Branson, MO

October 17, 2005

A Branson Vacation, Part 1: Basic Facts

I consider myself to be a professional Branson traveler. I might as well pay taxes in the town since I am there so much. As a child, my family traveled to this exciting destination almost every year. I did go on a Branson fast for a few years during college, but for the last seven years I have indulged in a Branson Buffet.

From memory, I can recite the names of almost every show in town. I can direct you to any theatre, regardless of its' location. And you had better believe I have a strong opinion on every show and attraction in town. Yes, I am a 28-year old Branson fanatic.

In this column I hope to be able to share some of my own Branson insight with you. It is my hope that it will excite you to visit and then be of assistance as you plan your trip. There will be something in this column for everyone, even those of you who have been to Branson several times.

The column will be separated into several parts. You are encouraged to read them all, but check the titles for quick reference. If you ever have a question, do not hesitate to e-mail me at hhawkins@waynesville.k12.mo.us Over the course of the column I plan to cover some basic information about Branson, shows & theatres, shopping, attractions and museums, as well as hotels/motels & timeshare deals. So check back often for the complete story.

Part 1: Basic Facts

If you have never traveled to Branson you might be asking yourself what it is that makes Branson, Missouri so special. It is in the middle of nowhere and yet it is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country.

Actually Branson is special for many reasons. While Branson may seem to be in the middle of nowhere, it is actually in the middle of everywhere. Branson is one of America’s most popular driving destinations. Since it is in almost the geographic center of the United States it is a convenient location for most of the country. Though there are a few people who fly into the Springfield/Branson Regional Airport, most of the millions of visitors will drive to town.

That actually sets up one of the most frustrating situations in Branson. Traffic can be a nightmare. Branson was not designed for major traffic. The town had a major growth spurt in the 1980’s and literally outgrew its road system. At least 75% of the tourist sites are directly connected to HWY 76. This is the major artery that runs, or should I say crawls, through town. The city has tried to alleviate some of the traffic through well-marked alternative routes. Most of the traffic still uses 76 exclusively. If it is your first time in Branson, I would encourage you to drive the “strip” (HWY 76) a couple times to generally learn the area, then get a FREE map from any brochure display and learn the alternate routes. You will save time and it may be the only way to get to a show on time.

It is almost impossible to believe until you have experienced it, but the traffic congestion in Branson starting in the mid-afternoon is worse than rush hour in any city in the country. Movement is measured in inches rather than feet.

To give you a good idea, I would like to share one experience I had in July of 2004. My wife and I were staying in Old Downtown Branson, which is on the far east end of HWY 76, near the intersection of HWY 65 and HWY 76. We had plans to see Spirit of the Dance at the Branson Variety Theatre. The BV Theatre is right in the heart of the strip, but was less than 4 miles from our hotel. The show started at 8:00 p.m. We decided to leave at 5:00 p.m. so we would have time to grab dinner along the way and still get to the show on time. At 7:15 p.m. we had not eaten dinner and we were still at least a mile from the theatre. Traffic was not moving. To make a very long story short, at 8:05 p.m. we finally pulled into the theatre parking lot and entered the show after it had already started. We had to eat after the show, no time before.

The next evening we saw Cirque at the Remington Theatre, which is completely across town. We still left at 5:00 p.m. for this 8:00 p.m. show, but this time we used the alternate routes and arrived at the theatre well before 6:00 p.m. We had plenty time to walk around to the neighboring shops and have dinner before the show.

Tip #1: Don’t waste valuable vacation time - Use the alternate routes!

Don’t let the traffic keep you away from Branson though. Honestly, it is just part of the fun. There are still plenty reasons to come to Branson.

The Ozark Hills and Mountains are another reason to visit Branson. No, you will not see the height and grandeur of the Rockies, but you are still surrounded by beautiful scenery. The Ozarks is pride of its country charm and slower pace. You can come to Branson expecting the shows and attractions and end up enjoying the nature trails of Mark Twain National Forest or playing in the waters of one of the two pristine lakes that surround the city. The Ozarks are a nature lover's dream.

Tip #2: Take time to enjoy the Ozarks – they are the FREE attraction!

There is honestly something for everyone in Branson. Lots of cities will say that, but Branson can back up that claim. The adults and seniors are certain to find several shows they will like. With over 100 shows to select from there will be one for each person in the group. But there are many of high-energy music, magic and comedy shows in town that keep the kids and teens hooked. There are also several amusement parks and water parks including Silver Dollar City and White Water. I will get more into the actual attractions in the next part of the column, so look for more information in the other parts of the column.

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