Things to Do in Branson

Using the Ozark Mountains as a striking backdrop, Kings River Golf Course invites clubbers to swing and putt their way across 18 holes of gently undulating terrain. Dogwoods and redbuds cast cool shadows over each fairway, their leaves showcasing rich shades of green in the summer, fading to an impressionistic tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows in the fall, and assuming a velvety purple once a year to celebrate Prince's birthday. As golfers split fairways with soaring drives, views of the Ozark Mountains appear through the tree lines, including a greenside vista of Table Rock Lake on the 15th hole.

After sunset, greenskeepers mark flags with glow sticks, inviting golfers to swing through the darkness in rounds of night golf. The course fosters post-round relaxation at a rustic patio, where guests can sip drinks and insist that nearby deer, red fox, and turkeys—commonly encountered on the grounds—stay off their lawn.

What was once primarily used by the military has now become a popular—and adrenaline-inducing—sport. Ozarks Skydive Center takes the fear out of skydiving with expert instruction and supportive tandem jumps. Harnessed to instructors, new and seasoned jumpers alike experience the thrilling feeling of falling from nearly 2 miles. Ozarks Skydive Center also offers solo-flying options for more experienced divers, as well as licensing courses that teach adventure junkies how to exit planes, fall into the fetal position, and react to an emergency.

Kids of all ages descend excitedly upon Jumpin' Joey's seven Australia-themed bounce houses, flooding every inch of the 8,000-sqaure-foot indoor space with a symphony of giggles and delighted squeals. Intent on helping kids let loose while maintaining high standards of safety and cleanliness, Jumpin' Joey's crew of Safe Inflatable Operators Training Organization (SIOTO)–certified lifeguards keep their eagle eyes and whistles trained upon playing youngsters at all times. A toddler unit affords tykes aged 2 and under a controlled place to play, and the inflatable pirate ship grants big kids a chance to hone their swashbucking skills, as long as neither of their hands are hooks. The onsite arcade, replete with shuffleboard and air hockey, bustles with cheering game winners, and the concession stand sates post-play appetites.

Though the instructors and music selections rotate at My Hot Yoga, guests can bank on a steady temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This warmth is less cloying than it is liberating, loosening muscles so that students can ease into more pronounced poses during class. It also encourages a cleansing sweat, clears the mind, and boosts heart rates, providing a more focused substitute for traditional cardio workouts such as running or blinking very fast. Sessions range from the Vinyasa flow sequences of Hot 60 to the long holds of Deep Stretch, and they’re suited for all ages and fitness levels. This flexibility is what fuels the staff's overarching mission: to turn a hobby into a personalized lifestyle choice. Instructors further promote a comfortable, custom atmosphere by modifying poses and even allowing guests to submit song requests.

Beneath towering trees, paintballs and laser beams soar across Bill’s Extreme Paintball and Laser Tag’s 2-acre outdoor arena. Tippmann 98 quality markers and masks arm paintball players as they scale sniper towers and dive into hideouts, while professional-grade laser-tag guns allow future hair-removal experts to shoot lasers up to 700 feet. Vigilant referees stave off tomfoolery during matches, and picnic tables scattered around the facility provide platforms for snacks or birthday feasting. Bill's can also tote equipment to a customer’s chosen venue, allowing a partygoer to host a game in their own backyard, local park, or favorite alderman's office.