This Midwestern City Has Wild West Vibes and Plenty of Live Entertainment

Buckle up for a wild and wacky action-packed trip deep into the Ozark Mountains.

In terms of quirky Midwestern destination , you ’d be hard - pressed to out - whimsy a town that combines element of Dolly Parton , Tiger Woods , Al Capone , and the Titanic . Welcome to Branson , Missouri , a rootin ’ tootin ’ Ozarks city that truly demonstrate to the beat of its own drum . snuggle at the southern edge of Missouri , it ’s a haul of a drive from Chicago , but once you make throughSt . Louisand wave at the Gateway Arch , it ’s still gliding to a singular metropolis that ’s been compared to a family - friendly Las Vegas — the buffets and live entertainment are there , but instead of Cirque du Soleil , it ’s stock show and frontier - style stampede dinners .

The drive is about eight hours from Chicago , but it feel like traveling back in clock time , to an era filled with old - timey photo sitting room , erstwhile - fashioned confect shops , and vintage B&Bs , where gunslinging reenactors and Moon - filled Mason jars co - exist with ziplines , wineries , cave , lead , and a mobster - desirable speakeasy . Worth the cause for the shaky Wild West vibes alone , along with plenteous indoor and out-of-door refreshment aplenty , here are 13 reasons to make the trip-up to Branson , Missouri .

Zoom back in time at Silver Dollar City

Buckle up and rush along into another era at this 61 - Akko 1880s - themed amusement ballpark , open from mid - March through previous December . Coaster fans should n’t sleep on the Time Traveler , which race up to 50 mph and plummets down a 10 - story , 90 - degree erect drop , while Fire in the Hole , the car park ’s onetime thrill ride , sends adrenaline - junkees down into the depths to battle a townsfolk on blast . Kick back aboard the world - class Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train before stop to seize some well old - fashioned Ozark cookery at one of the many onsite restaurants . Beyond the wads of rides , the park features amix of entertainmentthat can best be described aseclectic — conceive illusion shows , stunt dogs , brass bands , and Lucky the Rescue Dog mascot , the Branson interlingual rendition of Mickey Mouse . Close out your day with a candlelit tour of Marvel Cave , a complex , winding cavern arrange 100 of foot beneath the park ’s grounds that ’s been open for exploration since 1894 .

Channel your inner Guy Fieri at Branson Landing

If the Mayor of Flavortown deems Branson desirable of Trash Can Nachos , it ’s drive ta be good . Indeed , Guy Fieri ’s Branson Kitchen + Baris one of many restaurants at Branson Landing , a sprawl waterside complex that ’s menage to eating house , measure , live amusement , and shops . The Food connection celeb is one of the a la mode big names to put his stamp on the urban center , cement Branson as a quasi - Vegas in the Ozarks , with Branson Landing basically being the Caesars Palace of it all . Other restaurant includePaula Deen ’s Family Kitchen , Cantina Laredo , Level 2 Steakhouse , andJoe ’s Crab Shack . drink it up atAndy B ’s Tiki Bar , newly mintedSeven Arrows Taproom , orDude ’s Daiquiris , then give away for tropical merch at theMargaritaville retail entrepot . In terms of amusement and activities , there ’s abowling alleyandarcade , and it only catch weirder from there at theshipwreck museum , mirror maze , and … steampunk - themed red-hot breeze balloon drive ?

Eat your way through the historic downtown district

If you think Branson was all gargantuan turkey legs and gut - busting quilt food sideboard , well , you ’re not incorrect . But in accession to the cholesterol - agitate staple , visitors will also find a horde of eating house primed to fancy any palate . Cozy up at throwbackClockers Cafefor a loaded breakfast just like Grandma used to make , or keep your morning meal visible radiation with a stop into smoothie specialistRevive Juice and Coffee Bar . Or get the gross opposite of a smoothie atBillyGail ’s Cafe , a service post - turned - breakfast articulatio where the pancakes spill over the edges of your home plate and Texas goner Gallic toast is the size of it of Texas . Later , pop byBranson Cafe , a local fix that date back to 1910 and serves a scratch - made menu of sandwiches , burger , steaks , and the honorable damn Proto-Indo European around ( seriously ) . hit it up up the rustic vibes atWhite River Fish Housecome dinnertime , where the logarithm cabin motive set the flavor for downhome ducky like Catfish paw - bread in cornmeal and hickory - fume Pork Ribs . While Branson is n’t exactlyKansas City , you may sample Ozark - style barbecue atGettin ’ Basted , where coal - fired ‘ clue yields a feast of Pulled Pork Nachos , Smoked Bologna , and Burnt Ends sandwich . Farmhouse Restauranthas the electrocute chicken game on ignition lock , whileThe Paddlewheelpairs mouth - lachrymation Gallus gallus wing serve by the pound with scenic views of Lake Taneycomo .

nurse a sweet tooth ? Get your after - dinner mending atSimply Irresistible Old Fashioned Candy , beloved purveyor of old - schoolhouse dainty like handmade fudge and taffy galore , or cool off with a scoop or three fromMr . B ’s Ice Cream Parlor . Did someone say Dirt Worm Sundae ?

Swing from the trees on a sky-high zipline

Get a bird ’s eye view of the Ozarks while up your heart rate along one of the area ’s many zipline class . selection includeShepherd of the Hills , dub Best Aerial Adventure Park in America byUSA Today , where an expansive outdoor ropes extravaganza is partnered with unrecorded performances , seasonal festival , a petting zoo , and topographic point to eat ( if your stomach ’s up to it post - freefall ) . Elsewhere , Branson Zipline at Wolfe Mountainholds it down just north of townspeople , over with canopy tours for family of all geezerhood , a special moonlit after - hour tour for a little appointment night thrill , andAvalanche Zipline Tour , which hoist you up to the top of Wolfe Mountain for a guided sail through trees . Hang onto your harness as you soar up over Wolfe Mine , traversal Crow ’s Nest bridge , and plummet down Dynamite Drop ’s 40 - metrical foot freefall finis . Last but surely not least isRunaway Mountain Coaster & Flyaway Ziplines at Branson Mountain Adventure , which not only lays title to the area ’s first - ever mountain coaster , but also Flyaway Quad Ziplines , a high - speed confrontation where you could race your fellow fliers to the bitter end ( aka the landing pad several hundred feet away ) .

Take a load off in a one-of-a-kind hotel, rustic cabin, or luxe resort

Like any good vacation town , Branson is chock full of quality places to lay your aweary head after a day of Ozark geographic expedition . The wizardly , eight - roomLandmark Inn , originally construct to house the railroad ’s station passe-partout back in 1905 , holds lawcourt in a subdued part of township with easy admittance to Historic Downtown and Branson Landing , whilethe Branson Hotelboasts two floors of themed guest rooms , each more elaborate than the last , plus areportedly haunted onsite speakeasyto get you hum if the interior decoration — and Al Capone base — wasn’t capricious enough . And for the romance - inclined , the ever - charmingBranson House Bed & Breakfastprovides personal touches like luxe linen , gay common area , day-by-day breakfast , and a sundown - ready porch overlooking the lake .

Here to ball out ? Book a stoppage atChateau on the Lake , Branson ’s only AAA Four - Diamond resort , and settle into your elegant guest room before getting your fill of swish onsite amenities like indoor and out-of-door pools , basketball and lawn tennis courts , an inhouse picture show theater , a full divine service spa , and dining draw like the upscale Chateau Grille and the more relaxed Atrium Cafe and Wine Bar . Westgate Branson Woods Resortsees Chateau ’s riches and raises it with a bedspread of tastily appointed studios and two - sleeping room cabins , sprawled across 145 wooded acres , alongside family - friendly fun like a playground , mini golf game course , and a stocked with colonnade , whileWatermill Cove Resortadds a faineant river and splosh pad , urine sports , private red-hot tubs , and screened - in porch to the mix .

Both campers and glampers also have their picking of the less - frilly litter here . To ease into the neat out-of-doors without set up a tent , headspring toBig Cedar Lodge . Private cabins , slick glamping units keep you ground while Devil ’s Pool Restaurant and Top of the Rock ’s Buffalo Bar team up with a roll of hands - on activity like sightseeing lake cruises , motorized tours of Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail , golf outings on pro course of study , water skiing pleasure trip , sportfishing trips , and relaxing health spa treatments to stimulate your senses . Have tent , will locomote ? No sweat ( well , probably some sweat ) . Snag a site atTable Rock State Parkand pitch your temporary dwelling house amid its 356 - acre lakeside expanse , or tow the trailer over toBranson Stagecoach Campground , where you may take reward of 57 full come-on - up RV spots alongside retinue and cabin rental , a swimming pond , an onsite eating place , and rain shower and laundry facilities .

Explore Branson

Ridgedale, Top of the Rock|Photo by Janet Glaser (Big Cedar)

Catch dinner and a show at Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction

If Dolly ’s call for , we ’re all for it . And you will be , too , after define foot inside the Queen of Country ’s show - stop dinner theater . Much like its babe area in Pigeon Forge , Tennessee ( and a giving reason why Branson is frequently described as anOzark version of Gatlinburg ) , this family - favorable forward motion kicks off with 32 purple horses , a monumental cast of gifted trick rider , and a whole bunch of friendly competition . Cheer for your favorite vaquero and rock out to Dolly ’s original score while digging into four courses of rural area - style comforts including Rotisserie Chicken , Hickory - smoke Barbecue Pork Loin , saucily baked biscuits , clavus on the cob , herb - based potatoes , and something called the “ Stampede ’s Original Creamy Vegetable Soup . ” spare refills on soda water , tea , and umber ? You bet .

Hit the links at a pro-designed golf course

Any Midwesterner deserving their Titleist cap knows that a slip to Ozarks mandates total the clubs along . Grab your spike and pitch up for a breathtakingly gorgeous — and nail piercingly competitive—18 hole at one of the area ’s pristinely landscaped course of instruction .

Payne ’s Valleyis a substantial contender for top golf tee - time destination , the first public - access course plan by Tiger Woods and his firm , TGR Design , complete with spectacular mountain view and an particular 19th hole clubhouse for post - par drinks . Open to the public and equipped with three sets of football tee to admit all golfer , Thousand Hills Golf Resortprovides an prize - winning 18 - hole expanse hive up near Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo . Pointe Royale Golf Coursestands out as a championship par 70 , with picturesque fairways , challenge water hazards , and more than a few Bald Eagle sightings . The recently revamped par-71Buffalo Ridge Springsgets its profuse layout and unique natural features from renown architect Tom Fazio and conservationist Johnny Morris , and frequently ranks among the top course in the state . The state ’s number one rubric , however , lead toBranson Hills Golf Club , a 72 - par Chuck Smith - designed tribute to Missouri ’s golfing legends dotted with falls , craggy rock faces , and thick wooded maculation .

For something on the chiller yet equally scenic side , tryTop of the Rock Golf Course , a Jack Nicklaus signature class towering above Table Rock Lake and spanning just nine hole . Top of the Rock also has the practice game on lock , sporting both an Arnold Palmer - design all - weather drive range as well as a 70,000 - square - human foot putting coordination compound from Tom Watson model after Scotland ’s St. Andrews . And that ’s just expunge the control surface — get down fantasizing about showing off that shining new Callaway Epic Maxhere .

Flickr/Silver Dollar City

If your golf game skills are n’t just up to par , keep it casual on one of the area ’s manymini golf courses , with luxuriant themes that straddle from previous excavation Ithiel Town to Hollywood , pirates , and reptiles .

Never let go at the Titanic Museum Attraction

If you rightfully take you would n’t find any Titanic artifact in the middle of the Ozarks , you ’d be wrong . casing in point : the Titanic Museum . Is it cheesy ? perfectly , but if you did n’t care cheesy , you probably would n’t have drive to Branson . Lean into the hokie vibes at this interactive museum devote to all things iceberg vs. sea liner . The display domiciliate over 400 artifacts from the real - deal settle ship , as well as life - sized recreations of the storied cabin , common area , and the legendary grand staircase . And , get this — the immersive Titanic circuit culminates in a photo - op with an literal iceberg floating amid 28 - degree Ethel Waters .

Sample the wares at a distillery

A trip to the Ozarks moderately much require a dip into the moonshiner ’s handbook , amirite ? Put a piddling hair on your chest ( the legal way , of course ) by neglect intoSmith Creek Moonshine’svenerable tasting room and hamber reefer at action - packedBranson Landing . Sip your means through the selection — straight , cherubic afternoon tea , orchard apple tree pie , peach , salted caramel , orange ointment , you name it — or choose for an expertly assorted moonshine cocktail before peeping the substantial 5,000 - square - metrical unit outer space ’s armory of vintage distilling equipment and other hinterland rarity .

White lightning apart , there ’s pile of smooth stuff to be had in the region , too . copper color Run Distillery , stashed about 15 minutes outside of Branson , stand proudly as the first legal distillery in the Ozark Mountains since proscription . hitch of the off - the - beaten - route destination are currently suspended , but experience free to sweep by the blade newBranson West tasting roomto get acquainted with their whiskey- and rummy - dominated card . Family - ownedMissouri Ridge Distillerypicks up where Copper Run leaves off , focusing on small - batch artisan spirits sourced from all - American ingredients . Tours and taste are useable onsite , as are hearty sandwich , specialty cocktails , and a fiend placard of sign of the zodiac - distilled whisky , moonshine , rummy , and vodka .

Lace up your boots for an epic hike

Do n’t let the fancy dinner party theaters and thundering roller coasters put one across you — the Ozarks are all about reconnecting with nature . Pack a picnic , grab your salutary binoculars , and embark on a trek to think of at Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area , where a series of intricate trail of vary duration and academic degree of difficulty give way to Roark Creek , a 1,100 - acre forested area named an Important Bird Area by Audubon Missouri . Dogwood Canyon Nature Park also brings the vibes , with waterfalls and chiseled rock’n’roll bluffs provide the backdrop to an easy - die 6.5 - naut mi paved interracial - use track culminate in the parking area ’s historic Glory Hole , a one - of - a - sort born dip reveal schools of rainbow trout below .

Table Rock State Park is one - stop - shopping for outdoorsy family line , with miles upon miles of criss - crossing trails and loops catering to tramper of all abilities . Murder Rock Trail might sound intimidating , but brush past the spooky name and you ’ll get hold a rural , rocky dirt route chock full of history — apparently Alf Bolin ’s outlaw crowd hole up here before converge their makers courtesty of a local militia back in the mid-1800s .

Get to know Missouri’s wine country

Before you stick your nose in the Napa - sweet atmosphere , take that the Midwest ’s unique geographic composition take a leak many parts of the neighborhood nonesuch for growing just about anything under the sunlight — include grapes . Spend a day shlep through Missouri ’s idyllic wine-coloured country and you ’re certain to come up off a convert ( or , at least , a tad less resistive to the idea — booze is booze , after all ) .

A few must - hits : Lindwedel Wine Garden , with its pastoral grounds and slowly - drunkenness red and blanched blends;St . James Wineryfor award - winning Italian - style juiceless , fruit , seasonal , and sweet wines plus brick - oven pizzas crafted to bring out the best in your glass of Vignoles ; andBear Creek Wine Company , with its position - back vibes , westerly - style Hideaway Wine Cellar tasting elbow room , and cheekily named lineup highlight by Vigilante Red and Hillbilly Persuasion White .

Cool off at a serene area lake

Contrary to popular feeling , the mountain air in this neck of the woods can grow quite red-hot , specially during the long summer months . Thankfully , Branson is stock with some of the most bracing instinctive escapes around , fromLake Taneycomo’skayak - quick waters toTable Rock Lake , with its world - class fishing opportunity and bank line with folk - friendly recourse quick to snap you into a pair of waterskis . Elsewhere , Bull Shoals Lakeoffers crystal exculpated waters everlasting for swimming , dive , snorkel diving , and fishing .

One unequaled agency to know the local waters is with an old - timey riverboat sail . TheShowboat Branson Bellehosts seasonal sailings on Table Rock Lake , complete with three - course dinners , toe - tapping amusement , and Adirondack death chair spread across four grand decks .

Try your hand at spelunking

No visit to the Show Me State would be complete without a footling cavernous geographic expedition . That ’s where Branson ’s labyrinth of hugger-mugger attracter comes in , giving neophyte and locals alike the chance to descend into the darkness for hours at a time . The aptly dubbedFantastic Cavernsthrows you and yours into a badass Jeep for an all - weather , year - daily round trek into the profoundness — unadulterated for those who might not be up to undertake the geologic wonder on foot . The galvanising carts atLost Canyon Cave and Nature Trailzip Edgar Guest along a 2.5 - mile course through the canyons before grind to a stoppage at the mouth of a jumbo four - story cave . Inside , a massive falls crashes down from disk overhead , circle by viewing platforms , natural areas to explore , a minelaying elevator , and , no jest , a ginmill — because even the most daring adventurer need a little liquid braveness sometimes .

Guy’s Branson Kitchen + Bar