Planning a Trip

Getting There & Getting Around -- The nearest airport is Springfield-Branson Regional Airport (tel. 417/869-0300; www.sgf-branson-airport.com), in Springfield, 43 miles to the north, though that will change when Branson Airport opens in May 2009 (www.bransonair.net). You need a car when visiting Branson, and all the major car-rental agencies have desks at the airport. The major highway into Branson, which is 3 1/2 hours from Kansas City and 4 hours from St. Louis, is U.S. 65 from the north, where it intersects with I-44 at Springfield. Be forewarned that traffic on "the Strip," or "76 Country Boulevard" (W. Hwy. 76), in Branson is notorious for traffic jams, but a number of color-coded relief roads help.

Visitor Information -- Contact the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (tel. 800/214-3661 or 417/334-4084; www.explorebranson.com) or stop by one of two Welcome Centers for brochures, maps, and coupon books offering discounts: north of Branson at the junction of highways 65 and 160, and in town at the junction of highways 65 and 248. Both are open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 5pm (to 6pm in summer) and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.