Branson is a family-friendly place with lots to see and do. If you’re on a budget, there are lots of things to do that are completely free! Here is a list of 11 Fun & Free Things to Do in Branson, Missouri.
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Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery
483 Hatchery Road, Branson, MO 65616
The kids love this one. This hatchery produces over 700,000 Brown & Rainbow trout each year for stocking in Lake Taneycomo and around the state. You’ll see the entire process, from eggs & hatchlings to huge trophy sized trout. Fish food is available for $0.25 per handful and makes for a great cheap hour of fun.
Highway 165 Scenic Overlook
7990 Historic State Highway 165, Hollister, Missouri 65672
Situated on MO-165 between Table Rock Dam and Hollister, Missouri, this overlook is open to the public and is right off the main highway – you can’t miss it if you take that route. You’ll see down into the Lake Taneycomo, up the the Dam, and out across Branson. It is a wonderful way to see some of the beauty of the Ozark Mountains.
Ruth & Paul Henning Overlook Tower
4106 Mo-76, Branson, MO 65616
Located just off MO HWY 76 about a 1/2 mile west of the Butterfly Palace on the west side of Branson, this overlook tower is at the top of a 1/2 mile hike in the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area. The views of the Ozarks and Branson are breathtaking! The park opens and closes at sunrise and sunset.
Branson Landing Boardwalk
100 Branson Landing, Branson, MO 65616
Take in the riverfront along the Branson Landing. The boardwalk extends the enitre length of the development and is at the water’s edge. The cool air coming off Lake Taneycomo can make for a great evening walk in the summertime.
Dewey Short Visitor’s Center Table Rock Lake
4500 MO-165, Branson, MO 65616
Across Table Rock Dam before the Showboat Branson Belle, you’ll find Dewey Short Visitor Center. It is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and offers displays, interactive exhibits, native wildlife settings, and more. You’ll learn about the history of the Dam, the White River, and how power generation works. Very neat for all ages! There is no cost for admission.
Table Rock Dam Peninsula
MO-165, Branson, MO 65616
On the opposite side of the Dam as the Dewey Short Visitor Center is the Table Rock Dam Peninsula which provides panoramic viewing of the Dam, the Lake, and Moonshine Beach. Gates close at sundown. There is no cost to drive and walk around the peninsula.
Moonshine Tasting at Smith Creek Distillery
1209 Branson Landing Blvd, Branson, MO 65616
Grab some bite-sized tastings of dozens of flavors of Authentic Missouri Moonshine from Missouri Mountain Moonshine located in Downtown Branson on the Branson Landing. Tastings are free, tips are welcome.
Disovery Trolly Downtown Branson
102 W Main St, Branson, MO 65616
Explore Downtown Branson on the Discovery Trolly. Downtown is full of quaint shops and restaurants and relics of times past. Regular 15 minute loops make it a convenient hop-on hop-off way to see old time Branson.
Wine Tasting at Mount Pleasant Winery
3125 Green Mountain Dr, Branson, MO 65616
Mount Pleasant Winery offers free wine tasting as well as a paid $5 premium tasting. You can try up to 5 select wines at no cost. All wines showcased are made entirely in Missouri of Missouri grapes. You’ll also get a history of wine in the state.
Table Rock State Park
5272 MO-165, Branson, MO 65616
This park is a great launch point for exploring Table Rock Lake. If you’d rather get some hotdogs and set up camp, there is a small fee for campsites. You can always enter the park and see the lake at no charge.
College of the Ozarks
100 Opportunity Ave, Point Lookout, MO 65726
The only college in the nation where students work to pay for their tuition is free to visit. The campus is quaint and quiet. There are multiple historic museums and other activities to see and do. The Keeter Center is a farm to table restaurant that serves food made from local farms, including produce & dairy onsite.
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