Planning your vacation to Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri is one of the largest entertainment destinations in the United States; however, the city's population is small. It only has 5,000 permanent residents, but attracts more than 7 million tourists annually. Tourism was Branson's main industry almost since its incorporation in 1912. The city began as a logging and manufacturing town in the early 1900s, but its lakes, hotels, beautiful streets, parks, and community celebrations began to attract visitors as early as 1914. Branson grew after World War II as retirees and artists moved to the area, and tourists flocked to the city after the completion of the Table Rock Dam in 1959. Musical entertainment became a major Branson attraction in the 1970s and 1980s, when country music legend Roy Clark built a theater here. Other musicians and celebrities soon built their own theaters, and some even relocated permanently to Branson. Today, the city has nearly 60,000 theater seats – 12,000 more than on Broadway in New York City. Some theaters offer as many as four shows a day. Guests can relax on the shores of a lake, enjoy a musical show, or explore the Ozark Mountains when they visit Branson's hotels and resorts.

Branson is famous for its musical entertainment and theaters, but more people are also visiting the city to engage in outdoor activities. There are three, large freshwater lakes in Branson: the Table Rock, the Taneycomo, and the Bull Shoals. Many tourists take cruises or go fishing on Table Rock and Taneycomo lakes. Several resorts and campgrounds are located along the Bull Shoals shores. Guests can also golf on 10 courses, hike and bike along nature trails, or drive through the Ozark Mountains.