When it comes to traveling with your family, you know you need to cover all your bases. After all, one person may love the outdoors, while another person loves attending live performances. You may want a day at the spa, while your spouse enjoys a round of golf. Trying to find a destination that has all these activities, plus things you can do together, can be difficult. However, there are places you will find it all and one of the best is Branson, Missouri. There are so many things to do in Branson during a family vacation. Everyone can check off all the items I just mentioned plus many others. Today, I am sharing the best things to do in Branson during a family vacation with you. Hopefully, these options will allow you to be creative when considering where to visit for your next family trip.  

Best Things to Do in Branson During a Family Vacation 

Have Fun at Silver Dollar City 

Okay, so I might as well get the amusement park in Branson on this list right away. If you have kids, you know an amusement park is going to be at the top of their list of things to do in Branson!  

Silver Dollar City is a theme park with an 1880s feel. There are all kinds of rides. So, you won’t need to feel like you are going on the same ones over and over. The favorite ride at this theme park is the Experience Time Traveler. It is a roller coaster that has a ten story drop at ninety degrees. All while you are speeding along at fifty miles per hour.  

Trust me when I say your family is not going to want to leave this theme park early!  

Have a Little More Fun at Fritz’s Adventure 

Teenagers, and even younger kids, will love what is waiting at Fritz’s Adventure. This indoor space is full of tons of activities designed to keep your family busy for hours. So, if you happen to have a rainy day while on vacation in Branson, this will be the place you will want to be!  

There is a climbing wall, ziplining course, tunnels, slides, and so much more.  

Go Crazy at WonderWorks Branson 

WonderWorks Branson is a science-based children’s museum. There are three floors filled with more than one hundred interactive activities.  

You will feel like you are going crazy from the moment you enter this building. The reason for this is the building itself looks like it has been constructed upside down. You will discover many other wacky things like that as your family enjoys every aspect of this attraction.  

Take an Old-Fashioned Family Photo 

There are quite a few old-time photo locations throughout Branson. So, jump on the bandwagon and do one of the best things in Branson with your family!  

Choose your scene, costumes, and props. Then smile away (or make funny faces), as you capture unique family photos from your vacation in Branson. It’s a one-of-a-kind memory no one will ever forget! Especially since these photos will be hanging up in your home for everyone to see.  

Catch a Performance 

Branson has long been known as the Live Entertainment Capital of the World. This city has more than one hundred live shows each year. Those performances are held within more than fifty theaters.  

Basically, you have so many performance options to choose from, there shouldn’t be an issue finding one the entire family will love.  

I can help you find the shows that will be scheduled during your family vacation in Branson. This will ensure you don’t miss out on the perfect one for your family.  

Take a Ride on the Sparky Historic Downtown Branson Trolley 

One of the best ways to explore downtown Branson is via the trolley. The Sparky Historic Downtown Branson Trolley is in operation every day between the months of March and December. During January and February, you can only ride the trolley on the weekends.  

There are thirteen stops for the trolley. Your driver will share lots of information about what your family is seeing along the way.  

Wander Around Downtown Branson 

While the trolley is an excellent way to learn where everything is in Branson, nothing beats wandering around the streets of downtown. This area is full of vintage shops, candy stores, and an ice cream parlor.  

Walk Along Branson Landing 

Branson Landing is right outside downtown. It is located on Lake Taneycomo. Concerts and other events are held here throughout the year. Add in the Branson Grand Prix of Powerboat races on the lake and Christmas events and you have a wonderful place for families.  

Don’t skip the fountain show at Branson Landing. It’s a water, light, and fire show that occurs every hour starting at noon and ending at ten at night.  

Take a Ride on the Branson Scenic Railway 

The Branson Scenic Railway is up and running between the months of March and December each year. There are different options for train rides that take you further into Missouri or over to Arkansas.  

One of my favorite times to ride this train is when they offer the Polar Express experience. These train rides occur during November and December. This is when you can travel to the “North Pole” to visit with Santa after reading the Polar Express book. Don’t forget the hot cocoa and cookies!  

Visit the Butterflies at the Butterfly Palace 

The Butterfly Palace is a great place to unwind during a busy vacation in Branson. While at the attraction, your family can take a self-guided adventure through the rainforest. During this adventure, you will discover more than one thousand butterflies.  

One of the best parts of visiting the Butterfly Palace is hand-feeding the butterflies. Everyone is given a nectar flower, which attracts the butterflies.  

See the Stunning Views from the Branson Ferris Wheel 

You may think that once you have ridden on a Ferris wheel, there’s nothing more to experience. Well, while in Branson, you can see the stunning views of the city during a ride on the Ferris wheel there.  

I recommend riding during the day and at night. This will allow you to experience the city during the daytime hours and all lit up at nighttime.  

Play a Round of Mini Golf 

Mini golf is quite popular in Branson. After you have spent a few days here, you may start to think there is a mini golf course on almost every corner.  

While that isn’t quite true, there are a lot of courses to choose from!  

Choose one and see which person in your family comes out under par. Don’t worry, you can always have a rematch at another course before you head home.  

Take a Hike 

Branson offers quite a few hiking trails. If your family wants to escape the city for a little time outdoors, I will make sure a hike is on your list.  

Two of the best hiking trails in Branson include the Lakeside Wilderness Hiking Trail and the Table Rock Lakeshore Trail. There are four looped trails at the first option. The second option includes one trail that is just over two miles long. 

Go On a Branson Duck Tour 

Do you want a unique way to see the sights in Branson? One of the best things to do in Branson is taking a duck tour. The vehicles can explore the city on land and in water.  

Your guide will share the history of where you are going, while telling jokes and other stories along the way. Most of the tours go through Branson before heading onto Lake Taneycomo to see the city from a different perspective.  

Tackle the Mountain Coaster 

Not a fan of roller coasters, but the rest of your family loves them? Well, the Mountain Coaster in Branson may be the coaster for you!  

This roller coaster goes through the woods on five thousand feet of track. There are a couple loops and a few twists and turns. But the best part is you get to control the speed.  

Tour the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery 

This fish hatchery is a trout rearing facility in Branson. It is run by the Missouri Department of Conservation. You can tour the hatchery before feeding the fish.  

Explore Talking Rocks Cavern 

Talking Rocks Cavern is a great place to visit during the hottest days of summer. This is because the cavern stays at a comfortable sixty-three degrees Fahrenheit. Take the hour-long guided tour to learn about the cave formation, as well as the geology of the area.  

Try Clay Shooting at Big Cedar Lodge 

There aren’t too many places in the world where you can learn how to go clay shooting while on vacation. But it is one of the best things to do in Branson while on vacation with family.  

If clay shooting has long been on your list of things to do, head over to Big Cedar Lodge to give it a try.  

Take a Ride on the Showboat Branson Belle 

Older kids won’t mind an evening of dining and entertainment on the Showboat Branson Belle. This boat will take your family out on a two-and-a-half-hour ride on Table Rock Lake. During the ride, you will all enjoy a three-course meal, as you watch world-class performers.  

Celebrate Christmas in Branson 

Out of all the Christmas destinations around the world, no one seems to do the holiday season better than Branson. If you can visit this area at any time throughout the year, I recommend visiting during the holiday season. Branson magically transforms into a winter wonderland between November 1st and January 7th.  

The winter wonderland is everywhere too. So, be prepared to see lights, decorations, and everything else that comes with the holiday ambiance.  

One of the best things to do in Branson during the holiday season is a drive-thru Christmas light tour. There are a couple to choose from in Branson. I recommend Branson’s Lights of Joy and the Trail of Lights.  

Other things to do include checking out the gingerbread village at the Chateau on the Lake, completing the America’s Christmas Tree City Tour, and watching the Christmas performances.  

Check out these other Christmassy towns in the US!

These are the best things to do in Branson during a family vacation. There are so many other things you can do with your family while visiting Branson though. All you need to do is let me know what your family is interested in, and I will personalize your itinerary accordingly.  

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to Branson or another destination?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click the link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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