One of the best parts about Ballparks of America is that we’re located in a premier family vacation destination—Branson, Missouri. You don’t just have to take our word for it. Tripadvisor advisor named Branson a Top 20 Best U.S. Travel Destination eight years in a row.
Branson has a little bit of everything. The entertainment capital of Missouri offers exciting attractions, gorgeous nature, thrilling shows, and more. Weeklong players receive free passes and their families receive discounts on some of Branson’s most popular attractions, including White Water, Fritz’s Adventure, and The Track Family Fun Parks. (Check out the full list here.)
However, there’s more to do in Branson than just the most popular attractions. So, in today’s blog, we’re going to discuss some less well-known family-friendly activities.
1. Go for a Hike
The Ozarks are known for their natural beauty and rolling hills. Therefore, it should come as no great surprise that our region offers tons of great hiking opportunities. There’s a wide variety of hiking trails, but we’ve rounded up three hikes that people of all ages can tackle.
- Glade Trail: Located at Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area this easy trail offers gorgeous views and is only just over a mile long. Highlights of the trail include scenic overlooks and a babbling stream that you can splash around in.
- Lakeshore Trail: Head to Table Rock State Park and enjoy a 4.4 mile trail that runs along the lake. This trail is mostly paved, so it’s great for hikers of all skill levels. If you time your hike just right, you might even spot the Showboat Branson Bell!
- Red Trail: This 2.9 mile loop trail can be found at Busiek State Park and is considered easy. It’s best hiked counterclockwise. Be warned that part of the Red Trail overlaps with the Yellow Trail, which can be a bit confusing.
2. Get up and Close With Tigers
When you think of Missouri and tigers, you probably think of Mizzou. But here in the Ozarks, we have our own tigers at the National Tiger Sanctuary. Located 24 minutes from BoA, this non-profit rescue organization houses 35 big cats of four different species. There are different tour options with different focuses. On the Awareness Tour, you’ll learn about conservation and ecology. The Feeding Tour focuses on rescue stories, hunting, and life in the wild. On the Behind the Scenes Tour, you’ll get to meet all the cats and peer behind the curtain of sanctuary life. Tickets start at $22 for kids and $35 for adults.
3. Zip Through the Air
It doesn’t get much better than flying through the Ozark forest on a zip line. If your kiddos are the adventure-seeking type, then zip lining might just be the perfect family activity. Branson boasts quite a few zip line parks, but Adventure Ziplines of Branson is only four minutes away from BoA! The park has seven different lines and can accommodate children eight and older. Tickets start at $49.99.
4. Go Snow Tubing (Even in Summer!)
Head to Wolfe Mountain, located 19 minutes north of BoA, for some snow tubing without the snow. This adventure park is the Midwest’s only Snowflex park. What is Snowflex you ask? It’s a snow substitute specifically manufactured for snow sports. At Wolfe Mountain, you’ll get to slide down a 400-foot slope on tubs. Enjoy all the fun of snow tubing without having to worry about getting snow in your boots. Tickets start at $29.99 for kids and $34.99 for adults.
5. Indulge in Some Killer Ice Cream
Just like baseball, there is something about ice cream that just screams summertime nostalgia. Treat yourself and your kids to some of the best ice cream you’ll ever have at the College of the Ozark’s Keeter Center creamery. Part of what makes this ice cream so special is that it’s made from the milk of the college’s own cows. Each morning students milk 60 cows and then that milk gets turned into ice cream by another group of students. It doesn’t get any fresher than that! The Keeter Center is just a quick 13-minute drive from BoA.
Related post: 5 Family Friendly Restaurants in Branson, Missouri
6. Hop a Train
All aboard! Calling all train lovers, the Branson Scenic Railway is just the thing you’re looking for. Travel through the rolling Ozark hills and over 100-year-old trestles while enjoying lush nature, abundant wildlife and old-school charm. The train leaves from the historic Branson depot, which is only nine minutes from BoA. Tickets start at $19.50 and $30 for adults. Lap riders (under three) are only $2.
7. Check out Dogwood Canyon
Okay, this adventure is a little further away, but the 44-minute drive to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is worth the trip. This park features 10,000 acres of natural beauty and rugged scenery in which you and your family can hike, bike, take a wildlife tour, go horseback riding, or trout fishing. Grab lunch at the Mill & Canyon Grill where you can take in gorgeous views of a spectacular waterfall and strikingly blue pond. Admission starts at $10.50 for kids and $15 for adults.
8. Go Bowling and a Whole lot More
Located on the Branson landing (only 15 minutes from BoA), Andy B’s Bowl Social offers more than just bowling. At this modern bowling alley, you’ll also find virtual reality games, escape rooms, karaoke, and more! Another reason we love this spot is they have a killer menu and adult beverages that go beyond a pitcher of light beer. Bonus—they have lane-side service! Prices vary.
9. Explore a Cave
Get your spelunking on with a trip to Talking Rocks Cavern. Located 22 minutes from BoA, this cave offers pristine cave formations, walking tours, and more. There’s plenty to see underground, but there’s also lots to do above ground. You and your fam can walk on the nature trails, play a round of mini-golf, pan for gemstones, enjoy indoor and outdoor SpeleoBox crawl mazes, and more—many of which are free! Admission for the cave tour is $14.95 for kids (4–12), $24.95 for adults, and free for kids three and younger.
10. Learn About the Ozarks’ Natural History
Head to the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at Top of the Rock for an entertaining and educational experience. Only 20 minutes from BoA, this museum offers prehistoric creatures, collections of Native American artifacts and artwork, and galleries showcasing memorabilia from the American West and the Civil War. Admittance to the museum is included in the Top of the Rock entrance fee, which starts at $10. Bonus! The fee also includes entrance to Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail.
BoA is the Destination for Youth Baseball Tournaments
Ballparks of America is the premier stay-and-play youth baseball tournament facility. Not only are our baseball tournaments first-class, but we’re also located in one of the best family vacation destinations in the country. Book your next tournament at BoA and experience everything that Branson, Missouri has to offer.
