Although we’re still caught in winter’s blustery grasp, spring is right around the corner – just ask Punxsutawney Phil! As the trees bud, the grass greens, and the flowers bloom in the months to come, Branson will welcome several new attractions. In fact, throughout 2016, a wealth of entertainment options will open in our fair city: a famous ferris wheel, an indoor adventure park, a cinematic experience, an innovative mystery game, and more. We’re sure that you will love at least one (if not all) of the new attractions in Branson taking shape this year.
New Attractions in Branson 2016
Status: Opening this summer
Believe it or not, we have found Bigfoot – he’s in Branson! Located on the Branson Strip, the 200-foot, $10-million adventure attraction Bigfoot will feature three unique rides:
- Drop Ride: Passengers will be strapped into seats on the outside of the tower. They will rise up, enjoy a great view of Branson, and then free fall back down. This ride is not for the faint of heart, speaking of which . . .
- Saddle Sling Ride: Passengers will be launched into the air vertically, reaching 150 feet, and then fall back down to earth. The butterflies in your stomach will love it!
- Aerial View Ride: Passengers are enclosed in a gondola, which slowly rotates up the center of the structure and then lowers back down. Riders will have a fantastic, 360-degree view of the Strip and the surrounding Ozark Mountains. This is clearly the most relaxing of the three rides.
In addition, Bigfoot will have a court of food trucks surrounding a covered patio area, where diners can enjoy delicious snacks before and after rides on Bigfoot.
Chicago’s Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
Status: Opening this summer
If you’ve ever been to Chicago, you’ve almost certainly seen the grand ferris wheel on Navy Pier. The majestic, 15-story attraction has stood on the most well-known pier of the Windy City for the past two decades, but now it’s coming to Branson! It will stand tall at Track Family Fun Parks, providing visitors with a relaxing ride surrounded by lights and offering a panoramic view of the Ozarks landscape. Who would have thought that this Chicago landmark would become one of the top new attractions in Branson?
Status: Dogwood Canyon currently open, new attractions opening this summer
Dogwood Canyon is a gorgeous nature park, largely left untouched but providing amenities to make the area accessible to guests. It was acquired by Johnny Morris (of Bass Pro Shops fame) in 1990, and since then the 10,000 acres of natural beauty have been managed by the non-profit Dogwood Canyon Foundation. So what’s new? Well, this year the attraction will open a working gristmill (a mill for grinding grain), a general store, an education center with a connected treehouse, and a restaurant with a patio and waterfall view. Although Dogwood Canyon has been around for over two decades, its exciting updates qualify it for a spot on our list of new attractions in Branson.
Status: Currently open
Part of a new trend of “escape rooms,” in which a group of participants are locked into a room and must use objects and clues within the room to break out, The Escape Branson provides a fun and fast-paced activity for people of all ages. Each room is unique, and only 34-38% of groups make it out within the hour-long time limit. To learn more about this attraction, please check out our previous blog post.
Status: Set to open in the summer of 2016 (check their Facebook page for updates)
Rain or shine, Fritz’s Adventure is a great place to run, climb, play, swing, slide, and explore. This enormous indoor attraction, designed for adults and children alike, includes many dynamic features, such as climbing walls, slides, swings, tunnels, zip-lines, ropes courses, bridges, and parkour areas. To learn more about this exciting new attraction, which will be open 365 days a year, view our previous blog post.
Status: Currently open with updates occurring in March
Although Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex has been open since 1993, the cinema has recently unveiled plans for a $1.7 million renovation and a new cinematic experience: IMAX with Laser. This new system will include cutting-edge technology, greater audio immersion, and improved brightness and color. In addition, the revamp will provide comfortable new seating in the form of high-back rockers and recliners (for general admission moviegoers) and oversized, zero-gravity, electric recliners (for the VIP section). When all is said and done, this Branson attraction will be one of the largest IMAX theaters in the country.
Status: May open this summer
Slated to open this summer on Highway 165, Mountain Adventure Resort will be an adventure park that embraces the area’s rugged topography and thriving vegetation. It will incorporate a variety of adventurous attractions, including zip lines, a zip coaster (a zip line with a curving route), a ropes course, and a “mountain coaster.” The park will grow with demand and develop over an extended period. Although the first ride may open this summer, the others will arrive over a period of three to five years.
Spirit of 76
Status: Developing over the next eight years
The Spirit of 76 is an extensive development project that aims to improve upon Branson’s downtown experience. Over the next eight years, the city will invest $75 million to give five miles of Highway 76 a makeover. To make the area more fun, interactive, attractive, and welcoming, a variety of features will be added, including spacious walkways, lovely landscaping, convenient park benches, highlighted landmarks, and pleasant public spaces. The project should make the downtown area more walkable, safe, and fun. To learn more about the plans (including renderings of the new gateway center) and view updates, visit the Spirit of 76 Twitter page. Currently (as of February 10th), as you can see on the official website, the project is 10% complete.
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No matter what your age or who you’re traveling with, these new attractions in Branson, arriving on the scene in 2016, are sure to please. Amongst them, you can find date night ideas, rainy day activities for the whole family, and even team-building exercises for those visiting with coworkers. Some are versatile, some are on the cutting edge, and some seek widespread improvement, but they’re all welcome additions.
Ready to explore some old and new attractions in Branson this year? When you plan your trip, be sure to check out the accommodations at Branson Vacation Rentals. Our cabins and cottages are perfect for a fun family trip, a romantic getaway, or a relaxing weekend with friends. Browse our cabins, condos, villas, and cottages, or give us a call at 417-779-5880 to learn more.