Branson Fun May 2026

Quick weekend in Branson, Missouri!we are a road trip family and hit the road nearly every year for a trip. This year it's Branson. We did so many things! Buc-ee's, Wonderworks, Silver Dollar City, time by the pool, Downtown Branson and the fountains outside the aquarium, Top of the Rock with Osage Sunday brunch, Natural History Museum and golf cart tour. A full Branson experience and so much to explore for next time!

We caught Bucee out front! Springfield, MO is a massive Buc-ee's - probably 60 gas pumps!

Wyatt's first time

It's difficult to understand the massive merchandise and food options here. It's a sight to see!

They have things that make me smile

Truth!

I grew up with a milk cow on our breakfast table!

Perfect word!

They have everything Bucee themed !

On the road to Branson

So glad we stopped here- I have been intrigued every time I have seen it so when it was mentioned. I was fully supportive of a new adventure!

Driving Route 66 is on my bucket list!

It's an by gone era when Route 66 existed!

So grateful for our road systems in the United States!

I seriously had so much fun playing with this sand and creating islands for the dinosaurs!

It was therapeutic!

A giant lite brite!

I needed one more light purple to finish my I in my HI! message

I also needed more orange legs for my smiley face!

Illusion pictures

Legos!

I LOVE these pictures

Look closely

The details fascinate me!

Interesting Dr Seuss history with these sculptures

Oh this was soooooo cool! Check out the video

Next time I will check out MO Route 66!

This floor focused on natural disasters

The ceiling looked like debris from a tornado. They had a hurricane simulation and a Titanic exhibit. That water was soooo cold !

This was a great game experience for Nick and Wyatt - it took me back decades ago when they played in arcades

We played laser tag and at least I scored some points.

We laughed, they definitely are better at this than I am!

Silver Dollar City!

This made me giggle- props for theming!

The artists and craftsman make SDC unique

She was making forms for pumpkins!

Gorgeous pottery

Definitely a southern sign

I love the blue pottery

I liked the pasta container

And love this plate!

Totally a Disney connection "Dumbo"

across from the "Tea Cups"

We all took a ride on the Galleon!

We miss it from Adventureland!

This glass of water stayed put on the Galleon. I got a tiny video before I got the warning

So fun!

There is a garden area!

The flowers and vegetables looked lovely

So many great seeds

This is a neat exhibit!

Inside a rose - I love the patriotism here

There is an area dedicated to firefighting and seeing this fire hydrant outside the restrooms made me laugh!

Don't forget the doggies

Tribute to the Duke at a gift shop! As a fellow Iowan I always share the love of another Iowan!

The only pic I took of me at Silver Dollar City - waiting for the tram to the parking lot!

Scenic outlook - not the best view IMO

The trees are gorgeous

Downtown Branson

So patriotic!

Most patriotic city- this may be true!

These cutie doll cherubs look familiar

Dicks 5 and 10 - keeping hours!

Totally takes me back to my childhood - lip Smackers

Truth on magnets

This octopus is really a sight to see all lit up!

We caught the very end of the music light show! Bonus good thing after a rotten dining experience at a fighters diner across the street - we DO NOT recommend that place! We DO Recommend these lights and fountains!

Our one group photo of the trip!

Top of the Rock Osage Brunch view. The food is divine and we got to sit outside with the perfect breeze on an overcast day! We left so full!

I thought the Natural Histiry museum would be more focused on dinosaurs ... I was WRONG! It's a focus on Native American history. Neat to see and I was surprised

Hell Pug looks ferocious and so

Does Bear Dog

Giant sloth

I did enjoy the wisdom from

Native Americans

Holy cow! So many, many arrowheads on display here!

Best quote from Nick "imagine the omelets ... terror bird would have massive eggs

Holy cow that a huge beaver and those teeth??!!

More Native wisdom!

There were dozens and dozens of clothing displays with intricate head work and craftsmanship

I wondered which dance alley for this horse hair wig!

These grizzly claw necklaces were chilling to see. I imagine it was quite hard to kill a grizzly

This horse headdress was. Neat to see

So many lovely dresses and I can only imagine the work it took to take them!

This Buffalo shield intrigued me.

Love these dresses.

So many portraits of Native Americans.

There story hurts to hear

This sculpture spoke to me - Indian head penny

I'm have no idea who is in this picture -

her face moved me

I saw these wolves from the top view and this also influence my belief it would be about dinosaurs

His headdress is so beautiful

An extinct animal!

Gorgeous

This story of the last wild Indian

Carrying babies and their toys!

I wondered about the girls who has these dolls

I liked this portrait

I learned about Native Americans wanting to look their best for the Great Spirit when they died so

They dressed up for battle.

I am so impressed with the elaborate headwear!

Beaver top hat!

The shoes and all the gear

This is a famous photo with Geronimo

This museum had so many pieces displayed!

They moved through the history of the Native American peoples and it gets sad to remember what happened to them and how they were forced off their lands