Historic Downtown Branson, Missouri
The Historic District of Downtown Branson is a region situated near the Lake Taneycomo waterfront. Known for its country flavor and quaint shops, eateries, and other attractions, Historic Downtown Branson has been undergoing a great deal of renovations during the past 5 years and the re-gentrification of the area has brought new merchants and lots more visitors to this part of town. The renovations have been led by the Downtown Branson Main Street Association, Inc., an official U.S.-certified Main Street program that strives to restore the area so that it is once again “equipped to make significant contributions to the local economy.”
The downtown area is said to have gotten its start in about 1888 in an area just east of what is now Highway 65. It long served as the economic hub for the area, offering shops that were essential to everyday life for those who lived during that era. Today, it still exudes an old Main Street-type feeling and includes some of the original elements of that time, including Victorian street lamps and brick sidewalks. Many of the oldest buildings in Downtown Branson have been preserved as well and a walk through the center of town can conjure up pictures of days gone by. It is also home to another excellent piece of Americana, the Branson Railroad Depot, constructed around the turn of the twentieth century. It is here that visitors can catch a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway.
A good first stop for visitors is the Branson History Museum on Pacific Street. Though it’s small, it provides an excellent look at the beginnings of the area and a walk through the attraction is free.
Another great way to explore the region and get a look at what is available in the downtown area is to take a ride on the free Discovery Trolley. It makes a loop through the downtown district and the adjacent Branson Landing shopping area. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the loop and passengers can disembark and re-board at four different stops along the way. The trolley is sponsored by the downtown Merchants Association.
Shopping opportunities in the downtown Branson area now include a list of about two dozen stores, from the quintessential small town 5&10 that sells a plethora of items to a shop that offers fine Victorian décor. There are also several apparel shops, gift shops, and stores offering local crafts, like Ozarks Mountain quilts. There are also more than a dozen eateries in Historic Downtown Branson, including a few fast food locations, a chain restaurant or two, and several family-owned-and operated restaurants or snack shops that serve everything from pizza and other Italian delights to Thai specialties and ice cream sundaes.
A handful of lodging options are available in the downtown area for those who would rather not to choose accommodations close to the Branson Strip. These include small inns or motels as well as a few well-known chain hotels. There’s also an RV park close by.
The merchants association in Historic Downtown Branson sponsors a number of special events throughout the year in hopes of drawing more visitors to the area. These include an autumn arts and crafts festival, a Veterans Day parade, and a pre-Christmas parade.
Ample public parking is available in Downtown Branson and a few public restrooms are available for those touring the area. Pick up a map of the area (available at many shops) to help identify the historic sites along the way.
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