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Branson is one of Missouri’s most popular vacation destinations thanks to its rugged natural beauty and fantastic array of theaters and entertainment venues. It sits right at the heart of the Ozark Mountains and is home to three scenic lakes: Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals Lake.
There are many outdoor activities to enjoy on the lakes and in the nearby countryside, but you can also expect plenty of urban attractions such as theme parks and museums.
If you’re planning to visit Branson for the first time, you might be wondering which part of this fun city to stay in.
Let’s take a look at the main tourist neighborhoods and highlight some of the best Branson hotels and vacation rentals to help you plan the perfect trip.
Downtown Branson & Branson Landing for First-Time Visits
Highlights: Lake Taneycomo, Branson Scenic Railway, Branson Centennial Museum, Hot Hits Theatre, Historic Owen Theatre, Branson Mural, Branson Convention Center, North Beach Park, Shipwrecked Treasure Museum
Downtown Branson is the most historic part of the city, lying on the banks of Lake Taneycomo. This bustling area is packed with hotels, restaurants, stores, and attractions, making it an excellent base for first-time visitors who want easy access to many of the main sights. You can get around many of them via Sparky, a free trolley service that loops the downtown area from Liberty Plaza.
Branson Landing is a lakeside mall where you’ll find lots of big chain stores and a daily Water & Fire Show that features impressive 120-foot fountains. You can also rent kayaks or take a lake sightseeing cruise from this area.
If you’re a fan of history and culture, you’ll find plenty of interesting attractions in Downtown Branson. Discover the history of the Ozarks at the Branson Centennial Museum, catch a play at the chic 1930s-era Historic Owen Theatre, and check out the renowned Branson Mural where Main Street meets Sycamore. Downtown is also where you can catch the Branson Scenic Railway from the historic 1905 station to either Galena in Missouri or Barren Fork Trestle in Arkansas.
There’s no shortage of things to do in Branson, and you’re within easy reach of the city’s Theatre District. However, the area can be very busy, so if you’re looking for a quiet break, you’re better off looking towards the Table Rock Lake area instead.
If you’re heading to the city for an event at the Branson Convention Center, Downtown and Branson Landing are definitely the most convenient places to stay.
Where to Stay in Downtown Branson
Popular hotels in Downtown Branson include:
- Hilton Branson Convention Center is directly connected to the Convention Center which makes it a convenient choice if you’ll be visiting for an event here. It’s an impressive glass high-rise hotel that offers city, lake, or mountain views from its rooms and suites. There’s a seasonal outdoor pool with a lounge area, fire pits, and private cabanas, and a year-round indoor pool with a hot tub.
- Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing is a luxurious hotel that lies close to the Convention Center and just 10 minutes away from Branson Hills Golf Course. Its indulgent rooms are equipped with work desks, flat-screen televisions, coffee makers, and small fridges. There’s an in-house restaurant that serves delicious international cuisine using locally sourced fresh produce, and a large indoor pool to take a relaxing dip in after a busy day.
Branson Theatre District for Arts & Shows
Highlights: Theaters and live music venues, theme parks, Titanic Museum, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Titanic Museum, Hollywood Wax Museum, World’s Largest Toy Museum
Branson Theatre District lies west of Downtown and is centered around Highway 76. Entertainment venues and family-friendly attractions line a six-mile stretch of the highway known as The Strip.
You can catch a wide range of performances here, from comedy to country music, and magic shows to bluegrass concerts. A popular highlight is Dolly Parton’s Stampede, where you can enjoy dinner and a show with a difference as talented horses and riders perform stunts and tricks.
It’s not just live entertainment on offer in the Theatre District. There are several theme and adventure parks, such as Bigfoot Fun Park, Fritz’s Adventure Amusement Park, the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure, and Branson Tracks. Fun and fascinating museums include the Titanic Museum, the World’s Largest Toy Museum, and Beyond the Lens, which has interactive exhibits dedicated to technology.
There’s also The Veterans Memorial Museum, where you can learn about American conflicts from the 1900s onwards, and the Aquarium at the Boardwalk, where you’ll get to see a wide range of marine species.
If you want to be at the heart of Branson’s entertainment scene, particularly if you’re visiting with the kids, it makes sense to stay in the Theatre District. There are plenty of very good hotels to choose from, so finding accommodation that suits your budget and style is easy.
Where to Stay in Branson Theatre District
Popular hotels in the Branson Theatre District include:
- Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center is an indulgent, elegantly decorated hotel with two indoor pools and hot tubs to enjoy and a charming patio with a waterfall feature. It has guest rooms, studio apartments, family suites, and romantic jacuzzi suites to choose from.
- The Angel Inn Branson is conveniently located just off Highway 76 and right next to the IMAX. It offers a friendly service and comfortable, cheerful rooms with access to an outdoor recreation area with a pool, a hot tub, and picnic tables.
- Marriott’s Willow Ridge Lodge is a family-friendly resort with indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and a Clubhouse that offers games and activities to keep the kids entertained. Several lodging options are available, including guest rooms and villa rentals, the latter equipped with full kitchens, dining spaces, washers and dryers, and furnished patios or balconies.
- Lodge of the Ozarks is one of the most popular hotels on The Strip. It offers free WiFi, complimentary breakfast, and 24-hour front desk services for total convenience. Every room has a fridge and coffee maker, and an indoor heated pool to enjoy.
- Baymont Inn & Suites Branson Thousand Hills lies close to the Thousand Hills Golf Course and offers comfortable rooms and convenient amenities. There’s a sun deck with a jacuzzi and pool, and guests can enjoy a free continental breakfast each morning of their stay.
Table Rock for Access to the Great Outdoors
Highlights: Table Rock State Park, Moonshine Beach, Runaway Mountain Coaster, Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, Welk Resort Theatre
Table Rock is a peaceful neighborhood that lies seven miles southwest of the Downtown area. It’s an excellent part of town to stay in for easy access to the great outdoors. You’ll find plenty of hiking trails to help you explore the rugged hills, and you’re right beside Table Rock Lake for swimming, fishing, sailing, and wakeboarding. Head to Moonshine Beach for a lazy stroll along the sand or to spend some time sunbathing.
There are many waterside trails to explore in the Table Rock neighborhood, but head south of the neighborhood for even more opportunities for walking in Table Rock State Park. You can get the adrenaline pumping when you ride the thrilling Runaway Mountain Coaster, or rent boats at the State Park Marina to explore the lake.
Where to Stay in Table Rock
Accommodation in Table Rock is more limited than in other Branson Neighborhoods, but the benefit of this is that you can expect a quieter atmosphere. This a great area to stay in if you’re looking for a relaxing romantic getaway.
Our top Table Rock hotel recommendation is Chateau On The Lake. This luxury lake resort offers indulgent amenities and spacious rooms and suites with mountain or lake views. It provides free wifi and guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, access to spa treatments, and use of the on-site gym and tennis courts. There’s also a marina with motorboats, canoes, and kayaks available to rent.
Table Rock Lake for Adventurous Family Vacations
Highlights: Lakeside trails, fishing and watersports, Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Golden Pioneer Museum, Talking Rocks Cavern
Table Rock Lake lies west of Branson and extends for around 52,300 acres and there are countless towns and villages dotted around its sprawling edges.
Staying on the lake’s edge is the best way to make the most of all it offers. It’s renowned for bass and trout fishing, and its gentle waters are suitable for paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and motorboating. There are also plenty of trails along the lake’s fringes, particularly at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.
If you’ll be taking a family trip to Branson and plan to spend plenty of time outdoors, it makes sense to choose a resort on Table Rock Lake. You’ll have plenty of fun outdoor activities to try, and you’ll find many quirky attractions surrounding the lake such as the Golden Pioneer Museum, Talking Rocks Cavern, and Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater.
Where to Stay in Table Rock Lake
The nearest Table Rock Lake neighborhood to Branson is Indian Point, which has several excellent resorts along its waterfront. Ridgedale, which lies south of Branson, is another good option, this time with convenient airport access.
Kimberling City is further west, but it has a great selection of shops and restaurants, so you can stay close to your base and have everything you need. You’ll also find plenty of secluded campgrounds, motels, resorts, and fish camps dotted around the lake’s perimeter.
Our favorite resort at Table Rock Lake is Still Waters Resort. This is a peaceful lakefront resort with guest rooms and luxury condos to choose from, some of which have fireplaces and spa baths. There are three outdoor pools to enjoy, waterslides, sand volleyball courts, and a full-service marina where guests can use free paddle boats or rent jet skis.
Shepherd of the Hills Expressway for Entertainment
Highlights: Shepherd of the Hills Farmstead, theaters and live shows, Promised Land Zoo, Waterfall Hiking Trail, Adventure Ziplines of Branson
Shepherd of the Hills Expressway is considered an extension of the Branson Theatre District which lies just south. There’s a wide range of popular shows and entertainment venues to enjoy on the Expressway, including Sight & Sound Theatre, Hamners’ Variety Show, and The Sons of Britches.
There are also plenty of fun, family-friendly activities to try in this area, like the Adventure Ziplines of Branson, Waterfall Hiking Trail, and the Promised Land Zoo, not to mention the renowned Shepherd of the Hills Farmstead which lies just north of the Expressway. It’s a farm and theme park created in homage to Harold Bell Wright’s novel of the same name, which was written in 1907. You can catch outdoor shows daily, the storylines of which are inspired by the novel.
Where to Stay in Shepherd of the Hills Expressway
Several hotels lie on the Expressway, including:
- Savannah House Hotel offers convenient access to Branson’s main attractions. It has a seasonal outdoor pool, and offers a free breakfast buffet in the morning, a free dessert buffet in the evenings, and free coffee throughout the day.
- Howard Johnson by Wyndham Branson is a pet-friendly hotel that offers comfortable, spacious rooms with free parking, WiFi, breakfast, and access to its two pools.
Silver Dollar City Area for Theme Park Access
Highlights: Silver Dollar City theme park, Marvel Cave, White Water Park
Silver Dollar City is a Victorian-style theme park that lies around ten miles west of Branson Downtown, and it draws many visitors.
There are more than 40 rides and attractions, live shows and musical concerts throughout each day and a range of restaurants and shops on the site. The venue also has a seasonal water park and is home to Marvel Cave — one of the deepest caverns in the state.
Where to Stay Around Silver Dollar City
If you’ll be visiting Branson for a short trip and Silver Dollar City is one of the main attractions you plan to visit, it makes sense to stay nearby. There are several resorts, hotels, and inns within driving distance, and the popular lakeside neighborhood of Indian Point lies just three miles south.
Book Your Branson Getaway
Branson is a vibrant destination with plenty of fantastic accommodation options to choose from. Which part of the city will you call home when you visit this Missouri gem?
