Branson is a small Ozark Mountain town on Lake Taneycomo in southwest Missouri that grew into a live-show capital, with dozens of theaters along 76 Country Boulevard. From early November through December the whole town turns to Christmas. The first day keeps the walking short: breakfast on historic Main Street, a slow stroll to the lakefront at Branson Landing, and an afternoon matinee of a large Christmas stage show.
Historic downtown on foot
Where to eat: Cinnamon Swirl French toast at Clockers Cafe on South Commercial Street.
Start the morning on Main Street and Commercial Street in historic downtown Branson, a few blocks of brick and stone storefronts from the town's early days. Browse the old variety store aisles, candy counters and quilt shops, all hung with wreaths and garlands for the season. The streets are flat and short, so grandparents can set the pace, and benches along the sidewalks make easy places to pause while kids peek into the windows.
Branson Landing and Lake Taneycomo
Where to eat: A piece of fresh fudge from Kilwins on Branson Landing Boulevard.
Walk a few minutes down to Branson Landing, a mile-long promenade of shops and restaurants along the cold, clear water of Lake Taneycomo. Kids can watch ducks and trout anglers along the boardwalk, and the open plaza with its fountain gives everyone room to stretch. For a sweet stop, step into Kilwins and watch the fudge being worked on the marble slab before choosing a slab of your own.
Miracle of Christmas at Sight & Sound
Drive about fifteen minutes to Sight & Sound Theatres for the 3:30 matinee of Miracle of Christmas, a large stage production of the Nativity story with a stage that wraps around the audience, live camels, sheep and horses, and a full orchestral score. The show runs about two hours and twenty minutes with an intermission, and the seats are comfortable for older legs. Arrive thirty minutes early to find your seats.
Dinner with singing servers
Where to eat: A cheeseburger and the Ice Cream Avalanche at Mel's Hard Luck Diner.
After the show, drive ten minutes west along 76 Country Boulevard to Mel's Hard Luck Diner in the Grand Village Shops, a 1950s diner where the servers are professional singers who take turns at the microphone between plates. Grandparents tend to know every oldie and kids enjoy the noise and the big desserts. There are no reservations, so arrive early and browse the village shops while you wait.
Where to eat and stop
- Breakfast · Clockers Cafe — South Commercial Street, downtown Why here: A homey downtown cafe open from early morning.
- Lunch · Branson Cafe — West Main Street, downtown Why here: An old downtown cafe with daily pies.
- Dinner · Mel's Hard Luck Diner — Grand Village Shops, 76 Country Boulevard Why here: Singing servers make dinner part of the show.
- Quick stop (treat): Kilwins — Branson Landing Boulevard Why here: A sweet break on the lakefront walk.
Downtown Main Street and Branson Landing sit side by side on the lake, so park once and walk between them. Sight & Sound Theatres is about fifteen minutes away on the Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, and Mel's is ten minutes from there on 76 Country Boulevard.
Where to stay
- A lakefront hotel at Branson Landing — Hotels on Lake Taneycomo at Branson Landing put the shops, the lake walk and downtown Main Street within a short walk, which suits grandparents who want to rest between outings and kids who want to roam.
- A suite hotel or resort off the 76 Strip — Suite hotels and resorts near 76 Country Boulevard give three generations more room, indoor pools and free breakfast, a few minutes from the theaters, the Titanic Museum and the Stampede.
Dinner: A cheeseburger and the Ice Cream Avalanche at Mel's Hard Luck Diner.
Tomorrow: Look out over Table Rock Lake from the dam, then spend the afternoon and evening at Silver Dollar City for An Old Time Christmas.
Bad-weather plan
If it is cold or wet, spend longer in the downtown shops and the covered walkways of Branson Landing, then head to the theater early and browse its lobby.
Historic downtown · Branson Landing · Miracle of Christmas · Mel's Hard Luck Diner
Good to know: Mel's Hard Luck Diner is loud by design; bring ear protection for babies and anyone who finds live music tiring, and agree on a lobby meeting spot at the theater.
