In a city filled with amusement parks, live music theaters and other attractions it’s not possible to visit each one on a single vacation. For travelers on a budget it may seem impossible to visit Branson and have fun without spending a fortune but there are many low cost and even free attractions to be found if you know where to look.
One of the first places to look for budget family entertainment is the College of the Ozarks. The sprawling campus is home to several attractions worth a visit. Free stops include Edwards Mill, a traditional working grist mill, the Fruitcake and Jelly Kitchen where visitors can watch work in progress as well as taste the goodies, Williams Chapel, a European style church that looks like it was transported from the Old Country but was built by students in 1956, and Point Lookout, an overlook that offers a stunning panorama of the White River Valley and even the Branson Strip. These are all free to visit.
The Ralph Foster Museum on campus has been called “The Smithsonian of the Ozarks” with good reason. The three story museum offers natural history exhibits, local and regional history, insight into pioneer life, exhibits on noteworthy area residents, and even the Clampett’s old jalopy from The Beverly Hillbillies. Museum admission is $4.50 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free for high school age and under.
At Tablerock Dam, the Army Corps of Engineers offers free dam tours. Just across the dam, the Dewey Short Center on the shores of the lake offers exhibits about the dam’s construction, displays of native wildlife, and interactive displays. A film about the construction of the dam called The Taming of La Riveria Blanc is shown on request. The grounds offer picnic areas and sites for fishing or swimming, all at no cost.
Tablerock State Park also offers lake access for picnics, swimming, or fishing for no charge, all on the shores of Tablerock. Playground areas are also found with restrooms adjacent to both play areas and picnic grounds.
For just $4 per vehicle, families can spend the day – from 9 until 9 – at Moonshine Beach. Soft sandy beaches on the lakeshore provide safe swimming, fishing, picnic areas, and more in one of the area’s most popular outdoor recreation spots.
At the foot of Tablerock Dam, the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery and Conservation Center provides visitors with an in depth look at raising trout. Guided tours are available or visitors can look at their own speed. An introductory film provides background information about the trout raised on site and aquariums offer an up close view of native fish. Hiking trails that begin at the center travel from the lakeshore to bluffs overlooking the valley.
Take a trip into the past at Dick’s Old-time Five and Dime store in historic downtown Branson. This dime store has been in the same location for decades. There’s no cost to browse and items can be found in every price range.
At the Dixie Stampede, visitors can view the stars of the show – the horses from 10am until just before show time daily. Various breeds of horses, each in its own stall, can be seen.
If horses and dime stores seem too tame, a visit to the Branson City AquaPlex might be in order. As part of a large RecPlex on the Branson Hills Parkway, the AquaPlex features a large pool, a zero depth leisure pool, two water slides, spacious sun decks and more. The cost is minimal, just $4 for adults and $3 for children.
Gain a bird’s eye view of the Branson region from the top of the 230 high Inspiration Tower at Shepherd of the Hills. Two observation decks allow sweeping panoramic views in every direction; the top deck is enclosed and air conditioned, the lower is open air. Built on the spot where Harold Bell Wright once camped in 1989 – the 100th anniversary of Wright’s first visit to the Ozarks – the Inspiration Tower at Shepherd of the Hills is inexpensive. Adult admission is $6, $5 for Senior Citizens, and $3 for children. A family pass is sometimes offered – be sure to ask if one is available.
If Kewpie dolls or the Wild West are of interest, then a visit to Rose O’Neill’s Bonniebrook or the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum might be in order. Children are admitted at no cost and the adult rate is $7.
At the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, adult admissions are $15.00 and 17 and under are free. This museum offers everything from the real Trigger – preserved for posterity – to family pictures, vehicles, and movie memorabilia. A children’s area allows kids to “ride” on Trigger or Buttermilk replicas as well as to draw or build with blocks.
On the shores of Lake Taneycomo near historic downtown Branson, the all new Branson Landing offers free fun for the entire family. A host of street performers provide music and fun. Entertainers range from street singers to Ronzo the Clown and Jason Gun, a Highland piper dressed in full Scots regalia including (of course) a kilt!
In the center of the Landing, the fountain area offers a $7.5 million dollar light, water, and sound show at the top of each hour. By night, the show becomes even more spectacular with the addition of fire. It’s a world class show – and it’s free.
The kids will delight in a special pirate’s island themed play area in the Wharf district at the Landing. Fun for the kiddies includes an adventure cave, a pirate fort, and the chance to find sunken treasure!
Don’t miss looking up at the world’s largest Banjo at Grand Country Square and be sure to bring a camera! The strings on this banjo are 47 feet long! Grand Country Square also offers the Aladdin Arcade with many games and Indoor Mini Golf.
Families can have fun in Branson without spending a small fortune and make memories to last a lifetime!
