Most major vacation destinations have an on-season (the peak season for tourists) and an off-season (when fewer travelers are visiting). The off-season in Branson MO occurs during January, February, and March, the chilly winter months that bridge the gap between Christmas and springtime. Although some shows and sites are closed during the off-season, there are still many attractions to enjoy and savings to relish. Plus, the lack of crowds is refreshing. In fact, you might even prefer visiting during wintertime! Scroll down to learn more about Branson’s off-season.
The Off-Season in Branson MO
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT DURING THE OFF-SEASON
Humans naturally follow crowds, assuming that there is a good reason why so many people are choosing to do the same thing at once. Sometimes this tendency is beneficial, but other times it prevents us from exploring the unknown. Although most tourists choose to visit Branson during the summertime or the holidays, that doesn’t mean you should avoid the off-season. In fact, visiting Branson during this slow period offers a number of benefits:
- You can avoid the (sometimes overwhelming) crowds by skipping summertime (when schools are closed and families often schedule vacations) and Christmas (when many visitors are drawn in due to Branson’s festive attractions like Silver Dollar City’s Old-Time Christmas). If you would prefer a more relaxed and quiet trip to Branson, try visiting in January, February, or March.
- You can experience a different side to the city. If you’ve visited in the past during a popular time of year like June or December, you might enjoy exploring Branson during its downtime. The crowds will have dissipated, the trees will be leafless and stark, and the frost will glisten on the beautiful hills of the Ozarks.
- You can still enjoy Branson’s year-round virtues: restaurants, shopping, indoor attractions, outdoor fun, beautiful scenery, and more. You won’t have to sacrifice fun and relaxation simply because the season is less popular with tourists.
- You can save money. Traveling during the off-season can offer substantial savings. From your accommodations to tickets for live shows, most major costs are discounted during January, February, and March in Branson. Choose your accommodations carefully because this is where you’ll be able to save the most. With a bit of searching, you can undoubtedly find a beautiful place to stay that’s within your budget. For example, instead of booking a standard motel or hotel, try one of Branson Vacation Rentals’s log cabins or lake-view condos.
THINGS TO DO
Whether you enjoy exciting shows, outdoor activities, family fun, or educational outings, you’re sure to find a variety of things to do in Branson during January, February, and March . . .
- Enjoy a few rounds of golf at one of the area’s luxury golf resorts when the weather cooperates
- Hike around Lake Taneycomo or Table Rock Lake
- Tour one of the area’s caves or caverns, such as Talking Rocks Cavern or Fantastic Caverns
- See a live show, such as the Grand Jubilee or the Hughes Brothers
- Visit the Hollywood Wax Museum to see (and take selfies with) uncanny replicas of celebrities
- Learn about the wars of the 20th Century at the Veterans Memorial Museum
- Marvel at the amazements in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
- Fish on Lake Taneycomo or Table Rock Lake
- Learn about history at the interactive and exciting Titanic Museum
- Enjoy a show at the Grand County Music Hall
- Visit Splash Country, the waterpark at Grand Country, which features indoor pools, hot tubs, and water attractions
- Explore the World’s Largest Toy Museum
- Tour the National Tiger Sanctuary, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the environment through education
- Shop at Tanger Outlets or Branson Landing, taking advantage of post-holiday sales
- Sail away from Branson Landing on a Main Street Lake Cruise
- Enjoy dinner and a show on the Showboat Branson Belle, which reopens in early March
- Stop by Silver Dollar City when it reopens for the season in mid-March
THINGS TO KNOW
So why should you visit Branson during the off-season? The same reasons you would visit the city throughout the year: exciting attractions, lovely scenery, family-friendly fun, incredible live shows, and more. However, your experience in Branson during the off-season will differ from the typical Branson experience in several ways:
First, as we mentioned above, some attractions close during January and most of February. Many live shows take a break from Christmas until mid-February, and Silver Dollar City will not reopen until mid-March. So if the main purpose of your trip is to visit the theme park or see a specific show, check your dates to be sure that you won’t miss them.
Second, the weather may impede outdoor activities. Although Branson will undoubtedly be chilly during January, February, and March, the weather varies wildly from year to year and even day to day. For example, although temperatures in the mid-40s are typical for Christmastime in Branson, this year the days surrounding Christmas nearly reached 70 degrees! If Mother Nature throws down ice, snow, or freezing temperatures, you may need to adjust your vacation plans.
Finally, because some hotels, restaurants, stores, and attractions close during the off-season, you may have a more limited selection to choose from when deciding where to stay or what to do. However, this can be viewed as a disadvantage or a benefit depending on your outlook. After all, when you have fewer options, you won’t need to spend as much time shopping around to find the best deal available. This could allow for a more stress-free vacation.
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So what do you think? Would you like to explore the off-season in Branson MO? If so, be sure to check out Branson Vacation Rentals, a family-owned and -operated business. Our cabins and cottages are perfect for a fun family trip, a romantic getaway, or a relaxing weekend with friends.
We have a variety of properties available, including pet-friendly accommodations and cabins for large groups. Plus, our twelve locations, situated all around Branson, offer free Wifi and a variety of amenities like swimming pools, full kitchens, and fireplaces. Browse our cabins, condos, villas, and cottages online to learn more, or give us a call at 417-832-9991 to receive assistance or to book your rental property. We look forward to hearing from you!