Part 1
Branson is a getaway for everyone! Before I went to Branson, I did not realize how much there truly is to do here. Between food, shows, nature to explore, and activities like Pink Jeep tours and Silver Dollar City this city will have you returning over and over. Let’s get into what all there is to do in Branson!
Restaurants
Parlor doughnuts
Parlor doughnuts is a delightful doughnut shop located close to Branson Landing. It is a great stop before shopping and exploring this area. They have so many unique doughnut flavors including Chicken Bacon Ranch and Buffalo Chicken. I’ve never tried a savory doughnut before but they certainly sound interesting! They have quite a few sweet flavors and also keto and vegan/gluten friendly doughnuts. For the vegan/gluten friendly doughnuts, they start with a base that is vegan or gluten friendly. You can then choose most of their regular flavors as options for this doughnut. It is a different glaze and not quite the same but still delicious! They also have a full line of coffee and tea drinks as well as several breakfast sandwiches. This one is worth a stop! Check out their menu here: https://www.parlordoughnuts.com/shops/branson-mo
Mel’s Hard Luck Diner
Do yourself a favor and go to Mel’s Hard Luck Diner. It is such a fun experience! It is a restaurant but where all the waiters sing. During dinner you are serenaded by your waiter and all the other waiters in the restaurant. It’s so fun to get to experience and hear all of the music. The food is good but I have not had anything that stands out in particular. We have visited here several times and have enjoyed our experience every time we have gone. This diner is located in the Grand Village shops. Check out the restaurant here: https://www.melshardluckdiner.com/welcome.html
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
I have been to Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen in Branson and in Pigeon Forge, TN. We enjoyed our experience more in Branson and I am more likely to go back to this location. This restaurant is located on Branson Landing and can get quite busy. We were seated right before a tourist bus showed up and we were grateful we had a seat before they took up the remaining seats in the dining room. Paula Deen’s is a family style restaurant. Everyone chooses which meat they would like and then together you decide on sides. Your meal cost will be determined depending on how many sides your table wants. You can save a few dollars by going at lunch if you do not want refills on your sides. You can add unlimited sides for an additional cost. At dinner, it costs more, but you will automatically get unlimited sides. They also have a store at the entrance with all things Paula Deen! It was enjoyable to look through all the gadgets and decorations they had to sell. Check Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen out here:
Revive Juice and Coffee Bar
We found Revive Juice and Coffee Bar on our most recent trip and we loved the healthy options they had! We visited for breakfast and we went back multiple times during our trip. It was such a refreshing way to start our day. I’ve tried the Superfood Blast smoothie, the Morning Delight gourmet toast, and the Peanut Butter Delight Protein bites. It was all delicious! My favorite was the gourmet toast with almond butter, honey, cinnamon, and fruit. I’ve recreated this at home because I enjoyed it so much. Be prepared to wait a bit to get your food as everything is prepared fresh. It is worth the wait though for such a healthy and refreshing breakfast! Check them out here: https://www.revivejuiceandcoffeebar.com/
Jackie B. Goode’s Uptown cafe
Jackie B. Goode’s is a 50’s style diner that provides free live music while dining. When we visited we went for Breakfast and had a great time getting to listen to music while also enjoying a delicious meal. The environment was fun as all the guests were in a great mood and bantering back and forth between each other in the restaurant and the guest singer. I originally wanted to visit this restaurant for dinner but our schedule did not allow. Despite this, we still had a great time in the morning getting our day started in a fun way. When we visited we ordered breakfast off of a menu but it looks like they have changed this to a breakfast buffet but it still looks delicious! You can check out their menu and their musical guests here: https://www.bransonuptown.com/
Activities
Antique shops and downtown shopping
If you like to shop, HIstoric Downtown Branson is a great place to spend some time! We enjoyed shopping at antique shops, an amish store, a thrift store and many others! We have shopped in this area multiple times and always come away with some fun treasures! This area sits on a hill so be prepared for some steep incline as you walk up or down the main street.
The Grand Village Shops
When I first stepped into The Grand Village Shops, I felt like I had stepped into a Hallmark Christmas movie. It looked just like a downtown area used in many of their movies. To top that off, they have a large Christmas shop there. If you are looking for anything Christmas related, they will probably have it! It is a fun store to explore! You will also find Mel’s Hard Luck Diner in this shopping center. You can grab lunch or dinner here and explore the shops. The shops do close around 5 so if you plan on going for dinner, make sure you shop before you go to eat!
See a fountain show
If you plan on going to the Aquarium at the Boardwalk or just want to walk across the street from The Grand Village Shops, you will find the Dancing Waters Fountain Show right outside this area. The show runs every half hour from 8am-10pm. It has lights and fog that is also integrated into the water show so you will see a different experience during the day and night.
At Branson landing there is also another water show called The Branson Landing Water and Fire show. This show is every hour at the top of the hour and lasts for about 5 minutes. This show was created by those who did the famous Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas. While I enjoy watching water shows, I have to say that I enjoyed the fountain show outside of the Aquarium over this one. The aquarium is smaller but you can stand right by it and watch it. They are both short but enjoyable and free things to do in Branson! If you have been before, which fountain show is your favorite?
Mini golf
If you want to mini golf, you will have no problem finding a course that is of interest to you! As we drove around Branson we were constantly seeing new ones that we had not seen before! We have done Lost Treasure Golf and the Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. We enjoyed both of them and and we have many more to try on our future trips to Branson.
There is still so much else to see and do… Check out Part 2 here for more shows and activities in Branson!
A little over 30 minutes outside of Branson is a restaurant where they throw rolls at you! Check out our visit there here: https://suitcasesandsalt.com/missouri-has-own-of-the-most-unique-restaurants/
If you are visiting Missouri and make your way to St. Louis, check out our sisters site ideas on where to eat: https://pepperandpassports.com/11-restaurants-in-and-around-st-louis-missouri/
Want to make your own bucket list of places to go and things to try? Grab this free printable here – https://seasonedtravel.kit.com/793556e6a0
Hi! My name is Allison and I love all things travel! If you follow me, you will find me enjoying the outdoors, hiking, or trying new food! I love sharing the places I have been and hearing from you about new places I should go!
No responses yet