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June 17, 2013

Summer Travel Tips & Story Starters

Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. -
Summer sun means summer fun at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks. With its many attractions, activities and amenities, the Lake of the Ozarks is the place to plan a vacation getaway in the months ahead. For more info, color images or other assistance, please contact
Marjorie, Jo, Deb or Kyle at The Beenders-Walker Group.
By Lake or By Land ...

The scenic beauty of the Lake of the Ozarks can be enjoyed by land or water. Visitors can immerse themselves in water fun by swimming or water skiing, riding personal watercraft or cruising the Lake on anything from pontoons to houseboats. Many marinas have a variety of boats and personal watercraft for rent or visitors can launch their own boats from one of several public ramps. A list of public launch ramps is available at: www.funlake.com/marine/ramps.php.

  

Those who choose to keep their feet on the ground will find their fun on the hiking, biking and/or horseback riding trails around the Lake. Ha Ha Tonka State Park near Camdenton offers scenic vistas, trails for hiking and castle ruins to explore. Lake of the Ozarks State Park features beautiful natural woodlands, sunny glades and towering bluffs overlooking the Lake. There are trails in the park for mountain biking and hiking and even an aquatic trail for boaters. For more information on the Lake-area state parks, visit MoStateParks.com, or FunLake.com. For horseback riding, Ozark Homestead Stables at Lake of the Ozarks State Park offers 1-hour and 2-hour trail rides. And, Circle R Stables at Tan-Tar-A Resort offers two miles of trails meandering through the wooded rolling hills adjoining The Oaks and Hidden Lakes golf courses on the resort's property.

 

Weekends or Weekdays or Every Day of the Week ...

While much of the fun at the Lake of the Ozarks is available any day of the week, many of the area's festivals occur on the weekends. Aquapalooza on July 20; The Great Bagnell Dam Duck Drop on Aug. 3 and the Mid-Missouri Wine and Brew Festival on Aug. 10 are upcoming examples of Saturday fun for families. In addition, one of the Lake's most popular summer events is the exciting power boat race, The Shootout, Aug. 16-25. For details, see the list below or go to the events calendar at FunLake.com.

 

All summer long Big Surf Waterpark, near Linn Creek, offers everything from fast and furious flume rides to a relaxing drift down the Lazy River. Go to BigSurfWaterpark.com for information and hours of operation.

 

The definition of family fun almost always includes go-karts and miniature golf.  Go-karting is available at two Lemans Sprint Karts locations in Lake Ozark and also at Gran Rally Go-Karts in Osage Beach. For a little more excitement, try the Lemans Sprint Karts location in Osage Beach for go-karts, bumper boats and more family fun. Three mini-golf courses - Putt 'n' Stuff and Pirates Cove in Osage Beach and Sugar Creek in Lake Ozark - are open for fun during the day and into the evening all week long. For more information and hours of operations, please visit FunLake.com. 

 

On The Greens or In The Shops ...

Lake visitors can "play a round" or "shop around." Golfers will find 15 challenging courses with 13 of them on the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail; they can play every day on courses carved into the beautiful scenery surrounding the Lake. "Stay-and-Play" Golf Trail packages with the best rates on lodging and greens fees are available at GolfingMissouri.com. Complete golfing information on all 15 Lake courses is available at FunLake.com.

  

Shopping at the Osage Beach Premium Outlets

Buying or browsing, shoppers will find stores galore at the Lake of the Ozarks. In fact, it's not unusual for people to come to the Lake strictly to shop. From a major outlet-mall with 110 name brand designer stores to small, unique boutiques, the Lake has many, many options. The area's hundreds of retailers offer one-of-a-kind Ozarks souvenirs, items for the family, the home, the outdoors, the holidays and much more, year around. Antique shops and flea markets also attract shoppers to the Lake of the Ozarks with over 50 stores within 50 miles. For more information on shopping at the Lake, please visit FunLake.com.

Come Rain or Come Shine ...
Bridal Cave in Camdenton

If the summer sun takes a day off, it doesn't mean the summer fun has to take a break, too. There are plenty of indoor activities at the Lake of the Ozarks to occupy visitors regardless of the weather.

 

For starters, four of Missouri's 22 "show" caves are in the Lake area. They offer indoor fun at a constant temperature around 60 degrees, no matter what the weather is outside.

  • Bridal Cave, in Camdenton, is on the Big Niangua Arm of the Lake. Named for a Native American legend of romance and marriage, Bridal Cave offers lighted tours on concrete walkways, featuring the Bridal Chapel. For information, visit BridalCave.com.
  • Jacob's Cave, in Versailles, is the largest cave in the Lake area featuring geological evidence of six ice ages and three earthquakes. Visitors can take walking tours on concrete walkways from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Learn more at JacobsCave.com.
  • Fantasy World Caverns, in Eldon, has a storied history of use as a shelter for animals and Native Americans, storage by early settlers and as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Tours by "Curtis the Caveman" are available daily. For more information, visit FantasyWorldCaverns.com .
  • Ozark Caverns, at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park, is famous for its Angel Shower, which is a treat for any cave enthusiast. Visitors to Ozark Caverns will be provided with handheld lanterns for their excursions. Guided tours are available mid-May through mid-September. Learn more at www.mostateparks.com. 

There is a day's worth of indoor fun for visitors of all ages at Miner Mike's and Buster's. This 35,000 square foot complex features indoor rides, including bumper cars and a two-story Ferris wheel, two floors of arcade and video games, and a maze. With food available on site, visitors won't mind the rain outside. For more information, go to: MinerMikes.com

 

Visitors who want to have indoor fun with a splash can visit Timber Falls Indoor Waterpark at Tan-Tar-A Resort. The three-story wilderness tree house at the center of the park features water blasters and a six-foot-wide bucket that dumps 600 gallons of water on those below. Go to: www.tan-tar-a.com/play/timber-falls-water-park to learn more. 
LOOKING AHEAD...

The summer season is loaded with fun fairs, festivals and events at the Lake of the Ozarks. For more information about summer getaway packages, lodging, dining, shopping, events and attractions throughout the Lake area, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Bureau's website, FunLake.com.


MUSIC LEGEND JIM STAFFORD RETURNS TO MAIN 

STREET MUSIC HALL

JUNE 22 

Comedy and music legend Jim Stafford is once again bringing his special brand of family entertainment to the stage at Main Street Music Hall at the Lake of the Ozarks for a special performance at 8 p.m. on June 22. Stafford is well-known for his satirical wit in songs like "Cow Patti" from the Clint Eastwood movie "Any Which Way You Can," "My Girl Bill" and "Spiders and Snakes." He is also a gifted classical guitarist and has recorded two classical guitar albums. Stafford will make his guest appearance during Main Street Music Hall's "Reelin' in the Years" show. Stafford last performed at the Lake in May and is eager to return. "I don't know if I can have more fun than I did the last time I performed at Main Street Music Hall," he said, "but I'm gonna try." For more information about this performance or the Main Street Music Hall show, go to: LakeMusicHall.com.

 

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS

JULY 12, AUG. 9 & SEPT. 6

Hot Summer Nights is a monthly car cruise featuring all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles. It's an opportunity for car enthusiasts to cruise the mile-long Bagnell Dam strip to show off their own rides or admire someone else's. Hot Summer Nights includes family friendly fun. There will be giveaways, food and DJ Leo Case "spinning tunes" to put attendees in a "sock hop" frame of mind. On Aug. 9, Hot Summer Nights asks "Where Were You in '62?" as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of the movie "American Graffiti." For more information, go to: CruiseHotSummerNights.com.

 

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

JULY 4-6

Visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks can experience traditional 4th of July fireworks from a different perspective - on the water. Those who want to spend Independence Day at the Lake should plan a getaway now at one of more than 200 local lodging properties. Communities and resorts around the Lake will offer spectacular displays of pyrotechnics on July 4 and over the holiday weekend. Visitors can enjoy them on land at festivals featuring food, fun and games. Those with boats can take to the water on their own.  Others can make reservations to view the fireworks on tour boats like the Tropic Island or the Celebration, which offer special fireworks cruises. For exact times, dates and locations for fireworks displays, go to FunLake.com.

 

MISSOURI WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

JULY 9-11Old Kinderhook Logo

The Missouri Women's Golf Association (MWGA) will play its annual Amateur Championship Tournament at Old Kinderhook Golf Club, July 9-11. Karen Johnson of the MWGA said Lake of the Ozarks and Old Kinderhook have been "top on our list for an MWGA Amateur Championship." The quality of the maintenance and design of the Tom Weiskopf course, which plays at approximately 5,900 yards, was the draw for the group. "This is our 75th anniversary of the Amateur Championship, and we wanted to choose a special place to commemorate the occasion," Johnson said. The tournament showcases the top women amateurs in a 54-hole stroke-play competition. Spectators are welcome at the tournament. For more information on the event, visit MoWomensGA.org.

 

AQUAPALOOZAAquaPalooza 3

JULY 20

The Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association along with some area businesses will host Aquapalooza, the single largest one-day boating event at the Lake of the Ozarks. Dog Days Bar and Grill on Jeffries Road in Osage Beach, or at mile marker 19, will host the afternoon of family-friendly fun on the water. This year's Aquapalooza will feature up-and-coming musicians Nic Cowan and the Brian Collins Band, along with the classic rock of The Devonshires and, from Kansas City, the acoustic vocal trio Rock Paper Scissors. For more information, go to: FunLake.com/Aquapalooza/.

 

19th ANNUAL MID-MISSOURI WINE & BREW FESTIVALMO Wine Festival

AUG. 10

Discover and appreciate the art of wine and beer tasting as you sample the bottled offerings of local and regional wineries and breweries. Specialty vendors and restaurants will be present to complete the experience with hors d'oeuvres. The event is held at the Country Club Hotel and Spa in Lake Ozark. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and include a souvenir wine glass. For more information, contact the Country Club Hotel and Spa at (573) 964-1008.

 

25th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout

AUG. 16-25Lake of the Ozarks Shootout

Named one of the nation's eight must-see boating events by Powerboat Magazine, The Shootout is the largest unsanctioned boat competition in the U.S., and more than 100 boats individually race to be named the Lake's fastest boat. This thrilling spectacle takes place at Captain Ron's Bar & Grill, just south of the Hurricane Deck Bridge at the 34.5 mile marker in Sunrise Beach. For more information, please visit LakeOfTheOzarksShootout.org.
  

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The summer season is full of exciting travel stories at the Lake of the Ozarks!  For more information, media assistance or high-resolution photography, please call The Beenders-Walker Group toll-free at 800-544-8474 or email Marjorie, Jo, Deb or Kyle.

 


Lake Logo  

LAKE OF THE OZARKS TRI-COUNTY LODGING ASSOCIATION & CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAU

Phone: 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) Fax: 573-348-4292 

P.O. Box 1498  Osage Beach, MO 65065

Website: www.FunLake.com  Email: [email protected]   


Quick Links

FunLake.com

 

Lake of the Ozarks State Park

 

Ha Ha Tonka State Park

 

Ozark Homestead Stables

 

Circle R Stables

 

Aquapalooza

 

Bagnell Dam Duck Drop

 

Mid-Missouri Wine and Brew Festival

 

Lake of the Ozarks Shootout

 

Big Surf Waterpark

 

Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail

 

Bridal Cave

 

Jacob's Cave

 

Fantasy World Caverns

 

Ozark Caverns

 

Miner Mike's

 

Timber Falls Waterpark

 

Main Street Music Hall

 

Hot Summer Nights

 

VisitMO.com

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