What to Expect if You Go…
Three to four million people visit Branson each year (numbers vary according to the source) and in-season throngs of them can be seen walking, gawking and shopping in Historic Downtown Branson’s relatively few blocks of shops and eateries.
If you are looking for a Rodeo Drive, Madison Avenue, or a strip-mall shopping experience you won’t find it there. The storefronts are reminiscent of a simpler bygone era, but the market is geared to visitor traffic. It’s a mix of apparel, jewelry, antiques and flea markets, curios and curiosities such as a fossil shop and local history museum. There are eateries – down-home cafés and specialty food restaurants. All are a casual atmosphere.
Downtown Branson attracts country and city folks alike.
Why do the throngs of people visit Downtown Branson? As one visitor put it “It’s a hoot prowling through the shops. It’s fun.”
Getting to Historic Downtown Branson from the 76 Strip?
Assuming you are driving eastbound down 76 Country Blvd. away from the “strip” theaters and attractions toward Historic Downtown Branson and Branson Landing.– we will use the intersection of Bus Hwy 65 (a.k.a. Veterans Blvd.) and Main St. as an easy to find reference point.
76 Country Blvd. eventually becomes Main St. and downtown Branson, so you can also set your GPS for the intersection of Bus Hwy 65 and W. Main in Branson.
Seeing Bob Evans Restaurant on your left; driving over Hwy 65 Interstate and passing the on-ramps, and the McDonalds; you know you are almost to Historic Downtown BranThe traffic light at the intersection of Main St. and Bus Hwy 65 can get busy and the traffic light there takes a bit of time to cycle through its traffic-tasks, which include a pedestrian traffic light change right of way, So, be patient and once the light turns green for you, and you drive a few more feet, you are now in the heart of Historic Downtown Branson.
The most walked portion of Main St. in Historic Downtown Branson extends between Bus Hwy 65 and, four blocks later, ends at Branson Landing Blvd. Between those two points, you will see heavy pedestrian traffic during peak season and daylight hours.
Is Downtown Parking a Hassle?
Nope. Baring special events such as the annual Christmas or Veterans Parade downtown, there’s plenty of ample parking in the downtown area, but during shopping hours, parking along Main St., and along Commercial St., can be a challenge. Peak visitors’ season is roughly late springtime until Christmas. There is usually a lull in August just before schools resume after summer break.
Most sought after parking places are along both sides of Main St. and along Commercial Street. Those places are in the heart of Historic Downtown Branson and spaces are located directly in front of the shops and eateries.
Parking on Main Street
Driving into historic downtown Branson you’ll find free parking on both sides of Main Street, as well as the streets crossing Main Street which includes Commercial Street and some parking on the next cross street down, Sycamore Street (across from Starbucks). There are not many parking spots on Sycamore. You will find them on both sides of the street by Starbucks.
There is a 2- hour limit for street parking downtown. During business hours, usually, 8 AM to 5 PM. A city parking official marks tires of parked cars. If you exceed the posted parking time you could get a parking ticket.
DIAGONAL PARKING TIP
Most parking on streets downtown is not parallel parking, but diagonal parking perpendicular to the curb. (Cars pull into parking spots head first) into the parking spot.
If this type of parking is not something you normally do back home, here is a little SAFETY AWARENESS TIP. As mentioned above, during in-season business hours traffic on Main Street can often be bumper-to-bumper in both directions. The rear of your vehicle will be just a few feet from moving traffic. Also, your visibility backing out might be limited or impaired by a vehicle parked next to you. Be patient and observant. As a rule, most people are very cautious backing out of a parking spot on Main St., but if you are tired from travels, or shopping ‘til you drop, be cautious backing out, particularly on Main and other diagonal parking streets.
Commercial St. free parking
Continuing down Main St., the first intersection will be a four-way stop at the intersection of Main and Commercial.
Make a right turn onto Commercial St., and you will find Free 2-hour diagonal parking on both sides of Commercial St.
When you reach Pacific St., turn left and drive just a few feet and you will be at the entrance of an enclosed Pay Parking structure. (This parking facility can also be accessed off Sycamore St.)
Turn right off Commercial St. onto Pacific St. and you will find more free parking there. Also on Pacific, there is free parking in a city lot at the new Liberty Plaza Park. Parking limit there is 3-hours. There is a public restroom facility at Liberty Plaza Park.
If you have driven this route (down Main St. toward Branson Landing, then taking a right turn onto Commercial St., then another right on Pacific St. and parking at Liberty Park, you will have driven a full circle back to Bus Hwy 65 (a.k.a. Veterans Blvd.)
Branson Centennial Museum on Commercial St. Lots to see and learn plus the price is right — Admission is Free!
Wonder why it’s called Historic Downtown Branson? On Commercial St. (on the northeast corner of Commerical and Pacific St.) you will find a gem of a free attraction, the Centennial Museum. Thanks to a corps of dedicated volunteers, you can spend an hour looking and learning about the history of Branson including a watching a movie on the subject. What will you learn? Here is a sample. “Jim Owen was just different,” recall Stacy Albers. “His appearance made him a unique character. His floppy hat, pipe, and rotund figure were distinctive, but he is best remembered for his enthusiastic promotion of Branson. He was Mr. Branson…he liked to call himself “The Float King of the River.” (From Jim Owen: Mr. Branson” by Josephine Cozean Styron , published in Both Sides of the Bridge Magazine, 2011)
Visit the Branson Centennial Museum and learn how in the 1930’s Jim Owen served as the Mayor of Branson and developed friendships with Gene Autry, Charlton Heston, Forrest Tucker and Smiley Burnett; escaped from robbers; and initiated a traveling movie show. Ask a museum staff member why Owen brought the fire department to one of his movie presentations. Centennial Museum is at 120 S. Commerical St. It closes at 4:30 p.m. For more information follow this link http://wrvhs.org/locations/bcm/
Crossing Main St. to the other side of Commercial St.
Going back to our home base starting point at Bus Hwy 65 — driving down Main St. toward Branson Landing, if you make a left turn off Main St. onto Commercial St., you will find more Free 2-hour street parking.
The first intersection that way down (going north on Commercial St.) is Atlantic St. On the southwest corner of Commercial and Atlantic is a free 3-hour city parking lot. There is also a public restroom at that location.
Are there locally owned breakfast cafes?
Yes. Branson Café, Clockers, and The Farmhouse.
All three places offer traditional down-home American fare. They also offer lunch and dinner.
Branson Café and The Farmhouse are located on Main St. across from each other. Clockers is located on Commercial St. (right turn on Commercial off Main when driving into downtown)
For reviews, menus, hours etc. click the following links for those restaurant web pages.
http://www.farmhouserestaurantbranson.com/
http://www.downtownbransoncafe.com/
Searching for a Fresh Juice Bar and Coffee Shop for Smoothies and Healthy Breakfast Toasts?
Check out Revived Juice. It is on Commercial St. across from Regent Bank {turn left off Main St. onto Commerical when entering downtown). They have a variety of smoothies, juice shots, coffee and health-conscious meals.
Are there Downtown Branson restaurants open evenings?
Yes. There are restaurants open along Main St. Be aware that most close at 8 or 9 p.m There is also a restaurant open evenings on Sycamore St.
Mr. G’s (Italian food) is a longtime local favorite just off Commercial St. on Atlantic St and. has a bar. The street in front of the restaurant has a steep grade and not a lot of parking places. Depending on your walking ability it may suit you better to park on Commercial St. (more level parking) and walk to the restaurant — or drop passengers off at the front door, before finding a parking spot.
At Branson Landing, there are a variety of restaurants with bars that are open later. What’s the difference between eating in old downtown or at the landing? It all depends on your preferences. Old downtown has fewer choices, but a quieter evening environment with reasonably priced food. The landing has more choices, more bars, a bustling evening environment (depending on the day and season) and is pricier. In old downtown in the evening, you should be able to park in front, or closer, to a restaurant and have less of a walk.
Sycamore St. Parking plus a favorite SELFIE photo spot!
There are a few 2-hour free diagonal parking spots on Sycamore adjacent to the Starbucks. You can also access the Pay Parking garage on the other side of Sycamore (across Main St. from Starbucks). You will find a Downtown Branson visitor favorite photo-op wall mural on Sycamore St.{
Wall mural catches the eye of visitors and makes a great photo memory for a vacation scrapbook or to share with a friend.
What Might Be The Most Popular and Famous Shop in Historic Downtown Branson?
Well, we don’t have any hardcore statistics, but most would not hesitate to say Dick’s Old-time 5 & 10 on Main St. Why? 1. It will take you back in time to see what old-time 5 &10 stores were like. 2. You will not believe the amazing amount of merchandise displayed in the store. 3. Most things are cheaply priced. 4. And most importantly, the reason Dick’s has been a favorite attraction for generations — it’s just fun and a real hoot to wander the aisles and browse at all the stuff there — no matter what your age!
https://www.dicks5and10.com/
Are There Locally Owned Women’s Clothing Stores in Historic Downtown Branson?
It’s a question we hear asked often by women visitors. The answer is yes.
FASHION HOUSE
On the southwest corner of Bus Hwy 65 and Atlantic St. Fashion House is an upscale women’s apparel shop. They feature brands such as Joseph Ribkoff, Tribal, Sympli and many more.
SIMPLY BARBARA
Located on Commercial St. Simply Barbara carries upscale denim, tops, dresses and lots of bling.
PATRICIA’S VICTORIAN 
At the corner of Commercial and Main St., grandma Patricia’s carries romantic Victorian style apparel featuring Pretty Angel tops and dresses. If you like lace, you’ll love Patricia’s
CODE
Located on the north end of Commercial St., Code features upscale junior denim, trendy tops, and dresses.
KELLY ANN’S UPSCALE RESALE
Located west of Commercial St., on Main, Kelly Ann’s features resale items less than three years old.
IF THE SHOE FITS
Located on Commercial St. If the Shoe Fits is an upscale shoe store specializing in a variety of sizes.
