Branson tourist information

Branson is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. It was named for Rueben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s. The population was 6,050 at the 2000 census. Today it is sometimes referred to as a "family-friendly Las Vegas" because of the numerous of shows and attractions, as well as the flashy building decorations and neon lights.

Originally envisioned as a center for lumber shipment, the city began to develop tourism in the 1930s. Today, Branson is a major regional destination in the United States with a well-known reputation for live music theaters, primarily in the genres of Country and Bluegrass. The city hosts three major amusement parks, as well as a diversified armada of live theaters which house everything from comedy and magic shows to variety music and dancing. Built along a portion of Highway 76 nicknamed "The Strip" because of its Las-Vegas-style road-side neon signs, Branson has built its reputation as the family-friendly version of its Nevada counterpart.

In addition to over 100 live shows in nearly 50 theaters, modern-day Branson tourist attractions include museums, three pristine lakes, 10 championship golf courses, an IMAX Theater, a zoo, year-round festivals and events, nearby mountains, and wilderness areas.

Silver Dollar City, Celebration City, Mickey Gilley, Dixie Stampede, White Water Branson, Showboat Branson Belle, Branson's American Star, Yakov Smirnoff, Stone Hill Winery, Ride The Ducks, The Tracks, Splash Country, and Marvel Cave are top attractions.

Famous celebrities in Branson have included Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, Ray Stevens, Jim Stafford, Yakov Smirnoff, Boxcar Willie, and the Osmonds. In the spring of 2006, the surviving members of the original Bill Haley & His Comets began a long-term residency at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater.

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