Family Vacation To Branson

The shows in this town are great. They provide wholesome family entertainment that most will enjoy. They have everything from comedy shows to music shows and anything in between. The shows are 2 hours each, so try not to overpack your schedule. There is a nice downtown area with some small restaurants, which were very good. You can go scuba diving or take a ride in an amphibious vehicle in the local lake.

Quick Tips:

If you are going to some of the local shows, you should consider leaving for the show a few minutes early to save a lot of time in traffic. I would suggest you stay at a small local hotel; they usually have very good family deals and are not bad places to stay at all.

Best Way To Get Around:

The traffic here is horrible, and that is the only problem my family experienced. I don't believe there is a good way to get around. There are taxis, but I suggest learning some of the back roads so you can stay off Highway 76. They have maps at the welcome center or in most hotels, and I would suggest you get one--they explain the routes in good detail.

This motel was a very nice stay. It had a very good family deal for a room with four queen-size beds. They have a café with some good Southern food and live entertainment for free. The staff was very friendly. It's located in a convenient area on the strip near some of the shows.

The only reason I didn't give this motel a very high recommendation was because our room was very cold and there was no way to make it warmer, with the exception of a heat lamp in the bathroom. Otherwise it was a very good place.

This was an entertaining show. This really had some great highlights of the '50s. It had some great music from the '50s and makes you feel like you are actually there. All the actors and actresses really seem to be skilled at what they do. The concessions were not anymore expensive than others. The lobby was very inviting. The only real problem I had was that the Elvis impersonator looked and sang nothing like The King, but luckily he only had the last 10 to 20 minutes or so. Overall, I say that it's highly recommendable.

This is a truly AMAZING show, even if you don't like magic shows. Like all Branson shows, it is two hours long, but this show went by the fastest to me. The magic really seems real--he has live animals that are very safe. During the show, a comedian comes out to perform, and the two times we have been, the comedians made us nearly die laughing. They have a good gift shop, but the concession stand is a bit pricey. He sells backstage passes for $10, which allow you to go to his dressing room and get within 5 feet of the tigers, and also talk with Kirby and his wife for quite awhile. They are both VERY kind. At the end of the show, Kirby has a little "surprise" that almost made me cry. I think this is one of Branson's best shows.

Andy has probably the most popular show in Branson. The Moon River Theater seats over 2,500 people - and it was almost full. The lobby is big enough for all the guests, but sometimes I felt a bit claustrophobic, even though I’m not.

Andy’s Christmas Show is wonderful. I would suggest this to all, as it put my whole group in the Christmas spirit! At one point he invited all the kids up onstage, where he asks them what they want for Christmas, which was very sweet. Andy’s show has some great singing and dancing, as well as a great comedy act.

The concession stand has a great selection and average prices, and the gift shop is good but very crowded before and after the show. The parking lot is huge, but if you don’t get there VERY early, you will have to walk at least a few minutes. Luckily they do have some people driving carts around that will drive you up to the building. This is one of the great shows of Branson.