How to Spend Four Days in Branson Missouri
If you are planning a trip to Branson Missouri and looking for the best things to do, see and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. Branson is located in the Ozark Mountains on the southwest border of Missouri. 8 to 10 million people visit Branson each year drawn by its live music shows, comedy, plays, music, museums, theme parks, zoos, shopping, attractions, and outdoor activities. Branson has over 50 theaters and more seats than the Broadway District in New York City. This tourist town has been called the “Live Entertainment Capital” of the world named one of Trip Advisor’s Top 25 Travelers’ Choice Awards of 2014 and Trivago’s “2016’s Best Value in US Travel.”
It is difficult to determine how to spend four days in Branson Missouri, there are so many fun things to see, do, and eat. This 4-day itinerary is jam-packed with must-see sites and top attractions, including, live shows, museums, theme parks, zoos, shopping, attractions, outdoor activities, and more. Visit mid-September through October to enjoy Autumn colors and the city is full of Christmas spirit during the winter holidays.
Have more time? Start the trip in St Louis Missouri, and spend a day at The Lake of the Ozarks, or Eureka Springs Arkansas!
Four-Day Itinerary for Branson Missouri
Day One in Branson Missouri: Historic Branson and the Branson Landing
Arrive in Branson Missouri as early as possible and check into the hotel.
Stop at the Visitors Center to photograph the I Love Branson sign before continuing on to historic Branson. Take a selfie with the Branson mural postcard and check out Dick’s 5 and 10.
Spend the evening at Branson Landing. Have dinner at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen or Guy Fieri’s Branson Kitchen and Bar. Watch the sunset with a cocktail at Andy B’s Tiki Bar. Do some shopping and watch the fire and light show. Or, zipline across the White River and play some games at Andy B’s Bowl and Social.
Day Two in Branson Missouri: Day Trip to Eureka Springs
8 am Leave your Branson Missouri hotel for the one-hour drive to Eureka Springs. Visit the Thorncrown Chapel or take a walk around the Blue Spring.
10 am Ride the trolley through the historic city stopping at the springs and admiring the Victorian homes along the way.
Noon Have lunch on Main Street, take a photo of the corner of Spring and Main Streets, and shop for souvenirs.
3 pm Make your way to the Great Passion Play complex. Take the Holy Land or the behind-the-scenes tour. Watch the Parables of the Potter, Jerusalem Dancers, and David the Shepherd performances.
6 pm Have a buffet dinner or grab food at one of the concession stands.
7:30 Enjoy the Great Passion Play Performance.
9:30 Play ends and return to Branson.
READ Eureka Springs Arkansas Day Trip Itinerary
Day Three in Branson Missouri: Silver Dollar City
9 am Arrive at Silver Dollar City. Purchase tickets online to avoid the wait.
Take the first available tour of Marvel Cave, space is limited and this is not to be missed. Spend the day riding the rides, watching the shows and demonstrations. Note: Silver Dollar City is extra special at Christmas!
Alternatively, Branson is FULL of attractions! Scroll down to the Things To Do in Branson Missouri to fill your day with mountain roller coasters, ziplining, scenic railways, boat cruises, and shows.
Day Four Branson Missouri: Top of the Rock and Dogwood Canyon Nature Reserve
8:30 am Take the earliest Wildlife Tram tour at Dogwood Canyon Nature Reserve. Travel over weirs past waterfalls to the preserve of elk and bison. Check out the treehouse built by Treehouse Masters and go for a walk along Little Indian Creek.
11:30 am Enjoy a bison burger at the Mill and Canyon Grill Restaurant and take selfies with the waterfall.
1 pm Continue on to the Top of the Rock for the Lost Canyon and Nature Trail through a cave and past numerous waterfalls. Be sure to enjoy a cocktail from the Bat Bar.
3 pm Browse the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum full of Native American, American West, and Civil War artifacts.
5 pm Splurge on dinner with a view at Osage Restaurant or Buffalo Bar. Stay for the sunset celebration before returning to the hotel for the night.
Things To Do in Branson Missouri
Ride the free Discovery Trolley around town
Take a selfie with the I Love Branson or Greetings from Branson sign
Sit for a free old-time photo at the Branson Travel Office
See the waterfall at Marvel Cave in Silver Dollar City, an 1880s-style theme park
Browse The Grand Village Shops or Branson Craft Mall for souvenirs
Stroll the Lake Taneycomo boardwalk
Watch the Branson Landing Water & Fire Show and do some shopping
Have a family-style southern dinner at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
Take the Showboat Branson Belle dinner cruise on Lake Taneycomo
Enjoy a tour and tasting at the Curling Vine Winery
Fly down a mountain at 30 mph on the Mountain Coaster
Ride the Branson Scenic Railway through the Ozark Mountains
Attend a Sunday morning old-time get-together of musicians at one of the participating theaters
Have dinner with singing wait staff at the 1950s-style Mel’s Hard Luck Diner
Grab your morning coffee and take a walk on the North Beach Walking Path or the Waterfall Trail
See the Edwards Mill twelve-foot water wheel at the College of the Ozarks
Support the rescues of big cats at the Tiger Sanctuary on the Behind the Scenes Tour
Learn Branson’s history at the free Centennial Museum
Watch the Ozarks Legacy and Legends Imax show
Play a game of mini golf on one of the 8+ courses around town
Walk around historic Branson, and be sure to stop at Dick’s 5 & 10 general store
Enjoy a tour and tasting at Copper Run Distillery
Visit the Titanic Branson Museum, Wonder Works Museum, Ripley Believe it or Not! Odditorium, Celebrity Car Museum, Hollywood Wax Museum, Boardwalk Aquarium, or Beyond The Lens
Check out the view before ziplining from the Shepherd of the Hills Inspiration Tower
Make your way through a hallway of mirrors at Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors
Free fall 7 stories into a water tube or just relax on the lazy river at White Water Waterpark
Attend one of the MANY music, dancing, comedy, or magic shows
Go snow tubing year-round at Wolfe Mountain Snowflex
Check out the Promised Land Zoo
Ride the Branson Ferris Wheel
Feed the butterflies at The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure
Book the swim cruise on the Spirit of America to an inflatable water park on Table Rock Lake
Take the Bigfoot Discovery Expedition at Bigfoot Fun Park
Get your adrenaline flowing on Fritz’s Adventure obstacle course
Attend the Dolly Parton Stampede Show and enjoy the show and four-course Southern dinner
Ride the go-carts, bumper boats or Skycoaster swing at Track Family Fun Parks
Do the Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park’s ropes course
Ride an electric cart along the Top of the Rock Lost Canyon and Nature Trail past rock formations and waterfalls
Enjoy dinner with a view at the Top of the Rock
Take the wildlife tram tour at Visit Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
Go for a horseback ride past a waterfall at Bear Creek Trails
Go for a hike at the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area or on the Chinquapin Trail at State Park Marina
Get out on the water and kayak by Devil’s Pool waterfall
Mountain bike the White River Valley Trail System
Swim, boat, fish, sail, waterski, hike, or camp on Table Rock Lake
Check the Branson Missouri Tourism Board for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
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