What does ‘The Strip’ in Branson, Missouri, live entertainment capital of the Midwest, mean to you? For locals, it means traffic jams during tourist season, and the opportunity to take advantage of strategically placed alternate routes to get back and forth to work. For repeat Branson visitors, it means a wealth of shows, shops, hotels and restaurants all within a few blocks of each other. For business owners, it means having a prime location to market their wide variety of venues. For Branson newcomers, it may not mean anything. So what is The Strip, you ask? Read on for some history, facts and future plans for the Branson Strip!
So what exactly is the road referred to as The Strip, and where is it? The Branson Strip is the local name given to Highway 76, or 76 Country Music Boulevard, that runs east to west right through the heart of Branson. This road goes as far east as the Branson Landing, and as far west as, well, Branson West. All along the way, you will find stores, shows, eateries, places to stay and so much more that adds to the aura of one of the biggest vacation hotspots in the United States. Many of all of these great venues are within walking distance of each other – many visitors will simply walk from their hotel, to dinner, to a show and then back! Despite the millions of visitors that cruise The Strip each year, having everything in such close proximity helps keep a small town feel and charm that people love to experience.
The Strip first became popular in the 1950s to 1960s. It was around this time that the Presley family moved their bluegrass themed show, Presley’s Country Jubilee, onto Highway 76. They were followed shortly after by the Baldknobber show, and then the Plummer family show in 1968. All of these shows featured a bluegrass twist, which really attracted a lot of folks, since bluegrass was virtually unheard of anywhere but the Ozarks. The Branson Strip continued to grow, and in the late 1980s, commerce on this now famous highway exploded. The outlet mall was established, the first Ozark Mountain Christmas festival took place, and the Inspiration Tower at Shepherd of the Hills opened, and quickly became a landmark on the west end of The Strip for all of Branson to see. Today, The Strip is one of the most traveled roads in the United States!
Since The Strip is such an integral part of Branson, the mayor and the city are preparing to take on an exciting project to revamp the famous Highway 76 even more. The Spirit of 76 Project will reconfigure the street to be safer, more attractive, and more accessible to all travelers, whether they are motorists, cyclists, or travelers afoot. The community is strongly encouraged to participate in sharing their ideas for the Spirit of 76 Project. The city wants to have fun with the design process, and to be creative while coming up with realistically possible ideas that will improve The Strip for the better. Want to get involved? Visit www.bransonspiritof76.com to play your part in the process and leave your mark on The Branson Strip!
