With its many performing arts centers, amusement parks, and breathtaking scenery, Branson has earned its reputation as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and it continues to rise in prominence as a must-see destination for tourists across the United States.

Branson is one of the Midwest’s most popular (and still hugely undervalued) tourist spots, drawing almost 7 million eager tourists per year to its location in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, where outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and horseback riding abound. Do you want to be one of those tourists? Read on for some reasons why you should be. 

Image by Tomasz Filipek

Titanic Museum

The Titanic Museum, a two-story museum constructed like the ship and anchored in the water, can be found on Country Boulevard. The museum, one of the top attractions in Branson, opened in 2006 and is designed to be half the size of the original ship. The museum’s entrance is disguised as an iceberg, and each visitor is handed a ticket bearing the name of a real person who was on the Titanic.

The self-guided tour lasts for an hour and makes guests feel like they were on the ship in 1912. Hundreds of intriguing relics recovered from the Titanic are on display throughout 20 galleries and displays. The museum also features a wide range of academic courses covering topics including geography, mathematics, and the sciences.

Stunning Views 

Learn about nature in the open spaces around Branson. You can go swimming, fishing, hiking, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, or sightseeing. You can easily while away an afternoon at any of three pristine lakes, explore the area on one of the many hiking paths, and take in the breathtaking scenery.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Branson to ensure you’ve got somewhere lovely to rest after all of these energetic activities, there are a number of excellent options for all budgets. 

Promised Land Zoo

The Promised Land Zoo, accessible via Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, is a popular family-run tourist destination in Branson. The zoo’s primary mission is animal welfare, but it also has a secondary goal of educating visitors and giving them unique opportunities to interact with the animals.

Bottle-Feeding Babies, the Live Animal Show, and a Tug-of-Roar are just a few of the shows that take place during the day. The wide variety of wildlife includes antelopes, kangaroos, big cats, zebras, and many more. On the nine-acre park’s foot safari, guests can provide food for the animals, and in the exclusive encounters area, they can interact with kangaroos, sloths, and lemurs up close and personal. This is something that will need to be booked in advance.

Silver Dollar City 

At Silver Dollar City, there are rides for all ages, from thrilling roller coasters to a kid-friendly play area. In the sweltering afternoon, escape to the waterpark and cool down on the thrilling rides and thrilling waterslides. Go on a dinner cruise aboard the Showboat after a long day of fun. In the park, you can watch the sun go down over Table Top Lake while being entertained by a variety of acts.