branson mo question

[IwannabeinNarnia]

from websites it appears that most of what to do in branson is shows and attractions. Is there enough free stuff to do there to keep us entertained for 5 days? or will we have to come up with a higher budget to do a bunch of shows and stuff? I was thinking that branson would be like Gatlinburg/Smokies.. with the mountains and such that cost nothing. What are some not to miss shows/attractions?

[Strmchsr]

I don't think there's enough free stuff for 5 days. Definitely not like Gatlinburg with the mountain trails. If you like to shop there's some of that, and I guess you can window shop for free, but it's mostly shows and eating.

[Altair]

The main draw to that area is fishing in Table Rock Lake (bass) or Lake Tanycomo (trout). The Shepard of the Hills Passion Play is also nearby.

[Itchy]

As previous posters have stated there is not enough stuff for 5 days.

They do have Silver Dollar City amusment park which is a good day event and Celebration City amusment park, and White Water water park.

These do cost as well as a number of cave tours.

In the surrounding area they have a number of civil war battle grounds for tour, I think for free as well as the Bass Pro Shop which is in Springfield that is about 35 miles north of Branson.

I would check the Chamber of Commerce web site for Branson for recommendations.

It is beautiful in and around the area there.

Hope this helps...

[BowTie7]

Agree that there's not much to do for free except certain Table Rock Lake activities. Most of the rest of the town is tourist oriented with tons of shows and roadside attractions, which can get expensive very quickly. Silver Dollar City is a wonderful theme park, but it can be expensive for a single day. Note that the Celebration City amusement park has been closed for many years. There is a water park and combination tickets with Silver Dollar City are available. Note that the Passion Play is in near by Eureka Springs Arkansas, while Shepard of the Hills is an outdoor stage show outside of Branson based on the novel of the same name. Eureka Springs would make a great and low cost day trip with lots of art galleries and historic areas, parking can be difficult.

[IwannabeinNarnia]

Thanks for the replies. Now I don't know what to do. My husband and I are celebrating 20 years in November and want to do something nice. Branson is a place we'd never been and we'd heard nice things about it. Doesn't Route 66 run thru or near it? Anyone ever travel it? I couldn't find it on the atlas my husband has.