Don’t underestimate this little Ozark’s town. Branson has everything you could imagine for a great holiday vacation. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting this much when we decided to go there. From amazing live shows to great outdoors Branson has nothing to envy to any big city. You’ll know why very soon!

Highway 76 “The Strip”

First, with almost 3.3 miles in extension, Branson Strip is the main street in the area. All the action in Branson happens there. The strip is home of great theaters and musicians, it is like a little less commercial Vegas, with more “country like” live shows nothing to envy Nashville neither. Most of the shows are family owned and produced and have been there for generations.

During our visit, we have the chance to attend 2 shows. The Haygoods, which was amazing and energetic, it is a mix of more that 20 musical instruments with choreography and incredible special effects. They are 5 brothers and 1 Sister (Timothy, Patrick, Dominic, Michael, Matthew and Catherine) and each of them have a chance to perform during the show in a very unique way. My favorite part was Catherine solo with the Harp, it was so sublime! you have to see it!

The second show was the well know dinner attraction experience at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. If you are a horse lover this one is a must! Arrive early and you can pass by the horse walk where you can meet and greet the 32 four-legged magnificent horse stars. There is a pre-show in the carriage room where you can get tuned with the bluegrass and country music. We attended New Years Eve Dinner, during this time the dixie stampede becomes a magical holiday with elves from the north and south pole that compete in a friendly rivalry while serving up a four-course holiday feast! (Vegetarian options available)

Apart from this, there is a lot more shows and things to do in the strip area, some other recommendations (we couldn’t make it but residents said it is must) are:

1. Legends in Concert, known as the world’s greatest tribute show!
2. Presleys’ Country Jubilee, one of Branson’s original performing families.
3. Titanic Museum. The museum holds 400 pre-discovery artifacts in 20 galleries.

Top of the Rock

Owned by the famous and visionary Jhonny Morris (owner of Bass Pro Shops, BTW Lots of those in Missouri) who was born and raise in the Ozarks, where he built his fame and fortune. This man pretty much owns the Ozarks mountains and what is the best, he is one of America’s foremost conservation leaders. So, you can imagine what he have done to this land….I’ll let you see and judge!

Top of the Rock, is his masterpiece! this natural preserve of the Ozarks Heritage is located at the highest elevation at the Table Rock Lake area. It features world-class recreation and attractions, including the Lost Canyon Cave, Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, the recently formed Cathedral of Nature, legendary golf courses, dining and magnificent scenery. It is home of the splendid Big Cedar Lodge Resort.

First, we took a golf car and ride along the 2.5 mile Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail, where we could sightsee frozen waterfalls (due to winter weather), rock formations and breathtaking views of the ozark mountains. Secondly, we visit the Ozarks Museum where you can find most rare artifacts and all you can possible imagine about the ancient culture in the area. Following, the Chapel of the Ozarks, this beautiful designed Chapel is a dream come true, sitting in the highest pick on Top of the Rock, the backdrop is made out of glass with magnificent views of Table Rock Lake. Just can’t imagine saying “I do” at this chapel.

What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself at sunset.

Chief crowfoot. Blackfoot (1830-1890)

Finally, last stop for the day was to have dinner (off course) and there was no other place for this like Osage Restaurant, also located in Top of the Rock, it offers the finest regional cuisine with a view of the Ozark’s Mountains. Probably one of the most beautiful and mystical places where I have seen a sunset!

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Also owned by Jhonny Morris, another impressive property where nature makes their most sublime presence. We did a Wildlife Tram Tour through numerous waterfalls, bridges and were able to see wild animals like American bison, elk, whitetail deer and Texas longhorn.

The kids had a lot of fun in the tree house and a science museum for kids located near the park entrance. We laid in the grass and enjoyed the freshness and pureness in the air, what a lovely and deep feeling! the connection with nature was unbelievable.