Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri is a year-round vacation destination quietly nestled in the Ozark Mountains, about 35 miles south of Springfield. Over 7 million people a year visit Branson, enjoying a perfect blend of entertainment attractions and natural wonders. Country, pop, swing, rock n' roll, gospel, classical, and Broadway-style music and productions join comedy and magic shows to provide visitors with a wide array of entertainment choices. Outdoors, the Ozarks and three neighboring lakes offer outdoor enthusiasts plenty of opportunities for exploration. Hiking, fishing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, ballooning, golf, and theme parks can all be part of a day's itinerary.

For years, Branson served up plenty of country music entertainment, but after CBS's 60 Minutes labeled Branson "the country music capital of the world" in the early 1990s, Branson exploded. Famous acts moved here in droves, performing and, in some cases, building their own theatres. However, while country music is the main theme, everything from blues, classical, Broadway show tunes, and heavy metal can be heard in Branson venues.

There are various ways to experience the surrounding Branson area. One of the best is the Branson Scenic Railway. Sit in vintage decorated rail cars as you meander over a 40-mile round trip that takes you through the Ozarks and neighboring valleys. Or you might want to experience the Slice of the Ozarks, a wonderful three-hour narrated tour of Branson and the Lakes Area. This tour includes Country Music Boulevard, Historic Downtown, College of the Ozarks, and Scenic Overlook.

Children of all ages will enjoy the area's many theme attractions. Silver Dollar City is an 1880s theme park that takes visitors on a remarkable journey back in time. Throughout the park, guests experience true, old-fashioned Americana and Ozark history, from the pioneer homestead to the blacksmith's shop. But, tucked behind the trees, guests can experience adrenaline surges with state-of-the art rides including the first wet/dry roller coaster of its kind in the world. White Water, a 12-acre water park, has the area's largest variety of water rides and attractions is another wonderful family adventure.

Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals Lake offer water enthusiasts an incredible choice of activities. Visitors can swim, ski, boat, sail, scuba dive, jet ski, parasail, and fish. Accessing the water is easy since Lake Taneycomo flows through the city of Branson and Table Rock is just a ten-minute drive from the central district. Bull Shoals Lake, just 20 minutes away, provides a secluded, rustic getaway.

Golfers come to Branson to enjoy the wonderful views offered by the more than ten area courses. Challenging courses, set among the Ozark's natural beauty, combine to make Branson a wonderful golf destination. Branson Creek Golf Club, designed by architect Tom Fazio, is quickly becoming the premiere golf destination in the Midwest. GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest and Golfweek agree, naming Branson Creek one of the Top 10 New Courses in 2000.

Branson bills itself as the "Live Entertainment Capital of the World" and this certainly is fitting since there are enough activities to keep even the pickiest vacationer happy. Take a moonlight dinner cruise on one of Branson's lakes. Visit The Butterfly Place, and walk among over 1,000 of the world's most beautiful butterflies. Journey by boat through some of the Ozarks' hidden caves. However you choose to spend your Branson vacation, rest assured you could not have made a better choice in a vacation destination!

Missouri vacation rentals provide excellent accommodations for visitors to the "Gateway to the West". Missouri, known as the "show-me" state, is a land of natural beauty and friendly people. The stunning and majestic Ozark Mountains, with the Lake of the Ozarks nestled in their heart, are a popular travel destination. St. Louis, with its many big-city conveniences and cultural attractions, is also a great vacation spot. Missouri also possesses a storied past, with deep roots in its Native American tribes, and its role in the pioneer movement of the 19th century. To begin your search for Missouri vacation rentals and other Missouri lodging, simply follow the links above and to the left.