Straddling two counties and three lakes, Branson and the surrounding area is a world of its own. Driving into the Ozark Mountains is like settling into Granny’s embrace – the hills are a little stooped with age and she shows her wrinkles in the rock outcroppings, but you know there is a deeper wisdom here than you can fathom. You are connected to something older than yourself. You feel safe, and discover a richness that can’t be found on the stock market or in a bank.
It’s a richness that stretches back to the Osage Indians, who knew every bent tree and curve of the White River here. When settlers arrived in the 1800s, they found a peace and a sense of belonging among the oaks and pines and trickling streams. With the innovative talents of the Herschend family, and Harold Bell Wright and his Shepherd of the Hills book, tourists arrived in the early 1900s to explore the natural beauty of the hills and plumb the depths of Marble Cave. The 1960s brought The Beverly Hillbillies to life, straight from the Ozark Mountains – you can see their dilapidated car piled high with possessions at the Ralph Foster Museum.
And then there’s the music. Roy Clark, Boxcar Willie, Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, the Oak Ridge Boys, Ray Stevens, Mickey Gilley, Tony Orlando, Mel Tillis, and Bobby Vinton have all had permanent theater shows on the famous “Strip”. The town has sparked the careers of Shoji Tabuchi, The Presley’s, The Baldknobbers, and more, with visits from Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings, Don Williams, Charley Pride, and other genre artists like REO Speedwagon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Def Leppard. The list goes on, and so does the artistic talent of current entertainers who offer everything from comedy to acrobatics. (More about that in the pages ahead.)
Of course, there are more than shows. There’s golfing and hiking and go-carting and bargain-hunting and boating and fishing and dining and fireworks…and lots of things I haven’t tried yet, even after 25 years as a resident.
As time goes on, I’ve come to appreciate how diverse my home truly is. Once a music mecca, Branson now hosts endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, historical encounters, and shopping excursions. A scenic drive delights in any season, with vast panoramic views from tops of mountain ridgelines. You can take in the filming sites for movies like Gordy and Winter’s Bone. There isn’t a day I drive through town that I don’t notice something new popping up.
For me, Branson isn’t just about the past or losing yourself in a weekend’s play. It’s about finding what you love – a trail to a waterfall (Lakeside Wilderness Area), a new instrument to play (Cedar Creek Dulcimer Shop), a hobby with friends (Scrapbooks Forever), that one roadside stop that never lets you down (Danna’s BBQ). Branson never disappoints, because it is rooted in something more than mere entertainment.
Coming here 25 years ago felt like coming home to Granny’s. I can see why she stayed – why I stayed – and why you will, too.
- From “100 Things To Do In Branson Before You Die”, by Karen Nelson (Reedy Press, 2018)
- Photo courtesy of Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau
100 Things To Do In Branson (And More!) Before You Die 