With the big city lights and musical stylings of Branson, Downtown Branson can sometimes get over looked. Unfortunately, you will be missing the whole Branson experience if you don’t visit Branson Historic District filled with restaurants, museums, shops and more!
Shops
The different shops in Downtown Branson provide an escape from the traditional retail experience. Downtown Branson is filled with unique shops like ABC Dolls & Collectibles and the Aromatique Outlet Store. Black Hills & Fine Jewelry provides jewelry created in the area by local artists, and Dicks 5 & 10 offers anything you could possibly need, and more. Patricia’s Victorian House can take you back to the time of crinolines and lace, or stop by Plum Bazaar Bead & Jewelry Shop for specialty hand-made jewelry and unique beads. The Copper Coin has items made out of and centered on pennies, and the numerous flea markets and thrift stores, like Main Street Flea Market, Old Town Flea Market, and The Classy Flea, provide plenty of untold adventures.
Museums & Attractions
Not only does Downtown Branson provide shopping, but it can provide a little afternoon entertainment as well. The Branson Centennial Museum features different aspects of Branson’s history and has rotating exhibits. It is free to the public, but donations are accepted. The Branson Ghost & Legends tour takes you Downtown Branson and shows you a completely different side of the quaint little historical district. You will hear some legends and stories here you won’t hear anywhere else, and maybe even capture some evidence of the other side. The Branson Scenic Railway is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. “This one hour 45 minute trip takes passengers through tunnels, over trestles, and through the southwest Missouri or northwest Arkansas wilderness that is still home to much wildlife and to the ruins of long-ago communities now named only on railroad maps,” says http://www.bransontourismcenter.com. “America’s romance with the vintage passenger train lives on through excursions on the Branson Scenic Railway aboard a collection of unique passenger cars that travel through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains.” The train ride offers a dinner on Saturday evenings, and takes you through beautiful Ozark scenery, and make sure to visit each of the train cars for a different view of railroad history.
Restaurants
Sticking with its theme of originality, Downtown Branson offer dining from family owned and operated restaurants and ice cream shops. Speaking of great little sandwich shops, Clocker’s Café, Hot Hits Café, Loosie Lou’s Diner, main Street Alley Snack & Shop, Smack’s Deli & Ice Cream, and The Shack are all local favorites. Each little sandwich stop has its own feel and will feed you specialty sandwiches. Farmhouse Restaurant & Gifts is a classic Branson eatery, as is Mr. B’s Ice Cream & Deli shop. You won’t find any better meals and ice cream than from these two places. Mr. G’s Chicago Style Pizza has amazing pizza, and Rocky’s Italian Eatery is some of the best Italian food in town. Ruby Lena’s Tea Room & Antiques is a quaint little shop perfect for some afternoon coffee or tea. And while comfortable and relaxed is what Downtown Branson is known for, it also offers some fine dining experiences with Palate Fine Wines & Provisions and Table 22 Restaurant.
