There’s a saying in the Ozark’s, “If you don’t like the weather wait about 15 minutes it will change.” The good news about a visit to Branson, Missouri is there are a wide variety of fun filled exciting shows, attractions, and activities that are not weather dependent. Although a some of Branson attractions and activities such as Silver Dollar City, White Water, and other primarily outdoor activities can have their operations effected by weather the vast majority Branson’s entertainment will not.
For the purposes of this article, we are going to assume that a family of two adults and two children, ages 10 and 12, vacationing in Branson wakes up to the sound of rain beating against their window. A check of the local weather on the “8’s” of the Weather Channel indicates it’s going to be rainy and stormy for most of the day. It is decided to delay the days planned trip to White Water until the next day and take advantage of some of Branson’s non-weather dependent fun and entertainment.
One obvious choice, considering that Branson is celebrating 50 years of live music shows this year and is known as the live music show capital of the world would be going to a Branson show. A show that is great for families with children is Grand Country’s “Amazing Pet Show” featuring comedy, audience participation and, of course, the pets. It’s a morning show and offers a family pass for the whole family for under $60.00 plus tax etc. Lunch couldn’t be simpler with the Grand Country Buffet located in the same building.
Children of all ages love toys, so how about a trip to the “World’s Largest Toy Museum” after lunch. The museum is located at 3609 West Highway 76 near the Olive Garden Restaurant and contains toys dating from the Civil War period to present day, from Howdy Doody to Barbie and Star Wars.
If not toys, how about a trip to the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery? It has an interesting film on Table Rock Dam and how trout are raised, an indoor aquarium and, if the weather co-operates the opportunity to walk the “runs” where the kids can feed the thousands of Rainbow and Brown Trout being raised for release into Lake Taneycomo and other trout fisheries within the state of Missouri.
Or how about Branson’s Dinosaur Museum, located just east of Wal-Mart on Highway 76? It has over 50 life-sized dinosaurs ranging from the one foot Micro Raptor to the 42 foot Tyrannosaurus Rex and a learning center and fossil exhibit.
Want more action? How about indoor miniature golf at the Grand Country, the Branson Fun Factory, or Glowgolf at the Branson Landing? Speaking of Branson Landing, while you’re there take a walk through Bass Pro Shops to see its wild life exhibits and huge aquarium filled with trout.
And we have just touched the surface. “Believe it or Not” from the “Titanic” to “Hollywood” and lots in between, any day in Branson, even a rainy day, can be filled with the type of fun and exciting things that create family memories lasting a lifetime.
