Unusual Places: Branson, Missouri

Branson has long been a popular destination for vacationers from Missouri and neighboring areas. It's called the Live Music Show Capital of the World.  On any given day, almost 90 music, magic and comedy shows run at 50+ theaters. You might catch into Tony Orlando, the Osmonds or Marty Stuart, all regulars. (Think Las Vegas without the casinos) Between shows, enjoy nature in the Ozarks.  You'll find great fishing, hiking, biking and water sports in the area.

In 1882, Reuben Branson opened a general store and post office in the area. Branson was formally incorporated in 1912 and construction of the Powersite Dam nearby on the White River which would form Lake Taneycomo was completed.

In 1894 William Henry Lynch bought Marble Cave (renamed Marvel Cave) and began charging visitors to tour it. Hugo and Mary Herschend leased the cave for 99 years in 1950 and began hosting square dances in it. The Herschend Family modernized the cave with electricity and concrete staircases, and in 1960, the Herschends opened Silver Dollar City which was a re-creation of a frontier town that featured five shops, a church and a log cabin with actors that played out the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys.

Harold Bell Wright published his novel about the Ozarks, The Shepherd of the Hills, in 1907. The Old Mill Theater began its first outdoor production based on the novel in 1960. The show known as The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama & Homestead still runs today. It is also the home of Inspiration Tower, the Sons of the Pioneers show, and other attractions. The Harold Bell Wright Museum is located within The World's Largest Toy Museum complex.

Branson has continued to add theaters (the most recent new theater is Sight & Sound Theatres) and shows. Theatres in the Branson area currently include the Shoji Tabuchi Theatre, New Shanghai Theatre, Jim Stafford Theatre, Hughes Brothers Theatre, Kirby VanBurch Theatre, Mickey Gilley Theatre, RFD-TV The Theatre (Buck Trent continues to perform his morning show at this theater), Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre (home to Legends In Concert and The Bretts), Baldknobbers' Jamboree Theatre, Sight & Sound Theatres, Hamner Barber Theater, God and Country Theatres, Dutton Family Theatre, Grand Country Music Hall, Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, The Mansion, Oak Ridge Boys Theatre, Pierce Arrow Theatre, Showboat Branson Belle, Yakov Smirnoff Theatre, Clay Cooper Theatre, Presleys' Country Jubilee Theatre, Black Oak Amphitheatre, Caravelle Theatre, White House Theatre, Branson Variety Theatre, Branson IMAX Little Opry Theatre, Circle B at Branson Central, and the Americana Theatre

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Besides the numerous entertainment theaters for which Branson is famous, other local attractions include the Hollywood Wax Museum, Silver Dollar City, White Water, Waltzing Waters, Mount Pleasant Winery, Stone Hill Winery, Ride the Ducks, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, Ziplines, Cave Tours, National Tiger Sanctuary, Go-Karts, Mini Golf, Horseback Rides, Butterfly Palace, and Rainforest Adventure. Ripley's Odditorium is housed in a building that has been made to look as if it is cracked wide open by an earthquake or other disaster, while the Titanic Museum is a half-scale replica of the famous ship and iceberg.

Branson Landing opened in the summer of 2006 on the Lake Taneycomo waterfront in downtown Branson. The lakefront project includes retail space with Bass Pro Shops and Belk as anchors in an outdoor shopping mall of stores and restaurants and features a Hilton Hotel. The new Branson Convention Center, situated between the Landing and historic downtown Branson, opened September 7, 2007.

The Branson Scenic Railway is located in the old depot, across from Branson Landing.
Branson is home to America's largest Veterans Day celebration, "Veterans Homecoming Week."

Silver Dollar City features Outlaw Run, the world's most daring wood coaster. It features the world’s first and only double barrel roll on a wood coaster, with a 720-degree (double) barrel roll. In addition: 
Outlaw Run is the only wood coaster to twist upside down three times.
Outlaw Run is the world’s steepest wood coaster with a first drop of 162 feet (more than 16 stories) at 81 degrees.
Outlaw Run is the second fastest wood coaster in the world, reaching a top speed of 68 miles per hour.

There is so much to see and do in the Branson area for visitors of all ages either on land at a world-class theme park, on the water at Table Rock Lake aboard a dinner cruise or high in the air on a helicopter ride. Adventure seekers can choose from a wide variety of authentic attractions in this Ozark Mountain destination.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 
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