It’s almost that time of year! The weather is warming up and it’s time to hit the lake. There are quite a few fishing tournaments in Branson this year and we want to make sure you don’t miss a single one! And what’s better than a weekend spent fishing and relaxing in your own private log cabin? Not much in in our opinion- other than spending it with family and/or friends.
Here are a few fishing tournaments you won’t want to miss this year!
- Big Bass Classic. This takes place March 24-25, 2018 on Table Rock Lake. The weigh in site is at Long Creek Marina. Register here!
- Anglers in Action. Multiple dates (March 18, April 8 or May 5) on Table Rock Lake at Kimberling Resort & Marina. Register here!
- Solo Pro MoBassFishin’. Takes place April 15, 2018 on Table Rock Lake. Register here!
- Cops for Kids Tournament. A fun annual event which benefits Catch A Dream Foundation and Children’s Smile Center. Register here!
- National Fishing and Boating Week. June 2-9, 2018. Many states offer free fishing this week! There is no tournament, but it is a fun reason to get out on the lake!
Sometimes you just need a getaway. Don’t you agree? However, we understand that sometimes a getaway just isn’t a possibility. So we’ve come up with a few cabin inspired crafts to bring a piece of vacation into your home.
1.) We love this cabin inspired wreath. And you can simply change the flower to match the season or holiday! Update the wreath by adding a sunflower, fall leaves, poinsettias or any other festive decor.
2. Sometimes a frame just doesn’t do a photo justice. How precious is this photo and DIY frame? All you need is a piece of wood, some string, a floral decor (or just extra string to tie a big bow), and a photo! You could even use a photo you took while on vacation with Amazing Branson Rentals!
3. Did your kids collect a ton of sticks outside? Great! Turn them into a piece of art! You can spell out a name, create your first or last name initial or make a plethora of other shapes. Your kids can even help!
We love Branson year round, but there is something special about Branson in the spring. New shows come to the strip, Silver Dollar City opens again, the lake starts becoming active again and flowers begin to bloom everywhere. What’s not to love? So with so many options, where do you start? Today we are sharing all of our top tips on what to do in Branson in the spring!
- Silver Dollar City. We love Silver Dollar City and not only are they opening again on March 14, but they also have some new rides you definitely want to try!
- See a show. There are so many incredible shows in Branson. Be sure to see at least one on your trip!
- Get outside. There are so many gorgeous hiking trails in the Branson area. Be sure to soak up some fresh air and enjoy the beauty of the area!
- Enjoy Lake Table Rock. Few things say spring or summer like a day spent out on the lake!
- Go golfing. Branson is filled with incredible golfing options. These are a few of our favorites!
- Visit the Branson Landing. Here you’ll find food, shopping, a water show and more. There is a little something for everyone in the family!
- Frisbee golf. We have frisbee golf at both our Tall Pines location and Branson Cedars location. It’s a fun way to get outside and spend some time as a family!
- Zip Line. If you’ve never zip lined before, you must add it to your bucket list! You will love it!
- Get on the lake. We highly recommend White River Kayaking; you can learn more about it here!
Table Rock Lake is the crown jewel of natural beauty in Branson, with something to do for everyone! Whether you’re spending the day tanning on the shore, or enjoying a dinner and show on the Showboat Branson Belle, Table Rock Lake is a can’t miss spot for locals and visitors alike. Check out our list of the best things to do at the lake!
Swimming
It’s a lake, and big one at that. The water’s clear and cool. Why aren’t you in the water yet?
Fishing
Anglers, grab your tackle box and fishing pole and enjoy the great fishing here! Table Rock Lake is home to largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and more. Whether you’re fishing on shore or on a boat, you’ll enjoy a leisurely fishing outing. Click here for a Table Rock Lake fishing report.
Boating
Grab a kayak, canoe or motorboat and spend the day on the water of the Table Rock Lake. Take in the beautiful Ozark scenery that surrounds the lake, and keep your eyes open for local wildlife! If you’re worried that you’ll run out of water to cruise, think again: the lake spans over 43,000 acres, affording aspiring ship captains plenty to cover. Boat rentals are available through State Park Marina, Indian Point Marina and more.
The Showboat Branson Belle
The Showboat Branson Belle is one of the best attractions in the area, and it happens to be on Table Rock Lake! Not every day do you find a lake that’s home to an exciting dinner and show cruise boat, but that’s exactly what’s in store here. With exciting shows that run year-round and mouthwatering meals, the Showboat Branson Belle take its guests on a cruise they won’t forget! Click here for tickets, show schedule and more.
Water Sports
You can’t hang ten here, but that won’t matter because you can do almost everything else that involves water and fun! Head to State Park Marina where you can rent waverunners, sign up for water skiing lessons, go parasailing, or try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding. Visit stateparkmarina.com for more information.
Camping
Whether you brought a tent or packed up the RV, you can enjoy camping at Table Rock Lake Park. There are two campgrounds at the park, and both are open year round. They include electric and water hook-ups, and are RV accessible. Visit the Table Rock State Park website for more information, including campground maps and reservation details.
Hiking
Need a break from the water? Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails surrounding Table Rock Lake. There are miles of trails nearby, from paved paths to multi-day excursions. Seeing the mountains from the lake is one thing, but getting out into the Ozarks is something completely different (and awesome!). Check out our blog for more information on the best trails to hike in the area.
Biking
Hiking isn’t the only out-of-water activity that you’ll find surrounding the lake. If you’re craving some two-wheeled fun, strap on your helmet and hit the bike trails near Table Rock Lake. The Table Rock Lakeshore Trail is a great choice for a leisurely ride, affording riders great views of the area. Mountain bikers can stay occupied on the White River Valley Trail System where they’ll find over 11 miles of trails and four loops, all varying in difficulty.
Amazing Branson Vacation Rentals
There’s no better place to stay in Branson than in a vacation cabin from Amazing Branson Rentals! Conveniently located only 10 miles from Table Rock Lake, our rental cabins are the perfect place to stay after a day on the lake, and feature great amenities like whirlpool tubs, fireplaces and decks that are perfect for cookouts! Contact us today for reservations and rates, and see for yourself what makes Branson so amazing.
DOLLY PARTON’S STAMPEDE IS BRANSON’S MOST FUN PLACE TO EAT
Dolly Parton, the most honored female country performer of all time, has her own dinner attraction called the Dolly Parton’s Stampede. Arguably the most entertaining dining experience in Branson, Dolly Parton’s Stampede is the dinner show that you don’t want to miss when you visit the Live Entertainment Capital of the World!
THE PRE-SHOW IN THE Saloon
Included in your ticket for the Stampede is pre-show entertainment! Start off with the Horse Walk which is guided tour through the show horse stables to meet the four-legged stars of our show. Then make your way over to our Saloon to enjoy our all-new pre-show. There you can enjoy the sounds of live bluegrass and country music as you sip on a cold drink from a souvenir Boot Mug.
THE SHOW
Dolly Parton’s Stampede, is a family-friendly blend of comedy, phenomenal music, beautiful dancing, and spectacular special effects. Watch as 32 magnificent horses and a cast of top-notch riders thrill you with daring feats of trick riding and friendly competition. New for 2024, Dolly Parton’s Stampede takes the competition up a notch, high into the treetops! Don’t miss the exciting new feature, “Rumble in the Treetops”, showcasing the strength and agility of skilled lumberjack teams as they climb, chop, saw and log roll their way through a four-event relay. To get an idea of what to expect, check out this video! You’ll quickly see why this is “The Most Fun Place to Eat in Branson”!
THE MEAL
Not only are the main event and the pre-show entertainment spectacular, their four-course feast is out of this world! The menu at Dolly Parton’s Stampede consists of their Original Creamy Vegetable Soup and hot buttery biscuit, as well as a mouth-watering, tender, and whole rotisserie chicken, delicious hickory-smoked pulled pork, hot-buttered corn on the cob, tasty herb-roasted potatoes, a specialty dessert, and unlimited Coca-Cola®, tea, or coffee. They also have vegetarian and gluten-free meals available upon request.
STAY WITH AMAZING BRANSON VACATION RENTALS
After enjoying an exciting dinner show and a possible combo deal attraction you’re going to be stuffed and tired from such an amazing day. Come and enjoy the peace and quiet surrounding our cabins here at Amazing Branson Rentals. You can choose from the wide variety of cabins offered here, which are all equipped with the best amenities and accommodations. We provide guests with the very best, as we are known as one of the best places to stay in Branson, MO. Don’t forget to contact Amazing Branson Rentals, and we’ll help you find the perfect cabin rental for your vacation needs.
A bustling town driving driven by theaters and country music fame, Branson, MO history is a unique tail of resilient farmers, post Civil War conflict and a century-old tourist attraction. The Ozarks provide the backdrop for the story of a small, easily overlooked town, that would find recognition for both its wildly successful show industry and reputation as a family-friendly vacation spot. Local or visitor, take a moment to familiarize yourself with Branson, MO history.
The Branson area history dates back to the 1800s and is rooted in the plights of settlers who moved to Ozarks from neighboring states. According the to Branson.com, these settlers were of English, Scottish and Irish descent, and had made a living farming in states like Tennessee and Kentucky. This region would eventually become home to violence and lawlessness during and after the Civil War. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the Branson began to develop into what it is today.
Named after Reuben Branson, owner of a general store that doubled as a post office in the 1880s, Branson was officially incorporated in 1912. However, Branson’s popularity began gaining momentum five years earlier in 1907 following Harold Bell Wright’s novel “The Shepherd of the Hills,” a story about life in the Ozarks. According to Bransonmo.com, the novel found national success, and as a result, people began visiting Branson to catch a glimpse of the Ozark culture that the novel detailed. “The Shepherd of the Hills” would eventually be adapted to both film and theater.
But Branson’s spike in popularity from Wright’s novel was only the beginning of the attention it would receive. Fishing in the White River and the popularity of Lake Taneycomo laid the foundation for the town becoming a popular vacation destination. According to the Branson Tourism Center, the construction of the Table Rock Dam transformed Lake Taneycomo into an ideal cold water fishing spot in 1959, due to the effects that the dam’s formation had on the lake (Table Rock Lake was also created as a result of the dam, and is one of Branson’s most popular attractions). Today, the Showboat Branson Belle cruises the waters of Table Rock Lake while entertaining its guests.
Of course, the highlight of town’s history is its show business. Around the same time as the formation of Table Rock Lake, the Baldknobbers Jamboree performed Branson’s first show. The following decade saw the town’s theater scene develop, and as stated on Branson.com, 1967 saw the beginning of the Presley’s Country Jubliee on Highway 76, and along with comedian Gary Presely (aka “Herkimer”), the entertainment in Branson began to develop. During this time, an outdoor pageant adaption of “The Shepherd of the Hills” was performed for the first time, and the show is still running today.
Country music artists from across the nation also found the area a suitable destination, starting with Red Foley, and later Boxcar Willie and Roy Clark, among others. Clark opened the Celebrity Theatre in 1983 (now the Hughes Brothers Theatre), helping cement Branson as a respected country music town.
Today, as stated on Branson.com, there are 50 theaters and over 100 shows running in Branson, with more seating than Broadway! Renowned musicians including the Charlie Daniels Band, LeAnn Rimes and blues outfit Huey Lewis and The News are all slated to perform in Branson this year (and that’s just a few!) Despite its small size, Branson has rightly earned its title as “Live Entertainment Capital of the World.”
We’d love for you to experience Branson for yourself! World-class entertainment, beautiful Ozark scenery and more await you here, and the best way see it all is by staying in an Amazing Branson rental cabin. We have plenty of cabins that will meet your preferences and enhance your time in Branson. Contact us today!
We love Branson any time of year, but it is a little extra special at Christmas time. From the lights and decorations to the shows and restaurants- there is something for everyone. One of the most common questions our guests ask us is: what shows should we see at Christmas. Well after much research and after having watched a plethora of shows in the name of research, we’ve come up with a full list for you! Here are a few of the best Christmas shows in Branson this year:
A few notable mentions would include:
What are some of your favorite shows in Branson?
{during the Christmas season or any time of the year}
The Christmas season is full of love and joy! It’s a season of giving and a season of celebration. This year, we want to help prepare you for those last minute gifts you may have forgot about. Whether you need secret Santa gift, a hostess gift or just a little something for your neighbor and friends- we’ve got you covered. Here are a easy DIY Christmas gifts for everyone in your life!
We love these little candy filled Christmas ornaments! Get yourself a silver or gold sharpie and write the gift receivers name in pretty hand writing on the front of the ornament. You could even write a special note and the year on the ornament so they can keep it year after year! We would recommend filling them with red and green M&Ms or other seasonally colored candies! Get a pack of 12 clear acrylic ornaments here!
Or instead of candy, you could fill these ornaments with a delicious homemade hot chocolate recipe! {or use the store bought packs and just make it look pretty!} Pour the hot cocoa mix into the bottom, add a layer of Christmas sprinkles, some chocolate chips, and top off with mini marshmallows! You now have Christmas in an ornament! You could even add peppermint bark or white chocolate chips to add variety! You could even give a mug alongside the ornament for the hot cocoa! If you do add a mug to the gift, be sure to add a candy cane so they gift receiver can use it as a stirring stick! Get a set of 6 mugs here ($3.83 per mug) or a set of 12 mugs here ($2.58 per mug)!
We also like to keep a few of these Rudolf Reindeer chocolate bars on hand, just because you never know when you will need to share a little Christmas spirit with someone. Plus, they are a fun little craft you can enjoy making as a family! All you need is: a pack of Hershey’s bars, a box of candy canes, googly eyes, red pom poms, brown card stock paper, glue {low heat glue gun or crazy glue suggested}. Simply glue the candy canes and brown ears to the back of the Hershey’s bar and glue the eyes and nose to the front! And voila- Rudolf!
Wanting to give a more extravagant gift?
Maybe think about giving the gift of an experience!
Everyone loves receiving a vacation!
Want to make this Christmas season the best Christmas season yet? Few cities celebrate Christmas like Branson. We think it almost feels as festive as the North Pole! There is so much to see and do in Branson this time of year so we’ve collected a few of our top recommendations of what to do in Branson at Christmas to help make your trip even more memorable!
- See a Christmas Show :: There are tons of great Christmas shows in Branson. Stay tuned- we will be sharing a few of our favorites soon!
- Visit Silver Dollar City :: Trust us, it won’t disappoint! The lights, the attractions, the atmosphere! A definite must!
- See the Lights :: Branson is covered in Christmas lights. We’ve shared some of the best light shows in Branson here.
- Walk the Branson Landing :: Watch the dazzling fire and water show at the town square, pick up some gifts and enjoy the general splendor of the area!
- Ride the Polar Express :: Of course we have our own scenic Polar Express in Branson!
- Check out the GIGANTIC Gingerbread Houses :: Chateau on the Lake is home to a village of gingerbread houses that are definitely worth seeing!
- Have a Christmas night in :: Stay in one of our homes, sip hot cocoa with marshmallows, listen to Christmas music, and make s’mores or Christmas cookies! Or cuddle up and watch a Christmas movie!
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
Sometimes, you just need a long, beautiful drive to clear your soul. The Ozark Mountains are home to some of the most beautiful scenic routes in the country- especially in the midst of the gorgeous fall weather we are having! These are the best Sunday driving routes in Branson!
Pro tip: Be sure to keep your eyes on the outside of the car- reading or playing on your phone as a passenger tends to make non-locals car-sick… plus you don’t want to miss the gorgeous views!
- Hwy 165: Take Hwy 65 North to 265. Take 265 to Hwy 165 to the Scenic Overlook. One of the best Branson views is at the Hwy 165 Overlook.
- Ozark Mountain Highroad: Otherwise known as Hwy 465, The Highroad is a beautiful way to observe the Ozark Mountains. Go North on Highway 65, then take 465 Southwest around to Branson West.
- Ozark Hollow Road: Starting at the top of the mountain, and winding all the way down to the lake, this route is close to home for our guests! Take Hwy 86 West to Hwy UU. Make a right onto Ozark Hollow Road, follow all the way to the bottom. Be sure to watch out for deer!
- Eureka Springs: Take the trek down to Eureka! Take Hwy 65 South to 412 West. Continue Northwest on Hwy 62 all the way to Eureka Springs!
