Home of exciting Live Shows and Musical Performances, Silver Dollar City and Marvel Cave, Branson Scenic Railway and plenty of things to do in Branson on Memorial Day. We've compiled some of the best activities to do in Branson on this Memorial Day holiday.
This city of Branson is synonymous with live music performances. From a cappella to musical theater and covering genres such as country, classical, and special Christmas performances, Branson delivers with professional shows. Every night of the week throughout the summer during Memorial Day, the downtown Entertainment District is alive with colorful marquees advertising lively shows.
A few of the most popular shows in Branson include the multi-ensemble Presley's Country Jubilee, or the special effects show from The Haygoods. One of the most popular of Branson's live performances, Dolly Parton's Stampede, also provides dinner alongside live horse riding, music, and comedy.
Other live performances include acrobats, illusionists, tribute shows, variety acts, and religious theater. The Christmas holiday season in Branson is jam-packed with professional shows that will inspire, including the acclaimed Branson's Christmas Wonderland. For visiting during the peak summer season, it's recommended to browse online and purchase tickets ahead of any visit.
Silver Dollar City is a massive amusement park and entertainment space located between Branson and West Branson. The park encompasses over 100 acres and features an intricate 1880s theme with over 40 different rides and attractions.
Silver Dollar City also encompasses restaurants, shows, and shopping opportunities. The park puts on different culinary classes and artisan demonstrations as well.
Able to facilitate large events, Silver Dollar City is also home to seven world-class festivals throughout the year, including the annual Harvest Festival.
Interest in the area first began with the discovery of what was quickly named Marvel Cave. The deep wonders of the cave eventually generated aboveground attractions as well, leading to a thematic mining town complete with costumed characters and amusement rides.
As interest grew further, roller coasters and first-class facilities were added to the mix alongside Marvel Cave. Today, with the cost of admission, guests are granted guided entry into the cave. Whether it's part of your fun at Silver Dollar City, or the reason you go, Marvel Cave still stands as the cave that helped build Branson into what it is today.
The Branson Scenic Railway takes patrons through the Ozark foothills and down the historic tracks of the transportation era. The Depot is located near the Historic Downtown District on the east side of the city. Traveling either north or south from this historic 1905 Depot, the Branson Scenic Railway navigates lush scenery complete with tunnels, trestles, and true Ozark wilderness.
The restored passenger cars are a part of the story of the Branson Scenic Railway. All ticketholders are encouraged to check out the connected collection of classic railcars during the nearly two-hour ride. The 40-mile round trip also comes with a friendly narration that points out the most scenic attractions along the way.
The Branson Scenic Railway offers special events throughout the year in addition to their regular rides, including a Polar Express Train Ride during the holidays. The railway also features a dinner train offered on Saturdays from April through October. Trains run daily from the depot, except select Sundays.
In Historic Downtown Branson, on the shores of Lake Taneycomo, Branson Landing is a one-stop spot for dining, entertainment, and shopping. Next to the Branson Scenic Railway Depot, this engaging public space features over 100 storefronts adjacent to a charming promenade.
The most eye-catching feature of Branson Landing is the Branson Landing Fountains near the shore of Lake Taneycomo. These 120-foot geysers combine with pyrotechnics and music to make for a dazzling show. Also known as Branson Landing's Crown Jewel, these family favorite displays occur everyday on the hour between noon and 10pm.
Family friendly museums are stacked to the brim all along Highway 76 and Branson's Entertainment District. Ranging from a massive replica of a Titanic ship to a Hollywood-style Mount Rushmore, the different museum options in Branson go beyond the ordinary and appeal to everyone who visits during Memorial Day.
The Veterans Memorial Museum is a must-see and features 10 show halls that cover 20th-century American combat. Less than three miles down the highway, the Ripley's Believe It or Not Branson Odditorium displays a different slice of life and features a wide array of hard-to-believe artifacts from across the world.
Other popular museums to visit in Branson's Entertainment District include the Titanic Museum, entered through an artificial iceberg, and the Hollywood Wax Museum, complete with a big collection of replica pop icons.
Other memorable museums in Branson include World's Largest Toy Museum, the Celebrity Car Museum, and the Ozark-related Ralph Foster Museum at Lookout Point.
Located in West Branson, 10 miles west of Branson's Entertainment District, Talking Rocks Cavern provides subterranean excitement. This popular family-friendly establishment also features plenty of above-ground things to do, too.
The absolute highlight of any visit on Memorial Day to Talking Rocks Cavern is the one-hour tour of the namesake attraction offered throughout the day. The guided tours at Talking Rocks take patrons deep into the cavern, navigating stairs and exploring the ancient features that have defined the area for thousands of years. Tours cater to most members of the family, and there is no crawling of any kind.
Aboveground activities at Talking Rocks Cavern include mini-golf, gemstone mining, and nature trails. The facility also features two challenging "Spelio-Boxes," which are wooden-box mazes constructed to simulate the tight environments encountered while cave exploring.
Just south of the city and on the shores of Table Rock Lake, Table Rock State Park is a great natural getaway into the Ozarks. This expansive state park features second-growth oak forests intertwined with multi-use trails, and plenty of access to the sprawling waters.
Table Rock State Park offers popular activities, such as mountain biking, fishing, and spending the night under the stars. The 2.25-mile Table Rock Lake Shore Trail is a great way to appreciate the lake from land, and thanks to the State Park Marina and full line of boat rentals, appreciation can be found on top of the water as well.
To extend your stay at Table Rock, the state park also provides two campgrounds complete with non-electric and electric campsites, shower facilities, and flushing toilets. A two-night minimum is required when booking a weekend campsite in advance. Table Rock also features a premium yurt complete with two bedrooms, televisions, and a kitchen with an electric stove.
In addition to the many live shows and museums to check out in Branson's Entertainment District, other family friendly activities easily catch your attention. Whether you feel the need for some speed on a corkscrew go-kart track, or you want to sink the winning putt on the 18th-hole of a thematic mini-golf course, the Entertainment District of Branson offers endless days of activity.
Bigfoot on the Strip is easily seen from the street, including its 200-foot tower amusement ride. Across the highway, the White-Water waterpark is a popular destination during the summer, as well as the neighboring Track Family Fun Parks and their epic go-kart tracks. For a great view of everything Branson's Entertainment District has to offer on Memorial Day visit, the giant Ferris wheel found off Highway 76 can give you a good sense of all there is to do.
Just south of Highway 76 and Branson's Entertainment District, Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area showcases the Ozark formations that define the region of southern Missouri. Spanning more than 140 acres, Lakeside Forest is lined with hiking trails that vary from smooth pathways to extensive staircases. Many of these trails lead to small underground caves, which are fun and safe to explore.
Visitors on Memorial Day to Lakeside Forest can opt for the Owens Drive Trail, which leads to the remains of a historic homestead. Another option is the Lake Taneycomo Trail, which covers some elevation to reveal rock grottos, caves, and great views across the wide shores of Lake Taneycomo. Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area is also popular for family picnics thanks to a large picnic shelter next to a nature-themed playground set.
Overlooking Branson's Entertainment District on the west side of the city, The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure opens a whole new world of excitement for the entire family. Featuring a living Rainforest Science Center, exotic critter encounters, and thousands of live butterflies imported from across the world, the Butterfly Palace provides educational and fun adventures for all ages.
Patrons of The Butterfly Palace have many activities to choose from with each visit. An always favorite activity is the daily butterfly release events. Visitors on Memorial Day to the The Butterfly Palace also have access to the interactive Great Banyan Tree Adventure and Emerald Forest Mirror Maze. No matter how you spend your time at this rainforest-inspired educational space, the Butterfly Atrium provides an experience found nowhere else in Branson.
