why Branson?
It’s funny how Branson, Missouri, reminded me of two of North America’s raciest cities–Las Vegas and New Orleans–because Branson is far from racy. It’s rather the opposite and unquestionably driven by pure-hearted religious forces. You’d be pretty hard pressed to find the seedy side of life in this small, wholesome American city that is home to just over 11,400 people. There are massive churches everywhere–primarily Baptist and Methodist. No casinos. No chicken ranches (brothels) although it is home to one giant chicken!
You’ll find this massive rooster at the Great American Steak and Chicken House in Branson, Missouri.
Yet, Branson is filled with neon lights and endless stage show entertainment reminding the visitor of nights on the strip in Las Vegas. (Perhaps it was more so because we visited during the holidays and Branson is very big on Christmas and Christmas lights.)
A salute from the Santa at Branson Landing
why choose branson missouri?
But the fact that you can find performances going at any hour of the day, and free spontaneous entertainment at any eating venue in the city really reminded me of New Orleans and made me pinch myself several times throughout our week-long visit. Just where were we, and how did we find ourselves in Branson, Missouri?
It was my husband’s choice. We take turns choosing vacation destinations and Branson was his choice. He’d heard there was good live entertainment at reasonable prices. And he was right! I’m told there are 100 choices for live entertainment daily in this tiny city. It’s no surprise that Branson hosts approximately 8 million toe-tapping visitors each year. There is lots to do, and much of it won’t cost you a bundle.
there are many entertainment options in branson missouri
Country music is prevalent, with a heavy dose of gospel thrown in. With music greats like Elvis Presley and Ray Charles having gotten their start in gospel, it’s no surprise that Elvis and Ray Charles impersonators are big draws in Branson. We took in the Legends In Concert show at the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater. It was fabulous! As a huge fan of Alan Jackson, I especially enjoyed the performance of Doug Brewin, who didn’t miss a beat in his well-executed tribute to Alan Jackson!
accommodation options in branson missouri
The Chateau on the Lake Resort and Spa is one of the fabulous accommodation options in Branson, Missouri.
Thanks for sharing this post about Branson. I really like that and enjoyed learning about it.
I was very eager to find out the answer to your question – “Why Branson?” I drove through Branson on a road trip once — didn’t stop or give it much thought at the time. Thanks for the tips about the town and what it has to offer.
You’re welcome, Cathy! I’d love to be back in Branson right now with my friends from NATJA who are there for our national conference. But the chocolate of California was calling me and I had to miss the trip to MO.
I have to say that you surprised me with this story on Branson. I’m not a country music fan so I haven’t considered going but knowing there’s more than country music makes me rethink it. I had to click through to your post on the chocolate in Branson. Who knew? Great post.
Thanks, Sue. You know me! If there’s chocolate, I’ll find it! But, yes. Branson is a great venue for entertainment fans and a good wholesome destination. 🙂
I’ve never been to Branson, but l have longed to visit for a long time for the music scene. I remember years ago when it was just getting popular and they had some fantastic acts. Thanks for showing us Branson :-).
You’re very welcome, Kemkem. Branson may not be for everyone. but it’s definitely a place we enjoyed.
I am looking forward to seeing Branson for the first time this coming week.
I hope you’re having fin in Branson, Donna. Wish I was there with you and the rest of the NATJA gang. 🙂 I look forward to reading your coverage on this great destination.
How amazing to have so much live entertainment in such a small town. Sounds as if Branson is a fun place to visit!
Hi Karen. You are SO right! We really don’t expect such a small city to have so many entertainment options!
I have heard about Branson, but have never been. Seeing the Ozark Foothills must of been stunning. I am sometimes more impressed with nature than I am with man’s creations.
Thanks for sharing this informative post.
I hear you, William. I, too, am a nature lover, and love to explore the natural attributes of any destination I visit. Missouri is a great destination for wilderness buffs.
Thank you for putting Branson, Missouri on my travel radar! Looks like there’s so much to do – and I’d definitely love to see the giant rooster! 😉
Right on, Lisa! I think that sometimes, the smaller destinations don’t get enough press. I really enjoy getting off the beaten path. 🙂
I wouldn’t mind seeing Branson one of these days. On my cross country trips I managed to spend time in Memphis and Nashville. If I could have fit it in, Branson would have been on that list as well. It would be fun to experience a wholesome Vegas of sorts 😉
That’s a great way to describe Branson. Jeri! I hope you’re doing well.
We ALMOST planned a trip to Branson, for a conference, but travels will take us across the pond instead. I’ll save your tips.
I had never heard of Branson until this post, in fact, I initially thought it was Richard Branson you were referring to! Thanks for sharing this gem. I can’t believe such a small place does so much.
Hi Debra. You’re obviously not a country music fan. 🙂 Many of the acts that come to Branson are in that genre. It’s definitely worth a look at some point. cheers & thx for stopping by.
I’v had many friends go to Branson, but have never been–I’ve been to Vegas and NOLA, does that count?
I’d be drawn to the hotel on the lake, for sure.
I did a solo trip to Branson a few years ago. There were really a lot of fun things to do. Everyone was so friendly! They’re doing a good job with tourism.
They really are, Patti. For such a small destination, Branson is big on entertainment.
Hi Doreen, I didn’t know you’d visited Branson! I’ve not yet been there but imagine I will make it there eventually since I live in the Midwest. I like the idea of having wholesome family entertainment and also love country music, so I’m sure I’d enjoy it! Thanks for the impetus to put it on the list.
Thx for your comment, Debbie. Yes, sometimes we can be quite surprised by a destination. I never would have visited if not for my husband’s encouragement. And now, I wish I was going again, to meet up with my NATJA friends for the conference this month. 🙂
We were in Branson in 2011. We parked our RV in a campground and saw a lot of shows. I like Branson because it is much cheaper than Vegas and the shows are all wholesome.
It’s funny how on-edge Americans are these days. As I eat your opening line, my mind interpreted raciest to racist!
I think I’d prefer to visit Austin, TX for my music entertainment. I get nervous around pure-hearted religious forces. The cool thing about America is that there is something for everyone. (For a while, at least.)
Absolutely, Linda. We’ve got to go where our heart takes us. But I truly was pleasantly surprised by Branson, and perhaps you would be, too. 🙂
Oh my goodness. I did not eat your opening line. I read your opening line. Sort of. No wonder I misread “raciest!”
Wow! Branson is another place to put on the destination wish list thanks to your lively commentary on its many tourist virtues. Reg brought Donnie a baseball cap with the Branson on it which he treasured. It is displayed in the games room.
Thx so much for your comment, Bev, and for reminding me of the Donnie connection. Have a super day!
Only 11,400 citizens yet welcomes 8 million visitors per year. Branson is not doing too badly. I like the fact that a lot of their entertainment is clean and geared towards families. I cannot imagine enjoying myself in Las Vegas as I picture it to be crude, shallow and open to anything. I could however be wrong. Thank you for sharing your travels with us. Always refreshing to read your articles.
Thx for your comment, Phoenicia. Branson is indeed a great place for families. But don’t count out! There are a lot of great things to see in Vegas. I have some posts on my sites that would show you that. Cheers! 🙂
We’ve never been to Branson although it seems like a great destination for more-wholesome-than-Las Vegas entertainment!
Absolutely, Irene! thx for stopping by. 🙂
Why Branson? Because Branson is just a beautiful place to visit when traveling that you can easily call, home.
I am glad you had such a nice time in Branson! In response to your latest post, I wanted to add that Branson shows and attractions are up an running at full speed! We encourage everyone to visit this year as we know it will be a great season!
Thanks for the update, Liarra!
We were just talking about Branson on the weekend, and I was telling friends what a great place it is to get high quality shows and meals for such favourable prices. We’ll definitely be back!
Newsflash: There was a tornado in Branson in the wee hours of the morning of Feb 29, 2012. Good thing that Branson closes down for Jan & Feb each year, as there were very few people in town when this happened. Here is the news blurb I rec’d via e-mail courtesy of the Tri-City Herald:
[A powerful storm system that produced multiple reports of tornadoes has lashed the Midwest, roughing up the entertainment resort town of Branson and laying waste to small towns in Illinois and Kansas. An apparent twister rolled through Branson just before 1 a.m. on Feb. 29 and seemed to hopscotch up the city’s main roadway, ripping roofs off hotels and damaging some of the city’s famed music theaters dangerously close to the start of the heavy tourism season.
“We were blessed with several things – the time of year and certainly the time of day, when people were not in their vehicles or outdoors,” said Mayor Raeanne Presley. She noted that during Branson’s peak season, up to 60,000 visitors would have been in the city on any given day and staying in many of the hotels that were damaged.
“If it was a week later, it’d be a different story,” said Bill Tirone, assistant general manager for the 530-room downtown Hilton hotel, where windows were shattered and some rooms had furniture sucked away by high winds. Hotel workers were able to get all guests to safety. ]
Wouldn’t that be totally awesome? To meet up in Branson?
I’d love to go back in the summer when Branson Landing is warm and hospitable. That cold wind was sure blowing when we were there.
Thanks again for the tips for Branson. We really enjoyed our visit, and like you … would like to go back.
I knew you’d love Branson, Doreen, just as I did when I visited in May 2010 with my husband. The Springfield airport wasn’t open yet, so we flew into St. Louis and rented a car. We had no idea what to expect, except for bluegrass music (which we both adore) and were delighted to discover this rare treasure of a vacation destination. Great bluegrass at the fest in Silver Dollar City. One of the groups was from Newfoundland, believe it or not! (They were outstanding, btw.) We also took in a few other shows (Mo Bandy, Mickey Gilley and Six. A week wasn’t nearly enough time there! We’re planning to return soon. Maybe we’ll see you there. 🙂
Thanks, Suzanne. Nice to have you here.
Yes, there is still a glitch in the software for this blog that is being ironed out. If people click on the “comment” tab to leave a comment, they may inadvertently be transferred back to the original site for this blog. But if they click on the tab where it indicates the “# of comments” at the top of each post, they will be directed to this spot. Hope to get the glitch ironed out today. Stay tuned!
Hey Doreen, left you a comment over on my blog regarding ironing out commenting issues.
Thanks, Vernessa. I’m going to have to set aside some time to get the comments feature of the blog figured out, as I notice that if someone clicks on the “Leave a comment” field, they are still being directed to the former version of my blog on wordpress.com. If they click on the “# comments” field, they are brought to the correct place. I’m assuming the Jetpack plug-in is the culprit and will have to delete that and install a new plug-in to facilitate comments. In the interim, I hope everyone will bear with me.
I’m just commenting because I finally can. Love the new look of the blog. Great post about your trip.
Who would have thought… Branson, Missouri. I would love the the Legend of Kung-Fu show. I grew up on Kung Fu movies. By the way, I never heard of Branson until the Simpsons.
Cute video, Dennis.
We flew into Springfield, MO, and I thought it was the home of The Simpsons. But I soon learned that the Simpsons are actually based in Springfield, Illinois and not Springfield, MO. I kept my eye out for Homer anyway, but no show!
Thanks for dropping into the blog.
Glad the Comment Luv showed up on your second comment, Adeline, and thanks for visiting the new version of Travel Diversions with Doreen!
You misread my comment in the post. I didn’t say Las Vegas was racist! I meant it was racy, as in wild and crazy, very liberal minded, and other things described in the dictionary definition: suggestive, naughty, sexy, spicy, ribald; indecorous, indecent, immodest, off-color, dirty, rude, smutty, crude, salacious. You’ll find all of the above in Vegas, plus a lot of good stuff, too! But you certainly WON’T find the smutty, crude stuff in Branson. Most of the entertainment is very family oriented and many shows reflect Christian values. Some may find that too “hokey,” but as long as you know what to expect when you arrive … you won’t be disappointed!
That’s odd. The commentluv link didn’t show up in my first comment. Oh well. 🙁
Congratulations on the migration, Doreen and great choice on adding the CommentLuv plugin!
I must say, I was quite shocked to learn that Las Vegas is among the raciest cities in the US. With all the liberal stuff going around there (if you know what I mean), I’d expect they would be a tad bit more open-minded.
Thank YOU, Wendy, for your assistance in getting me there!
Very much appreciated,
Doreen.
Doreen — congrats on making the leap to self-hosted. I am mightily impressed.
I am migrating this blog over from the free hosted to a self-hosted platform, so please bare with me during the transition period. I’ve added the Comment Luv widget so that fellow readers can grab a quick link to your own blog. Hope it works!