All About Branson

The Facts...
RESTAURANTS: 412
RESTAURANT SEATS: 34,494
LODGING FACILITIES: 200
NUMBER OF ROOMS: 17,686
NUMBER OF THEATERS: 45
NUMBER OF THEATER SEATS: 56,228
(Branson boasts more theater seats than New York City's Broadway district.)

OVERVIEW: Branson is situated in Southwest Missouri, 35 miles south of Springfield. Branson is ranked 16th among all overnight leisure vacation destinations in the country.

TOURISM IMPACT:

• 7,225,000 visitors per year
• $1.7 billion spent in the area per year
• More than $50 million in sales tax revenue generated
• Tourism is the Branson/Lakes Area's chief industry

Season: Branson is a year-round destination with most of the entertainment offerings open mid-March through the end of December. Throughout the year, large special events such as Branson Fest (March), Veterans Homecoming (November) and Ozark Mountain Christmas (November and December) offer visitors a special reason to visit.

Summary of Activities:

Shows: The The Branson/Lakes Area offers 45 theaters and more than 80 shows. Audiences can see shows throughout the day - breakfast shows, matinees and evening performances round out a full day of great entertainment.
Branson offers a wide diversity of entertainment. Country, pop, swing, rock 'n roll, gospel, classical and Broadway-style music and productions join comedy and magic shows to provide visitors a wide array of entertainment choices.

Lake Activities: The Branson/Lakes Area is home to three scenic and flourishing lakes offering fishing, boating, parasailing, jet skiing and swimming. While the lakes all offer great fishing for novice and professional anglers, each has its specialty. Table Rock Lake offers world-class bass fishing. Lake Taneycomo, with its cold waters, offers superb trout fishing. Bull Shoals Lake is also an angler’s paradise, especially for tournament bass fishing.

Outdoor Activities: Located in the rolling Ozark Mountains, the Branson/Lakes Area is ideal for canoeing, camping, hiking, biking, birdwatching and simply wandering through the hills. World-class golf courses provide golfing opportunities for the scratch player and novice alike. The Branson/Lakes Area is dedicated to enhancing its natural environment and preserving its lakes and waterways.

SHOPPING: Branson is home to three outlet shopping malls with more than 200 retailers. Visitors can find contemporary clothing, gift items, housewares, designer shoes, luggage and myriad other treasures at reduced prices throughout the year. Historic downtown Branson is also a shopper and diner’s delight. An old-fashioned 5 & 10, several boutiques and specialty stores combined with quaint eateries make the downtown area truly special.

GETTING TO BRANSON: Branson is conveniently located within a day’s drive of more than half the country’s population. The Springfield/Branson Regional Airport is approximately 40 miles from Branson. The airport is served by five major airlines offering more than 70 arrivals and departures daily. Non-stop service is available from Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis and Memphis.