Branson reigns as Top Motorcoach Destination of the Decade

Branson and Silver Dollar City are both Top 10 picks in the nation for tour and travel, according to a recent industry survey — indicators that the Southwest Missouri town known for live entertainment and world-class family attractions remains a national favorite. 

In the annual survey conducted by the National Motorcoach Network, Branson placed number 3 on the Top 10 Destinations list, following Pigeon Forge and Washington, D.C., and ahead of cities including Nashville, Chicago and New York.

“I don’t think Branson has ever been below number 4 in all the years of our survey,” said Steve Kirchner, editor and publisher of Byways, the National Motorcoach Network magazine. “Branson has been number 1, 2, 3 or 4 consistently for 17 years and that’s pretty amazing.” In fact, Branson’s consistent high ranking in the survey earned it the title of Top Motorcoach Destination of the Decade in 2000, a testament to the city’s product, hospitality and service, according to Kirchner.

Silver Dollar City ranked sixth in the survey’s list of Top 10 Man-Made Attractions, with Disney World, the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland, Washington, D.C., the Statue of Liberty and Graceland, and ahead of such attractions as Universal Studios. The 1880s-style theme park has been internationally awarded for excellence in theme, presentation and operations, including the worldwide Applause Award and the THEA Award from the Themed Entertainment Association.

“At Silver Dollar City, we have much to offer motorcoach travelers, with six festivals, our demonstrating craftsmen, unique craft shops, great food and shows,” said General Manager Brad Thomas. “We appreciate being among the favorite attractions nationwide and continually add elements that give our guests more reasons to visit.”

Complete Top 10 survey results of the National Motorcoach Network:

Top 10 Destinations
1. Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
2. Washington, D.C. 
3. Branson, Mo. 
4. Nashville, Tenn.                    
5. Chicago, Ill.  
6. Atlantic City, N.J. 
7. Philadelphia, Pa.
8. New York, N.Y.  
9. Williamsburg, Va. 
10. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Top 10 Man-Made Attractions
1. Disney World
2. Grand Ole Opry/Opryland
3. Washington, D.C. (monuments and Smithsonian museum)
4. Statue of Liberty
5. Graceland
6. Silver Dollar City
7. Dollywood
8. Pennsylvania Dutch Country
9. Henry Fort Museum and Greenfield Village
10. Universal Studios

Top 10 Motorcoach States
1. Pennsylvania
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Tennessee 
5. South Carolina
6. Virginia
7. New York
8. Missouri 
9. Kentucky
10. North Carolina

Top 10 Motorcoach Restaurants 
1. Cracker Barrel
2. Bob Evans
3. Golden Corral
4. Shoney’s
5. Olive Garden
6. Piccadilly Cafeterias
7. Western Sizzlin’
8. Landry’s Seafood Restaurants
9. Applebee’s
10. Rainforest Cafe

Top 5 Natural Attractions
1. Niagara Falls
2. Black Hills of South Dakota / Mount Rushmore
3. Yellowstone National Park
4. Grand Canyon
5. Cape Cod

Referencing another of the survey’s Top 10, the restaurant picks are well- represented in Branson too, Summers said, with seven of the top 10 within the city: Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, Golden Corral, Shoney’s, Olive Garden, Landry’s and Applebee’s.

The annual Top 10 rankings of the National Motorcoach Network are compiled from surveys of member operators indicating where they plan to travel in the coming year.

Report by Chitra Mogul