A Perfect Day in Branson, Missouri

At Cameron’s Crag Bed & Breakfast near Branson, Missouri,  Innkeeper Janet Miller has loved living and working in “America’s Hometown” for nearly thirty years. Having experienced many of the area’s wide range of activities and attractions, she still enjoys “playing tourist” in Branson. Guests at Cameron’s Crag have the benefit of her “innsider’s insight” and you can too.

Janet says most people come to Branson for three main reasons—shopping, live entertainment, and the lakes. It’s easy to spend an entire day or even several days on just one of these but she recommends planning for some of each, especially if your time in Branson is limited. She suggests starting your day shopping. Branson Landing and Tanger Mall are great for national brands, but for something unique, head for The Grand Village. In a colorful setting of Main Street architecture and cobblestone streets sprinkled with flower beds and fountains, you’ll find twenty six individually owned specialty shops. Spend the morning browsing fine art wood carvings, hand made jewelry, collectibles, books, gourmet foods, specialty apparel, and more. Then wander over to Mel’s Hard Luck Diner, home of Branson’s original singing servers. Mel’s staff members are professional singers, song writers, and musicians who entertain while they cook and serve your meal of all-American favorites.

After this tantalizing appetizer of talent, it’s off to the theater for more Branson style entertainment. Janet recommends you check out the options before you get to town. Most venues schedule two to four shows daily with regular performers, special guests, and seasonal lineups. With over 100 shows and a wide range of choices including music, magic, drama and more, you’re sure to find something to fit your tastes. If you have trouble deciding, Janet recommends an award winning act and local favorite, SIX. These six brothers will amaze you with their “orchestra of human voices” as they accompany their pure harmonies with drum and bass rhythms and accompanying instrumentation entirely done with their voices! You won’t see a backup band here, but you’ll never miss it when these guys take the stage.

By choosing an afternoon performance, you will have time for dinner before the evening activities. While Branson has a broad spectrum of dining options, Janet recommends The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks. The Keeter Center is one of several businesses operated on the campus. Through an extensive work-study scholarship program, students earn a portion of their no-tuition degree by working on the campus. Students majoring in Hotel/Restaurant Management gain valuable experience working at The Keeter Center. The menu of soups, salads, and entrées includes many locally produced items as well as signature dishes such as Classic Dobyns Pot Roast and Ozark Mountain Trout with a crunchy pecan crust.

After dinner it’s off to the largest of the three Branson area lakes for the Sunset Celebration cruise on The Spirit of America, a 48 ft sailing catamaran on Table Rock Lake. Help the crew operate the vessel or sit back and relax while taking in the scenery as the sun sparkles on the water before dipping below the rim of the Ozark hills cradling the lake. You’ll return to the marina relaxed and refreshed. 

Cap off your day by sinking into your private hot tub at Cameron’s Crag Bed & Breakfast to savor the tranquility of an evening beneath a star-studded Ozarks sky. With this perfect finale to a perfect day in Branson, you’ll have no trouble drifting off to sleep with a smile on your lips.