Lake of the Ozarks, MO. - Looking for a great way to spend a long, three-day holiday weekend? Whether visitors' ideal getaway involves loading the car with family, fishing rods, golf clubs, camping gear or water skis, they need to look no further than Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks. 

Family fun on the water.

Labor Day Weekend, September 4-7, is a great time to get out of the house and experience the vast number of activities and attractions that await visitors at the Lake of the Ozarks, recently named the "Best Recreational Lake in the Nation" by readers of USA TODAY.  The Lake, which covers 54,000 acres with 64 billion gallons of water and features over 1,150 miles of meandering shoreline (more than the entire Pacific Coast of California!), offers many options for on-the-water fun. Visitors can choose a leisurely cruise with a group of friends on a pontoon or waterskiing and tubing behind a speed boat.  There are plenty of public ramps for those who bring their own boats, or the area's marinas rent boats, as well as personal watercraft, paddle boards and paddle boats. And, the Lake of the Ozarks has a reputation for being one of the best fisheries in the US. Crappie, bass, catfish and many other species are plentiful in the Lake and there are Coast Guard-certified fishing guides that know where all the fishing "hot spots" are.

Playing a round at Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark.

Speaking of trails, the area also is home to the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail and the Lake of the Ozarks Wine Trail. The Golf Trail is comprised of 13 championship courses designed by some of the game's biggest stars, including Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Tom Weiskopf, Ken Kavanaugh and more. Each course has its own unique beauty and challenges that appeal to beginners and seasoned pros alike. 

Asleep at the Wheel performs at Shawnee Bluff Vineyards on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Labor Day weekend visitors looking to catch more live music will have their choice of bands, genres and fine venues. Shawnee Bluff Winery, Shawnee Bluff Vineyards and H. Toad's Bar & Grill at Camden on the Lake will host live bands throughout the weekend. Shawnee Bluff Winery, which is located at 2430 Bagnell Dam Boulevard in Lake Ozark, features live evening entertainment by The Doghouse Daddies on Friday, Arties Univibe on Saturday and JC the King of Funk on Sunday. For more information on the winery, visit  ShawneeBluffWinery.com. Saturday evening at Shawnee Bluff Vineyards, 8 Tolwood Road near Eldon, legendary country rock band Asleep at the Wheel will entertain crowds with an energetic set featuring some of their biggest hits, such as "Hot Rod Lincoln," "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" and more. Doors open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. To order tickets, visit ShawneeBluffVineyards.com.  H. Toad's Bar & Grill at Camden on the Lake Resort, Spa and Marina, 2359 Bittersweet Road in Lake Ozark, hosts Fast Times, an entertaining '80s cover band, and Contagious, a danceable party band from St. Louis, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Music at H. Toad's begins at 9 p.m. each night on both inside and outdoor stages. For additional details on H. Toad's entertainment schedule, visit HToads.com.

Guests of Tan-Tar-A Resort can enjoy a weekend of fun that includes swim-up movies, live music, fun games, a scavenger hunt, cosmic bowling and all-American barbecues during its End of Summer Labor Day Celebration.  Tan-Tar-A will also put on an impressive fireworks display on Sunday at dusk. Those not staying on property can view their fireworks display by water at the 26-mile marker. For complete details on the weekend activities or to make reservations, call 573-348-3131 or visit