Branson, Missouri, is one of the nation’s most popular vacation destinations. Folks plan all year to take their weeklong (or sometimes two weeklong!) vacations here in the Ozarks. You can spend a week or two in Branson and still not see and do everything there is to be done! But you don’t have to spend a week or more in Branson to have an enjoyable time; you can come for a weekend and still get a great taste of what the Ozarks have to offer with a mini Branson vacation! Read on for an example itinerary of what a weekend Branson vacation might look like – then use it to create your own!
Friday: Branson is within driving distance of several major U.S. cities, so if you and your family head out at a reasonably early time in the morning, you can arrive in Branson by late afternoon or early evening. Then, you can head straight to Thousand Hill’s Hotel and Golf Resort to check into a room, condo or cabin! (Traveler’s tip: booking your lodging in advance can help you save time – and time savers are a must for a weekend trip! Thousand Hill’s offers online or over the phone booking.) No matter how big or small your family is, Thousand Hills has lodging options ranging from cozy to roomy and everything in between!
Once you are all checked in, some time spent resting is always a good plan. The rooms at Thousand Hills come fully prepared for your stay with shower supplies, linens, and even washing machines and ironing boards! Once you’ve freshened up and rested, you can enjoy the rest of your evening in Branson. Consider catching a movie at the Branson Meadows Cinema or the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex, or even a live entertainment show like SIX or the Presley’s Country Jubilee. Then round out your night by grabbing a bite to eat at a great restaurant like Chile’s or Garfield’s Pub.
Saturday: With a bright and early start, you can be ready to spend a day at Silver Dollar City, one of Branson’s most famous theme parks! This old time park features rides, shows, shopping and food, and is a great attraction to spend some time at. Ride the coasters, check out the entertainment at the Red Gold Hall, and then grab some lunch at a park restaurant like the Dockside Grill, Molly’s Mill or the Lucky Silver Mine. All feature good home cooking that is sure to satisfy! (And stop by Brown’s candy shop for dessert!) After a tasty meal and some time to recharge, spend the afternoon browsing Silver Dollar City’s shops and watch the craftsmen at work.
After a day exploring Silver Dollar City, treat yourself to a nice dinner at one of the fashionable restaurants at the lakeside Branson Landing – Cantina Laredo, Waxy O’Shea’s, and the Black Oak Grill are all great choices. Round out the day with a little Landing style shopping and a twilight walk along Lake Taneycomo!
Sunday: Sundays are a great day to sleep in a little – and the luxurious condos and cabins at Thousand Hills make that easy! After resting up, head over to The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks for brunch – it’s an amazing meal on an amazing campus! You can tour the college after brunch – you won’t want to miss seeing the on campus dairy, the mill, the fruitcake and jelly kitchen, and the Ralph Foster Museum!
If you have time, be sure to make a run to Table Rock Lake State Park – it’s known for great fishing, swimming, bird watching and hiking, and is well worth a glimpse before you head home!
Branson is a fantastic destination no matter how long you can stay – and rest assured, you will always be welcomed back!
