8 Tips for Your Ultimate Branson Vacation

Some people have never heard of Branson, or don’t know how popular it is. Branson is a tourist destination that’s often more affordable than some other well-known vacation spots. It’s a place for families to reconnect and have a good time seeing one of the shows or eating at some of the affordable restaurants.

There’s a lot to like about Branson, from the dozens of shows to the camping opportunities to the holiday-themed events if you’re there at the proper time of year. If you plan to take a trip to Branson soon, you’ll want to read our guide. We’ve compiled this handy list of eight of the best tips that should prepare you for an unforgettable adventure in America’s heartland.

Get Show Tickets in Advance

There are Branson attractions like Silver Dollar City that families seem to love. Silver Dollar City is a theme park attraction with some excellent roller coasters and classic food choices. Their Harvest Festival Pumpkin Nights during the fall are one of the best things you might choose to do in this entertainment mecca.

There are also some very popular shows, though, and you really haven’t experienced Branson until you’ve attended some of them. There are Dolly Parton-themed ones, there’s one with the comic Yakov Smirnoff, and there are ones with magic and live horses.

If you want to go to some of these shows, though, it’s probably best that you buy your tickets before you ever get to town. You can do that online, either on a venue’s website, or else you can find sites where you can buy tickets to multiple Branson shows at once.

It’s sensible to do this because if you get to town and want to see a particular show, it can sell out. Sellout shows are common at certain times of the year, like summer, autumn right around Halloween, and also Christmas when there are several holiday-themed extravaganzas.

Decide What Transportation Method Makes the Most Sense

Since the pandemic began, some people worry about certain travel options. You can fly to Branson if you like, but if you do, you will have to be on an airplane, probably with many other individuals.

Maybe you’ve vaccinated yourself, and the airline will require you to wear a mask. Still, you might feel nervous about being in such close proximity to people who you don’t know from all over the country.

If you have an immunocompromised condition, flying will probably not sound all that great to you.

If so, you may decide that driving makes more sense. If you don’t live all that far away from Branson, the whole family can pile into the car and perhaps get there in 1-2 days.

Driving means you don’t have to wear masks, which is nice. It will also probably be cheaper than flying, perhaps by thousands of dollars.

One drawback is that you might not like driving all that much, especially with multiple kids in the back seat singing songs or bickering the whole time. Thinking about that might be enough for you to decide flying is the superior option. You’ll have to take some time to think it over and talk to the other adults going on the trip.

Pack Everything You Think You’ll Need for This Adventure

You should also make sure you bring along everything you think you will need to enjoy Branson fully. That means taking along things like your pajamas, clothing for each day, sunscreen if it’s the hot time of the year, enough cash, your credit cards, etc.

You might want to look into the best travel toiletry bags or maybe bug spray if you know you’ll be there during the mosquito season. The more things you can think of that you can take with you, the better off you should be. If you forget to bring along some of the essentials, you will have to buy them while you are there, and just about everything costs a little more in Branson since it is a tourist area.

Decide Whether You Want Luxury or a More Rustic Experience

One thing that’s so nice about Branson is that you can have many different experiences while you’re there, depending on what you prioritize most and how much money you’re willing to spend. If you choose to rough it, there are cabins you can rent that approximate camping out. You can even bring some tents and sleeping bags and have the most rustic experience possible since there are all also campsites you can rent.

This might appeal if you like the idea of sitting around a campfire and roasting some hot dogs or marshmallows at night. You can point out the constellations, tell scary stories, and bond with your kids that way.

Maybe you’d prefer a luxurious hotel stay. That is possible in Branson as well. There are some five-star hotels where you can get a massage and facial in the spa. You can order room service and watch movies in bed all day long if that’s what appeals most to you.

Plan Out Your Days Before You Plunge Right into Them

It’s probably smart to look at some of the things you can do in Branson before you go. We’ve talked about buying tickets, but you can also look at what’s around you depending on where in town you are. There are certain attractions by the hotels, and others by the campsites.

You might loosely plan out each day in Branson before you get there. That way, you can be sure you won’t miss any of the things you most want to do.

You might talk to each family member who’s going on this trip and get an idea of what they’d like to do. Probably each child and adult will have some items on their wish list, and you might plan a day around what each person likes. That could mean a horse-themed show, a spa day, a fancy dinner, or any of the other enticing Branson attractions.

Tell Your Credit Card Companies You’re Going on Vacation

Before heading off to Branson for a few days, it’s a wise idea to contact your credit card companies to tell them about your plans. There are often service numbers you can call to talk to an Amex or Visa representative, or you can speak to them via online chatting as well.

You want to tell them you’re going out of town because if you don’t, they might find it suspicious if you start charging lots of items from a location that is not your hometown. The credit card companies won’t know for sure that someone has stolen your card, but they might worry that’s the case and flag some of your purchases. Telling them you’re going on vacation should stop that from happening.

Figure Out What to Do with Your House and Pets

Maybe you have pets like a dog, cat, or fish. If so, you will need to figure out what to do with them while you go out of town.

You might get a trusted neighbor or friend to watch a cat or fish. They are fairly self-reliant animals. All someone would likely have to do is go over and feed them and make sure they’re happy and healthy.

If you own a dog, you may need to board them if you go to Branson. Dogs need a lot more attention, and if you have a trusted kennel you’ve used before, you can put them there. The attendants can walk them, and they can play with the other dogs during the days. That should keep them content, well-fed, and safely occupied until you get back.

Figure Out What to Do About the Mail and Other Household Considerations

The one other thing you should do before you’re off to Branson is to at least think about shutting down your postal service for a few days. You might also ask if a neighbor can grab your mail and hold it for you until you get back. That all depends on whether you have a good relationship with your neighbors or not.

You might also set automatic timers on your lights, both inside and outside the house. They can come on at random times or at night when it gets dark. Doing that can deter burglars, and if you live in a high-crime area, you’ll want to think about that.

Branson can be a trip that brings the family together, and that’s important right now. Many individuals report feeling higher stress levels because of the pandemic, financial concerns, and so forth. If you can afford a trip, spending some time with the family and getting away from your usual environment might make all of you feel better.

Branson is an excellent pick because it’s where you can have some lighthearted family fun, and you also won’t spend nearly as much there as you might going by to a place like New York or Los Angeles.

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