By Nikki Johnson
If you’re looking for a long weekend (or week-long) getaway that has something for everyone in your family, you can find it at the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri! My family and I have been traveling to the lake for over 10 years (long before I had a family of my own), and I can tell you that after all those years, I still have not come close to experiencing all that the lake area has to offer…and the best part is, the fun doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Don’t worry if you don’t have a boat- you don’t need one to have fun here! (Besides, plenty of rentals are available all over the lake.)
If you have kids, a must-do is Bear Bottom Resort in Sunrise Beach. We think it’s neat that this place is owned by a firefighter and his family (since we’re a fire family, too!), but mostly we love how they have created the perfect place for an entire day’s worth of kid and adult fun. The longest water slides in Missouri (ride all day for $10) combined with great food, fireworks and a pool with swim up bar serving your favorite tropical frozen drink makes it a hit.
Speaking of food, a few of our other family favorites include Franky and Louie’s for some beach fun (real Florida sand), Backwater Jack’s for amazing fried potato salad and awesome sunsets, and Captain Ron’s for all the pirate-themed action your kids can handle, including rides on a real pirate ship! You also shouldn’t miss Dog Days– it has some of the best views at the lake and if you or your kids love watching big boats go by, this is the place. They also host a great event in June called the Canine Cannonball – it’s a dock dog jumping contest that is free to watch and a ton of fun for the family.
I did say some of the fun can be had for free, and the free fun won’t disappoint! The state parks are full of trails, beaches, hiking and great scenery. Ha Ha Tonka even has a natural bridge, caves and castle ruins to explore. If you have history lovers in your group, don’t miss a trip to Bagnell Dam– it’s amazing to see how the lake was built by creating the dam, and the outlook offers great views. Of course, some of the best memories are made lakeside- find the nearest dock and jump in, or grab your pole and see what you can catch. (The little ones will love the fish that can be found at the waterfront restaurants- be sure to order French fries and save a few to throw in!)
If you’re looking for a place to stay, you can choose from just about every type. Resorts, private homes, hotels, motels, condos, cabins, camping…you name it, it’s here! We’ve spent our time at Summerset Inn Resort, which has a great lakeside pool and plenty of ducks to feed (many of the same families come back year after year, which adds to the fun), and The Knolls Resort Condominiums, which feature indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, playground and more. We love them both, and I’m sure you’ll find the perfect place for your family’s getaway. (We’ve always wanted to try Tan-Tar-A Resort – they have an indoor water park and other fun activities right on the property.)
If you still haven’t found enough to fill your itinerary, you can hit up a spa for some pampering, play on a championship golf course or spend the day shopping at the outlet mall (a popular rainy-day activity, so plan accordingly). Evenings are spent racing go karts, playing mini golf, or at the arcade up on the strip. There’s also plenty of special events at the lake- be sure to check the calendar when planning your trip!
There’s just something about the lake that makes you want to turn off the technology, kick back and enjoy the slower pace of the lake lifestyle. I’ve traveled all over the country for work and for fun, and each time I still can’t wait to get back to the Ozarks. It’s the perfect place for making memories that will last a lifetime, and the best part is- it’s only a tank of gas away. So pack up the family, pick your perfect place to stay and go enjoy all that Lake of the Ozarks has to offer!
Nikki Johnson and her husband grew up in the C-U area, and are proud to call it home for their family. Nikki works full time as a brand manager and loves to spend her free time planning trips and taking her family on new adventures, as well as spending summer days at the lake whenever possible!