Things to Do in Downtown and Branson Landing
Historic Main Street, a lakefront shopping district and a vintage train, side by side.
See top-rated activities »About Downtown Branson
Before the theaters, Branson was a railroad and river town, and the old center is still worth a walk. Historic downtown Branson sits on a slope above Lake Taneycomo, a few blocks of brick storefronts, diners and gift shops along Main Street and Commercial Street. It is a quieter, more local side of town than the Strip, and a good place for breakfast before a day on the water. Parking is easier here than on the Strip, and the depot, the Landing and Main Street are all within a short walk of one another.
At the foot of downtown, Branson Landing stretches along the lakeshore with a boardwalk, shops, restaurants and a hotel and convention center. Its fountain plays choreographed shows with water, fire, light and music on a regular schedule, and the boardwalk is a pleasant place to walk at sunset. Across the street, the historic depot is the starting point for the Branson Scenic Railway, which runs excursion trains into the Ozark hills on a seasonal schedule, including some dinner and holiday trips.
Lake Taneycomo looks like a river, and in a sense it is. The water flows out of the bottom of Table Rock Dam a few miles upstream, so it stays cold all year, and the Missouri Department of Conservation stocks it with rainbow and brown trout from the hatchery below the dam. Anglers fish from the banks, from docks and from rented boats, and local guides run trips on the upper lake. When the dam is generating power, the current can rise quickly, so pay attention to the warning horns and posted signs.
Downtown is also the setting for two of Branson's biggest civic events: the Veterans Day parade at the end of Veterans Homecoming Week in November, and the Adoration Parade in early December, which begins with the lighting of the large Nativity scene on the bluff above the lake.
Don’t Miss
A lakefront district of shops, restaurants and a boardwalk, with a fountain show that mixes water, fire, light and music.
Seasonal excursion trains from the downtown depot through the Ozark hills, including some dinner and holiday departures.
A few walkable blocks of older storefronts, diners and shops above the lake, a calmer contrast to the Strip.
A cold-water lake stocked with rainbow and brown trout. A Missouri fishing license and a trout permit are required; local guides know the regulations for each stretch.
A large Nativity scene on the bluff over Lake Taneycomo, lit each December at the start of the Adoration Parade.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Downtown Branson
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Viator
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Get free trip quotes »Downtown Branson — FAQ
When does the Branson Landing fountain show run?
The fountain performs on a regular schedule through the day and evening, with the evening shows the most popular because of the lights and fire effects. The schedule changes with the season, so check the Branson Landing website.
Do I need a permit to fish Lake Taneycomo?
Yes. Anglers need a Missouri fishing permit, and anyone keeping or possessing trout also needs a trout permit. Some stretches of the upper lake have special rules on bait and size limits.
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