Missouri Travelers Recommend

A full Branson experience can be had in three days if you plan an itinerary that combines the myriad activities and attractions of the Ozarks’ entertainment capital. Here are our top ideas for how to spend 72 hours in this popular Missouri family destination nestled between Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo.

Day 1: Hit the Top Attractions

Get oriented with Branson on a sightseeing tour that includes local points of interest, Branson history, lake views, and stories about the local show business industry. Then check out a museum such as the Hollywood Wax Museum, World’s Largest Toy Museum, or the Veterans Memorial Museum. If you’re a history buff, don’t miss the Titanic Museum for the chance to touch an iceberg, sit in a lifeboat, hear rescue stories, and find out what it was like to be a passenger on the ill-fated cruise ship. When evening rolls around, head to one of the city’s many theaters offering a wide variety of live entertainment, from traditional country music to acrobatics, comedy, Irish tenors, tributes to pop legends, and illusionists like Rick Thomas. Family singing groups, such as SIX and the Haygoods, are particularly popular.

Day 2: Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Head out on one of the area lakes in the early morning for the best chance to catch local fish species like trout and bass. By booking a fishing tour, you’ll receive tips from a guide for reeling in fish on Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, or Lake Taneycomo. Then explore the natural beauty of the Ozarks on an ATV tour along backcountry trails, or zoom through the trees on a zipline tour with views of the Shepherd of the Hills. When you’re ready for a more relaxing experience, take a dinner cruise on Lake Taneycomo from Branson Landing, which provides views of the Landing’s fountain and light show from the water. Alternatively, discover Branson’s food scene on a dinner tour that takes you to a different restaurant for each course.

Day 3: Visit Silver Dollar City

You’ll want to set aside a whole day for a trip to Silver Dollar City, a theme park set in the 1880s that’s long been one of Branson’s top attractions. Spread across 60 acres (24 hectares) of forest-covered hills, Silver Dollar City combines roller coasters and other thrill rides with on-theme shops, attractions, and crafts such as candle making, glass blowing, and blacksmithing. Water rides keep you cool during the hot and humid summers, while fall and winter bring seasonal events and holiday light displays. Bluegrass and country music are performed live, and you can explore Marvel Cave underneath the park. You’ll want to go early to get the best parking and make the most of your day. End your day and your time in Branson with a memorable dinner cruise aboard the Showboat Branson Belle on Table Rock Lake.

With two full days in Branson, you can spend plenty of time experiencing the family-friendly attractions and entertainment, and still more on activities that highlight the Ozarks’ great outdoors. From exploring the 1800s-themed Silver Dollar City to fishing on a serene lake, here are a few ways to maximize 48 hours in this Missouri city.

Day 1: Hit the Top Attractions

**Morning:**Visit local sights and learn about Branson’s history from a guide on a city tour that enables you to admire views of Table Rock Lake and hear about Branson’s show business industry. Alternatively, head to Silver Dollar City to get the best parking and make the most of your time at Branson’s top theme park.

**Afternoon:**Visit one or two of Branson’s museums, such as the Hollywood Wax Museum, World’s Largest Toy Museum, or the Veterans Memorial Museum. History buffs must see the Titanic Museum, where you can find out what it was like to be a passenger on the ill-fated ship, touch an iceberg, sit in a lifeboat, and hear rescue stories.

**Night:**Branson features a wide variety of live entertainment, from traditional country music to acrobatics, comedy, Irish tenors, and tributes to pop legends. Shows such as SIX and the Haygoods feature family singing groups, while Rick Thomas performs illusions on stage.

Day 2: Get Outdoors

**Morning:**Head out in the early morning for the best chance to catch fish on one of Branson’s area lakes, such as Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, or Lake Taneycomo. A guide can provide tips for catching local species like trout and bass.

**Afternoon:**Enjoy an adventurous afternoon on an ATV tour through the Ozarks backcountry, where you can zoom along trails on your own all-terrain vehicle. Or perhaps you’d rather experience Branson from above on a zipline tour across the treetops of the Shepherd of the Hills.

**Night:**Explore Branson’s food scene on a dinner tour that takes you to a different restaurant for each course.

With dozens of live shows and amusement parks plus attractions that span entertainment, nature, and history, Branson has a little something for visitors of all ages. Here are a few ways to experience the Missouri Ozarks city with family, friends, or that special someone in just 24 hours.

Morning: Get Acquainted

If you’re interested in Branson’s history and want to learn more about its points of interest and natural environment, start the day with a city sightseeing tour. By exploring with a guide, you can gain more insight into the Ozarks while enjoying views of Table Rock Lake and listening to anecdotes about Branson’s booming show business industry. Alternatively, if you’re planning to spend the day at Branson’s top park, the 1800s-themed Silver Dollar City, go early to get the best parking and make the most of your time at this very popular destination.

Afternoon: Visit Attractions

With just one day in town, you’ll need to choose one or two of Branson’s myriad museums and entertainment-focused attractions to explore this afternoon. Many visiting families start at the Hollywood Wax Museum, World’s Largest Toy Museum, or Butterfly Palace. History buffs won’t want to miss the Titanic Museum—where you can find out what it was like to be a passenger on the ill-fated cruise ship, touch an iceberg, sit in a lifeboat, and hear rescue stories—or the Veterans Memorial Museum, which features exhibits dedicated to those who fought for the United States in the military conflicts of the 20th century.

Night: Catch a Show

Once home to mostly country music shows, Branson now features a wide variety of live entertainment, from the traditional country to acrobatics, magic, comedy, Irish tenors, and tributes to pop legends. Family is a big theme in Branson, where shows like SIX and the Haygoods feature the vocal talents of brothers and other family groups. Alternatively, check out the illusions of Rick Thomas, who has performed in Las Vegas and on television specials.

A full Kansas City experience can be had in three days if you plan an itinerary that incorporates the city’s rich history, cultural sights and activities, family-friendly attractions, and renowned cuisine. Here are some ideas for how to spend 72 memorable hours in Missouri’s largest city.

Day 1: Top Attractions and Epicurean Delights

Get oriented with KC on a city sightseeing or hop-on hop-off bus tour that provides transportation to top destinations—such as Country Club Plaza, River Market, Westport, and the downtown Power and Light District—without having to worry about directions and parking. As you pass by museums and other attractions, such as the SEA LIFE aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Crown Center, decide what you’ll visit later on your own. Art enthusiasts should swing by the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, while history buffs won’t want to miss the National WWI Museum and Memorial or the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum, located in the 18th and Vine district. When evening rolls around, relish KC’s barbecue and beer scene on a tour of local BBQ joints or a brewery and distillery tour. Alternatively, visit Boulevard Brewing Company for beer tastings.

Day 2: Family-Friendly Activities

Enjoy quality time with family or friends while exploring KC sights on a city scavenger hunt. These self-guided adventures take you on a walk through a central part of town as you collaborate to find clues and solve puzzles. It’s a great way to keep your group engaged and entertained. Then continue the fun with a Segway tour around a popular area like Country Club Plaza or Westport, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, while listening to stories and history about KC from a guide. End the day at a Kansas City escape game, where you’ll work in teams to get out of a locked room before time runs out. These typically 1-hour themed challenges are great for all kinds of groups, from families to colleagues to bachelorette parties. Alternatively, spend the evening in the Power and Light District, home to restaurants, bars, and live music.

Day 3: Sports Fans and Shopaholics Rejoice

Sports lovers have three major league teams to choose from, depending on the season. The Kansas City Chiefs play professional football at Arrowhead Stadium; the Kansas City Royals baseball team packs in the fans at Kauffman Stadium; and Sporting Kansas City plays soccer at Children’s Mercy Park. College basketball games draw large crowds, too. If your preferred sport is shopping, you’ve got plenty of options, starting with the city’s premier upscale shopping venue, Country Club Plaza. Other popular spots include Westport, home to hip and independent stores; River Market for antiques, housewares, and food; Crown Center for a curated selection of locally owned clothing and lifestyle shops; and the Crossroads district for art galleries.

With two days in Kansas City, you’ll have time to experience the city’s historical neighborhoods, world-class museums, family-friendly activities, and beloved barbecue. Here are a few ways to create a 48-hour itinerary that packs in the best of Missouri’s largest metropolis.

Day 1: Explore Top Attractions

**Morning:**Get oriented with KC on a city sightseeing tour or hop-on hop-off bus tour that provides transportation to the top destinations—such as Country Club Plaza, Crown Center, River Market, Westport, and the downtown Power and Light District—without having to worry about directions and parking.

**Afternoon:**For kiddos, head to the SEA LIFE aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Crown Center. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art are ideal for art enthusiasts; history buffs will appreciate the National WWI Museum and Memorial, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and American Jazz Museum; and beer lovers should visit Boulevard Brewing Company for a tour and tastings.

**Night:**Passionate about its barbecue food and Boulevard beer, KC features a casual culinary scene that you can explore on a BBQ and brews tour, which takes you to popular joints and local gems. Or opt for a brewery and distillery tour to taste and learn how craft beer and spirits are made.

Day 2: Enjoy Urban Activities and Adventures

**Morning:**Discover the sights of KC and relish quality time with family or friends on a city scavenger hunt. These self-guided adventures take you on a walk through a central area of town as you find clues and solve puzzles, keeping your group engaged and entertained.

**Afternoon:**Hop on a Segway for a 2-wheeled tour around a popular section of KC, such as Country Club Plaza or Westport, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. You’ll glide past top attractions like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art while listening to your guide’s stories and history about the city.

**Night:**Gather your travel mates for an escape game, where you’ll work together to get out of a locked room before time runs out. These typically 1-hour themed challenges are great for all kinds of groups, from families to colleagues to bachelorette parties.

With world-class museums, vibrant shopping districts, historical neighborhoods, and renowned barbecue, Kansas City has a whole lot of something for everyone—and one day in town is just enough to get a glorious taste of it all. Here are a few ways to make the most of 24 hours in Missouri’s largest city.

Morning: Get Acquainted

Orient yourself within Kansas City on a brief sightseeing tour or with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which provides easy transportation to the city’s most popular districts and destinations, such as Country Club Plaza, Crown Center, River Market, Westport, and the Power and Light District in downtown. Most people drive in KC, so the hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to get around without having to worry about directions or parking. As you pass by the city’s main sights, from art museums to kid-focused venues, you can choose which to visit on your own based on your interests and schedule.

Afternoon: Visit Attractions

If you’re traveling with children, head to the SEA LIFE Kansas City aquarium and the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, which sit beside each other at Crown Center. Art lovers should make their way to the Country Club Plaza area to check out the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art; history buffs won’t want to miss the National WWI Museum and Memorial, near Union Station, or the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the adjacent American Jazz Museum, located in the 18th and Vine district. For a different KC cultural experience, visit Boulevard Brewing Company for beer tastings and a brewery tour.

Night: Eat and Drink

Kansas City is renowned for its barbecue food and Boulevard beer, so if you’ve got only one night in the city, you’ll want to explore this casual culinary scene. Book a barbecue and brews tour to visit popular BBQ joints and less-known gems with a guide who provides insight into KC’s love of barbecue. If you’re more keen on drink than food, opt for a brewery and distillery tour to check out beer- and spirit-making sites in the city, and learn about how craft beer and liquor are produced.

While there’s plenty to keep you busy in and around Branson, Missouri, no visit would be complete without taking in one of the city’s dozens of shows found along the town’s 76 Strip theater district. Here’s how to choose the best show for you.

For Kid Friendly Fun Branson’s lineup of shows skews family friendly, but some are a bigger hit with kids than others. Stunt shows and Chinese acrobatics are always a good bet.

For a Romantic Night Out There’s a show for every type of date night. Go sultry with a Vegas-style cirque show, or opt for a night of Broadway’s greatest hits. For a night out beneath the stars, book tickets to The Shepherd of the Hills in an outdoor theater.

For a Taste of Nostalgia Branson does nostalgia well, with tribute shows to all sorts: Elvis, The Beach Boys, ABBA, The Beatles, Patsy Cline, Frank Sinatra, and Jimmy Buffet, just to name a few. You can also opt more general throwbacks, including bluegrass, country, doo wop, rock ’n’ roll, big band, or Motown.

For Comic Relief Those in need of a little comic relief can book ahead for the hilarious—and often sold out—Comedy Jamboree, laugh out loud at the impersonations of Mike Walker, or feel the magic of Taylor Reed.