Since 1912 when the Titanic sank on her maiden voyage across the North Atlantic, the famous ship has been the topic of stories and legends. More than one movie was made about the ill fated ship and the most recent, released in 1997, has its' own near cult following. Countless books, articles, and speculations have been published over the past nine decades but interest in the Titanic has not yet waned.

Those who want an up close and personal Titanic experience can visit a unique museum located in the vacation friendly city of Branson, Missouri. Millions of visitors each year head for Branson in the Missouri Ozarks to enjoy amusement parks, live shows, and other attractions, one of which is now the World's Largest Titanic Museum Attraction at the corner of Highway 76 (The Strip) and Gretna Road.

Opened on the anniversary of the ship's sinking in 2006, the Titanic museum has fast become one of Branson's most popular attractions. The scale replica of the original Titanic can be seen from a distance and dwarfs the surrounding venues with its' sheer size.

Visitors to the Titanic Museum cross water, a small man made lagoon, to enter the ship through a recreated ice berg. Once inside and with admission paid, visitors are allowed to tour the multiple exhibits which include the world's largest collection of actual Titanic memorbilia. Although the museum itself is housed in the half scale model of the actual ship, visitors will find other model replicas as they tour the facility.

One entire room showcases the photographs taken by a priest who survived the shipwreck. Father Brown's photographs of life aboard the Titanic before the ship sank are priceless and were lost for many years before being rediscovered inside a trunk in Ireland.

Highlights of the 90 minute self-guided tour - although visitors can take longer if they choose - include the replica of the ship's Grand Staircase, first class cabin, third class cabin, and a 26 foot long model of the ship's bow.

A "live" regenerating ice berg, the chance to "shovel" coal into the ship's boilers, and interaction with costumed staff including the Captain are also of major interest.

Actual recovered artifacts from the wreckage are a sobering reminder that this was an actual event, not merely a Hollywood film. More sobering still is the fact that each visitor is given a "boarding pass" with the name of an actual Titanic passenger or crew member.

In the Room of Rememberance, guests have the opportunity to learn if "their" person surived or perished.

Staff will take photographs of family members posing on The Grand Staircase as well.

Guests are encouraged to plunge their hand into icy water to feel just how cold the waters of the Atlantic were on that fateful April morning in 1912. They can also attempt to maintain footing on three sections of recreated deck that portray how slanted the deck became as the ship sank.

A gift shop offers a wide variety of souvenirs, books, and yes, several versions of Titanic movies.

It is an intriguing place to visit but it is also a history lesson and a reminder to all of the fragility of human life.

The Titanic Museum is located at the corner of Highway 76 and Gretna Road in Branson.

It is open year round; specific hours and other information can be found by calling

1-800-381-7670 or visiting the website at

TITANICBRANSON.COM