Branson Family Vacation: Live Entertainment Capital
A Branson family vacation includes live entertainment, museums, nature play, and more. This unique city in Missouri is proud to call itself the live entertainment capital of the world. With shows morning, noon, and night for all age groups and interests, this city is also often known as the Las Vegas of the Midwest. Check out all the fun things to do in Branson with kids!
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Live Entertainment Capital of the World
With all of the city’s family-friendly entertainment options, what happens in Branson, doesn’t need to stay in Branson! Music lovers will enjoy the live country, jazz, pop, gospel, rock tributes, and more.
But that’s not all. The live entertainment in Branson also includes comedy shows, theatre, magic shows, dance performances…I could go on and on.
Museums for Families in Branson
If your kids think museums are ho-hum, then I bet Branson’s Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum will change their minds. This “odditorium” includes shrunken heads, a 22-foot-tall car parts robot, an authentic vampire killing kit, one-of-a-kind artwork, tons of hands-on displays, and a wicked spinning vortex tunnel.
Then there’s the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure, featuring thousands of free-flying butterflies, an insectarium, and a mirror maze.
Kids will also dig the Branson Dinosaur Museum and the World’s Largest Toy Museum.
Nature Activities in Branson
Branson isn’t just about the great indoors, though. There are plenty of outdoor family activities in and near the city. Bicycling, hiking trails, horseback riding, fishing, and zip-lining will thrill nature lovers during a Branson family vacation. There are also golf courses, wildlife refuges (like the National Tiger Sanctuary), and lake water sports aplenty.
Branson’s Theme Parks
Silver Dollar City theme park has been drawing visitors to Branson for over 55 years. It offers 40 rides and attractions as well as over 100 craftsmen demonstrating the art of woodcarving, glass blowing, pottery, blacksmithing, and more. Of course, this theme park also features a plethora of daily live shows.
If visiting during summer, then you’ll want to plan a trip to White Water Water Park. It boasts 13 acres of splashy fun, including numerous waterslides, a wave pool, splash pads, and a lazy river.
The Track Family Fun Parks offers four different Branson locations. Think go-karts, laser tag, bumper boats/cars, batting cages, kids’ rides, mini golf, and arcades. Track 4 is home to the massive Branson Ferris Wheel, which holds 240 passengers, holds 40 gondolas, and glows with 16,000 lights at night.
What to do on a rainy day in Branson? Head to Fritz’s Adventures for 80,000 square feet of ropes courses, climbing walls, zip-lining, and beyond. It’s so fun, parents will want to get in on the action, too.
Dining Options in Branson with Kids
Whether you’re looking for a classic diner, an elegant fine-dining experience, or something in-between, you certainly won’t go hungry during a Branson family vacation. Whatever you’re craving, you’re likely to find it in Branson. Think barbecue, Mexican cuisine, Southern cooking, seafood, brewhouses, and more.
You will want to book a dinner show or two while here, too. It is Branson, after all. Owned by Queen of Country, Dolly Parton, the Dixie Stampede is a must-see, with its 32 horses, trick riders, racing pigs, music, and comedy all served up alongside a four-course feast. This show has been entertaining visitors for over 30 years.
There are a couple of tempting showboat options, too. The Showboat Branson Belle and the Main Street Lake Cruise Lake Queen both make for great family-friendly fun. Check out all Branson dinner show options here.
Branson Family Vacation Accommodation Options
What’s your vacation accommodation style? For cabins, tent camping, motel, luxury hotel, vacation rental, and bed & breakfast — Branson has them all.
The Still Waters Resort would be my family’s pick with its lakefront location, three swimming pools, and a 130-foot waterslide. It features a vast array of room accommodations, including one- to six-bedroom lakefront luxury condos. Included in the price of the room are free kayaks, peddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards, aqua cycles kids’ fishing, basketball and volleyball courts, and more.
Did I mention that Branson is super affordable, too? If you’re looking for a family-friendly vacation destination, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Branson!
Save these Tips for Visiting Branson with Kids
If you’re considering a family vacation to Branson, then be sure to save this list of fun things to do to Pinterest. Just pin the image above to Pinterest. We hope you’ll follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!
For additional Midwest vacation options, take a look at the many things to do at the Mall of America in Minnesota or the best things to do in Chicago with kids.
Would you like to embark on a Branson family vacation? Let us know in the comments below!
A Note from The Travel Mama: I received compensation related to this post from Explore Branson. All opinions are mine, as always.
This sounds like it would be such a fun trip! I am going to have to check it out.
Branson has been on my list for quite some time. I didn’t know that my kiddo would love it as much but these attractions would interest him!
Branson is such a fun destination. There’s so much to do there for all ages and interests.
This looks like so much fun! I love learning about the not so known treasures around our country. I think this might need to be included in our next road trip! Thanks!
I was excited to learn about Branson’s many family-friendly offerings too! Can’t wait to visit!
Wow! The show looks amazing!! I would love to go here with my kids! Such a fun place to be with the family!
We live just a few hours north of Branson. Such a fun place to visit! Affordable and such a wide variety of things to do.
I have a friend who goes to Branson so much! I never realized how awesome they are for entertainment.
I have seen so much about Branson. I would love to take the family to visit. There is so much to see and do!
The kids, of course, are all so different in preferences. That goes for planning vacation fun too. Branson sounds like the ideal location for families with such a variety of entertainment options.
Branson is amazing. Can’t think of a better place to visit with kids.
Oh cool! Branson would be perfect for a family getaway. It’s cool that there is so much to do there. Maybe a week long trip would be a good idea.
There’s a lot more to do in Branson than I thought. I always thought it was for people that are senior citizens that are just going to watch a couple of shows. I will definitely be adding this to my travel bucket list for sure. There’s definitely a lot to do there.
Branson is one of the best places you can visit with the kids. It’s so much fun to experience all the music, rides, food, and ton more with them.
Can’t wait for this party!
I’ll be at the party! Haven’t been to Branson in years. What a wonderful prize! RSVP @jerrydadams67
What a wonderful trip! Would love to take my family to explore this great city.