Glass blowing is just one of the many crafts demonstrated at Silver Dollar City.
People coming to Branson for the first time might wonder, “If I do nothing else, what is the one thing I must see or do while I am in Branson?” When the question was recently posed to Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center she said, “With so much to see and do in Branson live shows of every kind, attractions, museums, shopping, water fun and recreation on its thousands of acres of lakes and the natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains that’s an easy question to answer, have fun!” she continued with a twinkle in her eye.
Johnson explained that she knows that when most people ask that question they are looking for a specific thing to see or do, but that the answer for each individual or family is different. There are many who would say that the “one must do thing in Branson” is to spend a day at its most popular and biggest attraction, the 1880’s theme park, Silver Dollar City. Even within this group there are those who time their Branson visit to coincide with one of its six annual major world class festivals World-Fest, Bluegrass & BBQ, Kids Fest, Southern Gospel Picnic, National Harvest Festival and Old Time Christmas.
Others believe that the “one must do thing in Branson is” to see one of its live shows; after all Branson is referred to as the “Live music show capital of the world.” There are those who have been coming to Branson for decades who would not think that a trip to Branson was complete unless they saw the Baldknobbers Jamboree, the show that started it all or Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Branson’s first show on the “strip.” Others would say, their “one must do thing in Branson is” to see their favorite show which could come from a list as diverse as the Grand Jubilee, Comedy Jamboree, Amazing Pets, Duttons, Haygoods, Yakov, Clay Cooper, NOAH the Musical, Hamner Barber, Bill Medley, Paul Revere and the Raiders or George Dyer, Pierce Arrow, Liver Pool Legends, the Oakridge Boys or one of Branson’s many other shows.
Now everyone is going to eat, but there are groups, families and individuals who come to Branson and to whom the trip would not be complete without sharing a meal together, at least one time, at a particular restaurant. Some would say the “one must do thing in Branson is” to visit historic downtown Branson and Dick’s 5 & 10, Branson’s most unique shopping experience.
Still others might say that the “one must do thing in Branson is” trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo or bass fishing on Table Rock Lake. To others it could be boating, water skiing swimming or perhaps a dinner cruise on the fabulous Showboat Branson Belle. Some families do not consider their trip to Branson complete without splashing into Table Rock Lake on Ride the Ducks or making a trip down to Branson Landing.
“Just remember the ‘one must do thing in Branson,’ have fun and when you return, as the majority of the people who visit Branson do, you’ll have your own ‘one must do thing in Branson,'”Johnson said. “The neat thing about Branson is that with all there is to do the ‘one must do thing in Branson’ will change from visit to visit or grow into the ‘two or more must do things in Branson,'” she continued. Johnson suggests contacting the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services for information on any of the attractions or shows mentioned in this article or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.