Category Archives: Tourism

How families can save money going to Branson Shows

Branson's first show on "The Strip" the "Presleys' Country Jubilee" is one of many shows offering "Family Passes."

Even in these challenging economic times, millions of visitors and their families will come to Branson, Missouri because of the vacation synergy generated by its lakes, shows, attractions, shopping, entertainment, many other family activities and value. Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most reputable seller of show and attraction tickets and lodging, said, “According to recent tourism statistics, the vast majority of visitors to Branson see three or more of Branson’s great live shows. Many of those are families.”

Miller points out that most Branson shows provide an exceptional entertainment experience not only in terms of the performance, but price. “Some of Branson’s most popular shows, such as Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Jim Stafford, Pierce Arrow, Yakov’s Moscow Circus, Hamner Barber Variety Show, Duttons, Clay Cooper’s Country Express, Neal McCoy, and the Rankin Brothers to name a few, become even a better value, in terms of price, because they offer “Family Passes” with significant savings. “The challenge,” says Miller, “is to find those theatres that offer “Family Passes” in an efficient manner, especially on the internet.”

Miller said, “Our constant passion at the Branson Tourism Center is helping the customer have a great Branson experience and that experience starts with great customer service. What we call internally, the “Internet Family Pass Identification System” is an extension of that service.”

He  said, “Branson Tourism Center operates two major web sites. www.BransonTourismCenter.com, specifically designed to provide free personal one on one assistance and service between potential Branson visitors and a trained Branson Tourism Center Travel Specialist via the 1-800-785-1550 number listed on the website and www.BransonOnTheWeb.com for those who want to make their own online reservations. Both sites use the Internet Family Pass Identification System.”

On www.BransonTourismCenter.com, a list of just those Branson shows offering Family Passes is available by selecting the “Family Pass” link from the top of the Show Schedule page. On www.BransonOnTheWeb.com there is a “Family Pass” filter that can be used with its advanced state of the art search engine to display just those shows offering Family Passes. In terms of the Branson Tourism Center, Miller emphasizes that it has an “A+ Rating” from the Better Business Bureau, there is never any additional service charge of any kind and personal assistance is only an 800 number call away, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., every day of the year except Christmas.

Miller also points out that it is not uncommon for Branson shows to let small children, generally ages four or less, in for free providing they are sitting on the lap of someone who has purchased a ticket. Miller says that “Cirque Montage” admits all children up to age 16 to the show free with a paid adult admission and others may, at certain times during the year, provide free tickets for children up to ages 17 with the purchase of an adult ticket. Although different theatres and ticket sellers handle the situation in different ways on www.BransonTourismCenter.com and www.BransonOnTheWeb.com the prices will show “Free” for the applicable ages if that is an option a particular show offers. In addition, for those using the free personal service provided by www.BransonTourismCenter.com and its 1-800-785-1550 number, the BTC Travel Specialist will provide that information.

For additional information on Family Passes or discounts for families or children to Branson shows or attractions or any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Finding Branson and where you want to go in Branson the easy way

One of Branson's most recognizable landmarks, The Titanic Museum, located at the western end of Branson Blue Route.

“As recently as today, there was a question from a potential Branson visitor saying, ‘I don’t know for sure how to get to Branson,’” said Tammy Johnson, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. “Others either want detailed maps of Branson or help on how to navigate around in Branson once they get here.”

Johnson continues, “Although there are many ways to get maps and directions to Branson, one of the simplest is to go to www.BransonTourismCenter.com and click on “Driving Directions” located under “Help” in the left hand column. This one click takes you to the page “Directions and Maps to Branson Tourism Center.”

In the “Your Address” box type in your city and state i.e. “Chicago, Illinois.” Click the “Go” box” and a specific map from that city and state, along with detailed driving directions to Branson, will be generated. If a map and driving directions from a specific address is desired just enter the address prior to the city and state. Although the map and directions generated are based on the location of the Branson Tourism Center, they are in essence a map and directions to Branson because of BTC’s central location, one tenth (.1) of a mile west of U.S. Highway 65 at the first Branson Exit (Branson Hills Parkway/ Bee Creek Rd) coming south from Springfield, Missouri.

“Once in Branson, getting to where you want to go is easy using the one page Branson Map showing its main routes and colored coded alternate routing system.” said Johnson “The full colored Branson map is easily accessed at www.BransonTourismCenter.com,” by clicking on “Map of Branson” under “Branson Info” in the left hand column. The map  may also be downloaded in PDF format for easy printing and is available free at the Branson Tourism Center, located 220 Branson Hills Parkway in Branson.

Johnson also points out that Branson’s excellent system of alternate routes provides convenient alternate access to many Branson shows, attractions and activities. These alternate routes are color coded for ease of use and generally run parallel to the famous “Branson Strip (Highway 76),” with the Yellow Route paralleling to the south and the Blue and Red Routes to the north. The colored routes are appropriately signed, provide north south access to Highway 76 through arterial roads and are featured on the Branson Map mentioned above.

She mentioned that the Branson Map and colored alternate routes are extensively covered in an article entitled, “Branson’s colored traffic routes ‘shows’ the way.” Johnson said “The article also shows the location of specific Branson shows, activities and Branson attractions and explains how to use the alternate routes to get to them.

For additional information or directions on how to either get to or around Branson, or for tickets to any of Branson’s shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements, please contact the Branson Tourism Center by either calling 1-800-785-1550 or through its website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

The most popular ticketed attractions in Branson are?

Titanic seems to be sailing right into the Branson Strip

“Branson has more attractions and fun per mile than any other tourism destination of a similar size,” says Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center. “One of the things we are asked most often is “What are Branson’s most popular attractions?”’ He says the answer to that is subjective and depends on the entertainment experience a person is looking for, but one thing he is certain of, “For families having fun together, Branson is hard to beat.”

Getting technical for a moment, Miller said that Branson’s live shows and venues such as “Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede,” the “Showboat Branson Belle,” and “Branson Landing” as well as its lakes, golf and many other things in Branson are certainly “attractions” because they “attract people by appealing to their desires or taste.” He points out that according to the Branson Lakes Area CVB statistics that Branson Landing, a waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment complex located on the shores of Lake Taneycomo near historic downtown Branson, is probably Branson’s most popular attraction with over 60 percent of the people who come to Branson visiting it.

Miller, who has over 13 years experience helping Branson visitors have a great Branson experience says, “Although still subjective, it gets a little easier if the potential attractions are whittled down to those attractions that are paid, ticketed attractions and whose major point of “attraction” is not a show and is at a fixed location. He says that people driving on the famed “Branson Strip” just have to look for the bow of a huge ship plowing toward them, Branson’s biggest ape, a building that looks like it has been revenged by an earthquake and a palace on a hill to find four of Branson’s most popular ticketed attractions.

The bow of Branson’s Titanic Museum towers about a 100 feet above the Branson Strip and is built to about half the size of the original. While on their voyage aboard the Titanic’s passengers receive an exciting interactive adventure. They relive the last fateful hours of the unsinkable leviathan by talking with the ship’s crew, viewing over 400 personal artifacts, interactive displays and activities and actually walking down an exact replica of its spectacular “Grand Staircase.” Passengers also get to meet the Titanic’s new mascots “Carter” and “Molly,” two King Charles Spaniels, who are a new and exciting part of the Titanic’s visitor experience this year.

The unique exterior of the Hollywood Wax Museum makes it stands out even on the Branson Strip.

Within hailing distance of the Titanic, people driving down the strip might want to check the skyline for Branson’s biggest ape towering high above the distinctive facade of the “Hollywood Wax Museum.” The “Hollywood Wax Museum” is not your grandfather’s museum where all you did was look. In this museum most of the ropes and barriers have been removed and visitors have an opportunity to get “up close and personal with the stars.” They get a chance to have take their pictures with their favorite stars in their most famous scenes, skip down the “Yellow Brick Road, or have a photo taken with the gargantuan 40-foot King Kong. The Hollywood Wax Museum is part of the “Hollywood Entertainment Center,” containing the “Castle of Chaos,” “Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors” and, coming soon, a cool Hollywood themed miniature golf course.

Another of Branson’s most popular ticketed attractions, “Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum”  is housed in one of the most distinctive and identifiable buildings in Branson built to reflect the effects of the 1812 New Madrid, Missouri earthquake. Visitors take an exciting self guided tour through about 400 of the most odd and amazing collections ever assembled.

One of Branson’s most unique ticketed attractions is the “Butterfly Palace & Rainforest” located in a “palace” on top of a hill at the far western edge of the Branson Strip. The butterflies come from rainforests all around the world and showcase something that most people haven’t seen before because none of the butterflies are native to the United States. Before stepping  into the rainforest aviary and its thousands of butterflies visitors view a beautiful and exciting 15 minute movie on the life of a rain forest butterfly. In addition to the butterflies the experience also includes a maze that kids of all ages will love and a reptile display.

Branson’s most popular paid attraction is also its oldest and newest, Silver Dollar City, an 1890’s themed international award winning theme park. It is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout the 2010 season and yet it never gets “old” because it is always adding new rides, festivals and things for its guests to do such as its new $7 million dollar ride, “Tom & Huck’s RiverBlast,” America’s biggest water battle which opened this year. Silver Dollar City’s unique combination of rides, craft demonstrations, shows, entertainment, festivals and the famed friendliness of their employees have been helping people to “Create Memories Worth Repeating” for 50 years. Silver Dollar City’s Blue Grass and BBQ Festival runs from May 13 through May 31.

For information or tickets for any of the attractions mentioned in this article or any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Blue Grass, BBQ and Plumb Nellie Days means it must be May in Branson

Rhonda Vincent is one of the Bluegrass stars that will be playing at Silver Dollar City's "Bluegrass and BBQ Festival."

“One of Branson’s constants is that there is always something new and exciting to do,” says Tammy Johnson, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Whether it is one of the many Branson shows or attractions making a change, the change of the seasons, limited engagement performances, a new festival being celebrated at Silver Dollar City, other activities, shopping or dining there is always something fresh to experience in Branson as indicted by what will be happening in the next few weeks.”

One of the biggest events, as Silver Dollar City continues to celebrate its 50th year will be, Silver Dollar City’s “Bluegrass and BBQ Festival” which will run from May 13 through the 31st. In addition to all the craftsmen, rides and entertainment that Silver Dollar City is famous for, the festival will include Blue Grass music presented by national stars such as The Grascals, Rhonda Vincent and others, all styles of BBQ, and two exclusive special events, the Annual Single Mic Championship and KSMU Youth in Bluegrass Band Contest.

Johnson said that there is additional fun and excitement for the Silver Dollar City guests this year, a new ride that just opened up called “Tom & Huck’s River Blast.” It is a new $7 million raft ride with a twist. Brad Thomas, the General Manager of Silver Dollar City said, “The twist is that there are water guns on the rafts and on the shore. Riders can shoot their water guns at folks on the shore, folks on shore can shoot their water guns at people on the boats and when you come face to face with another boat you can blast the people on that boat as well. It’s basically this big organized, well maybe not so organized, water fight.”

Among other events, there will be the “9th Annual Branson Motorcycle Rally” that takes place May 20 through 23. It will feature “rides, ” poker runs, a sanctioned boxing match exciting live entertainment, vendors, food and the “Rally Ally Tavern” beer tent.

Historic downtown Branson will be celebrating the 50th year of its “Plumb Nellie Days Arts and Crafts Festival in historic downtown Branson May 21through 23. It will feature over 200 American crafters, entertainment, seminars and other activities

Bill Medley and daughter McKenna.

Johnson points out that the “Official Branson.Com Show Schedule,” powered by the Branson Tourism Center, indicates that Branson’s 2010 live show season, like the beautiful Ozark Mountain scenery, is in full bloom. Most of its shows are open with “The Righteous Brothers Bill Medley” with his daughter McKenna Medley opening on May 18, “Island Fire,” Branson’s unique Polynesian show, opens May 28 and Branson newest show, “Legends of Kung-Fu-Chung Yi” opens June 2. Limited engagement performances by “The Gatlin Brothers,” “The Oak Ridge Boys,” “The Texas Tenors,” “Ray Price,” and “Roy Clark” just add to the excitement and variety of Branson’s live music show offerings.

For additional information or tickets for Silver Dollar City, any of the shows mentioned in this article or any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

There’s no place like Mother’s Day in Branson

"Broadway, The Star Spangled Celebration" is just one of the many Branson Shows open on Mother's Day.

Mothers Day is a special day and what better place to celebrate with Mom than in that special place called “Branson.” Whether it’s just a weekend of fun and entertainment or a special occasion like Mother’s Day it’s hard to beat the variety and quality of the entertainment Branson offers.

For many, a Mother’s Day brunch or buffet has become a tradition. Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center points out that Branson offers a large selection of brunches and buffets with varying prices. Among others, these include the following, listed alphabetically with the adult’s price and phone number:

Bleu Olive Mediterranean Grille & Bar, Adults $25.00 417 332-2538
Chateau on the Lake, Adult $40.00, 888-333-5253
Devils Pool, Big Cedar Lodge, Adults $29.95, 800-225-6343
Golden Coral, Adults $12.29, 417-336-6297
Grand Country Square Buffet, Adults $10.99, 417 335-2434
Grandview Conference Center, Big Cedar Lodge, Adult $34.95, 800-225-6343
Keeter Center, College of the Ozarks, Adults $29.95, 417-239-1900
Level 2 Steakhouse, Hilton Covention Center Hotel, Adults $39.00, 417 243-3433.
Plaza View Restaurant, Grand Plaza Hotel, Adults $12.95, 417-335-2798
Steve’s Tree House Adults $22.95, 417-239-0445
Worman House, Big Cedar Lodge, Adults $34.95, 1-800-225-6343

Miller said that in addition to the above, the majority of Branson’s major restaurants will be open on Mother’s Day. He also points out that Dixie Stampede and the Showboat Branson Belle will also be available for Mom to be entertained while she is dining and that the Branson Landing Princess and Lake Queen will also be offering cruises including meals.

Branson is called by some, the “Live music show capital of the world” because of the variety and quality of its shows. Many of Branson’s finest shows will be open on Mother’s Day. Miller suggests this provides yet another way to make Mother’s Day just a little more special. The following list of shows that will be open is sorted by time:

2:00 p.m. Always Patsy Cline, Moe Bandy and Sunday Gospel Jubilee

3:00 p.m. Hamner Barber Variety Show, Legends in Concert, and Shake Rattle & Roll

4:00 p.m. Showboat Branson Belle

4:40 p.m. Dixie Stampede

5:30 p.m.Yakov’s Moscow Circus

7:00 p.m. Ozark Mountain Jubilee, Paul Harris Live and Top 10 Rock and Roll Revue

8:00 p.m. Acrobats of China, Broadway The Star Spangled Celebration, Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express, Country Tonite Featuring Marty Haggard, Jim Stafford, Kirby VanBurch, Legends in Concert, Mickey Gilley, The Texas Tenors and Tony Roi’s Elvis Experience.

Miller also suggests that another special way to celebrate Mother’s Day would be with a visit to “World-Fest” at Silver Dollar City. It is the last day of the country’s largest international festival and to see the show that is “igniting” the Branson entertainment scene with its uniqueness, musicality, and excitement, “Fiery Fiddles.”

For additional information on Mother’s Day in Branson or additional information or tickets for any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for lodging please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services for free assistance. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Make the planning of your next Branson trip as pleasant as the Branson experience itself

Silver Dollar City, Branson's most popular paid attraction, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.

There are basically two ways to plan a trip to Branson, Missouri, yourself or through a Branson vacation planning service. Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, is a 13 year veteran of helping people have a great Branson experience. He suggests that both first time and repeat Branson visitors can enhance their Branson experience through the convenience of using a Branson vacation planning service, such as the Branson Tourism Center.

Outside of just wanting to do it themselves, Miller says it has been his experience that the major reasons people don’t use a Branson vacation planning services to help plan their Branson trip are they don’t realize the value and convenience of using such services, believe it costs more to use them, is inconvenient, and are worried about giving their personal information over the phone or internet. He suggests that with all the choices available in Branson, shows and their scheduling; attractions; different types of hotels and lodging, not only in terms of pricing, but location and other activities, that the use of a Branson vacation planning service such as the Branson Tourism Center could enhance the overall enjoyment of the Branson experience.

Although he can’t speak for other Branson vacation planning services, Miller can discuss how the company he works with, the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), addresses some of the concerns people have expressed. “It doesn’t get much more convenient,” said Miller. “All people have to do is dial Branson Tourism Center’s toll free number 1-800-785-1550, any day of the year except Christmas, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and they will be speaking with a trained BTC Travel Specialist who will be happy to help them plan their Branson trip and answer any questions they may have about Branson.

In terms of cost for BTC’s services, there is none. All Branson Tourism Center’s services are free and there is no additional charge of any kind added to their prices. “In fact,” Miller said, “because of the great relationships BTC has with the theatres, hotels and attractions it deals with, the chances are excellent, especially when you bundle or package lodging, shows and attractions, that a you will actually save money using Branson Tourism Center’s services.

While understanding peoples concerns about disclosing their personal information over the phone or internet, Miller points out that the Branson Tourism Center is one of Branson’s largest and most trusted Branson vacation planning services and has sold over 2 million Branson show tickets. In addition, it is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Southwest Missouri with an A+ rating and is a member of, among other organizations, the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, American Society of Travel Agents, American Bus Association, and the Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association.

Miller points out that Branson Tourism Center offers a full range of Branson travel services including a Groups and Reunions Department, 1-800-268-4014; Travel Agency, 1-800-785-2176 and Special Events Department, 1-800-268-2684. In addition to its own website, www.BransonTourismCenter.com, BTC owns and operates Branson’s first and most trafficked destination web site, www.Branson.Com. It can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website.