In the heart of the Ozarks of Missouri, Branson offers an outdoor destination with lots of indoor entertainment. From alpine slides to boating to hiking, visitors can spend the morning exploring the outdoors. Then, they can find lots of indoor entertainment at one of the numerous shows in the evening. Branson caters to destination family travelers, and families will find fun things to do for everyone, from toddlers to teens. Here are the top things to do in Branson, Missouri, with kids.
17 Top Things to Do in Branson Missouri with Kids
Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City’s White Water
Table Rock Lake
Titanic Museum
Branson Scenic Railway
Branson Landing
Sight and Sound Theatres
Talking Rocks Caverns
Dolly Parton’s Dinner Stampede
Branson Belle Showboat
Runaway Mountain Coaster
Wonder Works
The Butterfly Palace
Branson Ferris Wheel
Aquarium at the Broadwalk
Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum
Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area
Silver Dollar City
It’s an amusement park with rides paired with a living history exhibit. So find roller coasters next to blacksmiths at this 61-acre park. Silver Dollar City has a down-home feel with lots of comfort food, and at times, it feels like you are transported back to the late 19th century.
Located at 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway. Admission is based on age and consult the calendar for opening days and times.
Silver Dollar City’s White Water
With 13 acres and 2 million gallons of water, it’s one of the top waterparks in the U.S., according to USA Today’s 10 Best. Visitors can enjoy a 500,000-gallon wave pool, river, kids’ area and thrill water rides.
Located at 3505 W. 76 County Road. Admission is based on age and is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Consult the calendar for opening times and days.
Table Rock Lake
As the centerpiece of the area, it is a 43,000-acre lake with over 800 miles of shoreline. Several outfitters, like Table Rock State Park Marina, reserve a day on the day. For non-boaters, it’s a popular area for vacation rentals.
Located at west of Branson with several areas to explore. Table Rock State Park Marina is located at 5272 Historic Highway 165 with boat cruises and rentals available.
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Titanic Museum
With real artifacts from the ill-fated ocean cruiser, visitors can learn about the passengers and the luxurious ship. They can also use an exact replica of the Grand Stairs to understand the era’s glamour. They can also feel the 28-degree Fahrenheit water the passengers plunged into that night.
Located at 3235 76 Country Blvd. Open daily with various hours. Online timed entry reservations are required. Adult admission is $35 and kids 5 to 12 are $15.
Branson Scenic Railway
All abroad for a 40-mile scenic ride through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The Branson Scenic Railway departs from the 1905 Depot downtown.
Located at 206 E. Main St., the Train rides start for the season in March and run until December 23. Several departures are depending on the day, so consult the calendar. Adult admission is $32, and kids 4 to 12 are $21. Dinner trains are $77.52 per person.
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Branson Landing
With over 100 shops, Branson Landing is a dining and shopping destination. The water feature is another top attraction, with choreographed fountains, music and fire. Branson Landing also offers a boardwalk next to the river.
Located at 100 Branson Landing Blvd. Free to visit. Normal hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with paid garage parking nearby.
Sight and Sound Theatres
With 2,000 seats, see a live theater performance portraying biblical stories with live animals and 50 actors. The Sight and Sound Theatres shows are elaborate theatrical performances that appeal to all ages, and there’s even a quiet room for babies.
Located at 1001 Shepard of the Hills Expressway. Open from March until the end of December, with shows Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is based on seat selection and age. Advance tickets are recommended.
Talking Rocks Caverns
Take a cave tour during your trip to Branson. This cavern is more vertical and includes stairs around the geological formations. In addition to the underground tour, there are activities on the surface.
Located at 432 Fairy Cave Ln. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June to August and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the rest of the year, except January in which is opens at noon on weekdays. Adult admission is $28.95 and kids (4 to 12) are 16.95.
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Dolly Parton’s Dinner Stampede
Get dinner and a show under the same roof. With 32 trained horses and their riders, the 35,000-square-foot theater lights up with a 12.5-million-bulb LED wall to showcase the animals’ tricks, including pigs and even a dancing chicken. If you arrive early, you can see the horses before the show in the show barn.
Located at 1525 W. 76 Country Blvd. Shows start for the season in late February and until the end of the year with a holiday show. Adult admission starts at $59.99, and kids (3 to 9) are $34.99 and includes dinner.
Branson Belle Showboat
Take a cruise on a classic riverboat and see Table Rock Lake. This cruise also features a three-course dinner and a live show.
Located at 4800 State Highway 165. Cruises operate from May until the end of the year with several departures depending on the day, so consult its calendar. Adult admission starts at $69, and kids $ 11) are $42. Each cruise includes dinner and a show.
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Runaway Mountain Coaster
Whiz down a forested mountain on a car with speeds of up to 30 mph. It’s more fun than scary, and kids as young as 3 can ride with a driver. Visit after dark for a rainbow ride through the forest as the course gets lit up.
It is located at 935 Historic Highway 165. It opens for the season in March, so check its calendar for seasonal hours. Each ride is $18 for the driver and $13.50 for the rider. Discounts for second rides on the same day.
Wonder Works
With an upside-down building leading the way, meander through 48,000 square feet and 100 hands-on activities. Activities range from space discovery to physical science experiments, along with displays of local artists.
Located at 2835 W. 76 Country Blvd. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Adult admission is $32.99 and kids 5 to 12 are $23.99.
The Butterfly Palace
A must-stop for butterfly lovers, this facility boasts about 1,000 butterflies from 40 to 60 different species, primarily from the rainforest. To encourage roosting on visitors, each is given a nectar-filler flower feeder and encouraged to wear bright clothing. Not just butterflies, there’s also the Living Rainforest Science Center with 25 reptiles, some offering live animal encounters.
Located at 4106 W 76 Country Blvd. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $27 and kids (4 to 14) are $18.
Branson Ferris Wheel
Formerly at home on Chicago’s Navy Pier, the Branson Ferris Wheel features 40 open-air gondolas that hold six people each.
Located inside The Track Family Fun Park at 3335 76 Country Blvd. Ferris Wheel tickets can be purchased separately. Adult admission is $15.49 and kids 4 to 11 are $12.49. Open seasonally.
Aquarium at the Broadwalk
With a shiny 55-foot aluminum-clad octopus hanging off the building, the kids will spot this one driving down the street. See 7,200 animals from 250 different animal species. Find touch tanks as well as a 24-foot-tall kelp forest climbing structure.
Located at 2700 76 Country Blvd. Open daily with various hours. Timed tickets are required for admission, more ticketing information, check out its website. Adult admission starts are $44.99 and kids (4 to 11) are $19.99.
Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum
Wander through this 35,000-foot facility, which features dinosaur dioramas, arrowheads, and art from different Native American groups from the Ozarks. A wooly Mammoth greets visitors at the entrance and visitors can also see other extinct animals, like a saber-tooth tiger, on display.
Located at 150 Top of Rock Rd. in the Big Cedar Lodge. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aduult admission starts at $38, and kids 4 to 11 are $19.
Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area
Escape to a 140-acre wooded park close to the center of Branson, including over 5 miles of hiking trails, a playground and picnic areas.
Located at 412 Owen Lane. Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free to enter.
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