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Branson, Missouri

Missouri: Go fishing for fun in great lakes and great towns



Experience Missouri’s natural beauty and casual charm in a trip that offers both easy-going lake life and one-of-a-kind entertainment. Between Lake Ozark’s world-class fishing, Springfield’s Americana history and Branson’s “family-friendly Las Vegas” style, touring the Show Me state is a romp you won’t soon forget.

Drive 143.7 miles, 2 hours, 17 minutes

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Getty Images/iStockphoto

1. Lake Ozark

Starting Point

The top lake destination in the state is a water sports wonderland. The town’s namesake body of water offers up to nearly 1,200 miles of shoreline for boating and fishing adventures. Head out on a sightseeing cruise with Leisure Lake Charters or hire Big Ed’s Guide Service to show you the hidden banks and eddies where the bass are hiding. The lake region also is home to 16 world-class golf courses that highlight the dramatic natural surroundings.

2. Springfield

98.8 miles, 1 hour, 33 minutes

This city-on-the-rise has all the charisma that you would expect from a pivotal stop on Route 66. Start by checking out the boutiques and eclectic, handcrafted goods for sale along the stretch of Commercial Street known as the “C-Street Stroll.” See the outdoors without leaving the city at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, where the Ozark environs are on display.

Vince Cook: Explore Branson

Vince Cook: Explore Branson

3. Branson

44.9 miles, 44 minutes

Calling yourself the “Live Entertainment Capital of America” makes for big expectations, but for 25 years, visitors know that Branson lives up to the hype. With more theater seats than Broadway, you can count on performances all day, every day. The Shoji Tabuchi Theatre and Andy Williams’ Moon River Theatre are among the most lauded, but every stage offers something different. Take a break from the glitz and glam of downtown by exploring the rugged beauty of the nearby Dogwood Canyon, Table Rock Lake or Lake Taneycomo.

RECOMMENDED STOPOVERS

America’s Best Campground
Branson, MO
(800) 671-4399
Cooper Creek Campground & Resort
Branson, MO
(417) 334-4871