More than eight million visitors each year find their way over winding mountain roads, many still two-lane highways, to Branson, Missouri, an ever-growing vacation community. Although many are return visitors – some with a tradition of vacationing in Branson for decades – many are first time tourists who can be overwhelmed by the amazing number of things to see and do in this Ozark community of just 6,000 year round residents.

For the uninitiated visitor, a simple list of must-do or best bet locations is vital. Although Branson was originally a small community tucked away in the scenic Ozarks, Branson today sprawls in multiple directions. More than forty-five shows ranging from Ozark traditional music to Las Vegas caliber shows are found on and near “The Strip”, a section of Highway 76 lined with attractions, hotels, businesses, restaurants and more. Three major amusement parks make Branson home, all owned by the same family and other attractions including a half scale model of the ill-fated Titanic. Visitors range from senior citizens to stroller size toddlers but there is literally something to do here for everyone.

The oldest and original tourist hot spot marks a centennial this year. The Shepherd of the Hills Homestead is one of Branson’s major attractions but it has humble beginnings. The site was originally the homestead and farm of a pioneer family but found national fame in 1907 with publication of a book based on their lives. Author and minister Harold Bell Wright penned his immortal novel, The Shepherd of the Hills on the site of today’s multi-million dollar, 230 feet tall Inspiration Tower. The book became the first novel to sell more than a million copies and captured the imagination of the American public who began flocking to the Ozarks.

Old Matt’s Cabin, the original family home, still stands and is part of the tour today. Jeep drawn tours take visitors around the farm to view many important sites from the novel including a sawmill, gristmill, and the set of the nightly play based on the book.

Some tours are in wagons pulled by Clydesdale horses. Each evening during the summer season, the story penned by Wright more than a hundred years ago is performed in the open-air theater.

Since the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead spawned the tourist invasion, it should be first on the list for visitors to the Branson area.

Silver Dollar City, a frontier themed amusement park, is another of the area’s oldest attractions. In addition to the full-scale amusement park, Silver Dollar City is home to Branson’s second tourist attraction, Marvel Cave. Tours of the cave are included in park admission and was operated for many years by the Lynch sisters Today, park guests can descend 500 feet below the surface and tour the limestone cavern. Guests walk in but ride out on trams.

Other attractions at Silver Dollar City that make it a desired destination by folks of all ages is the recreated 1800’s pioneer village. The town square includes the log-hewn Wilderness Church, a mercantile store, and more. Artisans recreate the handcrafts of yesterday. Guests can watch a blacksmith at work, a glassblower plying his trade, and other dying arts. A number of shops sell everything from just baked bread to Ozark memorabilia.

Rides at the park range from the Frisco Silver Dollar Line, an old fashioned steam train that makes a circuit of the park and gets robbed along the way to the dynamic Powder Keg rollercoaster, a state of the art 21st century coaster that explodes from zero to 53 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds! The Grand Exposition area of the park, new in 2006, offers traditional rides like the Royal Tea Party (spinning teacups) and more. Wet rides, thrill rides, and family rides like an old time carousel are just a few more of the many rides found at Silver Dollar City.

In addition to crafts and rides, Silver Dollar City also offers entertainment. There are several theaters located within the park. The Saloon Show is one of the most popular but other offerings include everything from blue grass to Cajun. Each evening after the park closes, the Echo Hollow Amphitheater fills its 4,000 seats for themed shows.

The food is another plus at Silver Dollar City. Throughout the park, vendors and restaurants waft delicious aromas through the air. Fried potatoes (cooked in a huge skillet), Missouri barbecue, fried chicken, hamburgers, home-style buffets, kettle corn, candies, and homemade ice cream are just some of the many foods available at the park.

With the popularity of Silver Dollar City, the Herschend family who owns the park opened a water park, White Water that is located on the Strip in Branson. Although fun, White Water is little different from any other major water park with attractions that include a lazy river, water slides, and a wave pool. In the humid Ozark summers, however, White Water is a great place to get wet and stay cool!

The third Herschend park is just a few years old but growing in popularity. Celebration City is an amazing park that combines the old Boardwalk style amusement parks of the late 19th century with the early amusement parks of the 20th century. Nostalgia is the theme here. The Electric Boardwalk area hearkens back to the days of carnival hucksters with a midway of games, an updated version of the old Shoot The Chutes ride, and electric lights that illuminate the night.

Guests enter on Celebration Street, an old-fashioned American business district that looks like an abbreviated version of Main Street USA at Disneyland. An old time photographer is one of the most popular businesses along this section of park. The highlight here is the vintage style carousel.

In the Route 66 section of the park, the history of the Mother Road is remembered. Rides here include traditional fun like bumper cars, the Scrambler, a wooden roller coast, and the Paris Wheel, a unique version of the familiar Ferris Wheel. Elvis is king in this 1950’s like carnival atmosphere and there is a special section of junior rides for the little kiddies.

Each evening during the season, Celebration City ends the night with a fantastic firework and music display called Ignite The Night. This All-American, star spangled production is amazing and most visitors will want to experience it more than once.

There are more than forty shows in Branson but one of the most unique was created by one of the greatest stars of country music, Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show is based – according to Miss Parton – on the family get-togethers of her childhood. Diners enjoy a huge dinner served in courses around an arena where fabulous feats of horsemanship are performed. Dancing, singing, and more are part of the show, which features a Civil War theme. Diners choose if they wish to sit on the North or South sides of the arena. No one leaves the show hungry either. It is well worth enjoying. During the daytime hours, visitors can visit the stables where the show horses are kept as well.

Comedians abound here, ranging from corny country humor to the best – a Russian born comedian who calls himself Yakov Smirnoff. His show is family friendly with a family rate and gives plenty of entertainment for the price, one of the best show values in Branson. He is funny – and he loves his adopted country. This is the show that no visitor to Branson should miss.

America’s most beloved cowboy and his sweetheart are immortalized at The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum and Happy Trails Theater in Branson. Everyone loves Roy Rogers and this museum offers up a heaping portion of Roy and Dale memorabilia. Their movies are shown continuously on site and their son performs their old tunes in the on-site theater. Trigger, Roy Roger’s favorite horse, is preserved for posterity and can be seen along with Nellybelle, the jeep. A special area lets kids play and enjoy some hands on activities.

Dominating the Branson Strip and visible for blocks, The World’s Largest Titanic Museum Attraction is a half scale replica of the famous – and ill fated – ship that sunk in 1912. This attraction offers everything Titanic; replicas of the Grand Staircase, a first class cabin and a third class cabin, historical artifacts, actual items recovered from the wreckage, photographs, and “live” iceberg. Visitors can plunge their hands into water as cold as the north Atlantic when the ship sank and try to climb the tilting deck. Each visitor receives a boarding pass with the name of an actual passenger. In the room of remembrance, guests learn if their passenger lived or died. A section of the promenade deck has been recreated and most visitors will meet the Captain of the Titanic. Costumed staff will also take photographs of visitors on the Grand Staircase beneath the clock made famous by the 1997 movie.

One of Branson’s newest attractions is next door to the vintage downtown district. Branson Landing, a multi-million dollar development on the shores of Lake Taneycomo is a shopping experience that is unique. This open air style mall offers trolley rides, restaurants that are not found anywhere else in Missouri, and a variety of shops, all overlooking the waters of Lake Taneycomo. Lodging is available in luxury hotels onsite.

In the traditional downtown, things are still bustling. Enjoy a meal at the Branson Café, a local eatery since 1915. This café – and several others in the vicinity – offer good home cooking, daily lunch specials and more in a traditional atmosphere.

Don’t miss Dick’s Five and Dime, an old-fashioned dime store (although prices are not a dime any longer) on the corner. This store has everything, novelties, toys, and goods that are hard to find today.

In the original train depot located near both Branson Landing and the historic downtown district, take a ride on the train – a vintage 1940’s passenger train that rolls through the countryside near Branson. Some are Zephyr cars, vintage rail cars with a glassed in top that afford a spectacular view of the Ozarks. Some journeys go north, others south and on weekends, there are dining car excursions available.

These must-see, should do activities are just the beginning of what Branson can offer visitors. Other venues include Ride the Ducks, unique land and water tours aboard World War II vintage amphibious vehicles, two outlet malls, Branson’s original country music and comedy show, The Baldknobbers, ’57 Heaven, the world’s largest collection of 1957 vehicles at the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theatre, and so much more.

All roads lead to Branson – even if they may be narrow and winding – and once there, most visitors will want to return again and again for years to come!