USA · BRANSON TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 branson tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend about two hours with five Haygood brothers and their sister as they sing, dance, and play more than 20 instruments, from harp to banjo. Expect music from the 1960s to today, unusual arrangements, bright lighting, pyrotechnics, and a post-show meet and greet.
“Best show in Branson!! You don’t want to miss this entertainment!! Great music, great fun. Bring your whole family.”
Join Las Vegas magicians Garry and Janine Carson at the Hughes Brothers Theatre in Branson for about 70 minutes of comedy magic, grand illusions, escapes, and audience participation. After the show, enjoy a three-course dinner with chicken, pork, vegetables, and chocolate mousse.
“Great show for the whole family. They use young and older members of audience to make it more real. 70 minutes of fun and entertainment. Dinner was good, too. Highly recommend it!”
Step into 1898 Branson for an interactive dinner theater show featuring a new town election murder, cast iron noisemakers, audience suspects, music, and comedy. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet, then vote for the villain. You can watch from your table or volunteer for a speaking role.
“Arrived a little early to Majestic Building. It is a large building with many different productions inside. There isn’t any signage on the outside, but if you are at the Majestic building, you are in the right place. This event takes place on the bottom Floor. The actors are fabulous!!!! The actors are also the wait staff. Everyone is very friendly. The food is just ok. You grab a tray and a styrofoam plate. I think I’d prefer paper. The meatloaf with gravy was good & chicken was too. The Mac n cheese tasted like Stouffers. You get water, tea or lemonade included. There is a bar that has soda…”
At Reza Edge of Illusion in Branson, magician Reza blends comedy, storytelling, audience participation, and large-scale illusions in a roughly two-hour stage show. You can reserve your seat in advance, watch tricks up close, and perhaps see audience members join Reza onstage.
“Reza was amazing, he's a young version of David Copperfield. I was totally blown away with the whole production and performance. A MUST SEE!!”
At Clay Cooper Theatre on Highway 76, Clay Cooper leads a 25-person cast through country, gospel, rock ’n’ roll, comedy, dance, and patriotic numbers. Expect family-friendly entertainment, audience interaction, strong production effects, and a post-show chance to meet Clay. Christmas performances add a holiday finale.
“The Ronnie Milsap tribute was very good. I enjoyed hearing the sons of The Cooper Didn’t stay for the second half because of the “commercials” at the intermission. The song after the Kiss band segment was beautifully done. I loved singing that in the church choir. However, not everyone that comes to Branson is Christian - It felt a little Christian heavy/preachy? Very talented group!”
At Runaway Mountain Coaster in Branson, you ride a one or two-person cart through Ozark woods, controlling your downhill speed. Drivers must be 9 or older and 52 inches tall, with stricter rules for double carts. Expect a 30-minute to one-hour visit, weather permitting.
“Wonderful experience. The Guide was helpful and fun. The ride was so much fun. I was so surprised and scared by the animal sounds. Would love to have had more. Overall the experience was 5 stars.”
Spend about two hours with the Dutton family at their Branson theater, where three generations perform bluegrass, country, rock, classical music, comedy, and dance. The show is family-friendly, includes a veterans tribute, and features unusual instrument tricks, personal stories, and live entertainment in English.
“The Dutton Family Show was a most enjoyable evening with one of America’s most talented families. They are three generations of talented musicians who not only wow you with their talent, but they are totally involved in every aspect of the evening. A must see when in Branson and will definitely lift your spirits.”
Take a self-guided electric-cart ride along Top of the Rock’s 2.5-mile Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail. Stop at the cave’s Bat Bar, waterfalls, and Eagle’s Nest overlook, then visit the 35,000-square-foot Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum. Allow most of a day, especially at busy times.
“I understand about progress but to see the whatever they are doing up by the church really took away from the whole feel of it.”
At Branson’s Little Opry Theatre, The Petersens combine acoustic Americana, bluegrass, gospel, original songs, family stories, and clean comedy. The 1-hour-45-minute show seats no more than 19 people, making it a close-up experience for families, couples, and music fans.
“Entertaining and inspirational. Also very personable interacting with interested audience after the show.”
Spend about three and a half hours exploring Fritz’s 80,000-square-foot indoor adventure park in Branson. Your EXPLORE Pass includes unlimited use of 19 activities, including the multi-story ropes course and 48-foot City Wall. Children age four and under enter free, while the TreeTops zipline requires a separate pass.
“Our kids (ages 6 and 8) loved it! They were able to venture out on their own some and felt very safe. So much for them to do. We were there for 6 hours and they never complained. Be sure to get there early as it gets crowded.”
Dave and Denise Hamner lead a two-hour Branson variety show featuring illusions, aerialist Mariya Serykh, Cyr wheel artist Anthony Soumiatin, trick roper Johnny Lonestar, singer Tamra Tinoco, and impressionist Jeff Brandt. Expect family entertainment, patriotic themes, and a few sales pitches.
“It was awful. Like watching men who needed to retire 20 years ago. Very poorly staged just awful. Maybe for five year old children this may seem entertaining . Half the crowd left at intermission. So please don't waste your money on this show”
Watch Barry, Kevin, Lynn, Jak, Owen, and Charles turn voices into bass, drums, percussion, and melody at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater. The two-hour, family-friendly show mixes rock, pop, patriotic, religious, and Christmas music with humor and audience interaction.
“The music was awesome. These men are so talented! Appreciated the humor.. it was not slapstick like some we have seen.”
Spend about two hours at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater watching tribute performers portray stars such as Elvis, the Blues Brothers, Adele, Lady Gaga, Johnny Cash, and Reba McEntire. The cast changes four times a year, so check the current lineup before booking. Tickets cost $52.99 per person.
“All were extremely great but I truly loved the Judds and the Blues Brothers!! Would recommend this show to everyone. Will have to come back each season to see all my favorites!!❤️”
At Shepherd of the Hills in Branson, you’ll eat a comfort-food dinner, watch a comic murder mystery about a birthday party gone wrong, and help sort out the clues. The cast brings audience members into the action, so expect ad-libbed laughs, possible onstage participation, dessert, and an evening lasting about 90 minutes.
“Fun for the entire family. Loved how they got the audience involved. The food was good and plenty to eat.”
At Branson’s Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre, you’ll watch an English-language circus show built around acrobatics, balance, juggling, hoops, poles, comedy, and audience interaction. The cast may include mask-change artists, unicyclists, contortionists, and specialty acts. Tickets cost $48 per person.
“It was awesome. The strength and balance it takes for them to do these things is something else. We totally enjoyed it.”
Pick a skyline, a canyon or a coastline.
