Explore Branson Through It’s Iconic Show Scene.
Growing up in my family meant driving to Branson a few times a year with our pop-up camper in tow to explore the Ozark Mountains. For us, a Branson trip included time around the campfire, a trip to Dick’s 5 & 10, and Silver Dollar City. The one thing that it rarely ever included? Branson theater shows.
The rarity of getting to see a show in Branson made the challenge I gave myself to see five shows in five nights even more exciting. I had not seen any of these shows prior to my trip in the spring. To challenge myself even further, I went into each show without any preconceived ideas—not allowing myself to watch previews, read reviews, or view social media pages beforehand. Each experience harnessed raw reactions in real time.
During this quest to explore performances around Branson, I found myself enchanted by its shows. I’m not sure exactly what I expected, perhaps flashing lights, cheesy tricks, or bad jokes. But I know what I experienced: family stories that span several generations, passionate performers running stages and captivating audiences, and entertaining experiences that, for a short time, took me to another world. Because Branson has been my family’s tradition, I brought my family along on this trip. Attending some of the shows with me were my dad, Scott, my mom, Krista, and my sister, Sarai.
Day One / Journal
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The Ozarker Lodge
My first stop on my Branson adventure was checking in to our hotel for the week: The Ozarker Lodge. The Ozarker became one of my favorite Branson destinations the moment I walked through its doors. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing with wall-to-wall wood paneling, comfortable couches, and a glamorous mid-century modern bar lined with crystal chandeliers, but the staff were also extremely welcoming and attentive to guests. With a continental breakfast each morning, a coffee bar with freshly brewed espresso drinks, and a wood-burning stone fireplace, the lobby is a place visitors won’t want to leave.
Our room was spacious with two queen-sized beds, a bathroom, a vanity area, and an entertainment center. A few of my favorite perks were the heavyweighted yet soft blankets on each of our beds, the warm-glowing wall sconces that lit our room, and a vintage-style Bluetooth speaker in the room. My family had a few full-fledged dance parties, compliments of the speaker system.
The lodge’s outdoor space beckons visitors as well, offering large wooden soaking tubs, a heated pool and cabana, rentable fire pits and s’more kits, a natural outdoor playground, complete with a tunnel built into a hill and a balance beam carved from a large tree log, and a bubbling limestone creek with waterfalls to explore.
The Ozarker Lodge also welcomed my French bulldog, Boone, with open arms. The pet-friendly lodge allows wellbehaved pooches in the main lobby area to rest and relax alongside their owners. Boone and I started each morning with a rejuvenating walk along the creek, followed by sipping an iced espresso drink while sitting by the fireplace.
Show One / DOLLY PARTON’S STAMPEDE
Up first was Dolly Parton’s Stampede, a Branson tradition since 1995. After we parked, my sister Sarai and I made our way to the ticket booths. Along the route, we found the show horses in stables that lined the building. Each stall had a metal nameplate. Many of the horses stuck their heads out of the stalls as if to say, “Hey there! Welcome to the show!” I guessed these beautiful creatures love to perform as much as their humans do.
One advantage to Dolly Parton’s Stampede is that it’s a dinner show. And not just any dinner show—while being entertained by talented performers, there is a fourcourse meal, including a savory and creamy vegetable soup, an entire rotisserie chicken, hickory-smoked pork, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and more. While our server poured a bowl of creamy, steaming soup and we sipped iced tea, the lights dimmed, and the show began.
The first big surprise of the show was five buffalo running into the arena, herded by a cowboy with a lasso. These beasts were majestic up close, and my jaw dropped when they came running out. The buffalo were followed by several cowgirls and cowboys riding horses and performing tricks, such as jumping through a hoop lit with fire. An aerial silks artist in a bedazzled costume swung from the ceiling onto a horse below, and the host came center stage to introduce the show.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede is set in the Wild West, a time when many Americans were feuding over land. In that spirit, the host split the arena in half, with one side of the arena “fighting” for land for the North and the other side “fighting” for land for the South. As someone who is always up for a little friendly competition, I was in.
Each side was given a designated color: red for the South and blue for the North.
The rest of the evening was filled with friendly competition as riders competed in games like barrel racing, relay races, and fence jumping. The riders wore corresponding colors of red or blue, so we always knew who was on our team. One of my favorite moments of the show was when the cowboys brought out piglets in red and blue garb. The pudgy piglets raced around the arena with a chorus of laughter and applause from both sides of the audience. Though our side (the South) was losing almost every competition that night, we couldn’t help but support our team by loudly cheering our side on, adding to the general excitement of the show.
Toward the end of the show, Dolly’s voice rang out in the arena, explaining that chasing butterflies through the forests and meadows of the Smoky Mountains remains one of her favorite childhood memories. To bring this joy to the audience, Dolly recently added a new Butterfly Dreams segment to the Stampede show. The lights dimmed as the audience sat forward in their seats, ready to see what was next.
Suddenly, horses entered the arena, glowing from ears to tail. They were adorned with three-foot-tall butterfly wings in neon pinks, greens, and blues. A set piece filled with glowing neon flowers that resembled an enchanted forest slowly lowered from the ceiling of the arena, creating a center stage, which performers rode around and danced on.
After dessert—a warm apple turnover drizzled with frosting—was served and the show came to a close, I left feeling cheerful and very full. The Stampede experience is an iconic show and perfect for all ages, and I would especially recommend it for families with children. Some of my favorite moments included looking around at the audience during the show and seeing how much the kids loved the buffalo, the horses jumping through hoops of fire, the butterflyhorses, and the aerial silks artist.
Day Two / Journal
Magnolia Bistro
Magnolia Bistro was our lunch stop. Known within my family for being the best place to stop for dessert on Branson Landing, Magnolia Bistro offers smooth scoops of authentic Italian ice in flavors like sour green apple, watermelon, mango, blue raspberry, and lemon. Their menu includes appetizers, sandwiches, wings, and more. My sister Sarai and I shared the fried portobello mushrooms with house-made ranch, the french fries, and the jalapeño popper hot dog (a quarter-pound Nathan’s Hot Dog cut in half and grilled to perfection, topped with house-made cream cheese, loads of jalapeños, and cheese). Everything we tried was superb.
The Branson Landing
The Branson Landing might be a more well-known spot to visit, but it offers more than meets the eye! Visitors could plan to spend an entire day shopping, eating, zip-lining, and exploring there. We shopped at Boot Barn, a western apparel store, and stopped by the Branson Landing’s Fountains, a series of fountains that line the boardwalk for Lake Taneycomo. At certain times of day, the fountains perform a show, including synchronized 120-foot-tall geysers, fire, light, and music.
Show Two / A MODERN TRIBUTE TO ABBA
A Modern Tribute to ABBA was the smallest show that we attended. While I thrived on the high-energy, thrilling nature of the other shows, there was something about simply sitting and listening to good music that refreshed me more than I was expecting.
Before the show began, my sister and I arrived early to grab our go-to show concessions: buttered popcorn and cherry ICEEs. We walked to our seats as a video began to play, explaining the story of ABBA—including who was in the original ABBA band and how it formed—with real footage of the band traveling and performing. I loved that the show began with the history of ABBA, because although the band’s music (including songs like “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “Mama Mia,” and “Chiquitita”) continues to be popular, their story is not as well known. ABBA was originally formed in Sweden in 1969 and was composed of four talented band members—Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Their first hit, “Waterloo,” was an international favorite in 1974. The band continued to release hits and sold millions of records worldwide, continuing to grow in popularity until their separation in 1982. In 2016, the band came back together and created another album, Voyage. Though their music production may have slowed down, their fan base’s love for the band did not. The album (their first released album in over 40 years) has sold over 2.5 million copies, and their Voyage tour sold over three million tickets.
As the video played explaining this history, my sister and I heard a quiet, “Excuse me?” behind us. We turned around and saw a couple, probably in their 50s, smiling at us. “How old are you girls? Do you know ABBA?” We smiled at their apparent surprise that a 19- and 23-yearold were attending a ’70s tribute band concert. My sister and I explained that when we were young, we grew up listening to ABBA. I think we made that man’s life complete, just hearing that ABBA’s music was appreciated by newer generations.
After our brief introduction to the original band, the curtain came open and we were introduced to the tribute band in all of their glitz, go-go boots, and glamour. During the first few songs, including “Waterloo,” “SOS,” and “Take a Chance on Me,” the four vocalists harmonized beautifully and kept the energy alive on the stage as they danced, sang, and interacted with the crowd and each other. These four singers have built an impressive act together and seemed proud to perform the music.
As the show went on and Sarai and I sang along to each of the songs, we also enjoyed all of the quick costume changes that the performers made. While one or two singers completed a song on stage, the other performers were backstage changing into purple leather suits, hot pink sequined dresses, or crystal-studded jumpsuits. I performed in a show choir in high school, and I recall how difficult it was to complete one or two outfit changes, remember each step to a 30-minute show, and stay in performance-mode the entire time. These performers changed costumes, remarkably, at least five times during the twohour show. They also sang and danced in a dynamic performance for over two hours with only a 15-minute intermission. What a workout!
Although it’s difficult to pinpoint my favorite part of the show, one of my top moments was when one of the female singers performed “The Winner Takes it All.” She performed this power ballad as a solo act and made this song seem easy to sing—which I know it’s not. At the climax of the song, while her voice rang out, holding a strong, heartfelt note, I leaned over to my sister and whispered, “Wow. This is definitely her song!” I loved seeing a performer put so much effort into a show that they perform daily for visitors. I could tell that each of the four singers love what they do and live for performing and working a stage.
Day Three / Journal
Dick’s 5 & 10
Dick’s 5 & 10 has been a cornerstone of Branson since it first opened in the 1960s. This old-fashioned general store sells everything from vintage candy and soda, children’s toys, apparel for all ages, crafts, gag gifts, and home goods to Branson souvenirs. My family makes a stop here every time we visit Branson because we can always find something to make us laugh or satisfy a sweet tooth. When visiting this time, my sister Sarai and I tastetested sour-candy-flavored dill pickles and sour-cola-flavored Swedish candy.
The Grand Country Buffet
A personal favorite, the Grand Country Buffet, located inside of the Grand Country Inn, is not a typical buffet. The restaurant describes itself as “an experience reminiscent of dinner at Grandma’s house,” and for me, it feels like it (probably because I have been eating at the Grand Country Buffet for over 20 years). Those dining can enjoy anything from made-to-order omelets to fresh-cut, slowroasted prime rib, depending on the time of day. Serving three meals a day, the friendly wait staff and plethora of choices make this a dining destination anyone can enjoy. By this time, my older sister, Kassidy, my brother-in-law, Kevin, and my eight-month-old niece, Eden, had joined the rest of the family. Eden enthusiastically enjoyed her first-ever mashed potatoes at Grand Country. Her delight implies that she recommends them!
Show Three / ESCAPE REALITY
My third show, dubbed Escape Reality, was in a small, intimate theater. My dad and I sat with popcorn and candy at-the-ready in the front row. As the show began, I fully expected to be met with cheesy jokes, smoke, and lights. Instead, Garry and Janine Carson met the audience with enthusiasm, wit, and straightforward yet enthralling illusions.
After a terrible sledding accident at 10 years old that almost took his life, Garry spent an entire year in the hospital struggling to recover. During his recovery process, his mom bought a magic kit to entertain him, and it changed his life. Garry fell in love with magic tricks and illusions, leading him to one day perform on cruise lines, at military base camps, and in Las Vegas, where he met his wife, Janine. After having their daughter, Sophia, the couple decided to end their travels and move to Branson in the Ozark Mountains for a slower pace of life.
A personal favorite, the Grand Country Buffet, located inside of the Grand Country Inn, is not a typical buffet. The restaurant describes itself as “an experience reminiscent of dinner at Grandma’s house,” and for me, it feels like it (probably because I have been eating at the Grand Country Buffet for over 20 years). Those dining can enjoy anything from made-to-order omelets to fresh-cut, slowroasted prime rib, depending on the time of day. Serving three meals a day, the friendly wait staff and plethora of choices make this a dining destination anyone can enjoy. By this time, my older sister, Kassidy, my brother-in-law, Kevin, and my eight-month-old niece, Eden, had joined the rest of the family. Eden enthusiastically enjoyed her first-ever mashed potatoes at Grand Country. Her delight implies that she recommends them!
One of the first tricks included the participation of two audience volunteers. Garry selected my dad and one other man to join him on stage. Garry began by having Janine sit down on a table with her legs straight out. He then asked the other volunteer to lock Janine’s ankles down, while my dad locked her neck in place. After she was secured to the table, Garry covered her with a wooden box and locked the box to the table. He then asked my dad and the other volunteer to grab onto ropes bolted to each side of the wooden box. My dad pulled his side, the volunteer pulled his side, and the box came apart in two pieces. Janine was nowhere to be found. After a gasp from the audience, Garry pushed the two sections of the box back together. He reached inside and grabbed the hand of none other than Janine, who hopped out joyfully as if she had not just been pulled in two and then put back together before our eyes. I was only 10 feet from the action, and I am still at a loss for how he did this trick.
Another one of my favorite segments was when Garry asked a young boy to come up on stage. Janine brought out a clear box filled with saltwater taffy, and Garry asked the volunteer to take some as a thank you for helping him out on stage. One at a time, the little boy took around 10 pieces and placed them in a clear plastic bowl that Garry had provided. “I’ve done a few tricks tonight,” Garry said. “But this one will make you known as the world’s greatest magician.” The little boy smiled and listened attentively. “Here’s what I want you to do,” Garry continued. “On the count of three, say ‘Abracadabra’ and blow on the taffy, okay?” The boy nodded. On the count of three, the little boy’s voice rang out “Abracadabra!” and he blew hard on the candy in the bowl. “Go on and pick a piece up!” said Garry. The boy’s hand reached into the bowl and pulled out a candy. What was individual candies just seconds ago was now a stringed taffy necklace. The audience laughed and clapped as the little boy stood in awe and took a bow with Garry.
An hour and a half of illusions and magic tricks ensued, including folding Janine into a 12-by-12-inch box and spearing it with a flaming sword before unfolding the box and Janine rising out of it; Garry levitating Sophia, his daughter, on a table; and Garry surviving—without a scratch on him— being speared by 24 spikes while locked in a box. I used to think magic was tacky, but Garry and Janine proved me wrong and showed me a new side to magic and illusion performance. It was family friendly, funny, and engaging. I enjoyed every minute and left feeling amazed, not only at Garry and Janine’s professionalism but also at their unabashed love for making people smile and helping the audience escape reality, even if for only a few hours.
Day Four / Journal
Fig Tree Books and More
Fig Tree Books and More is a familyowned Christian-based book store in Branson. The store opened in October of 2023 and sells Bibles, devotionals, jewelry, apparel, children’s toys, home decor, artwork, and more. Fig Tree Books and More also hosts book author signings and children’s story times in their whimsical and cozy space. While visiting, I picked up an artistically painted hardcover study Bible and an adorable pair of bamboo-woven pajamas for Eden.
Sugar Leaf Bakery and Coffee Shop
Sugar Leaf Bakery is a family favorite for a homemade breakfast. The bakery offers fresh cinnamon rolls, quiches made daily, in-house baked bread, and more. For lunch, the menu includes hearty salads stacked high with toppings, warm grilled sandwiches, and delicious soups. The espresso bar is one of my favorite stops and wins over a chain coffee shop anytime. I made my way over to Sugar Leaf Bakery a couple of times during the trip and enjoyed the Cajun turkey wrap one day and a delicious iced latte the other.
Show Four / DAVID, SIGHT AND SOUND THEATER
I was in awe, driving up to the Sight and Sound Theatre. My mom and I were amazed at the architecture and lawn. The building was designed with Baroque Revival style architecture—a style known for its extravagance and attention to detail that is often used for designs in palaces or places of worship. It was easy to stand and stare at the towering columns, domes, and soaring arches framing the entrance. The interior was no different, and we stopped periodically—after buying a sleeve of the Sight and Sound Theatre’s acclaimed house-made, warm, spiced almonds—to gawk at the beauty of the space.
We eventually found our way to our seats and settled in for the show, DAVID, the story of a shepherd boy in Israel who was anointed as king and ruled from 1090–970 BC. David is most famously known for killing Goliath, a 12-foottall Philistine soldier, with nothing but a slingshot. Soon enough, the lights dimmed and the theater’s massive red velvet curtains opened, revealing a Middle Eastern town set in biblical times. Houses that were multiple stories tall towered 20 feet into the air, surrounded by trees and pools of water. Actors came riding onto the stage from the aisles on live horses, and shepherds walked onto the stage followed by herds of live sheep. In just a few seconds, I was viscerally transported from the theater to a town and time long before I existed. David, a young 10-year-old boy at the start of the show, walked onto the stage singing and playing the lyre (an ancient harp-like instrument). The young actor’s voice was incredible, as were all the voices I would hear that day from the cast.
DAVID threw me around on an emotional roller coaster, and I loved every moment of it. I found myself either belly laughing and smiling, or gripping the arm rests of my seat and then breathing sighs of relief. I was completely immersed the entire time in the intriguing story line, marvelous acting, and phenomenal set design. One of the best moments was when David took down Goliath. Somehow, the Sight and Sound Theatre figured out how to engineer a 12-foot-tall animatronic giant that could walk and talk. It was freakishly realistic. David flung a single stone out of his sling, and it moved in slow motion, the music slowing along with the movement of the slingshot. A deep bass note shook my seat, and with a single crack, the 12-foot Goliath fell to his knees and was conquered. The audience cheered.
The part of the show that will stick with me forever, though, was the very end.
King David had been through a lot during his life, including slaying giants, back stabbing father-in-laws, losing loved ones, and even becoming prideful to the point of turning against those he loved most. At the end of the story, once he had reached the end of his own strength, David got down on his knees and asked for God to restore his faith and his worn-down heart. As the Spirit of God descended upon David, providing him peace, David arose in strength, singing praises to God through the words of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Angels dressed in bright white robes lined with gold appeared in the aisles, swaying and singing one word—hallelujah—in six-part harmonies.
While the performers sang in crescendo in angelic harmony and belted out an enveloping melody with seamless key changes, the audience was silent, frozen in awe. I began tearing up as David sang about being “washed white as snow.” Fake snow rained down from the ceiling, and white light surrounded the cast down below as their voices rang out. Much like David, I also felt a sense of peace and relief wash over me as he was reconciled with God at the end of this story.
Wiping tears from my face, I looked around, trying to take everything in. To my right, one attendee slowly raised her hands in worship. To my left, a woman’s face glistened with tears, her eyes transfixed on the stage in front of her. I’m not sure any of us wanted to leave the theater—let alone our seats—after the finale, but we did after a well-deserved standing ovation.
My mom and I didn’t stop talking about the performance for the rest of the evening, highly recommending it to the rest of our family when we rejoined them at The Ozarker. My only stipulation to them was that they invite me to see DAVID again if they go.
Day Five / Journal
Silver Dollar City
A trip to Branson just isn’t complete without a visit to Silver Dollar City. This 1800s-themed park was voted the number one theme park in America by USA Today and proves its rank through award-winning roller coasters like Outlaw Run and delicious eateries such as Lumbercamp Falls Skillet, which serves skillet meals piled high with fresh sweet corn, smoked sausage, and grilled vegetables, and Silver Dollar City’s iconic iced cinnamon bread. Silver Dollar City also offers terrific shows within the park from musical performances to magic to Broadway-style productions.
My family spent the day on rides, like the new and improved Fire in the Hole, the Time Traveler, and jumping on coasters in The Grand Exposition area of the park. We also spent time shopping inside the White River Bath & Body store, which sells candles, soaps, room sprays and more, and viewing the live glassblowing demonstrations at Hazel’s Cut Glass. One of my favorite parts of the day was hearing the Homestead Pickers sing and play in the early morning on the porch of the McHaffies Homestead near the entrance of the park. The band interacted with many of the audience members in between the songs on their set. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax, catch some serious G-force from thrilling roller coasters, grab a delicious bite to eat, or shop unique artisan-made goods, Silver Dollar City is the ultimate place to spend a day in Branson.
Show Five / THE HAYGOODS
Many have heard the term “musical artist,” but I never understood it until I sat in the Clay Cooper Theater and experienced The Haygoods perform. This group of five brothers and one sister (Timothy, Patrick, Dominic, Michael, Matthew, and Catherine) gave me a new perspective on musicianship.
I came into the often sold-out show unsure of what to expect. All I knew was that I had repeatedly been told I should go see it. My first observation was that the crowd was incredibly diverse in age. There were toddlers, elementary-aged children, groups of teenagers, young couples, and seniors all mixed together. The crowd was buzzing—readying their phone cameras and chittering with excitement. What is about to happen? I thought. I could never have guessed.
With a loud percussional beat and a deep base line, the red curtains opened and the stage came to life with laser beams, smoke, and neon lights. Lionel Richie’s “Dancing on the Ceiling” came to life through the voices of The Haygoods with Dominic and Catherine singing lead vocals, Matthew on bass guitar, Patrick on piano, Timothy on electric guitar, and Michael—well, Michael was nowhere to be seen. That was until he came zip-lining down from the balcony playing the electric guitar upside down. That was the moment when I knew that the show wasn’t going to be a typical music concert.
One of my favorite acts began with The Haygoods describing their childhood, growing up in the Ozarks with the Mark Twain National Forest in their backyard. Much like my childhood, their nights were filled with camping, jam sessions by the fire, and enjoying time together as siblings. The lights dimmed as their storytelling ended, and the stage transformed into a sea of blue and green lights with thousands of tiny stars filling the room. Vintage looking oil lanterns dropped down from the ceiling and cast a warm glow. Somehow, each of the instruments (a bass cello, two acoustic guitars, a piano, and a banjo) were individually lit up with scenes of rural Missouri, such as sunsets and tree lines. The siblings then sang many of the songs that they used to sing together as children, including Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence,” Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” and my personal favorite, Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” with Catherine starring on the fiddle. I can’t count how many times I audibly said “Wow” in amazement at the talent of this group.
Their tap dancing segment also stood out. Before performing, they explained that as rambunctious young children, their mother decided to put them into tap dancing classes. At the time, their mother couldn’t afford multiple pairs of tap shoes though, so the siblings made their own: they screwed metal plates onto the bottom of military boots and practiced by dancing on a piece of plywood in their yard. They still perform today using metal-plated military boots, using them to create beats as they sing. At one point in the show, the siblings even tap dance while hanging upside down as flames shoot out of the stage around them.
I was sad to see the show come to a close after enjoying a “battle of the banjo” between brothers Timothy and Patrick, Catherine’s majestic harp playing, Timothy playing the banjo while using a jet pack to levitate, and a musically synchronized indoor drone show.
I was also delighted by the opportunity to meet the group after the show’s end. Getting to talk to the siblings individually was a highlight of the evening, and they were all very welcoming.
Five shows in five nights in Branson was an undertaking that I thoroughly enjoyed. The wide range of shows available was surprising, and I just scratched the surface.
Now I pose a big question: Would I recommend seeing five shows in five nights? If you’re an avid showgoer, I would say “Go for it.” If not, consider selecting two or three shows to attend during your stay instead of one every night, as I did. Whether someone is seeing one show per trip or one show per night, it’s clear that you don’t have to hop on a plane to New York or Chicago to experience a fantastic show scene. Branson has all of the singing, dancing, magic, and wonderment that visitors could ask for.
This article was originally published in the July/August 2025 edition of Missouri Life magazine.
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