Showboat Branson Belle - Branson, Missouri

One of my favorite modern attractions in the South is the Showboat Branson Belle in Branson, Missouri.

I like the Branson Belle because it is a throwback to the romantic days of the big paddlewheel riverboats in the South. Many of these vessels featured live entertainment, and the Branson Belle is a floating show palace.

The showboat sails on Table Rock Rock Lake and is one of the largest landlocked vessels in the United States. Constructed on the banks of the lake, the Branson Belle is 278 feet long and 78 feet wide. She rises 112 feet from her hull to the top of her twin stacks and is powered by twin 16-foot paddlewheels.

Launched in 1995, she cruises the lake offering a variety of cruises, all of which feature live showboat-style entertainment and a chance to roam the decks as the boat is underway. She can carry up to 700 passengers on each cruise and is a popular Branson area attraction.

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bransonbelle.

(The photo above is courtesy of the Showboat Branson Belle.)

Historic Sites of Branson, Missouri - Part Seven

Resuming our look at historic sites in and around Branson, Missouri, this is the Showboat Branson Belle.

Although the Belle is of modern construction, she is a remarkable historic landmark in her own right. She is the largest paddlewheel vessel on a landlocked lake in the United States.

The Branson Belle also brings the days of the grand Mississippi River showboats back to life. She takes passengers for a variety of cruises that include live entertainment and a chance to experience the spectacular scenery of the Ozarks.

The boat was built on the shores of the lake she now sales. To avoid contaminating the water, the builders could not use grease to slide her down into the lake. Instead, they used thousands of bananas. She may be the largest boat in history ever launched using bananas.

To read more about historic sites around Branson, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/branson1.

The photo above is courtesy of the Showboat Branson Belle.