Getting Around in Branson, Missouri
Though Branson is a popular year-round vacation destination, public transportation in and around the city is fairly limited. Most people find that the best way to get around is by automobile. So, those who don’t arrive by car will generally choose to rent one at the airport. Springfield-Branson Municipal Airport currently houses six car rental agencies to meet the needs of vacationers – Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, National/Alamo, and Thrifty. The car companies remain open all day up to a half-hour after the last arrival. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Navigating Branson by car isn’t difficult but the town can get quite crowded, especially during the peak tourism months, which stretch from May through December but are especially busy during June through August. The area around the Highway 76 Strip is the busiest and travel time in that region can become greatly extended, so planning some extra minutes to get to a destination is necessary. Recently, in attempts to aid visitors in their travels, the city devised a system of color-coded routes that lead to certain destinations. Visitors can pick up a color-coded map at car rental agencies or at several locations throughout the city.
Branson also tends to be a very pedestrian-friendly city as well. The historic downtown area is an especially pleasant place to wander on foot and explore historic homes, pleasant parks, and other attractions. Often, even along the busy Strip, it’s possible to walk from your hotel to a number of theaters, museums, or restaurants.
Another option is to hop aboard the All Around Branson Shuttle, which provides local shuttle service within the Branson city limits. This is not a shuttle that runs continuously and stops at various places like a public bus. This shuttle service must be planned and reserved in advance.
However, in downtown Historic Branson, guests can use the free Discovery Trolley, which runs a 15-minute loop throughout this attractive part of town. There are 3 stops along the way and the trolley gives visitors the opportunity to see Lake Taneycomo, view historic buildings, and make their way to the modern Branson Landing shopping and entertainment complex. Horse and carriage rides are also available through the downtown area.
Those who are shopping or staying in Branson Landing can climb aboard the complex’s own trolley, which rides from one end of the development to the other and helps visitors escape the heat or inclement weather.
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