Branson, MO

Sara, the Branson tourism site should be helpful. It's best to choose activities and attractions based on your own interests as someone else's preferences may be very different.

https://www.explorebranson.com

I live near Branson. Yes, you will want a car. There is no public transportation, other than taxi cabs. That would be pretty inconvenient as things are spread out. As far as things to do... there are many music and variety shows, Titanic museum, Silver Dollar City theme park, Taneycomo Lake (trout fishing), Table Rock Lake (fishing and lake activities), and lots of other tourist activities. Check out Dicks 5 & 10 in downtown Branson. Depending on your age, it reminds you of an old fashion dime store. You should have nice spring weather in April.

sara, Branson is such an anomaly. The Ozarks is an area of great natural beauty - mountains, springs, caves, oak and hickory forests, and deep dark hollows. Then, Branson is like a bit of glitzy Las Vegas (without the gambling or the sin) slapped in the middle of it, strung out along a ridgeline. Of course you know there are a zillion country music theaters there, with some names you'll recognize and others you won't. But the best part is getting out of the built-up area and seeing the beautiful countryside. There are caves you can explore, whitewater canoeing (North Fork of the White River is not that far), a civil war battlefield (Wilsons Creek in Springfield), and all sorts of kitschy kountry shops to visit.

Just note that because of topography, traffic can get bad at peak times as the roads follow the ridges, and there's not a lot of alternate routes. Agree that a car is a must.

What is there to do?

I mean no malice but am puzzled at how a decision was made to go there for a week and then you pose that question.

Perhaps I am the odd duck, but I have never gone a trip and not know what I wanted to see and do at the destination.

Hi sara
Went to branson years ago and had a great time. So many things to see and do. Yes rent a car, find a hotel/condo away from main road. It will be crowded. Flew into springfiled which is closer than driving hours from st louis or kansas city. Did a package deal, hotel and 5 shows included with breakfast included. We loved pierce arrow, bluegrass jubilee and motown downtown, did a branson belle dinner cruise but would have liked a luncheon so you can see the lake when it's light outside. Did not like andy williams. I'm sure you can ask hotel/condo if package deals available and take your pick. Took a ride to branson downtown with shops everywhere along with restaurants, and booths that do sell tickets. Take a look that all is available and decide what your group will like. Took a day trip through old country road to eureka springs, along the way stopped at fruit farms that made jams, jellies and BBQ sauces. wide open country, tasted wine at some shops and looked at everything and anything for sale. Spent a day at hotel pool and spa just to relax. check out dinebranson.com for coupons. Hope this is some info for you and have a fabulous time, you'll love it.
Happy Travels
Aloha Princess Pupule

Thank you very much for all this good advice. This is a free trip through our timeshare. I'm excited now.