Spending Friday in Branson, Missouri? Here's how I'd do it.

People always ask me where I would go if I wanted to have a good time in Branson, Missouri. Honestly, that’s a hard question to answer when you look at everything Branson has to offer.

If you had a two-month vacation, you still might not have enough time to experience everything available here in the Ozarks. Between the lakes, live music, restaurants, bars, attractions, shopping, hiking, and outdoor activities, there’s always something going on.

But if all I had was one weekend in Branson — and I wasn’t into golf (because golfing around here is almost a religion) — there are a few places I would absolutely put on my list.

So let’s say I arrive Friday night.

First things first: I need something to eat.

Now personally, I LOVE steak. So I would probably head over to the place that prides itself on having the best steak in Branson — Capone’s.

Capone’s is a speakeasy-style restaurant tucked away inside a small strip mall near the Pointe Royale Golf Course community. It has that hidden-gem atmosphere that makes you feel like you discovered something most tourists drive right past without ever noticing.

The food is fantastic, the atmosphere is unique, and if you appreciate a good steak, this place deserves a visit.

After dinner, I’d probably be looking for a little nightlife.

For me personally, I enjoy a good dive bar. Not something fancy. Just a fun place with good people, music, and energy.

And in my opinion, you cannot find a better dive bar in Branson than Crazy Craig’s Cheeky Monkey Bar.

The moment you walk through the door, the energy hits you. Most nights, before you even get fully settled in, someone is handing you the daily shot special.

There’s usually something happening every night of the week except Mondays. Karaoke, live music, dancing, laughs — it’s just one of those places where people go to unwind and have a good time.

One thing I really respect about the place is how well it’s managed. Kim, the general manager, does an incredible job making sure everyone has fun while still keeping things under control. The atmosphere is wild enough to be entertaining, but not so wild that it turns into chaos.

As they seem to understand there:“You’re allowed to be crazy… just not stupid.”

That’s probably one of the best ways to describe the place.

By the time I left there, I’d probably be ready to find my bed and get some sleep before starting Saturday all over again.

Because in Branson, one weekend goes by fast.