Branson, Missouri – A Brief History

The Chicago Tribune awarded Branson with the moniker, “The way America should be”. This was several years ago but Branson is still a place where people flock to get a glimpse of when life was quieter and more relaxing. It’s a place where people are friendly and families can come and enjoy themselves together. There is something for everyone here!The Shepherd of the Hills is a large part of Branson History

With a general store and post office established in 1882 by Reuben Branson, the fledgling community got its start. The town was incorporated in 1912 just as the Powersite Dam was being finished; creating Lake Taneycomo. From then on Branson continued to grow into something special.

Harold Bell Wright wrote the book “The Shepherd of the Hills ” which was released in 1907. This book spurred many to come see the area Bell spoke of to get a feel of that Ozark tradition. It became the focal point of a show first done by the “Old Mill Theater” which became known by the same name as the book. That show has been in production for over 50 years.

More on The History of Branson

The Many Facets of Branson

The 76 Strip is part of Branson's historyAs shows popped up on Highway 76, the “strip”, people continued to flock to Branson. However, it isn’t just shows they come for. Many people come to Branson to take in the beauty of the Ozarks and enjoy the allure of the lakes and trails and campgrounds. In addition, Branson has become one of the largest destinations for military reunions. Also, many families come from miles around to bring their kids to sporting events and camps. All of this makes Branson a go-to location for the first time and return visitors alike.

There are so many things to do in Branson, it is no wonder that we are the third-largest drive-to destination in the United States.

Main Street Marina – Part of  a Great Branson Tradition

Located on the banks of Lake Taneycomo, Main Street Marina has become one of those important locations; anchoring one end of the Branson Landing. As the Branson Landing has become one of the many popular places to be in Branson, Main Street Marina sits proudly near the Lake Taneycomo Bridge on the Landing.  It’s a great place to take in the beauty of the Ozark Mountains and enjoy that famous Branson hospitality! Take a cruise on Lake Taneycomo and listen to one of Kayak oon Lake Taneycomo with Main Street Marina Water Sport Rentalsour Captains tell you about the history of this beautiful area we live in. Main Street Lake Cruises has dinner and sightseeing cruises for you to enjoy with your whole family.

Landing Axes on Main Street MarinaEnjoy a few hours, or a whole day on the lake with people closest to you with Main Street Marina Water Sport Rentals. While you are on the Marina, check out Landing Axes. Landing Axes is a World Axe Throwing League endorsed venue where you and your friends can get together for a little friendly competition. Ax throwing has become more popular than darts and cheaper than bowling.

Dockside dining awaits you at The Paddlewheel! Amazing food and drink made from scratch from some of the best the industry has to offer. You’ll be treated like you are part of the family here by our friendly staff.

A Great Crowd at The Paddlewheel in BransonAs the sun goes down things get even more AWESOME as some of the best entertainment comes to Rock The Dock at Branson’s Largest Nightclub! The Paddlewheel brings the best musicians and artists that the area has to offer. On a clear night, you’ll find the bands, and the dancers enjoing those bands, outside. Raining? Not a problem as the fun moves inside.

Main Street Marina is proud to be part of the Branson community and all of the great things the community has to offer! We are locally owned and operated and love being in the Ozarks community.

Main Street Marina wants to be a part of  your hometown Branson experience. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sensational Summer at Main Street Marina

With SummeMain Street Marinar here, there are many more things to do at Main Street Marina in Branson, Missouri. There is no better way to spend your days with your family than on the dock. With so many opportunities you will likely have to come back again and again to do everything. In this post, we are going to talk about what summertime looks like at Main Street Marina on Lake Taneycomo. Your summer vacation becomes a SENSATIONAL SUMMER when you visit Main Street Marina.

Cruise Lake Taneycomo

The Landing Princess and Lake Queen Side By SideClimb aboard one of our beautiful vessels from Main Street Lake Cruises on georgous Lake Taneycomo and see the beauty of the Ozarks like few ever will. From our vintage style paddleboat, the Lake Queen, you’ll sit back and take in the sights as our Captain tells you about the rich history surrounding the area. You’ll feel as if you have taken a step back into the past when Water cannons aboard The Lake QueenBranson was just a budding settlement.  Bring the kids along, because you are going to need protection from those scallywags that plundered the waterways of the White River. Our paddleboat comes equipped with water cannons for everyone to enjoy.  Tons of summer fun and relaxation for everyone.

If you want to make take an amazing cruise and make dinner plans at the same time, you will certainly want to consider The Landing Princess cruise. Our professional staff is ready to make your summer night special with a delicious meal and sightseeing aboard our 100-foot luxury yacht.  Relax and enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks Dine with us in luxury on the Landing Princesswhile being pampered as you enjoy the company of those closest to you. This one and a half hour dinner cruise is something that will leave you with lasting memories for years to come.

Enjoy a glass of wine or a spirit on any of our boats. Fully stocked bars are available on all our cruises and our bartenders are always ready to make that perfect summer cocktail for your enjoyment. Check out the Main Street Lake Cruises site for more information!

Get Out on the Water

Main Street Marina Water Sport RentalsYou don’t have to bring your gear along when you take a Summer vacation in the Ozarks. Main Street Marina Water Sports Rentals has you covered! Choose from kayaks, paddleboards, and hydro-bikes to get your family out on the water.  If you are looking for something with a bit more zip check out our Craig Cat two person motorboats.

We have options for everyone in your group. Whether you are looking for something for your family or a few hours to kill with friends, we have packages available for you.

What in the Landing Axes on Main Street MarinaAXUAL Fun?

Landing Axes has opened at Main Street Marina and it is an amazing time!  Anyone over the age of thirteen can get involved in this and it’s really become something everyone loves. Challenge your friends and family to great competition or just casual fun. League competition is in the works, so check back. We also have Steel-tipped darts for fun or competition as well.

Check out our website and check out the deals for groups and parties! It’s a great idea for a first date, and less expensive than bowling.

Axe anyone… you’re gonna love it!

Summer Nights on the Dock

Summer fun at The PaddlewheelWhether you are by yourself or with a crowd while you are in Branson, you are going to have a blast at The Paddlewheel! They have a great menu with weekly specials and AMAZING hand-crafted cocktails. Sit and relax on the dock and see some of the most beautiful scenery and wildlife the Ozarks has to offer.

Rock The Dock at The PaddlewheelAs the night progresses the dock will literally move. Rock The Dock has become a thing in Branson with some of the best entertainment that the region has to offer.  Every night is something AWESOME at Branson’s LARGEST Nightclub!

There is tons of room on the dance floor and the bar offers drink specials nightly to lubricate those dance bones! You are going to want to come back, again and again, to get in on the action. Don’t take our word for it. See for yourself!

Check out our YouTube page for more great bands and other things featured on Main Street Marina.

Online booking is available for everything on the marina if you have friends traveling to Branson and you want to give them something special. Please feel free to call us at 417-239-3980 if you have any questions or want to make reservations for anything on the marina.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

What’s Cookin’ at The Paddlewheel

The Paddlewheel MenuAs summer kicks into full swing, The Paddlewheel continues to give you great opportunities to enjoy your time with family and friends. In addition, a new menu has been created for you as well! We have put together great new choices to satisfy the level of any appetite. Whether you are in for cocktails, a quick snack, or dinner with family, we have you covered!

The Paddlewheel also has great options for groups! Whether your group is large or small, we can take reservations on most days to accommodate your party. We also have private space for your meetings and parties. The Paddlewheel, along with Main Street Marina and Main Street Lake Cruises, gives you many ways to get your party started. With our private charters and group packages, you can take your gathering off the Dock and onto Lake Taneycomo. We have an expert staff who is devoted to making your experience something special that you will remember for a lifetime. We invite you to contact us regarding your gathering so that we can speak with you about all the options that are available to you.

The Landing Princess at Main Street MarinaThere is always something exciting happening at Main Street Marina. There is no better place to witness the beauty of the Ozarks than to witness it on the banks of Lake Taneycomo. If you want to be out on the water we have watersports rentals and cruises to meet your needs. If you prefer to watch it from our dock at the paddlewheel sipping a drink we can do that for you as well.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

 

Main Street Marina – Branson, Missouri

Main Street Marina - Branson, MOWelcome aboard the maiden voyage of “The Anchor” – a blog featuring what’s happening at Main Street Marina!

The Branson Landing has become one of the most popular places to visit in Branson, Missouri. Located on the banks of Lake Taneycomo people come from everywhere to shop and take in the atmosphere. For the last few years one spot has become the place to enjoy the scenery and activities. That place is Main Street Marina and it features some of the best this area has to offer.

Main Street Marina is the home of  Main Street Lake Cruises. Come on board our classic paddleboat, The Lake Queen, or our 100-foot luxury yacht, The Landing Princess, for an amazing sightseeing or dinner cruise on Lake Taneycomo. We celebrate special events like Easter or Mother’s Day with specialty dinner cruises that come along with exclusive menus prepared for each occasion.  Main Street Lake Cruises also does private charters for weddings, reunions, and other special occasions. We provide the atmosphere to make your event something to remember for years to come.

In addition, on the marina, you will find a great spot for water sports rentals. Hydrobikes, stand-up boards, kayaks, and the popular Craigcat are available for rent. Enjoy the beautiful Ozark weather and scenery by spending it right out in the middle of nature.

A beautiful night on the Paddlewheel at Main Street MarinaAlso, the marina is host to The Paddlewheel; Branson’s premier restaurant on the banks of Lake Taneycomo. The Paddlewheel just recently hired a new chef and they have a delicious new menu prepared for you as you enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks all around you. People come out on game day for their respective teams to watch each play up close on our Gigantic 200 inch Big Screen TV! There are also other TV’s around the pool room so you don’t miss anything while you are with us.

The best live entertainment in the area plays at The Paddlewheel. In the evening you can often hear great bands “Rock the Dock”. Just follow those amazing sounds and it will take you right to us. Check out our calendar when you are in the area. You’re going to be glad you did!

We also have private dining and event space available as well. We would be happy to talk with you about that. Please feel free to contact us to make your next event amazing.


There are always new things happening at Main Street Marina. Read The Anchor often as we will shine a spotlight on different aspects  the marina has to offer. Better yet, come on down and see for yourself what is happening by the lake. Bring that Lake Attitude and plan to relax and have an awesome time!

See you soon!

A Date With The Lake Queen – Main Street Lake Cruises

The Lake Queen at Main Street Lake Cruises There is no better way to see the beauty of the Ozarks than aboard the Lake Queen on Lake Taneycomo. Experience first hand what it felt like to travel the White River Basin on a vintage paddleboat recreated by Main Street Lake Cruises on Main Street Marina! This 100-foot paddle boat is a replica of thoThe Display of beauty from the Lake Queense boats that traveled up and down the banks before the dam systems were created to establish the existing lakes in the region. Right now the leaves are beginning to change and the colors come alive before your eyes on this fabulous sightseeing cruise.

A Day On the Queen

From the moment you walk onto the deck of the Queen, you will realize you are in for something special as you see the attention to detail you will find on this boat. The courteous and professional staff are ready to make sure you have everything you need for the cruise. There is always a delicious meal available for purchase as well as a full bar to make sure you have just the right cocktail in your hand for the trip along the water. Check out our seasonal drink menu! For the next couple of hours prepare to take in the amazing scenery while one of our Captains lets you in on all the stories and secrets that the area holds regarding Lake Taneycomo and the Ozarks area.

There is fun to be had for the whole family on one of our Lake Queen cruises. In addition to the breathtaking scenery, there is so much to learn about the area. The crew of the Lake Queen will make sure all of the kids have an amazing time as well. There is a rumor that pirates and other scallywags lurk along the waters and every kid will become responsible for making sure the boat stays safe by learning to activate and fire the powerful water cannons equipped aboard the Queen’s stern. Your kids will feel like celebrities on the Lake Queen; we are so happy to have them on board!.

There is a climate controlled cabin below and a beautiful sun deck above. There is always plenty of shade on those warm and sunny days! We want you to be comfortable aboard our cruises.

Captain Gus with a curious passenger aboard the Lake Queen
Reserve Your Lake Queen Spot Today

We have a great time on our cruises, but it’s always better with you there!  Charters are also available for reunions and business meetings. Main Street Lake Cruises pulls out all the stops for their guests. If you have a special request, speak to your representative about them and they will make sure your package is designed with you in mind.

We look forward to meeting you! Welcome aboard!