Musicland Kampground in the heart of Branson, MO

Titanic Museum where actual artifacts are on display

Kids won't be bored in Branson! Go-karts, waterslides, mini-golf, ice cream, museums...

Branson & the Ozark Mountains

Reuben Branson would be beside himself if he could see Branson, Missouri, today. In 1882 he opened a general store and post office here, and the tourist boom started shortly thereafter thanks to a manmade lake and a popular book.
The Shepherd of the Hills was written in 1907 by Harold Bell Wright. In 1960, the Old Mill Theatre began an outdoor production based on the Ozark themed book and it continues to this day.
Remember Granny Clampett? A young boy named Paul Henning went on a Boy Scout camping trip to the Ozarks. Years later he became a successful producer and screenwriter, with credits including The Beverly Hillbillies. 
In 1983, the Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre opened (referred to as the 'birthplace of Branson celebrity theatres') and soon others followed. Andy Williams. Dick Clark. Tony Orlando. Glen Campbell. Dolly Parton.

Dolly Parton's Stampede sits atop a hill off  West Highway 76 Country Boulevard

Today Branson boasts a population of well over 10,000 people and an annual influx of over 7 MILLION tourists. A fact that is definitely evident on a weekend when traffic crawls along all the major roadways as people snake their way to morning, afternoon or evening shows or head toward one kid-friendly attraction or another.

Saturday morning traffic

Food is not hard to find in Branson!

The city sits amidst tree-covered rolling hills that spill into the Ozark Mountains. Surprisingly, along with massive forested areas, horses and cattle are a frequent sight in the nearby Mark Twain National Forest. Narrow roads wind through small towns and villages, past man-made lakes and rivers.

Rockaway Beach is one of the original resort towns along the shores of Lake Taneycomo

Rockaway Beach was a booming resort town until a dam was built, causing the water temperature to plummet.

Narrow, winding, scenic roads draw you into the heart of Missouri's Ozark Mountains

Manmade Lake Taneycomo is a mecca for boaters, fishermen and tourists.

Lake Taneycomo

Fall colours beginning to show in the Ozarks

Surprisingly few historic buildings can be seen along the winding roads of Missouri's Ozark Mountains

Tomorrow we wander further south toward historic Civil War territory. There is no shortage of places to see or things to learn in this part of the country. On to more adventures!