

The Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre has been a landmark theater in Branson since the 1990s, when Mickey Gilley became one of the first country music stars to set up a theater residency in Branson. Guests visit the state-of-the-art theater to see a wide variety of shows, including music, comedy, and acrobatics.

One of the most popular music and entertainment centers in Branson, Missouri, the Clay Cooper Theatre has been thrilling visitors since it first opened in 2010. Hosting concerts, stand-up comedy, and variety shows, the performing arts theater promises family-friendly fun in the live entertainment capital of the world.

Experience a whirlwind of musical talent at The Dutton Family Theater in Branson, Missouri. Run by the multi-talented Dutton family, this vibrant hub bursts with energy and showcases diverse musical skills. From foot-tapping country tunes to soulful gospel and rock ‘n roll, their shows (acclaimed on America’s Got Talent) promise a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.

Experience what it was like to be a passenger on the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic and learn about the tragedy at the Titanic Museum in Branson, Missouri. Featuring an exterior built to half-scale, the museum is one of the largest tributes to the Titanic, and includes authentic replicas and more than 400 actual artifacts.

Known for its stage shows and musical performances, the Americana Theater is a longstanding part of Branson's cultural landscape and has hosted shows since 1973. The theater offers a variety of acts at any given time, from country music and tribute shows to improv comedy performances.

Branson Landing is a waterfront outdoor shopping center and entertainment district in Branson, Missouri. In addition to mainstream shops and eateries, the landing has a scenic boardwalk along the Taneycomo Lakefront and a terraced town square with light, music, and water fountain shows that run daily on the hour from noon well into the evening.

Discover the College of the Ozarks, a renowned private Christian institution near Branson, Missouri. Since its inception in 1906, this prestigious school is known for allowing students to receive a tuition-free education by working an on-campus job 15 hours a week. It embraces a unique approach to education that cultivates both academic and practical skills.

American has a long history of "the world's largest" attractions, and the World's Largest Toy Museum Complex in Branson is an especially nostalgic one. Reminisce about your own childhood (or share it with your kids) at this family-friendly destination, where you find toys from decades past, from Barbie Dolls and steam trains to BB guns.

Top theaters and a buzzing waterfront comprise downtown Branson, also known as the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World.” It's here you can walk past brick buildings and Victorian lamp posts to Branson’s first theater, oldest commercial building, and the spot on which its first-ever show took place.

A testament to the men and women who defended American freedom over the 20th century, the Branson Veterans Memorial Museum presents memorabilia, art objects, and ephemera from decades of American military activity. Find 10 halls of exhibitions all under one roof, and learn about American wars from World War II to Korea to Vietnam.

This family-centered amusement theme park, inspired by 19th-century life and mining in the Ozark Mountains, seems frozen in time. The massive complex just west of Branson, Missouri, has everything you expect from a vintage theme park (think steam trains and wooden roller coasters) and some surprises, such as Midwestern cooking classes, glass-blowing demonstrations, bluegrass concerts, and a seasonal water park.

The Branson Scenic Railway is a unique vintage-train experience that takes passengers through the Ozark foothills beginning at the historic 1906 depot in downtown Branson, Missouri. The narrated ride brings the area’s past to life, and also details local wildlife and the railroad’s role in the history of the Ozarks.

Sight and Sound Theatre is perhaps the grandest way to take in the Bible’s message. With fabulous costumes, million-dollar sets, and endless onstage action, it presents all the stories you know with a Hollywood flair. From the traditional Christmas show to the lesser-known tale of Queen Esther, Sight and Sound Theatre specializes, as its name says, in delighting your senses.

Animal lovers shouldn't miss a visit to the family-friendly Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure, which brings tropical adventure to the hills of Missouri. Enter the aviary and walk among thousands of exotic butterflies, stop by the twisting mirror maze, and visit critters in the Living Rainforest Science Center.

As you pass by rare primates, towering giraffes, and striped zebras, you might forget that you’re in Missouri, when you visit Branson'sPromised Land Zoo. Perfect for a family outing or a chance to unplug, the zoo offers intimate animal encounters that are sure to please curious kids and animal-loving adults alike.