It's Showtime in Branson

Can't make up your mind which shows to see in Branson this trip? Here are three that get top votes from critics and audiences alike.

Shake Rattle & Roll—The Best Hits of the '50s
Celebrate the early days of pop, from "Rock Around the Clock," to "Good Golly Miss Molly." It's a party in poodle skirts and letterman's jackets, rockin' out several times weekly at Branson Variety Theater through December 2010.

Acrobats of China featuring the New Shanghai Circus
Okay, so it's a bit exotic for Branson, but that's what makes this show special. The soaring, flipping, superhumanly flexible feats you'll see here are the Far East's gift to American performing arts. They've been in Branson since the '90s, dazzling audiences and giving a glimpse into Chinese theater traditions.

Family-Friendly Branson

Branson is often associated with an older generation of people—if we close our eyes we can almost imagine our mothers saying, “I just love that place!” But the lively town nestled deep in the Ozark Mountains can be a haven of good times for young and old. As Vegas claims “Sin City,” Branson happily caters to families that prefer a getaway in nature rather than a sea of artificial lights. Broadway-type shows are performed almost every night here, and roller coasters, zip lines, and golf courses are open daily.

Photo Credit: Lake at the Ozarks, Branson, Missouri (Missouri Division of Tourism)