Things to Do in Historic Downtown Branson

From tasty cafés and upscale hotels to novelty shops and memorable murals, there are so many things to see and do in Historic Downtown Branson! Check out some of our top recommendations for your family's next visit below: 

 

Cafés & Restaurants

Visit Historic Downtown Branson to grab a meal (or two!) at one of the area’s delicious restaurants. From tasty home cooking at Clockers Cafe, Branson Cafe and the Farmhouse Restaurant to great international fare at Tai Kitchen, Carly’s Healthy Cuisine, and MoMo Sushi & Grill, you're sure to find the perfect dish. Downtown is also home to more local favorites like Mr. G’s Chicago Pizza & Pub and Level 2 Steakhouse. Craving something a little more sweet or savory? Check out Oscar’s Famous Ribs or the new Full Throttle Distillery Grill & Smokehouse! And if you're wanting something a bit more comforting and traditional, visit Dice & Dine for gourmet sandwiches (and board games) and Summit Restaurant for classic American cuisine.

 

Downtown Branson Desserts

For a sweet treat in a nostalgic atmosphere, make your way to Mr. B’s Ice Cream Parlor for old fashioned ice cream or hand-crafted sandwich. If you're wanting to taste something unique, try Boba Joes for ice cream and bubble tea or The Pie Safe for individual pies and specialty drinks! Dino's 24 Karrot Cakes is perfect for a delicious baked treat, and Commercial Street Coffee will take you into 417 Vintage Market where you can shop while you sip! If you're craving healthy smoothies, coffee, and all-natural and incredibly nutritious meal choices, Revive Juice & Coffee Bar is the place to go! For those who can't have gluten or are looking for keto options, you'll find what you need at Transylvania Bakery! 

 

Lodging & Accommodations

Built in 1903 to accommodate the Missouri Pacific Railroad line, The Branson Hotel provides an elegant, cozy stay on the edge of Historic Downtown Branson. Inside, there are 9 specially-themed rooms to choose from, all elegant and well-kept with wonderful amenities. And for the history buffs out there, you'll be pleased to know that this hotel comes with a full background of interesting history. Harold Bell Wright, a name heard by every Branson local, stayed at this hotel while writing his famous novel "Shepherd of the Hills," which inspired The Shepherd of the Hills attraction. At the front desk, you can view a letter signed by Mr. Wright and various editions of Shepherd of the Hills. The Branson Hotel was also home to the town's first library and served as a meeting place for important people in Branson's early history.

Catch a great view of Downtown Branson and Branson Landing at the Best Western Landing View. Equipped with an indoor pool, hot tub, and plenty of clean rooms while positioned with walkable access to virtually any part of town, this Best Western has everything needed for an exceptional stay in Downtown Branson.

Hard to miss due to its prominent position and presence in the Downtown skyline is the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. This stunning hotel features 12 stories and 293 guest rooms and suites with stunning views of Downtown, the Branson Mural, and Branson Landing. Check out more lodging options here!

 

Shopping

Shopping in Downtown Branson is full of options. While your here, visit Dick’s 5 & 10, a cornerstone of Branson shopping since 1961. In addition to the 250,000 items on the shelves, Dick’s 5 & 10 is home to several impressive collections from the stores' founder, Dick Hartley, like G Scale Trains and White River Arrowheads.

Downtown shops like Fashion House International, Patricia's Victorian House, and Alex & Alaina's Treasure Chest make it easy to find unique gifts, crafts, and art to commemorate your trip to Branson. As the stores mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg to all that's available, we invite you to discover more Downtown Branson stores and those in the local area here. We also have a large array of thrift stores, antique shops, and pawn shops for those who have an eye for 

 

Attractions

Though traditionally known for its shopping, Historic Downtown Branson now has a variety of entertainment options to explore. Bring back classic family competition at the Branson Boardgame Cafe. For a small fee per person, you can choose from their library of 650 board games and play until your heart’s content! Or try The Escape Branson, where you have 60 minutes to solve puzzles and escape your room!

You can also enjoy live music shows at one of Historic Downtown Branson’s theatres. The Hot Hits Theatre features live shows with a variety of musical styles and the Historic Owen Theatre houses the many productions of the Branson Regional Arts Council’s community theater.

The Branson Centennial Museum is an admission-free museum highlighting the history of Branson, including a music show timeline that pays tribute to Branson becoming America's Top Live Music Show Destination of the World. Another fun activity that begins downtown is a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway, which leaves from the historic 1905 depot! And don't leave without cracking open a geode at Prehistoric Fossils, a museum-like vault displaying an array of historic artifacts, including dinosaur fossils, world-war relics, meteorites, and more! 

 

Branson Murals

Visit the Star-Spangled Banner mural located on the west side of Liberty Utilities in Historic Downtown Branson near the corner of Business 65 and Main Street. The mural pays tribute to Francis Scott Key, the writer of our national anthem, and portrays his inspiration for writing the beautiful poem.

The Branson mural is a highlight in Historic Downtown Branson, located on the corner of Main Street and Sycamore on the Cadwell's Flea Market wall facing the Hilton Convention Center hotel. This mural showcases different experiences while visiting Branson and makes for the perfect family photo. 

Check out more of Branson's murals here!

 

Parking & Transportation

Parking and transportation throughout Downtown Branson is a breeze. With two parking garages, a free parking lot at Awberry lot, and Liberty Plaza, as well as free street parking along Commercial and Main, Downtown is easier to visit than ever! 

If you get tired of walking or you simply want to try something new, hop on Sparky the Free Downtown Branson Trolley. With 13 stops throughout the downtown area, it’s easy to cover a lot of ground in a short time. Hop on or off the trolley at Liberty Plaza (public restrooms located here!), which pays homage to the area's rich history while also showcasing the promising future of Historic Downtown Branson.

 

Learn even more about things to do in Historic Downtown Branson here.